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[GCW] Retribution - 9/19/04
| Snabbit888 | Posted on 11/30/04 at 07:26:26 Tonight would prove to be a tremendous night for Global Championship Wrestling as Portland, Oregon's Rose Garden played host to Retribution! Tonight would mark six months of wrestling here in GCW, and what a six months it has been! We had eight huge matches, including the big one, Kurt Angle defending the World Heavyweight Title against the man who has pinned him twice in the past month, Rey Mysterio Jr.! That, and GCW President Ryan Niemiller would be announcing the brackets for the North American Title Tournament that will take place this coming month. The night started off right away though with a match between two of the top tag teams in GCW! Match #1 Number-One Contenders Match The World's Greatest Tag Team vs. The Hardy Boyz This was the perfect way to start off this night with a match between two of the best teams in recent history both going at it as hard as they can just for the opportunity to face the World Tag Team champions. The World's Greatest Tag Team and the Hardy Boyz are all good friends, but with the way these two teams went at it in this one, you wouldn't know that just by watching. Both teams knew they would have to wrestle to their strengths and hopefully be able to counteract the strengths of the opposition. Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin tried to keep this match on the mat, using their great amateur wrestling knowledge in an effort to ground the Hardyz. Matt and Jeff, however, wanted nothing more than for this match to become a sprint and go to the air, where they obviously excel. This match is exactly how a tag team match should be wrestled. Both teams utilized quick tags to stay fresh and did what they do best. One team had to win this match though, but both teams wrestled well enough to win. In the end, a rare miscue from the World's Greatest Tag Team led to the downfall of the former two-time World Tag Team champions. All four men were in the ring at the end of the match as tempers started to flare. Benjamin tried to kick Matt Hardy in the midsection, but the Sensei of Mattitude caught Benjamin's foot. Benjamin spun around and went for a big spin kick, but Matt Hardy ducked and Benjamin's foot connected with the jaw of Charlie Haas! Benjamin was thrown off by this as he checked on Haas, which allowed Matt Hardy to catch him with the Twist of Fate. Jeff Hardy climbed to the top and nailed the Swanton Bomb, and with that, the Hardyz earned a shot at the World Tag Team champions. Number-One-Contenders-Match: The Hardy Boyz (Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy) defeated The World's Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) when J. Hardy pinned S. Benjamin with the Swanton Bomb in 0:11:14. Rating: **** 1/4 It will be the Hardy Boyz taking on either the Basham Brothers or Paul London and Billy Kidman at Trick or Trouble next month for the World Tag Team Titles. After the match, Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas were obviously upset that they didn't win, but they shook hands with the Hardy Boyz and raised their hands in victory. A great show of sportsmanship between these two fantastic teams. * * * * * [After the conclusion of the first match, GCW President Ryan Niemiller makes his way down to the ring to a lukewarm reaction. Niemiller shakes hands with a few fans on his way down to the ring. As he enters the ring, he shakes hands with William Buck before taking our beloved ring announcer's microphone.] RN: Hello Portland, Oregon! [Obligatory "He mentioned our hometown!" pop.] RN: I hope you're all having a good time here at Retribution. This is a big night for us here at Global Championship Wrestling as it marks our six month anniversary as a promotion. It is my belief that in six months, GCW has come a long way in bringing you the greatest in wrestling action the world has to offer. And we here at GCW have you fans to thank. It's you who makes this all worth it, and make us a success, and we're hoping you'll join us for another six months and beyond. But enough of that. Let's get right down to business. I'm out here to announce the brackets for the tournament to crown a brand new North American champion. The GCW Championship Committee and myself met this week to work out the kinks of the bracketing, and we believe that these 15 men all deserve this opportunity. The matches themselves will start tomorrow night on Explosion. Here is what the brackets look like: [A graphic appears on the GCW VideoTron as Niemiller speaks.] RN: As a result of being the previous number-one contender, Sean O'Haire will receive a bye in the first round. He will meet the winner of a match between former two-time