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[GCW] Monday Night Explosion - 8/9/04

Snabbit888Posted on 10/14/04 at 08:30:50

We were in the capital of Oklahoma for the first time as Oklahoma City played host to the final Monday Night Explosion before Summer Sizzler! We are only six days away from the big pay-per-view event, and what a big card we had! A double main event tonight as we had two huge non-title contests: North American champion Randy Orton would be taking on "The Crippler" Chris Benoit and World Heavyweight champion Kurt Angle goes one-on-one with Lance Storm! Also the Television Title would be on the line as AJ Styles took on Steve Bradley! The evening started off with an appearance from Brock Lesnar, and not surprisingly, he was in a foul mood.

* * * * *

[After the opening to Monday Night Explosion was finished, we cut to the arena where Brock Lesnar is already standing in the ring. He has a microphone in hand, and just by his body language you can tell that he is not in a good mood.]

BL: I have given President Niemiller three weeks now to do the right thing. Niemiller has had three weeks since I was screwed out of the World Heavyweight Title at Chaos Reigns, and nothing has been done. Almost crushing Shannon Moore's throat wasn't enough for Niemiller to give me my title shot. Three F-5's on Shelton Benjamin last week wasn't enough for Niemiller to give me my title shot. What's it going to take, Niemiller? How many innocent people am I going to have to destroy before you give me what is rightfully mine? The people don't want to see Kurt Angle as World Heavyweight champion.

[The crowd pops as yes, they agree with Lesnar on this one.]

BL: The people don't want to see Chris Benoit as World Heavyweight champion.

[However, Oklahoma City doesn't agree with this, and they let him know with a chorus of boos.]

BL: The people want to see Brock Lesnar as World Heavyweight champion! So Niemiller, I'm going to give you one last shot. One last shot to make things right. Niemiller, I want you to come out here and tell me that after Summer Sizzler, the next man to get a title shot is me.

[After a moment's wait, instead of the appearance of GCW President Ryan Niemiller, we hear, "STAND BACK! THERE'S A HURRICANE COMING THROUGH!" to a tremendous pop. The crowd may be excited, but Lesnar is not happy to see The Hurricane make his way down to the ring. The Hurricane grabs a microphone from William Buck before jumping in the ring.]

H: Holy threatening remarks, Citizen...

[Before Hurricane can even finish his first sentence, the unimpressed Lesnar levels him with a clothesline! The Hurricane's microphone falls to the canvas as Lesnar begins stomping him. Surprisingly, referee JD Sanders sprints to the ring and calls for the bell, giving us an impromptu match!]

* * * * *


Match #1
The Hurricane vs. Brock Lesnar
Although the crowd generally enjoys The Hurricane's antics, Brock Lesnar showed that he had zero tolerance for the Man In Green's tomfoolery. The Hurricane has shown in recent weeks that he has a good heart, trying to stand up for the little guy and those he feels are being wronged, but he has been biting off more than he can chew, last week with Eric Angle and now this week with the Monster himself. The Hurricane got a few punches in and well, that's about it. Lesnar is a cold, focused machine, wanting a shot at the World Heavyweight Title no matter what it takes, and no matter who he has to go through. Lesnar had little trouble going through The Hurricane, finishing him off with the F-5.

Brock Lesnar pinned The Hurricane with the F-5 in 0:07:25.
Rating: ***

As has become the norm in recent weeks, just winning the match wasn't enough for Brock Lesnar, as he continued the assault on The Hurricane afterward, hitting the superhero with a double power bomb. As Lesnar lifted The Hurricane to his feet, SHANNON MOORE ran in with a steel chair and waffled Lesnar in the back with it. Problem was, it hardly even phased the Monster. Lesnar turned around and grabbed Moore by the throat, causing him to drop the chair. Lesnar picked Moore up and dropped him with an F-5. Two more victims for Brock Lesnar. President Ryan Niemiller had better address this situation soon, because who knows what else Lesnar is capable of.


