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[GCW] Monday Night Explosion - 12/13/04

Snabbit888Posted on 07/24/05 at 09:20:01

Six days away! Only six days away from the final pay-per-view of 2004, Best of the Best! But tonight, it was Monday Night Explosion from the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida! On the card tonight, the finals of the Cruiserweight Title Gauntlet as Jeff Hardy takes on Petey Williams, the winner meeting Paul London for the gold at Best of the Best! Also, Low-Ki and Elix Skipper, after last week's shocking turn by the World's Greatest Tag Team, will look to get back on track as they defend the World Tag Team Titles against Goldust and Booker T! That wouldn't be the only title on the line though as Monty Brown defends the North American Title against the man he defeated in the finals of the tournament, AJ Styles! Plus, Christopher Daniels puts the Television Title up against Rob Conway! That, plus a huge double main event! Let's get to the show!

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The show kicked off with the familiar sounds of "Medal," meaning only one thing - the World Heavyweight champion. As the crowd chants "YOU SUCK!" in time with the music, here comes Kurt Angle, and I have never seen him this happy in his time in Global Championship Wrestling. Right behind him, his old friends that are apparently new again, Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin, the World's Greatest Tag Team. Bringing up the rear is Angle's muscle, Steve Bradley. Angle got in the ring and with a great deal of modesty (sarcasm mode: OFF) announced the official formation of Team Angle (in which the World champ mentioned in a not so subtle manner was far superior than the Sensationals). Angle handed the microphone over to Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin. The fans were wanting to know exactly why the World's Greatest Tag Team turned their backs on all the fans, especially when they were approaching the apex of their popularity. Haas explained that he and Benjamin were tired of waiting for what they deserve and instead, they were just taking it. Benjamin added that the best way to do that would be to align themselves with the man who originally brought them to the dance, the World Heavyweight champion Kurt Angle.

Angle was handed the microphone back, but before he could speak again, the countdown appeared on the VideoTron meaning only one thing - the arrival of the number-one contender, Chris Jericho! Along with him was one-fourth of the semi-finals of the Best of the Best tournament, Randy Orton. Jericho and Orton made their intentions very clear, and that was that they wanted a match against the World's Greatest Tag Team tonight. The crowd was into it, and they were hoping to get a positive response when GCW President Ryan Niemiller appeared on the VideoTron (and as always, flanked by Matt Morgan). "I agree that this match would be absolutely fantastic, but unfortunately, it will not happen tonight." The crowd was upset, but Niemiller explained that the WGTT and Orton were already booked in matches tonight. Haas and Benjamin would be meeting the Basham Brothers in a number-one contenders match, and in a preview of Best of the Best, Orton would be teaming with Shawn Michaels to take on Brock Lesnar and Sean O'Haire. Niemiller added that in the main event though, Kurt Angle and Steve Bradley will be teaming up to take on Chris Jericho and a partner of his choosing. Everyone in and around the ring was left a little less than happy, but we should be treated to three tremendous matches.

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Match #1
Non-Title Match
Paul London (Cruiserweight champion) vs. Justin Credible
The wrestling for the night kicked off with our Cruiserweight champion Paul London in non-title action against Justin Credible. Before the match even began though, Credible made it a point to complain to referee Antonio Santangelo that this match should be for the Cruiserweight Title. Santangelo explained that the weight limit is 225 pounds, and that Credible weighed in at 229 pounds, and thus, a non-title match. Credible was pissed, and his anger made him forget that he still had a match to wrestle. Credible was never into it, and London used his speed superiority to outclass Credible in relatively easy fashion.

Paul London pinned Justin Credible after a slingshot splash in 0:05:22.
Rating: *** 3/4

A solid win for London going into his title defense at Best of the Best. Now he just has to wait and see if it will be Jeff Hardy or Petey Williams.