North American champion Randy Orton and Monty Brown. Also on this side of the bracket, Tommy Dreamer will meet Chris Jericho and the debuting John Bradshaw Layfield will meet a man returning from injury, Justin Credible. On the other side of the bracket, the winner of a match between the debuting Chris Hero and Goldust will take on the winner of a match between Eddie Guerrero and AJ Styles. Also on this side of the bracket, The Hurricane will go one-on-one with Abyss and in a rematch from tonight's match that will take place in a little while, Booker T and Steve Bradley will lock up once again. [The graphic disappears from the VideoTron.] RN: All 15 of these men would make a terrific North American champion, and if they can make it through this tournament, these will have that opportunity. [Suddenly, "Crazy Little Voices" by Ra plays, and here comes the Prophecy - Television champion Christopher Daniels, Sean O'Haire, and Daffney. Niemiller looks a bit worried but he holds his ground as the strange trio make their way to the ring. Daniels has a microphone with him.] CD: It's painfully obvious that you did not take my words on Monday seriously. I gave you six extra days to do the right thing and award Sean O'Haire the North American Title. In accordance to the Prophecy, He cannot come until there are proper gifts available for him. He will be presented with gold, Niemiller. You can't stop this. And trying to mess with destiny is not recommended. So I am giving you one last chance, Niemiller. Go to the back, grab the North American Title, and hand it Sean O'Haire right now. RN: As I have told you before, Mr. Daniels, in Global Championship Wrestling you earn championships. A title in Global Championship Wrestling isn't a gift to be given. So no, I will not be handing the title to Sean O'Haire. A title is earned, unlike how you won that Television Title you have with you. You stole that title, and that's why tonight, you're going to be defending that title in a match I'm scheduling right now. Tonight you will be defending the Television Title against your former teammate, and a man who I'm sure would love to get his hands on you, Low-Ki! [The Prophecy is not at all happy with this decision. The crowd, however, is as they cheer on this match.] RN: I consider myself a fair and just president, but I will under no circumstances be threatened by YOU, or by anyone else! CD: Your foolish pride will be your downfall. O'Haire! [Daniels snaps his fingers, prompting Sean 'Haire to quickly advance on Niemiller and grab him by the shirt.] CD: Now Niemiller, I am NOT threatening you. A threat is something that a person will spew forth when they haven't the intention or the guts to follow through. I have both. He is not someone who is to be taunted. You have committed a great sin, Niemiller, and as such, you MUST be punished, for it is the way that He says it must be. [Daniels snaps his fingers again. O'Haire lifts Niemiller up on his shoulders in position for the Prophecy, causing Niemiller to drop the microphone to the canvas, which causes a loud thud. Daffney laughs her evil laugh. Before O'Haire can inflict any damage, REY MYSTERIO JR. runs down into the ring and hits O'Haire in the ribs, causing O'Haire to drop Niemiller. Mysterio grabs O'Haire by the head and drops him with a facebuster. Before Mysterio can do anything else, Christopher Daniels nails him in the back of the head with the GCW Television Title. Mysterio is down and obviously hurting as Daniels is being booed mercilessly. O'Haire is getting to his feet now, and Daniels motions for him to pick Mysterio up. O'Haire does so as Niemiller is out of the ring now, calling for help to come down. O'Haire lifts Mysterio on his shoulder and plants him with the Prophecy. The GCW Official Brigade is finally out and they break up the chaos in the ring. Rey Mysterio Jr. came out here to do the right thing and he saved Niemiller's neck, but what kind of condition is he going to be on the biggest night of his life, wrestling for the World Heavyweight Title?] * * * * * Match #2 "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr. A lot of emotion behind this match as nephew and uncle locked horns in the form of Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Eddie Guerrero. Chavo was introduced first, but in hindsight, I bet he wishes he wasn't. Not long after Chavo started making his way to the ring, Latino Heat jumped him from behind. Eddie is so angry at Chavo and so convinced that his nephew is Black Tiger that he couldn't even wait for the bell to ring. Eddie proceeded to give Chavo a vicious beating in the aisle, repeatedly throwing Chavo into the guardrail and busting him open. By the time that they got into the ring to officially start the match, Chavo was in