Match #2
The Basham Brothers (World Tag Team champions)/Goldust (w/ Shaniqua) vs.The Hardy Boyz/Booker T
We had six-man tag team competition as a preview of two separate matches at Summer Sizzler with the World Tag Team champion Basham Brothers teaming with Goldust to take on The Hardy Boyz and Booker T. The Hardy Boyz shocked the wrestling world by making an appearance on July 19th, almost taking the World Tag Team Titles from the Basham Brothers. Shaniqua has said the Hardyz could have a rematch, but she has also spoke of a surprise she has in store for the Hardyz. The Goldust and Booker T saga is a completely different monster. Goldust has developed a sort of sick infatuation with Booker T, sending Booker many gifts and practically stalking the Houston native. Booker has not taken kindly to that and is looking to tear Goldust limb from limb.

Much of this match focused on Goldust doing whatever he could to stay as far away from Booker T as possible. Note that Goldust had no problem taunting Booker T, blowing kisses at him and the like, but whenever Booker T was in the ring, Goldust made sure he wasn't even standing on the ring apron. This match suffered from have way too much going on, and it was hard to follow at times. It also became obvious that Shaniqua didn't care if her boys won or not but rather wanted them to be in a position where they could retain the titles at Summer Sizzler. As a result, this seemed like more of a setup than a match, and ultimately that's how it ended up. Eventually Booker T got a hold of Goldust on the outside of the ring and the two brawled through the crowd. While this took place, the Hardy Boyz had Doug Basham in trouble when Matt Hardy hit him with the Twist of Fate. Jeff Hardy came off with the Swanton Bomb, and would have gotten the three count, but Shaniqua jumped in and nailed him with the riding crop, prompting a disqualification.

The Hardy Boyz (Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy) and Booker T defeated The Basham Brothers (Doug Basham and Danny Basham) and Goldust when J. Hardy defeated Doug Basham by disqualification in 0:07:25.
Rating: **

Jeff Hardy was knocked for a loop, and it didn't take long before the 3-on-1 odds overwhelmed Matt Hardy as the Bashams left both the Hardy Boyz laid out in the ring. If the Bashams and Shaniqua were looking to soften up the Hardyz before Summer Sizzler, they did an effective job. Plus, Shaniqua says she has a surprise for the Hardyz at the pay-per-view as well. Knowing Shaniqua, it could be anything.

* * * * *

[We are in the locker room of the Sensationals. World Heavyweight champion Kurt Angle stands in the middle, flanked by North American champion Randy Orton on his left and "Y2J" Chris Jericho and Steve "Who's Your Daddy?" Bradley on his right. Angle seems to be overly focused tonight.]

KA: Gentlemen, this is our chance. Summer Sizzler is our chance to fully cement our place in the wrestling world as the most dominant collection of athletes ever assembled. Sure, Randy Orton is the North American champion, and I am the World Heavyweight champion, but the perception is that we can't get it done on our own. That the only way we can make anything happen is by cheating. Now I know that that is so untrue. And I think you all know it's untrue as well. But we have to show the people, and everybody else in Global Championship Wrestling that it's untrue, it's true, it's true!

CJ: Wait, Kirk?

KA: Yes, Chris?

CJ: Is it true or is it untrue? I'm confused now.

KA: It's untrue.

CJ: Oh... okay.

KA: As I was saying...

CJ: Wait... Kirk?

KA: ...Yeah, Chris?

CJ: What's untrue?

KA: That we can't win without cheating.

CJ: Ah. Gotcha. Loud and clear, amigo.

KA: Is that all?

CJ: You betcha, Kirk.

KA: Kurt.

CJ: No, Chris.

KA: Will you just shut up for a second? I'm trying to give a pep talk here! Thank you. Now as I was saying, at Summer Sizzler, we have to all make our mark. We have to leave no doubts in anyone's mind that the Sensationals are the pinnacle of wrestling.

RO: What are you hinting at it, Kurt?

KA: What I propose is at Summer Sizzler, we're all on our own. We all are involved in our own matches. We need to show everyone what we can do, and we need to show that we can do it alone. So for one night, August 15th, we all go at it alone. Four matches, four clean wins. What do you guys think?

RO: I'm down, Kurt. You know I can take care of business, and after I dispose of Lance Storm, I'll be making Dawn Marie squeal all... night... long.

KA: Chris?

CJ: Way ahead of you, my man. Way ahead of you.

KA: Good, good. Steve?