Match #2
Number-One Contenders Match
The Basham Brothers (w/ Shaniqua) vs. The World's Greatest Tag Team
A week ago if you would have told me the crowd reaction would be mixed for a match between the World's Greatest Tag Team and the Basham Brothers, I would have told you that you were crazy. However, with the recent and unexpected change of attitude in Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin, it was hard for the fans to rally behind either of these two teams. It didn't matter to them though, because they don't like each other very much either. These two teams have had several go rounds in the past few months, and this was another fantastic highly competitive tag team event between two of the top teams in the world. Haas and Benjamin were a little razzled by the heckling of the fans, leading to them taking the brunt of the offense from Doug and Danny Basham. Shaniqua had the Bashams back on top of their game, but Haas and Benjamin are highly motivated, and in a hard fought exchange, Haas got Danny Basham in the Haas of Pain. Doug tried to break it up, but Benjamin caught him with a Dragon Whip kick and the match was over.

Number-One-Contenders-Match:
The World's Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) defeated The Basham Brothers (Doug Basham and Danny Basham) when C. Haas made Danny Basham submit to the Haas of Pain in 0:11:19.
Rating: *** 1/2

At Best of the Best, the World's Greatest Tag Team will get the title shot they've been asking for against Elix Skipper and Low-Ki, provided they can get past Booker T and Goldust later on tonight.

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Speaking of our quirky odd couple, we cut to the backstage area to see Booker T and Goldust in the middle of a lover's spat. Booker was screaming about Goldust costing him the Television Title, to which Goldust replied that if Booker was Television champion, it would put a serious rift in the relationship. Booker T quickly corrected the Golden One and told him it was TEAM, but Goldust wasn't listening, saying that tonight they were to focus on winning the World Tag Team Titles. Booker (and everyone else for that matter) was baffled as to how he and Goldust even got a shot at the World Tag Team Titles. Goldust's response was unclear and vaguely implied sexual impropriety with President Niemiller (*shudders*), but thankfully, Booker cut him off before it became too graphic.

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Match #3
Top-Contender Gauntlet for the Cruiserweight Title
Jeff Hardy (w/ Lita) vs. Petey Williams (w/ Dawn Marie)
Jeff Hardy and Petey Williams survived through to the final match of the Cruiserweight Title Gauntlet, but they had to get one more win if they wanted the chance at Paul London and the Cruiserweight Title at Best of the Best. It also had to be noted that this was the first match of the Gauntlet in which Lita and Dawn Marie were allowed at ringside with their respective charges. Though both men are cruiserweights, they have very different styles. Williams is hard-hitting and prefers to wrestle the mat whereas Hardy is more suicidal and has shown time and time again that his own welfare is inconsequential. Petey did a good job at keeping Hardy grounded in the early stages, which meant when Jeff did get to fly, his early frustrations made him take highly unnecessary chances. Jeff hit a couple of his crossbody blocks, but when he went for a spiral tap from the top, Petey moved (albeit not much) and Jeff completely crashed and burned. Jeff Hardy hit hard on the mat, and Williams was quick to roll him up and with an additional hook of the tights, pulled a victory literally out of nowhere on Jeff Hardy.

[Cruiserweight Title Gauntlet - Finals]: Number-One-Contenders-Match:
Petey Williams pinned Jeff Hardy after a roll away in 0:04:38.
Rating: *** 1/4

With this victory, Petey Williams has won the Cruiserweight Title Gauntlet and will now meet Paul London this Sunday for the Cruiserweight Title. Lita consoled Jeff Hardy, who was more than a little disappointed at how this match turned out.


Match #4
World Tag Team Title Match
"Primetime" Elix Skipper/Low-Ki (c) vs. Booker T/Goldust
How Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin could claim that Elix Skipper and Low-Ki were ducking them is beyond me. Since winning the World Tag Team Titles at Glory, the champs have defended their titles once every week, far more than they are required to by the GCW Championship Committee by-laws. This week, they continued to defend their belts against all comers (including some who don't deserve it), defending against Booker T and Goldust. If Booker and Goldust could ever get on the same page, they have all of the tools to be future World Tag Team champions. However, the keyword there is 'future' as they most definitely were not on the same page tonight. Booker is still holding a grudge over Goldust costing him the Television Title last week, and he refused to tag in the entire match. Goldust is capable, but the champs picked him apart before Low-Ki hit the Bizarre One with the Ki Krusher. Goodnight, nurse.

Elix Skipper and Low-Ki defeated Booker T and Goldust when Low-Ki pinned Goldust with the Ki Krusher in 0:08:06.
Rating: *** 3/4
(Elix Skipper and Low-Ki retained the GCW World Tag Team Titles.)