bad shape, bleeding like a stuck pig. The bell rang, but with the condition Chavo was in, this wasn't much of a match. Chavo Guerrero Jr. was in a position where he could no longer defend himself. Eddie continued to pound on his nephew, dropping him with a brain buster and the Three Amigos. Referee Jimmy Appleseed considered stopping the match, but he didn't have to as Eddie Guerrero put Chavo out of his misery by hitting the Frog Splash and mercifully putting an end to this carnage. Eddie Guerrero pinned Chavo Guerrero Jr. with the Frog Splash in 0:03:13. Rating: *** As medical personnel rushed down to the ring to check on Chavo Guerrero Jr., Eddie Guerrero stood over him, content that he had finally put the Black Tiger drama behind him. That is, until BLACK TIGER walked out from the back and stood at the top of the ramp! Eddie Guerrero couldn't believe his eyes. Chavo had been telling the truth; he wasn't Black Tiger. Eddie realized that he had made a grievous error, and who knows how severely Chavo is injured? Black Tiger disappeared to the back as an enraged Eddie Guerrero chased after him. This is not how Eddie envisioned this evening going for him. Match #3 Booker T vs. Steve "Who's Your Daddy? Bradley Booker T was still pretty banged up coming into this match, still suffering the ill effects of Steve Bradley's baseball bat from a couple of weeks ago. Booker's ribs were taped up and he was obviously wrestling on pure emotion in this one. Booker came out strong, knocking Bradley down several times with clotheslines and back elbows. Booker was building momentum, but it was cut short when Bradley caught him with a desperation shot to the ribs. At this point, Bradley's true intentions for this match became clear. After hearing that these two would be meeting again in the first round of the North American Title Tournament, Bradley's intentions went from trying to win tonight to trying to put Booker on the shelf. After working over Booker's ribs by slamming him into the turnbuckles and hitting a huge sidewalk slam, Bradley grabbed Mofo, his trusty black baseball bat, and in blatant sight of referee JD Sanders, smashed Booker in the ribs with it, causing an obvious disqualification! Booker T defeated Steve Bradley by disqualification in 0:03:30. Rating: *** 1/4 Bradley continually brought the bat down on Booker's ribs, causing the Bookman to scream in agony. The GCW Official Brigade ran in and broke it up, but the damage had obviously been done, as Booker T had to be assisted to the back. Steve Bradley didn't win the match like Kurt Angle directed him too, but with as sadistic as Angle is, you have to think he is happy with this, especially because the Booker T/Bradley first round match will be tomorrow night on Explosion, if Booker is able to go. * * * * * [We cut to inside of GCW President Ryan Niemiller's office. He is signing some papers when "Y2J" Chris Jericho slowly stumbles into the office, once again wearing the back brace. He is obviously in a lot of pain.] RN: Hello Chris. How can I help you this evening? CJ: I can't wrestle tonight, Mr. Niemiller! My back is all out of whack, jack! RN: You take me for some kind of idiot, don't you, Chris? CJ: What? No, of course not! It's just my back is... RN: You've been parading around in that back brace for weeks now, and everybody knows your back is perfectly fine. And now that you can't run away from Shawn Michaels, you want me to believe that you are too injured to compete tonight? CJ: I am too injured to compete! I have a... RN: I don't want to hear it! Now what's going to happen is you're going to get out of my office and you're going to go get ready for your match. And if you decide not to wrestle Shawn Michaels tonight, you will be in breach of contract, and I will SUSPEND you for 30 days... WITHOUT pay! CJ: But... but...! RN: Go! NOW! [Jericho starts to protest, but he makes a sudden movement and winces in pain, clutching his back.] CJ: You suck, Niemiller! [Jericho turns around and leaves the room. As the door closes, you can hear Jericho scream "OUCH!" outside the door. Niemiller shakes his head and goes back to his papers as we cut back to the ring.] * * * * * Match #4 Television Title Match "Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels (c) (w/ Sean O'Haire/Daffney) vs. Low-Ki Christopher Daniels wasn't expecting to be wrestling tonight, let alone be defending his newly won Television Title against a man who absolutely hates him in the form of Low-Ki. GCW President Ryan Niemiller put Daniels in a tight spot with this impromptu title defense, but if there's one thing you can say about Daniels, it's that he is always prepared. He may be a strange and nasty individual, but he does his homework and he knows his way around a ring. The same can