[Steve Bradley doesn't give a verbal answer, but rather takes Mofo, his trusty black baseball bat, and slams it hard up against a locker. Orton and Jericho flinch before Bradley turns back and smiles a sadistic smile.]

KA: Good, good. But Randy, this isn't until this Sunday.

RO: Oh?

KA: Indeed not. You see tonight, we have nothing to lose. I've got Lance Storm, you've got Chris Benoit.

RO: I'm listening...

KA: Neither the World Heavyweight Title nor the North American Title is on the line tonight, so if either Lance Storm or Chris Benoit was to suffer an unfortunate beating tonight...

[Orton smiles.]

RO: I see where you're going with this... and we're in the same boat here.

KA: Good. Things are about to explode with the Sensationals. I can feel it... it's true, it's damn true.

[Cut to commercial.]

* * * * *


Match #3
Television Title Match
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles (c) vs. Steve "Who's Your Daddy?" Bradley
AJ Styles and Steve Bradley will meet on opposing teams in the first Elimination Tables Match in GCW history at Summer Sizzler, but there was a lot on the line as Bradley tried to bring a third championship to the Sensationals, the Television Title of Styles. Both men seemed a little sluggish early in this one, both having suffered the effects of a table in the past couple weeks. Styles is the quicker of the two and he tried to come out quickly, but it was not as quick as usual and Bradley was able to put some abuse on Styles when he caught him with a powerslam.

Bradley tried to put Styles out right away after that, going for the Smashmouth, but Styles blocked it and dumped Bradley to the floor with a backdrop. Bradley thought he would have a bit of a breather on the floor, but Styles came right at him with a picture perfect Asai moonsault. Styles was pumped up now as he tossed Bradley back in the ring. Bradley grabbed a hold of referee Antonio Santangelo as he tried to pull himself up, but effectively, this only distracted Santangelo from what as about to happen. As Styles climbed back onto the apron about to get in the ring, SEAN O'HAIRE ran down and smacked AJ Styles square in the spine with a steel chair! Styles crumpled on the ring apron as O'Haire shoved him back into the ring. Bradley took this as an opportunity to hit the Smashmouth on the Phenomenal One and in a blatant display of robbery, stole the Television Title!

Steve Bradley pinned AJ Styles with the Smashmouth in 0:03:52.
Rating: ***
(Steve Bradley won the GCW Television Title.)

AJ Styles' reign has come to an end, and what a disappointing way for it to do so. Styles had looked nearly unbeatable for awhile there, but that goes to show you that you have to be careful who you get mad at you. And now, the Sensationals are in control of three of the five titles in Global Championship Wrestling. It looks like Kurt Angle's quest for elite status for the Sensationals could be coming true.

* * * * *

[We are backstage with the tag team of Billy Kidman and the number-one contender to the Cruiserweight Title, Paul London. London is in his wrestling gear while Kidman is wearing an official GCW Billy Kidman "Shooting Star" t-shirt.]

BK: Hey Paul. I just wanted to wish you good luck at Summer Sizzler. Rey Mysterio Jr.'s one of the best in the business; I've wrestled him a lot. I've been a multiple time Cruiserweight champion in other federations too, so you have to take advantage of opportunities like this when they come around.

PL: I know that, Billy. I've never prepared more for a match than I have for this Sunday against Rey Mysterio Jr. I'm going to make my mark this Sunday and show everyone that I'm the future of the cruiserweight division. And after I become the Cruiserweight champion this Sunday, we'll work on getting you a title too.

[Just then, the Cruiserweight champion Rey Mysterio Jr. comes into the locker room.]

RMJr.: Hey guys. It's time for our match, Paul.

PL: Gotcha. Let's roll!

[Paul London leaves the room with a lot of energy in preparation for the match against Christopher Daniels and Sean O'Haire. Mysterio Jr. starts to leave, but he is stopped by Billy Kidman, who grabs his shoulder.]

BK: Listen, Rey. I know you walk around here like you're just an all-around great guy, everybody's friend. But I know what gold will do to a man. I know that Cruiserweight Title means a lot to you, and you are teaming up with your opponent for that same title at Summer Sizzler, and logic would lead me to be...

