FORUM HOME > TNM Circuits > Global Championship Wrestling
[GCW] Proving Ground - 3/19/06

Snabbit888Posted on 03/17/08 at 00:04:26

For the 24th time, Global Championship Wrestling invaded pay-per-view, this time from East Rutherford for Proving Ground! All four titles are on the line and a ton of grudges will be settled as the competitors of GCW all have something to prove. Christopher Daniels has to prove that he is the cream of the crop of the X division as he takes on three of the best, Kid Kash, Elix Skipper, and AJ Styles, in a Fatal Fourway. The World's Greatest Tag Team look to prove that they can climb to the top of the hill one more time, trying to reclaim the World Tag Team Titles for an unprecedented fifth time as they take on Lance Storm and Edge. John Bradshaw Layfield gets his chance to prove his claim that he is the greatest Intercontinental champion when he defends the gold against Rob Van Dam. And in our main event, in a great battle of respect, World Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar and "The Crippler" Chris Benoit will settle their score once and for all and see just who is the best when they lock horns for the biggest prize of the game.


Match #1
World Tag Team Title Match
Lance Storm/Edge © (w/ Lita/Gail Kim/Mickie James) vs. The World's Greatest Tag Team
Our first of the four title matches kicked off the show as Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas were looking to take the tag team titles for an unheard of fifth time, taking on two-time reigning champions, Lance Storm and Edge. Since GCW opened its doors, there has been little question that the World's Greatest Tag Team have been the cream of the tag team crop. They are the epitome of teamwork and know exactly what the other is thinking at any given time. This would definitely be something they'd need to utilize tonight as there are few teams as technically sound as Lance Storm and Edge. Some people say that tag team wrestling is a lost art, but this is the type of match that shows you exactly how it should be done. Picture perfect teamwork, great double team moves, cutting the ring off successfully by both teams. It was a shame that one of the teams had to lose this match. The champions seemed to be a little worse for wear coming in, especially Edge who went through that brutal cage match against Monty Brown just six days ago. The champs just didn't have enough in the tank, and after Benjamin hit the T-Bone on Edge and we had brand new champions!

The World's Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) defeated Edge and Lance Storm when S. Benjamin pinned Edge with the High Angle DDT in 0:08:37.
Rating: *** ¾
(The World's Greatest Tag Team won the GCW World Tag Team Titles.)

One match down, and one set of new champions. Could this be a sign of things to come?


THE WGTT HAVE THEIR CELEBRATION CUT SHORT
Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin went through the curtain to the back, celebrating their regaining of the gold, but that celebration was cut terribly short when JOHNNY NITRO and SHANNON MOORE blindsided them into the concrete wall and proceeded to put the boots to the new champions. Melina even got her shots in as she screeched encourage to her charges. The GCW Official Brigade was able to cut this attack short before it got too out of control, but the message was definitely sent.


Match #2
Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Booker T (w/ Sharmell)
Rey Mysterio Jr. and Booker T made great partners, but there was just too much ego on Booker T's side to make the team work, and thanks to Sharmell being in his ear, the team collapsed in a violent way a few weeks ago. Mysterio was out of action for a bit to nurse injuries caused by Booker's assault, but he has come back better than ever and with revenge on his mind. Mysterio's main disadvantage in this match though was that he was dead set on revenge that he didn't wrestle a smart match, instead being completely fueled by distain. As a result, Booker had the mental advantage and waited until Mysterio made a mistake, which he did when he missed a plancha to the floor. After that, it didn't take long for Booker to capitalize with the Axe Kick and this one was in the bag.