be said for Low-Ki though, whose innovative martial arts style can be very hard to combat. A lot can be said of Christopher Daniels not having time to prepare for this match, but conversely, Low-Ki didn't know he was going to be wrestling in this match either when the night started. The match itself played out very evenly, with Low-Ki rocking Daniels' head with his hard kicks. The Fallen Angel wasn't going to simply lie down and let his title slip away though, as he kept Low-Ki off balance with a variety of submissions and hitting the Best Moonsault Ever. The deciding factor in this match though would be the fact that Daniels had his minion Sean O'Haire at ringside. Referee Petey Pluck had caught an errant elbow that grazed his eye, temporarily putting him out of commission. While Pluck shook out the cobwebs, O'Haire jumped in the ring and floored Low-Ki with a Yakuza kick, nearly taking his head off. Daniels smiled his evil smile as O'Haire left the ring as quickly as he had entered. Daniels picked up a prone Low-Ki and planted him with the Last Rites for good measure, but Low-Ki was already out of it. Christopher Daniels pinned Low-Ki with the Last Rites in 0:10:45. Rating: *** (Christopher Daniels retained the GCW Television Title.) Christopher Daniels was tested, but Low-Ki couldn't overcome the odds and capture the Television Title. Daniels looked into the camera and had some menacing words for GCW President Ryan Niemiller saying, "Nice try, but your sins will be punished." Daniels has a lot of confidence and always has a plan, but I don't know how wise it is to threaten the man who signs the checks. * * * * * [Mario Riviera is standing backstage with head trainer Barry Tarver.] MR: Hello folks. I am standing by with GCW's head trainer Barry Tarver. Barry, could you give us an update on the condition of Rey Mysterio Jr.? BT: Yes, Mario. In order to ensure the health of Rey Mysterio Jr., we have looked him over as a precautionary measure. Mysterio was definitely shaken up, but he has shown no signs of a concussion or any other head trauma after being struck with the Television Title. MR: But will Rey Mysterio Jr. be able to compete against Kurt Angle for the World Heavyweight Title tonight in our main event? BT: After looking over Mysterio, my prognosis is that he might not be at 100%, but he has full clearance to wrestle in the main event. MR: There you have it folks! The main event is still on! Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. for the World Heavyweight Title! Thank you, Barry. Joey, Brian, back to you at ringside! [Cut back to the ring.] * * * * * Match #5 "The Alpha Male" Monty Brown vs. Brock Lesnar Our fifth match of the evening was perhaps the most intriguing as the two most powerful men in Global Championship Wrestling went at it in the form of Monty Brown and Brock Lesnar. To the surprise of no one, this match became a competition to see who was the strongest. The match started with an epic Greco-Roman knuckle lock, your traditional wrestling test of strength. Lesnar got the first advantage after a kick to the thigh which allowed him to bring the Alpha Male to his knees. The crowd got behind Brown though and rallied him to get back to his feet and turn the tide, bringing Lesnar to his knees! Lesnar showed some great recovery skills himself, getting back to his feet and breaking the hold with a boot to the midsection. Lesnar looked to be having a bit of trouble with Brown in this match. Lesnar is accustomed to being the stronger man in the match and throwing opponents around. Monty Brown is not somebody you're going to throw around, regardless of how big and strong you are. Lesnar was having trouble with the fact that no matter what he threw at Brown, Brown just kept on coming. Late in the match, Lesnar went for one of his patented overhead belly-to-belly suplexes, but Brown dead weighted himself, and reversed it with a belly-to-belly suplex of his own! Brown assertd his will, hitting Lesnar with a huge fallaway slam and a huge power bomb which got a 2 and 9/10, bringing all of Portland into a frenzy. From there, Brown called for the Pounce, but when he hit the ropes, Lesnar floored him with a clothesline that turned Monty Brown inside out. Brown was out on his feet, which allowed Lesnar to hit the F-5. Brock Lesnar pinned Monty Brown with the F-5 in 0:09:52. Rating: *** 1/2 Brock Lesnar was a winner tonight, but he had to work for it, no doubt about it. With this win, you have to think that Lesnar has taken another step forward to getting the World Heavyweight Title shot he so desperately wants. But credit must be given to Monty Brown. He took Brock Lesnar to the limit, but he came up just short. * * * * * [A familiar scene from the past few weeks - the locker room of Billy Kidman