RMJr.: I think I know what you're getting at, Billy, and I don't like it. If you're trying to imply that I would do something to Paul London tonight to help my chances at retaining the Cruiserweight Title at Summer Sizzler...

BK: All I'm saying is stranger things have happened, and Paul London is my tag team partner. I have to look out for my teammate, that's all.

RMJr.: Yeah, I'm sure. I got a match.

[Mysterio leaves for the ring. Kidman runs his hands through his hair in a frustrated fashion before we cut to the ring.]

* * * * *


Match #4
Rey Mysterio Jr. (Cruiserweight champion)/Paul London vs. "Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels/Sean O'Haire (w/ Daffney)
Christopher Daniels and Sean O'Haire, now known collectively as the Prophecy, have been wreaking a lot of havoc in recent weeks. Daniels has practically brainwashed Sean O'Haire to do his bidding, and there's been a lot of bidding done, as O'Haire's been busy attacking several GCW superstars in the past few weeks. Paul London and Rey Mysterio Jr. have been victims of O'Haire's attacks, and they teamed up to take on the Prophecy. Rey Mysterio Jr. and Paul London will wrestle for the Cruiserweight Title this Sunday, but tonight they were partners. Billy Kidman had concerns about Mysterio's intentions in this one, and he came down to the ring to make sure that Mysterio didn't try anything funny. Most everybody in the arena thought Kidman was overreacting, but you have to admire his loyalty to his partner.

Despite coming out quickly, Mysterio and London wrestled much of this match from the defensive standpoint. Paul London got caught in the ring as Daniels and O'Haire used perfect tag team strategy to keep one man of the opposing team in the ring to wear him down. Daniels and O'Haire might be a little insane (and their manager Daffney isn't too far off either - she did blind Low-Ki with mace after all), but you'd be hard pressed to argue that they're both not tremendous athletes and forces to be reckoned with in a wrestling ring. London looked to be in bad shape as Daniels had him lying prone on the canvas as he went up top. Daniels jumped off with a move he calls the Best Moonsault Ever (and truth be told, it's a pretty damn good moonsault), but he came up empty as London rolled out of the way, much to Billy Kidman's delight and Daffney's chagrin. Daniels was able to crawl over and tag in O'Haire but O'Haire was unable to stop London from tagging in Rey Mysterio Jr. which got a huge pop.

Mysterio was rested and excited, catching O'Haire with a springboard dropkick. Mysterio hit a series of dropkicks on O'Haire, knocking the big man off his feet and throat first onto the second rope. The crowd came to its feet as Mysterio went for the 6-1-9, but O'Haire had enough left to move out of the way. As Mysterio swung wildly with the 6-1-9 and missed, O'Haire caught him in a huge shoulderbreaker. O'Haire played to the crowd a bit before hitting the ropes, but he was shocked to find instead of a clean bounce against the ropes, a steel chair shot from the former Television champion AJ STYLES! O'Haire stumbled forward clutching his back after that vicious chair shot. This reprieve gave Rey Mysterio Jr. time to hit a flying cross body press to get the 3 count.

Rey Mysterio Jr. and Paul London defeated The Prophecy (Christopher Daniels and Sean O'Haire) when Mysterio Jr. pinned O'Haire after a flying cross body press in 0:08:19.
Rating: *** 1/4

AJ Styles gained a measure of revenge on Sean O'Haire for costing him the Television Title earlier in the night, and will look to get even more so when he and Monty Brown team up to take on Sean O'Haire and new Television champion Steve Bradley at Summer Sizzler in the Elimination Tables Match. Regardless of how it happened, a good win for Rey Mysterio Jr. and Paul London, who will now be opponents at Summer Sizzler. Rey Mysterio Jr. received a cold stare from Billy Kidman as he shook hands with Paul London. Could it be possible that Kidman is a little jealous of Mysterio?


Match #5
Shelton Benjamin vs. Y2J" Chris Jericho
Shelton Benjamin wasn't in condition to be wrestling this match after the beating he took at the hands of Brock Lesnar last week. Benjamin was urged by GCW head trainer Barry Tarver to take the night off, so you have to admire Benjamin's guts to even go through with this match, especially against a man the caliber of "Y2J" Chris Jericho. Jericho is a handful when you're at 100%; when you're less than that, forget about it.