After the match, Booker T simply left Goldust, not even checking to see if he was all right. As Skipper and Low-Ki celebrated, the World's Greatest Tag Team appeared at the top of the ramp and made the motion that the titles were coming their way. That very well could be the case this Sunday at Best of the Best when these two teams square off for tag team supremacy.


Match #5
North American Title Match
"The Alpha Male" Monty Brown (c) vs. "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles
AJ Styles had a successful run with the Television Title earlier this year, and he would love to add a successful reign with the North American Title to his resume'. The only problem is, getting through the massive Monty Brown is easier said than done. Brown actually won the North American Title by pinning Styles in the finals of a 16-man tournament back in October, so these two are familiar with one another. Styles' ego got the better of him to start, as Brown baited him into matching power for power. Styles is in tremendous shape, but you'll be hard pressed to find ANYONE that can match power with the former NFL strongman, and power is not Styles' game. After being bounced around like a cheap rubber ball, Styles finally pushed his ego to the back burner and did what he did best. Styles' used his unique offense to keep Brown off guard, trying to work a knot into the massive thigh muscle of the Alpha Male. His logic was that if Brown's legs were damaged, he wouldn't have the same explosion available for the Pounce. This was a sound strategy, but it didn't factor in how freakishly strong Brown is. Styles went for a rana, but Brown caught the Phenomenal One and absolutely drilled him with a power bomb. You could almost see the wind fly out of Styles' lungs as it was enough for Brown to retain his title.

Monty Brown pinned AJ Styles after a power bomb in 0:06:19.
Rating: *** 1/2
(Monty Brown retained the GCW North American Title.)

Monty Brown hardly had time to get back up before EDDIE GUERRERO was all over him with right hands. It didn't take long before ERIC ANGLE was down as well, and we had ourselves a fight! The three men who will all compete for the North American Title this Sunday fought all the way to the back, completely ignoring the efforts of the GCW Official Brigade. Perhaps that was because one member of the Brigade, the previous match's referee JD Sanders, was occupied in the ring by AJ Styles. Styles was frustrated, claiming he had gotten his shoulder up before the three count. Sanders explained that he can only call what he sees, which didn't sit well with Styles, who grabbed Sanders and put him in position for the Styles Clash. You can be frustrated all you want, but laying your hands on a GCW official is crossing the line by anyone's standards. Luckily for Sanders, Cruiserweight champion PAUL LONDON came in and broke things up, hitting Styles with a couple forearms in the back. Styles swung around with a huge lariat attempt, but London ducked and countered with a dropsault, knocking Styles from the ring. Styles started for the ring again, but he thought better of it when London was ready for him. If it wasn't for Paul London, who knows what would have happened to JD Sanders? Regardless of that, Paul London and AJ Styles look to be on a collision course down the road.

* * * * *

In the offices of the President, Ryan Niemiller was back with Matt Morgan. Morgan was asking about his duties this Sunday at Best of the Best. Morgan, of course, will be the special enforcer for the Television Title Match between champion Christopher Daniels and challenger Rey Mysterio Jr. As Morgan was having exactly what was expected of him described by President Niemiller, REY MYSTERIO JR. burst into the room, putting the massive Morgan on high alert. Mysterio was there with a purpose though, and it wasn't to harm the President. Mysterio let it be known that he is tired of what Daniels is running around doing and wants a chance to get full revenge for Daniels' attempt to put Mysterio on the shelf for good, but he wants to do it in a sanctioned fashion. When Niemiller inquired about what Mysterio wanted, Rey said he wanted the stipulation about Daniels losing the Television Title on a disqualification to be waived. Niemiller was puzzled until Mysterio said he wanted the match to be NO disqualification instead. Niemiller was tentative, but Mysterio wasn't going to take no for an answer, and thus the match this Sunday will be no disqualification for the Television Title!