and Cruiserweight champion Paul London. London seems very confident and ready to go for tonight. Kidman, on the other hand, looks like he's going to be sick.] BK: I don't understand this, Paul. I've had championship matches before. I've been a champion in the past.. Why am I so nervous about this match? PL: This is a big opportunity for us, and this is a big opportunity for you. It's your chance to hold championship gold in Global Championship Wrestling. This is the pinnacle, Billy. This is what we're all working so hard for. To be a champion. BK: Yeah, I know that. PL: Then what's the problem? Opportunities like this don't come along every day. BK: I know that too, which is why I'm so nervous. I don't want to blow this. PL: Don't worry about it, Billy. You're not going to blow it. We're not going to blow it. Tonight is our night! You need to not worry about a thing, and go out there and wrestle your match, and I guarantee you that by the end of the night, we'll be celebrating, because we'll be the brand new World Tag Team champions! BK: Yeah... PL: We got this, man, we got this! BK: Yeah... [We cut back to the ring with Kidman looking no more confident than he did before.] * * * * * Match #6 "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels vs. "Y2J" Chris Jericho Shawn Michaels has been wanting to get his hands on Chris Jericho for weeks, and now he had his chance as they squared off here at Retribution. Jericho had pleaded with GCW President Ryan Niemiller to postpone this match, claiming he had a back injury, but Niemiller wasn't buying it and forced him to wrestle. As the match progressed, it was obvious that Jericho's back really was bothering him, but if you cry wolf for long enough, no one's going to believe you when the wolf really does come. Michaels too was still having problems with his back, so this match became an interesting display of two men finding various ways to hurt the other's back. By the end of this match, both men were in a considerable amount of pain, both moving slower than we have grown accustomed to them moving in the ring. It looked like Michaels' back was holding up better though as late in the match, he got his knees up as Jericho went for the Lionsault. The Heartbreak Kid followed up with a flying forearm that floored Y2J. However, as HBK went for his patented kip up, he seemed to reaggravate his back injury, as he clutched it in immense pain. Michaels tried to fight through it though, calling for the Sweet Chin Music. As Michaels tuned up the band, you could tell it was hurting him, but he went for his big superkick anyway, but he didn't have anything behind it as Jericho caught his foot and brought him down with a single leg takedown. Jericho turned Michaels over and put him in the Walls of Jericho. Shawn Michaels struggled to get away, almost crawling to the ropes several times, but Y2J pulled him back into the center of the ring and really sat back on this very painful hold. There's many things you can say about Shawn Michaels, but one thing you can never call him is a quitter, which has to tell you how much his back was in pain when he was forced to submit. Chris Jericho made Shawn Michaels submit to the Walls Of Jericho in 0:11:10. Rating: **** 1/4 After the bell sounded, Jericho collapsed to the mat and held his back. You don't have to like either of these guys, but this was a gutsy performance by both Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho. The fans gave both men a good ovation for their efforts tonight, and rightfully so. Jericho was able to make it to the locker room under his own power, but he was in obvious pain. Referee Antonio Santangelo had to help Shawn Michaels to the back, who could be seriously injured here. We will have a report on Michaels' condition tomorrow night on Explosion. Match #7 World Tag Team Title Match The Basham Brothers (c) (w/ Shaniqua/Abyss) vs. Billy Kidman/Paul London (Cruiserweight champion) Billy Kidman and Paul London had a huge opportunity as they took on the World Tag Team champions, The Basham Brothers. London was looking to become the first double champion in GCW history here, but he and Kidman were going to have a lot to overcome if they wanted that to happen, especially with Shaniqua and Abyss in the Bashams' corner. Billy Kidman started the match off on very shaky ground, not being able to get his focus. London and he started with some double team moves, such as dropkicks, and that seemed to get Kidman's confidence levels up. But with Shaniqua's interference, the Bashams were able to neutralize a lot of the speed and quickness of Kidman and the Cruiserweight champion, leading to an even matchup. Thanks to a trip by Shaniqua, Doug and Danny were able to single out Paul London in the ring. For the next