Benjamin tried valiantly to mount any kind of offense against Jericho, but Benjamin's injuries were severe enough that he couldn't get anything solid going. Jericho meticulously took Benjamin's back apart, hitting many kicks and a vicious double underhook backbreaker before locking his opponent in the Walls of Jericho. Benjamin once again showed what kind of guts he had, not submitting despite being in obvious pain. Benjamin even almost made it to the bottom rope to break the hold, but Jericho pulled him back to the center of the ring and really sat back on the hold. The pain became too much for Shelton Benjamin, who tapped out to prevent further injury.

Chris Jericho made Shelton Benjamin submit to the Walls Of Jericho in 0:04:08.
Rating: ***

A good effort by Shelton Benjamin, but Chris Jericho is one of the best in the business, and many have fallen to him in the past. If Shelton Benjamin doesn't want to suffer a similar fate against his former tag team partner Charlie Haas at Summer Sizzler, he better take care of that back. Charlie Haas is known for studying a lot of video tapes in preparation for matches, so you know that he's aware of Benjamin's injuries. This could spell bad news for the Orangeburg, South Carolina native.

* * * * *

[When we cut to the back, we see "The Reflection of Perfection" Mark Jindrak, one-half of the Italian Stallions, standing in front of his trusty mirror, Abicus. Jindrak is also draped with the Cape of Conceit. As he admires himself in the mirror, his tag team partner, Chuck Palumbo, comes in holding a big bag from the Olive Garden.]

CP: Dinner time, Mark!

MJ: Can't you see I'm busy here?

CP: Hey, we're Italian! There's nothing more important than authentic Italian food!

MJ: Okay, for starters, Olive Garden isn't exactly what I would consider "authentic Italian food." And secondly, I'm not Italian! We've been over this time and time again, Chuck!

CP: Then why are we called 'The Italian Stallions'?

MJ: You're the Italian part of the team, and the Reflection of Perfection is the Stallion.

[Jindrak flexes in the mirror.]

CP: I thought I was a Stallion too.

MJ: Well, not like me you aren't. Man, why did I let you name the team anyway?

CP: If you're not going to eat your lasagna, I'm going to.

MJ: We have a match in a little bit. Don't go bogging yourself down with that junk, Chuck.

CP: Junk? JUNK! You do not call authentic Italian food from the Olive Garden junk! This was prepared by a real Italian chef!

MJ: How many real Italian chefs do you think live in Oklahoma?

CP: Well... I... I don't know...

MJ: Put that stuff away. You can eat all the Italian food you want AFTER our match. We've got Shawn Michaels and Eddie Guerrero tonight, and we can't take any chances. Plus you use way too much garlic.

CP: There's no such thing as too much garlic.

MJ: If you had to smell your breath after, you'd know what I mean by too much garlic.

CP: Shut up.

MJ: Now can you just be quiet for a bit? I have to prepare for our match.

[Jindrak turns back to the mirror and strikes a pose. Palumbo pulls a breadstick out of the bag and takes a bite as we cut back to the ring.]

* * * * *


Match #6
Non-Title Match
Randy Orton (North American champion) vs. "The Crippler" Chris Benoit
Kurt Angle issued a challenge to the rest of the Sensationals to make a statement at Summer Sizzler, winning all their matches on their own. But for tonight, he said anything goes, and that had to be weighing on "The Crippler" Chris Benoit's mind as he took on North American champion Randy Orton in a non-title match. The former and possibly future World Heavyweight champion wasn't going to sit back and wait for the Sensationals to attack though, as he went right at Orton. One of the major reasons I believe that Benoit is so successful is that he is so aggressive. Many Benoit opponents are unable to withstand Benoit's initial flurry of offense and it becomes a matter of not if but when Benoit will finish them off. Randy Orton knew this, and did his best to break Benoit's momentum and slow the match down in the very early stages.