Booker T pinned Rey Mysterio Jr. with the Axe Kick in 0:07:24.
Rating: ****


Match #3
Intercontinental Title Match
John Bradshaw Layfield © (w/ Lamont) vs. Rob Van Dam
A week ago in a tag team match, Rob Van Dam was able to pin John Bradshaw Layfield cleanly in the middle of the ring. He was hoping that lightning would strike twice as the Intercontinental Title was up for grabs, and RVD would love to hold singles gold for the first time in his GCW career. JBL hasn't had the title for long, but he certainly didn't want to relinquish it this soon. No matter how many times you watch the Whole F'n Show in the ring, he's so unpredictable that's he's nearly impossible to plan for. That's why JBL's strategy was to hit RVD as hard as he could and hope he'd keep him down for the three. Problem is that's entirely easier to put on paper than it is to put into practice. It's just so hard to get a handle on RVD because he can use his feet as well as he uses his hands. One thing JBL definitely had going for him though as Lamont, a limo driver that is more than willing to put himself in harm's way for his employer. That happened late in the match when RVD had all the momentum and had JBL down for the Five Star Frog Splash and Lamont jumped on the apron. Instead of putting JBL away, RVD nailed Lamont with a jump kick. Lamont took a huge spill, but his distraction worked as JBL hit the Stock Market Crash and that was all she wrote.

John Bradshaw Layfield pinned Rob Van Dam with the Stock Market Crash in 0:12:31.
Rating: ****
(John Bradshaw Layfield retained the GCW Intercontinental Title.)

A valiant effort by RVD, but it was just not his night as luck was on JBL's side. A rough night for the Whole F'n Show, but an even rougher night for us as now we get to listen to JBL brag on.


AJ STYLES WISHES CHRISTOPHER DANIELS LUCK
AJ Styles came up to X champion "Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels backstage. Styles wished Daniels the best of luck in the match later tonight, but he wanted Daniels to be quite sure that in the match, there would be no friends and when it came down to it, he was going to do whatever it took to get the X Title around his waist. Daniels said he had absolutely no problems with that as he didn't want Styles to have a single excuse when he retained his X Title. The two smirked at each other and offered a stiff handshake before we cut back to the ring.


Match #4
Monty Brown vs. CM Punk (w/ Daffney)
Monty Brown is a one man wrecking crew, plain and simple. With the pace he is on, he is destined to be a World Heavyweight champion But tonight, he had other intentions - intentions that involved breaking CM Punk in half. It's amazing how even when Punk has infuriated someone as much as he has the Alpha Male, he remains as stoic as ever. Punk just systematically goes about his business. Much like in the Mysterio-Booker match earlier, Brown was a little too aggressive early on. The difference is though that Brown always wrestles this aggressive style night in and night out and has learned to control it. But Punk is an assassin in the ring, and he can go toe-to-toe with anyone, Brown included. Punk took Brown to the limit, even busting his lip open with a hard Shining Wizard that garnered a nearfall. Punk went to put the nail in the coffin when he went to the top, but when he jumped off the Alpha Male turned it into a vicious powerslam that knocked the wind out of Punk long enough for the win.

Monty Brown pinned CM Punk after a powerslam in 0:08:16.
Rating: *** ¾

It's been a good week for Monty Brown. Even after the match, CM Punk didn't seem to care that he had just lost, and a large creepy smile crossed his face. There's just no way to figure this guy out. Fact is, Monty Brown picks up an impressive win and continues his winning ways.


A SUPERSTAR RETURNS AT DEADLY DRAW
We were treated with a small video package next to announce that at Deadly Draw, which takes place April 23rd from Indianapolis, Indiana, a huge superstar will return for the match. At the event, we found out that THE HEARTBREAK KID himself will come back and take part in the Deadly Draw match! The roof almost came off the building when this was announced. It'll be great to see HBK in the ring again.


Match #5
Kurt Angle vs. Randy Orton
Every time that Kurt Angle or Randy Orton steps into the ring, the chance for a classic wrestling match is there. When they are matched up against one another, that chance increases exponentially. There has been a lot of bad blood forming between these two in recent months, and it all came to a head in this match. Not only was this match important in settling this feud, but one has to think that a win here puts the victor high in line to challenge for the World Heavyweight Title.

It's hard to describe how good this match was. Both men are in such great shape and can go a long time, and both Angle and Orton recognized this. Therefore, this became a match on the mat. On paper, Angle would have the clear cut advantage in a pure wrestling match. But Orton showed why there's a reason you actually wrestle the matches. To be perfectly honest, for a large portion of this match, Orton dominated, and even still, dominated cleanly. Everyone was shocked at this, but I don't think anyone was more shocked than Kurt Angle, who thought this would play right into his hands.