few minutes they pounded on London with a variety of double team moves, but as we've learned to expect from London, he just wouldn't quit. The Bashams were getting very frustrated, as was Shaniqua, upset that her men had not put the much smaller team away yet. Shaniqua demanded that the Bashams try to hit London with a Doomsday Device. Danny picked London up on his shoulders while Doug went up top. When Doug flew off the top turnbuckle for the flying clothesline, London ducked his body out of the way, causing Doug to crash to the mat. Danny still had a hold of London and tried for an electric chair drop, but London mustered up the strength to hit a reverse huracanarana. London made the hot tag to Billy Kidman, and Kidman came in a house of fire! Kidman wasted no time in taking Doug Basham out of the ring with a dropkick followed by a clothesline. When he turned back toward Danny Basham, Danny rushed him, but Kidman caught him with the BK Bomb. Kidman climbed to the top and called for the Shooting Star Press, but he froze. Kidman hesitated for some reason before he finally made the attempt at his finisher, but the delay was long enough for Danny Basham to get out of the way. Kidman crashed on the mat hard, and Danny recovered to hit him with the Brain Damage and the Basham Brothers retained their titles. The Basham Brothers (Doug Basham and Danny Basham) defeated Billy Kidman and Paul London when Danny Basham pinned Kidman with the Brain Damage in 0:07:07. Rating: *** 1/2 (The Basham Brothers retained the GCW World Tag Team Titles.) The Bashams quickly escaped the ring, knowing how lucky they were to keep their World Tag Team Titles. Paul London was disappointed, but he tried to help his partner up. Kidman got to his feet and slapped London's hands away, not wanting any help. Kidman choked and he knew it. London tried to talk to Kidman, but Kidman would have none of it as they headed to the back. * * * * * [Randy Orton is standing just behind the curtain ready to go out for his match with "The Crippler" Chris Benoit. Orton takes a deep breath and starts to walk, but he is stopped by World Heavyweight champion Kurt Angle, who puts his arm around Orton's shoulder.] KA: How you doing, Randy? Feeling good? Feeling excited? Ready to go? RO: Yeah Kurt, I am. KA: Good. I'd hope so. Because Chris already beat Shawn Michaels, and although Bradley technically lost the match, he didn't much look like the loser when Booker T had to be carried out of the ring. That's exactly the kind of intensity I'm looking for. It's what the Sensationals need. You're about to face Chris Benoit. He's one of the hardest hitting, intense, toughest guys in the world. I know that better than anyone. But one thing we all, as Sensationals, need to understand is that failure is not an option. We are the elite. We are a cut above the rest. We cannot afford to lose. I won an Olympic gold medal in Atlanta in '96 with a broken neck. How did I do it? I knew, even then, just how great I really am. It's true, it's true. You are capable of that kind of greatness, but it all has to start here, tonight, against Chris Benoit. You want to be a legend? You go out there and prove it. You take Benoit to limits he has never been in his entire life. The night is yours, Randy... the night is yours. [Orton nods at Angle as his music begins playing in the arena. Orton takes a deep breath and walks to the curtain.] KA: Oh, Randy! [Orton pauses.] If you lose, you'll lose a whole lot more than a match. Keep that in mind out there. [Orton throws Angle a look before he turns toward the curtain and heads to the ring.] * * * * * Match #8 "The Crippler" Chris Benoit vs. Randy Orton We expected this match between Chris Benoit and Randy Orton to be a classic, and we were not in the least bit disappointed. Randy Orton was given a very ominous message from Kurt Angle before this match, but the meaning behind it was very clear - beat Chris Benoit, or else. Orton wrestled this match perfectly. For somebody who is only 24 years old, Orton wrestles like he has been in the ring for 24 years. He is very heady in the ring and despite his poor attitude, he does his homework and has all the tools to be great. One thing known for sure though is that Chris Benoit is great, being a former World Heavyweight champion, and he took everything Orton could dish out and gave it right back to him. By the end of this match, Orton's chest was literally bleeding from all of the vicious chops that the Rabid Wolverine gave him. Throughout this contest, both Benoit and Orton pulled out all of the stops. They both knew the importance of this match and they laid it all on the line as a result. For over 27 minutes these two put everything they had into winning this match. Orton wisely didn't try to out