Orton took several powders during the match to break Benoit's momentum, but eventually Benoit got frustrated and came out to the floor to get Orton. Orton ran around the ring to escape Benoit before rolling back in the ring. What Benoit and referee Petey Pluck didn't see was that KURT ANGLE was down at ringside and he mowed through the Rabid Wolverine with a huge clothesline! Benoit's head hit the concrete floor with a sickening thud and it appeared as though he was knocked a little loopy. As Pluck administered the count, Benoit stirred a bit, but he was unable to get back in the ring, giving the North American champion the countout victory.

Randy Orton defeated Chris Benoit by countout in 0:05:04.
Rating: ** 1/4

Randy Orton and Kurt Angle celebrated this win as if they had just won the Super Bowl. Orton and Angle started to approach Benoit to inflict more damage, but LANCE STORM ran down with a chair in hand and kept the Sensationals at bay while the medical staff checked on Benoit's condition. There will be an update on Benoit's condition at the end of the show.

* * * * *

[The music of "The Anarchist" Doug Williams plays to a round of boos. Williams saunters out to the ring with a huge smile on his face. After jawing with a few fans, Williams smugly snatches the microphone from William Buck. Williams has a couple of false starts trying to speak, but the boos of the fans cut him off. Finally the crowd dies down enough for Williams to speak.]

DW: If you rude Oklahomans would be kind enough to shut your mouths for a minute...

[Of course, the fans boo even louder when Williams says this.]

DW: I had a good feeling that you people weren't heeding my warnings properly. I said that I was going to bring pure wrestling back to the United States and especially here to Global Championship Wrestling. I was taken lightly. So what did I do? I embarrassed Hardcore Holly, a noted hardcore wrestler, so badly that he ran away with his tail tucked between his legs! That's right, *I* ran Hardcore Holly out of GCW myself! People don't want to see talentless brutes hitting each other with whatever they can get their dirty little hands on. They want to see wrestling. They want to see two men grappling in order to find out who's the better man, not to see which dumb animal can hit the other dumb animal the hardest with a club! It makes me sick that in this day and age, neanderthals like Hardcore Holly were even able to seek gainful employment, and not be locked away in a cage somewhere!

[The crowd boos how pretentious Doug Williams is being. Williams shrugs it off.]

DW: You all boo me now, and I don't know why. I'm trying to help here. I'm trying to show you all the light, to help you become more sophisticated instead of the backward hilljacks that you all are now!

[Williams has completely turned the crowd against him now as the fans shout at him. Williams tries to speak again, but he is interrupted by the music of "The Innovator of Violence" Tommy Dreamer. Williams looks at Dreamer with disdain as Dreamer gets in the ring with a microphone in tow.]

TD: Has it ever occurred to you that maybe these people don't want your help? You see, I don't know how it works in your country, but here in America, we have a little thing called freedom of choice. If people want to see somebody "grapple" as you put it, hey, they can do that. If people want to see [makes the air quotes] "two animals club each other," well, they have that right too! But you can't come in here and tell the people what they can and cannot see. You know why? Because I am one of those animals! Unlike your pompous ass, some of us have had to work hard, claw up from nothing to get where we are. Where I come from, you have to make it by any means necessary. So it offends me when you come out here and tell me, and tell all these people how we should be and what we should think! So instead of coming out here and flapping your gums, why don't you put your money where your mouth is? Summer Sizzler, how about this animal whips that dandy fop ass?!

[The crowd cheers as Williams has a look of disgust on his face. Dreamer looks about as intense as we've ever seen him.]

DW: You're such an ingrate. You dare challenge me to a match?

TD: [In a mocking tone] Yes, I dare challenge you, oh great one.

DW: It would be my pleasure to out class you at the pay-per-view. And at the end of the night, you'll be running out of GCW just like Hardcore Holly did, and just like all of the hardcore wrestlers will!

[Dreamer smiles at Williams as his music starts up. Williams and Dreamer stare a hole through each other as we cut to commercial.]

* * * * *


Match #7
"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels/"Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero vs. The Italian Stallions
The Italian Stallions are a goofy duo, no question about that. But despite their Olive Garden and mirror antics, they have proved themselves to be a tag team that will have to be dealt with in Global Championship Wrestling, and a tag team that their opponents tonight, Shawn Michaels and Eddie Guerrero, couldn't afford to overlook. Michaels and Guerrero have had their problems in recent weeks, but that seems to be patched up now and they wanted to work on their tag team continuity in this one.