Not only that, but Orton showed that meanstreak he is becoming famous for, tearing Angle apart and being very nearly disqualified several times. He kept his cool long enough to continue the assault on the only Triple Crown winner in GCW history. Angle is tenacious though, and he managed to fight back throughout the match, dishing out as much as he was receiving. As we have seen before in the past, it would be Orton's ego that would ultimately cost him, as when he had the win all but locked up when he surprised Angle with the RKO, he instead decided he was going to make Angle tap out to his own finishing move, the Ankle Lock. He was a little too deliberate with it though, and Angle reversed it into an Ankle Lock of his own which would elad to a submission victory.

Kurt Angle made Randy Orton submit to the Ankle Lock in 0:18:41.
Rating: **** ½

Both men receiving a standing ovation for their efforts, and it's hard for anyone to claim that they didn't steal the show. Angle and Orton alike are going to be forces to reckon with in the Deadly Draw match next month.


THE CRIPPLER IS READY FOR HIS CHANCE TO REGAIN THE TITLE
Chris Benoit was interviewed backstage by Maria, who asked him what he was feeling as we inched closer to the main event and his chance to regain the World Heavyweight Title. Benoit was as intense as ever. Benoit said that tonight it's no longer about respect, as Brock Lesnar has proved that he is not worthy of respect. "Tonight, it's about nothing more than winning the World Heavyweight Title." Benoit reminded everyone that he was the very first World champion, and the long road back to the top ends tonight.


Match #6
Fatal Fourway Elimination Match for the X Title
Christopher Daniels © vs. AJ Styles vs. Kid Kash (w/ Lance Hoyt) vs. Elix Skipper
The X Title match had a tough act to follow with that last match, but they were up to the challenge with Christopher Daniels defending the gold against AJ Styles, Elix Skipper, and Kid Kash. With this match it was going to be about survival as it was elimination style. Getting that first elimination was going to be all important, but that was hard to come by with all four men in the ring at the same time and bodies flying all over the place. The action early was way too quick paced to call, but there was an ultra exciting part where all four men were basically taking turns diving on each other on the floor. But the first elimination wouldn't happen until the 7 minute mark when Kid Kash caught Elix Skipper on the turnbuckle, crotching him on the top and bringing him down with the Dead Level.

Kash was happy that he got rid of one man, until he realized that more or less, that put him alone with Daniels and Styles, who spent the next couple of minutes hitting the Notorious K.I.D. with tandem offense. Kash lucked out in that Daniels and Styles began arguing over who would make the pinfall and started fighting amongst themselves. For the next few minutes the match consisted of two of the three remaining competitors pairing off and going at it while the third was predisposed. As the match continued, the risks became riskier and riskier, which ultimately led to "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles eating the mat hard twice - once on a missed Asai moonsault and once after the Angel's Wings.

Kid Kash had successfully rested himself up during the latter moments of the match and jumped right on Daniels, hoping to use this window of opportunity to put the Fallen Angel away. Kash is an ill-tempered miserable human being, but he can cause you all kinds of pain when he's in the mood, and tonight - he was in the mood. He was stomping away at Daniels and looked like he was going to put it away with the Dead Level, but Daniels reversed out of it and in a flash hit the Angel's Wings and before Lance Hoyt on the floor knew what happened, the Fallen Angel had the pin and was still the X champion.

Four Corners Match:
Christopher Daniels defeated AJ Styles, Elix Skipper and Kid Kash:
x Kash beat Skipper via the Dead Level in 0:07:00
x C. Daniels beat Styles via the Angel's Wings in 0:16:13
x C. Daniels beat Kash via the Angel's Wings in 0:18:22
Rating: ****
(Christopher Daniels retained the GCW X Title.)