technical wrestle Benoit, as I don't think there is a man on the planet who is going to be able to do that. Instead, Orton went a little out of his element and tried to make this match a brawl, and he was very successful in doing so. Randy Orton is not somebody you would expect to brawl you, and even the always prepared Crippler seemed a little taken aback by it. Orton was simply pounding on Benoit, often taking it to the floor and taking advantage of the ringsteps and ringposts. Benoit realized he was going to have to fight fire with fire, and he took advantage of the ringside area, eventually busting Orton open by reversing an irish whip into the ringpost. Orton was bleeding heavily, but to his credit, he wrestled for at least 15 minutes with blood gushing from his forehead but wouldn't stay down. Eventually though, a failed R.K.O. attempt would get Orton caught with the three German suplexes, the swandive headbutt, and the Crippler Crossface. Between the loss of blood and the painful nature of the hold, Randy Orton had to tap out. Chris Benoit made Randy Orton submit to the Crippler Crossface in 0:27:38. Rating: **** 3/4 It was a marathon, but an exhausted Chris Benoit left Portland, Oregon with his hand raised. Orton laid in the ring for awhile, trying to regain his bearings after such a draining match. Orton stumbled to his feet a bloody mess and actually received a great ovation for his efforts tonight in this absolutely fantastic match. Referee Antonio Santangelo tried to help Orton to the back, but Orton shoved him down and stumbled to the back himself. A great effort, but he came up just short. But is Kurt Angle going to care about Orton's effort? Only time will tell. Match #9 MAIN EVENT World Heavyweight Title Match Kurt Angle (c) vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. We were down to the final match, and what a match it ended up being as Kurt Angle defended his World Heavyweight Title against Rey Mysterio Jr. Despite all the sarcastic comments Angle has made about Mysterio's size over the past few weeks, Angle knew he had a huge struggle ahead of him. After all, Rey Mysterio has pinned Kurt Angle not once, but twice in the past month. Angle definitely had his game face on in this one, now knowing that Mysterio is not the type of wrestler you can take lightly, because he will make you pay for it. Early on in this match, Angle was as focused as we've seen him since he became the World Heavyweight champion back in July. Quite frankly, for the first several minutes of this match, minus a quick flurry here and there, Angle dominated this match. The best way to beat a high-flying wrestler is to keep him on the mat, and there are few competitors in the world who are as good at that as the World Heavyweight champion. For awhile in this match, it looked like it was going to be an easy win for Kurt Angle and a successful title defense. But just when you think you have Rey Mysterio Jr. down and out, he turns up the juice and is right back in it. Angle made the mistake of getting a little cocky too soon, trying to hit an Angle Slam far before Mysterio was wore down enough. Mysterio reversed it with a lucha style armdrag. Angle was back up and rushed Mysterio, but the masked man caught him with a spinning headscissors. This was the opening Mysterio needed to get back in the match, and he took advantage of it, tossing Angle to the floor with a huracanarana and jumping onto the champion with a corkscrew plancha. Mysterio kicked it into overdrive and he tried everything he possibly could to put Angle away for the next few minutes. Mysterio hit Angle with all he could think of and then some. A hurcanarana from the top rope got a two count. A high speed sunset flip power bomb for a two and a half. The Drop of the Dime got a two and three-quarters. But no matter what Mysterio did, he couldn't get Angle's shoulders to the mat for the three count. You by no means have to like Kurt Angle's attitude, but you have to appreciate his will to win and how much that World Heavyweight Title means to him. Angle finally got the momentum back on his side when Mysterio was up on the top rope, but Angle showed his explosiveness by springing up to the top rope and bring Mysterio down with a belly-to-belly superplex. Angle quickly put on the Ankle Lock, but Mysterio refused to quit. Mysterio fought his way out of it with a small package, but he didn't have the strength to keep Angle down who kicked out at two. Angle once again put on the Ankle Lock, but yet again, the masked man wasn't tapping out. Mysterio pulled what strength he had left and reversed the Ankle Lock, sending Angle throat first onto the middle rope. The crowd came to its feet as Mysterio stumbled back to his feet, saw how Angle was positioned, and put his