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Match #6
Television Title Match
"Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels (c) (w/ Daffney) vs. Rob Conway
Before the match started, Rob Conway got on the mic and told us all that although Nick Dinsmore is gone, he is not detoured and sees this not as a door closing but a window opening. He may have a point, as in his first match since Dinsmore's dismissal from GCW, he had a chance to win the Television Title from "Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels. Conway showed some great flashes of brilliance in the match, but it's going to take him some more work as a singles wrestler before he makes the adjustment in full. Daniels took a couple lumps, but he was in no real danger of losing this match after hitting the Angel's Wings. Daniels wanted to send a clear message to Rey Mysterio Jr. though, and he threw Conway to the floor and hit a SECOND Angel's Wings, letting Mysterio know that he intends to use the no disqualification stipulations to their fullest at Best of the Best.

Christopher Daniels defeated Rob Conway by countout in 0:04:55.
Rating: ** 3/4
(Christopher Daniels retained the GCW Television Title.)

I can understand Mysterio's anger, but he may have bit off more than he can chew in requesting a no disqualification match with the reigning Television champion. Daniels and Daffney left without doing any more damage to Conway, who had to be helped to the back by officials.


Match #7
Best of the Best Preview
Randy Orton/"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels vs. Brock Lesnar/Sean O'Haire (w/ Daffney)
Our semi-main event was a preview of the semi-finals of the Best of the Best tournament, and with what is at stake this Sunday, we all knew it was just a matter of time before this one exploded. The teams themselves were a bit strange. Randy Orton and Shawn Michaels were on one side, and these two have quite the history, battling over the North American Title over the summer which culminated in GCW's first ladder match. Their opponents were Sean O'Haire and Brock Lesnar, which was an odd combination in itself. O'Haire will only follow and listen to the direction of the Prophecy, while I'm fairly certain that Lesnar likes nobody. So what resulted from that was a tag team match without a lot of emphasis on "team."

In a move that should come as no surprise to anyone, O'Haire and Lesnar took turns working on the back of the Heartbreak Kid at any opportunity they could get. HBK's minor back injury he suffered a couple weeks ago may be the worst thing that could have happened to him going into this tournament, because he might as well be wearing a bullseye at this point. It also didn't help him that his partner also wants to win this tournament, so Orton wasn't exactly rushing to his aid. Therefore, this match was more about these four men softening up the others than actually winning. Near the end, HBK mounted a comeback of sorts, but after hitting the flying forearm on Lesnar, Michaels tried to kip up, but his back gave out on him. Lesnar quickly capitalized and hit the F-5, picking up the momentum win going into this Sunday.

Brock Lesnar and Sean O'Haire defeated Randy Orton and Shawn Michaels when Lesnar pinned S. Michaels with the F-5 in 0:11:24.
Rating: ** 3/4

After the match, Lesnar wasn't done as he caught Sean O'Haire not looking and scooped up his once partner and dropped him with the F-5 as well. Lesnar turned with intentions to do the same to Randy Orton, but Orton was one step ahead as Lesnar turned right into the R.K.O.! It looked like Orton would have the last laugh until a recovered Shawn Michaels blindsided him with the Sweet Chin Music! HBK immediately clutched his back after delivering his superkick, but he sent a loud and clear message: he may be down, but he's not out.

* * * * *

Before our main event, we caught up with John Bradshaw Layfield backstage, with his ever trusty manservant, Lamont. JBL wasted no time in declaring how great he is, etc., but he would (thankfully) be interrupted by Shaniqua. Shaniqua started by scaring the holy living crap out of Lamont by telling him what a "fine little piece of man" he was, and I don't think anyone has ever talked to the limo driver that way because he was flabbergasted. Shaniqua went on to apologize to JBL for Abyss' actions last week and noted that the "big dumb animal didn't know any better." Shaniqua ended by suggesting that JBL and have a business meeting of some sort. What these two would have a business meeting about is beyond me, but I think JBL would have a business meeting with anyone based solely on his love of business meetings.

* * * * *


Match #8
MAIN EVENT
"Y2J" Chris Jericho/Mystery Partner vs. Kurt Angle (World Heavyweight champion)/Steve "Who's Your Daddy?" Bradley
Main event time, and when the match first started, it looked bleak. Chris Jericho was told that he could find a mystery partner to wrestle World Heavyweight champion Kurt Angle and Steve Bradley, but it looked as if it was going to be a handicap match from the outset. But right before referee Jimmy Appleseed rang the bell, "Whatever" by Our Lady Peace came on, ushering out former World Heavyweight champion Chris Benoit! The crowd exploded as Angle and Bradley gave a distinctly different reaction. Benoit and Jericho haven't always gotten along in GCW rings, but you have to commend the Rabid Wolverine for being a man and stepping up to the plate.