Unfortunately for Daniels, Hoyt knew what was happening after the match as he jumped in the ring and took Daniels' head off with a big boot. When Kash came to, he joined in on the beating. Things were looking even more bleak when CM PUNK came down to the ring, and he had a chair with him! There is a lot of history between Christopher Daniels and CM Punk, and none of it is good. But Punk surprised everyone when he turned the chair and nailed Hoyt in the back! Punk took a wild swing at Kid Kash, but the Notorious K.I.D. wisely ducked out of the ring. This left just Daniels and Punk in the ring. Everyone fully expected Punk to clock the X champion next, but he didn't. He simply dropped the chair and shot Daniels a look that can only be described as a look of respect. CM Punk said he was going to make his presence known tonight, and he surely did.


Match #7
Cage Match
Abyss vs. Bobby Lashley
Two absolute monsters. One cage. One score to be settled. Commissioner Tommy Dreamer made this match between Abyss and Bobby Lashley a cage match because he declared that the fights the two were engaging in around the arena were getting far too dangerous for everyone (and you know it's bad when Dreamer is saying that). This match was exactly what we thought it would be - ugly, and very very brutal. Abyss and Lashley took turns chucking each other around the cage. The odd thing was the more pain each man inflicted on the other, the more they enjoyed it. It's a little disturbing really to watch two guys love inflicting pain on each other this much, but that's neither here nor there. Abyss is one of the best brawlers in the world today, but Lashley is an absolute freak of nature. He has yet to be pinned in a GCW ring, and honestly with the skill set he's bringing to the table, I don't foresee it happening any time soon. Lashley showed off his tremendous strength when he was eventually able to get Abyss on his shoulder and drop him with the Dominator to win this crazy match.

No-Countout-No-DQ-Cage Match:
Bobby Lashley pinned Abyss with the Dominator in 0:14:25.
Rating: *** 1/4


THE CHAMP HAS SOME FINAL WORDS BEFORE THE MAIN EVENT
Maria caught up with World champion Brock Lesnar before the main event and asked him the same question she asked Benoit earlier. Lesnar was short-spoken, only saying these three words - "BENOIT... YOU'RE DEAD!" This main event just got taken to a whole other level.


Match #8
World Heavyweight Title
Brock Lesnar © vs. Chris Benoit
The time for talk and shows of "respect" between Brock Lesnar and Chris Benoit were over. It was time to put up or shut up, and that's exactly what they did with the biggest prize in the game up for grabs. The Monster From Minnesota has held the title since last June, and he didn't want to relinquish the gold just yet. Problem is, the Crippler was the very first World champion and he wanted nothing more than to be at the top of the mountain for a second time.

These two have battled several times in the past, and the match followed a similar pattern with the two trying to get the upperhand. Lesnar punished Benoit throughout the match, focusing primarily on the Rabid Wolverine's back while Benoit used a bit different tactic on Lesnar and was working on his neck, obviously as a setup for the Crippler Crossface. Benoit was doing great work in this match, putting Lesnar through a lot of pain and suffering as he wrenched on the Monster's neck. Lesnar is obsessed with keeping the World Heavyweight Title though, and nothing Benoit could muster was working to put him away. Lesnar kept fighting back with power moves, but for the most part, this was Benoit's match. That is, all except the ending. Benoit put Lesnar in the Crippler Crossface and looked to be well on his way to winning when Lesnar powered out (after a good two minutes in the move) and lifted Benoit onto his shoulder and dropped him with the F-5. Good morning, good afternoon, good night.

Brock Lesnar pinned Chris Benoit with the F-5 in 0:27:14.
Rating: *** 1/4
(Brock Lesnar retained the GCW World Heavyweight Title.)

The show came to an end with Lesnar lifting the World Heavyweight title high above his head after exchanging what appeared to be a legitimate handshake of respect with Chris Benoit. Benoit took the champion to the limit, but he couldn't quite get over the hump. Brock Lesnar... still World Heavyweight champion.
rey619Posted on 04/04/08 at 08:02:11

Wow, that was a lot of 4-star matches.. what was the show rating?

I see what you mean about Benoit and Lesnar not clicking in GCW. The two main event matches were the lowest ranked on the card!

I like what you're doing with Punk. He's really interesting and mysterious, the complete opposite of the WWE version of him.
Snabbit888Posted on 04/04/08 at 08:25:13

The show got *** 3/4, it did.