hand up to signal for the 6-1-9. Mysterio bounced off the ropes, but on his way back, his leg gave out on him, suffering the ill effects of the Ankle Lock. As Mysterio came up lame, Angle recovered and planted him with the Angle Slam. Angle started to go for the Ankle Lock again, but he stopped as he looked up at the turnbuckle. Angle got that cocky smile across his face as he climbed up to the turnbuckle for a moonsault. Angle wanted to be the cruiserweight with a move that is traditionally a cruiserweight move. Angle flew off the top and connected with a picture perfect moonsault. Kurt Angle wanted to beat Rey Mysterio Jr. at his own game, and the moonsault was enough for Angle to retain his title. Kurt Angle pinned Rey Mysterio Jr. after a moonsault in 0:17:42. Rating: ***** (Kurt Angle retained the GCW World Heavyweight Title.) Rey Mysterio Jr. expended everything he had in this match, but in the end he came just short in this classic match. Angle not only beat the man who has proven to be a nemesis for him, but he finally defeated Mysterio cleanly and soundly in the middle of the ring. With every passing day, Angle solidifies himself as a tremendous World Heavyweight champion, despite his poor attitude. I know it's still early, but if he keeps this up, Kurt Angle might be the greatest World champion in history. What a fitting way to end a great show. |
| 91 | Posted on 12/01/04 at 20:04:53 Nice work my man. Talking points anyone... Angle retained the title, no shocker there. Rey put in a good fight, but Angles the man coming out of that looking like a long term champion. Hmmm, I'm thinking for the North American title either Booker or Bradley, but based on the set-up for their first round match, Booker to beat O'Haire in the final. Here's hoping you don't feel the need to change anything now. :P I've still got a few ideas who the Black Tiger might be. With the Shawn Michaels connection seemingly dissapearing, that list has narrowed down. Actually I sort of like Eddies maniacal side here. Don't know if Chavo'll forgive him, but if it means glory for Eddie, I'm all for it. The most intriguing aspects, besides the Black Tiger identity, is where Lesnar, Orton and Jericho go from here. I don't know if any will be challenging Angle for his title, since they're all heels - Orton I guess might under the circumstances. Jericho may be a NA title contender, Lesnar though intrigues me, what with the build he's receiving but no obvious title shots lined up. Christopher Daniels too, I'm really getting into his and O'Haires characters right now. Finally, I'm calling the Hardys to take the titles when their shot comes round. |
| Snabbit888 | Posted on 12/01/04 at 23:25:26 Yeah, I think everyone was in agreement that Angle was going to win, but the fight Mysterio put up was nice. I was expecting a good match, but my first ***** match was nice. North American Title Tournament is set in stone. :) Pissed off Eddie rules. As do the Prophecy. I just gota figure out who I want this "He" to be eventually. I'm personally loving the stuff with Lesnar. It's going to be a good lengthy angle that I think in the end will work out fantastically. Just have to find those good plot points in between. Thanks for the feedback, as always. |
| americamamushi | Posted on 12/02/04 at 02:12:17On 12/01/04 at 23:25:26, Snabbit888 wrote:Pissed off Eddie rules. As do the Prophecy. I just gota figure out who I want this "He" to be eventuallyGobbledy Gooker! Or instead, since Christmas is coming quick... XANTA CLAUSE! ;D Seriously though, I think wrestlecrap is the way to go. Build it up big, then have the person appear cloaked a few times. Finally "he" reveils "him"self to everyone (including Daniels and O'Haire who it turns out have never gazed upon his face) and it's someone that it totally and completely shouldn't be. Daniels snaps and kills him. Well... not kills... but you get the idea... maybe then he starts to think that what he saw in "he" was really something that was inside him and he was projecting it outward... end results Daniels=Jesus in GCW... of course you wouldn't go so far as to say that because it wouldn't be PC... but still ;) |
| Snabbit888 | Posted on 12/02/04 at 02:24:15 Who cares about PC, babay?! |
| americamamushi | Posted on 12/02/04 at 06:03:11 lol, he could become "Our Lord & Savior" Christopher Daniels ... i'd sooooooo freakin' mark for that. ;D |
| HugeRockStar760 | Posted on 12/02/04 at 06:52:52On 12/02/04 at 02:24:15, Snabbit888 wrote:Who cares about PC, babay?!You're bringing in JBL right? That goes against all the online smark fan PC, which I applaud you for. He'll fit in well. |
| Snabbit888 | Posted on 12/02/04 at 07:26:27 Yessir. I love me some JBL... honestly. I love the character a lot. I'm such a trendsetter! |