The Stallions had the the power edge in this one, and they asserted themselves early. HBK and Latino Heat have been doing this for a long long time. They've both been wrestling for many years and they used those years of experience to perfection in this match, always being in the right place at the right time. Chuck Palumbo and Mark Jindrak gave the veterans a tremendous match, make no mistake about it, but the in-ring experience edge was too much to overcome in this one. Shawn Michaels smacked Jindrak with the Sweet Chin Music as Eddie Guerrero came crashing down with the Frog Splash. It was all elementary after that.

Eddie Guerrero and Shawn Michaels defeated The Italian Stallions (Chuck Palumbo and Mark Jindrak) when E. Guerrero pinned Jindrak after the Frog Splash in 0:09:44.
Rating: ** 3/4

Surprisingly, no appearance by Black Tiger after this one. It could be because HBK and Latino Heat expected it and were in fighting position. But no appearance by Black Tiger or Chris Jericho. Maybe they figure they'll get more of Michaels and Guerrero than they can handle this Sunday.


Match #8
MAIN EVENT
Non-Title Match
Kurt Angle (World Heavyweight champion) vs. Lance Storm (w/ Dawn Marie)
Lance Storm had a similar struggle facing him in his match that Chris Benoit had in his earlier match, and that was the Sensationals were looking to soften him up rather than beat him. When you have the World Heavyweight champion Kurt Angle trying to soften you up, it's bad news. Lance Storm did have Dawn Marie to watch his back, but there's only so much that she could do if the situation became hostile. Also weighing on Storm's mind was the fact that Chris Benoit had been taken to a local medical facility after the shot he took earlier in the evening, so he would not be around to help if push came to shove.

The match began, and for several minutes, there was no sign of Randy Orton, which came as a surprise to a lot of people. What we did have was a great technical matchup on our hands as two of the best in the business did what they do best, and that's wrestle. Kurt Angle was wanting to show the world that he has the ability to beat Chris Benoit by submission, and if you want to test out if you can do that, Lance Storm is the man you want to go against. Angle worked on Storm with a variety of submission holds. Storm is not one to just lie down and quit though, as he fought back when he caught the World champion with a huge superkick after slipping out of an Angle Slam attempt.

As Storm started to mount his comeback, North American champion Randy Orton not surprisingly came down to ringside. Storm had Angle down and ready to apply the Maple Leaf when Storm spotted Orton making an advance toward Dawn Marie. Storm jumped out of the ring and stood between Orton and Marie, making certain he didn't come any closer. Orton backed up slowly, which gave Angle enough time to recover in the ring. Storm reentered the ring and went after Angle, but Angle sprung to his feet and hit the Angle Slam. Angle grabbed Storm's ankle and locked on the Ankle Lock with a tight grip. When Orton saw that Angle had the Ankle Lock on securely, he ran over and grabbed Dawn Marie by the hair. Lance Storm saw this and struggled like an animal caught in a trap to get away, but Angle had the hold on tight. Orton laughed in Storm's face before laying a huge unwanted kiss on Dawn Marie, right before Storm's eyes! Storm continued to fight in an effort to get away from Angle, but he began to fade the more he struggled, and before long, he passed out as a result of the pain.

Kurt Angle defeated Lance Storm when Lance Storm passed out in the Ankle Lock in 0:10:11.
Rating: **** 1/4

When the bell rang, Orton released Dawn Marie who immediately got in the ring to check on Lance Storm. We went off the air with a shot of a proud Kurt Angle and Randy Orton standing over Lance Storm.

After the show, we got a status report on the condition of Chris Benoit. He has since been released from the hospital and after several tests, it was revealed that he suffered a minor concussion as a result of hitting his head on the concrete floor thanks to the Kurt Angle clothesline. He has been told to take it easy this week, but he will be able to compete at Summer Sizzler for the World Heavyweight Title. This is still a major obstacle for Benoit, who now cannot train this week as he might normally do the week of a big pay-per-view match.

The card is set now for Summer Sizzler, which will take place this Sunday live from Phoenix, Arizona! Here it is in its entirety!