As the match waged on, the fans in Tampa were quickly realizing that they were watching a classic in the making. Benoit and Jericho have known each other for years, even holding tag team titles together in other promotions, and it didn't take long for them to rekindle that teamwork. Angle and Bradley know how to get it done as a team as well, and it's hard to bet against a team when one half of it consists of the World Heavyweight champion and the other half is one of the meanest men in wrestling today. Angle was picking his shots early with the hope of having more taken out of Jericho before this Sunday than himself, but with the nature of this match, he couldn't stay out of the fire for too long. By the end of this nearly 20-minute match, all four wrestlers had taken their lumps. The nice thing about this great match was the clean finish. No doubt that Kurt Angle is a highly capable athlete, but he has made it well known that he is not above taking the low road whenever he gets the chance. Tonight, he took advantage of great ring awareness by rolling out of the way of Y2J's Lionsault attempt and quickly putting on the Ankle Lock. Jericho almost made it to the ropes but Angle dragged him back in the center of the ring and grapevined the leg. Jericho knew that if he wanted a chance this Sunday, he couldn't suffer permanent damage tonight and did something you know he absolutely hated - he tapped out.

Team Angle (Kurt Angle and Steve Bradley) defeated Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho when K. Angle made Jericho submit to the Ankle Lock in 0:19:58.
Rating: **** 3/4

Angle tried to take liberties by refusing to release the hold, but Chris Benoit tossed Steve Bradley into the ringpost and jumped in to break it up. Jericho will be ready for this Sunday, but it's hard to argue that the World Heavyweight champion has the momentum.

Next up, this Sunday, December 19th, Best of the Best, live from the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida! The card is stacked from top to bottom, and will include all the following:

World Heavyweight Title Match - Kurt Angle (c) vs. "Y2J" Chris Jericho

Best of the Best Tournament - Semi-Finals - Randy Orton vs. Brock Lesnar

Best of the Best Tournament - Semi-Finals - "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels vs. Sean O'Haire

North American Title Match - "The Alpha Male" Monty Brown (c) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero vs. Eric Angle

Television Title No Disqualification Match - Special Enforcer - Matt Morgan - "Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels (c) vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.

World Tag Team Title Match - "Primetime" Elix Skipper/Low-Ki (c) vs. The World's Greatest Tag Team

Cruiserweight Title Match - Paul London (c) vs. Petey Williams

And just added... "The Crippler" Chris Benoit vs. Steve "Who's Your Daddy?" Bradley! What a way to close out the year!
91Posted on 07/24/05 at 12:58:41

World Heavyweight Title Match - Kurt Angle (c) vs. "Y2J" Chris Jericho

Wow, that clean victory for Angle makes you stop and think as to whether that means Jericho is winning here. Actually I suspect that's just what you want everyone to think. Angle wins.

Best of the Best Tournament - Semi-Finals - Randy Orton vs. Brock Lesnar

OK.... OK..... I don't know. OK, let's go for Lesnar here.

Best of the Best Tournament - Semi-Finals - "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels vs. Sean O'Haire

Michaels to advance here as well. And Lesnar to take the final.

North American Title Match - "The Alpha Male" Monty Brown (c) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero vs. Eric Angle

I'm going for Brown to retain. Angle won't take the loss I'd have thought, but Eddie may yet be the next champ.

Television Title No Disqualification Match - Special Enforcer - Matt Morgan - "Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels (c) vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.

By hook or by crook, Daniels gets the decisive win that I've been predicting for weeks.

World Tag Team Title Match - "Primetime" Elix Skipper/Low-Ki (c) vs. The World's Greatest Tag Team

Ooh, token title change. Let's go for TWGTT to take it.

Cruiserweight Title Match - Paul London (c) vs. Petey Williams

Despite all he's been through, Williams loses this one.

And just added... "The Crippler" Chris Benoit vs. Steve "Who's Your Daddy?" Bradley! What a way to close out the year!

And Benoit since it seems like ages since he last won.

By the way, what would Shaniqua and Lamonts children look like?