World Heavyweight Title Submission Match
Kurt Angle (c) vs. "The Crippler" Chris Benoit
North American Title Match
Randy Orton (c) vs. Lance Storm

World Tag Team Title Match
The Basham Brothers (c) vs. The Hardy Boyz

Cruiserweight Title Match
Rey Mysterio Jr. (c) vs. Paul London

"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels/"Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero vs. "Y2J" Chris Jericho/Black Tiger

Shelton Benjamin vs. Charlie Haas

Elimination Tables Match
"The Alpha Male" Monty Brown/"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles vs. Sean O'Haire/Steve "Who's Your Daddy?" Bradley (Television champion)

Booker T vs. Goldust

"The Innovator of Violence" Tommy Dreamer vs. "The Anarchist" Doug Williams
TrancePosted on 10/14/04 at 10:37:54

Awesome cards! Almost better than "real" wrestling!
Snabbit888Posted on 10/14/04 at 10:54:16

Thank you for your words.

Anything in particular you like/dislike?  It may help me better gauge what I do well and what I need to work on.  But thanks again.
91Posted on 10/14/04 at 20:48:38

That's probably one of the best shows you've done actually. Several talking points worth bringing up, the Angle/Orton/Storm/Benoit stuff all rolled round perfectly. Speaking of Angle, that stuff with Jericho was damned good - heel stables seem to be a good source of humour in the TNM world actually.

A.J. loses - WOAH! That caught me by surprise. So much so, that it occured to me how much I've gotten into this circuit. :P Either way, the longest running champion in TNM is no more, though I had a suspicion Bradley would be the man to beat him.

Other notes, the stuff with Williams impressed me, I had to laugh at plucky Shannon Moore too. The one criticism I might have is that such a dominant win for Lesnar could have been a touch shorter, but I guess the point was made. And the Black Tiger - could his no show be a clue? Benoit was injured and Palumbo and Jindrak were in the ring, hence it couldn't be any of them. Mind you, I can't see it being any of them, so back to the drawing board.

Anyways, subject to you fiddling with the card in the next show...

World Heavyweight Title Submission Match
Kurt Angle (c) vs. "The Crippler" Chris Benoit

Angle retains I'm thinking.

North American Title Match
Randy Orton (c) vs. Lance Storm

I said Storm before, but the events of this show... I have a feeling that something is going to happen and Orton retains.

World Tag Team Title Match
The Basham Brothers (c) vs. The Hardy Boyz

Bashams retain too.

Cruiserweight Title Match
Rey Mysterio Jr. (c) vs. Paul London

We'll throw in a token title change, London takes it.

"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels/"Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero vs. "Y2J" Chris Jericho/Black Tiger

Jericho and Tiger win, perhaps Tiger unmasks to reveal... the guy under the mask.

Shelton Benjamin vs. Charlie Haas

Haas gets this.

Elimination Tables Match
"The Alpha Male" Monty Brown/"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles vs. Sean O'Haire/Steve "Who's Your Daddy?" Bradley (Television champion)

I would have suggested O'Haire and Bradley before the switch, now I'm sure.

Booker T vs. Goldust

Goldust, continuing his fatal attraction.

"The Innovator of Violence" Tommy Dreamer vs. "The Anarchist" Doug Williams

And Williams surely here.
TrancePosted on 10/14/04 at 20:52:37

If Beniot wins, I think the next challenger should be Eric Angle. Thus far, he is un-defeated and think he could give Chris a run for his money.
Snabbit888Posted on 10/14/04 at 21:02:10

Thanks 91.  Yeah, I didn't originally intend to have so much comedy in the Sensationals stuff, but that's just how the characters ended up speaking.  It's a weird playwrighting thing I've learned from theatre - don't speak yourself, but rather let the characters speak.  It sounds hokey and stupid, but when it works, it's surprisingly cool.

Yeah, I figure with as much as I've talked up AJ Styles having a 6-year reign, that the title switch tonight would be fun and unexpected. :)  It's not what I originally had planned for this card, but I really want to be able to push Styles up the card a bit faster, and didn't want the TV Title "holding him back."  I kind of picture Styles as the future of GCW, so yeah.

Yeah, the Lesnar match should have been shorter, but so it goes sometimes. :)