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[GCW] Winter Warfare - 1/30/05

Snabbit888Posted on 10/14/05 at 09:36:14

There was so much potential for great action as we invaded the Fleet Center in Boston, Massachusetts for Winter Warfare, and the superstars of GCW did not disappoint! In the main event, one of the most brutal matches in wrestling history, War Games with Team Angle taking on World Heavwyeight champion Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, Chris Benoit, Low-Ki, and wildcard entry, Brock Lesnar! Three titles were also on the line with brand-new Television champion and leader of the Prophecy, CM Punk, defending his title against Rhyno, "The Alpha Male" Monty Brown putting his North American Title up for grabs in a no-holds barred streetfight against Eddie Guerrero, and our first match, which would be Paul London defending the Cruiserweight Title against AJ Styles!


Match #1
Cruiserweight Title Match
Paul London (c) vs. "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles
The opening match was one in which many people felt had the potential to steal the show as Paul London, Cruiserweight champion since August of last year, put the gold on the line against AJ Styles, who earned this shot by winning Cruiserweight Chaos II at Gold Rush. The match started fast and furious with London showing an uncharacteristic aggressive meanstreak, jumping Styles as he got in the ring. Both men utilized a strong style, using many hard strikes and kicks to wear the other out. Though the match only went 8 minutes, both London and Styles took quite a bit of punishment from their opponent. In the end, it looked as if the Phenomenal One had London primed for defeat when he had him set up for a top-rope Styles Clash, but London fought out of it and knocked Styles down to the canvas long enough to hit the London Calling and make this title defense a successful one.

Paul London pinned AJ Styles with the London Calling in 0:08:09.
Rating: **** 1/4
(Paul London retained the GCW Cruiserweight Title.)

As London was celebrating his victory, newcomer Frankie Kazarian made an appearance at the top of the ramp, giving London a mock applause. London looked on at Kazarian with a cautious look, which allowed Styles to jump London and lay him out with the Styles Clash before leaving the ring. This one is far from over.


Match #2
Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Sean O'Haire (w/ Daffney)
Rey Mysterio Jr. had two major things against him in this match. Number one, Sean O'Haire is a far larger man than he. Number two, CM Punk, the leader of the Prophecy, sees Mysterio as one of the biggest threats to his agenda and thus will stop at nothing to take Mysterio out of the picture. Mysterio was definitely fighting an uphill battle, but he's used to it at this point in his career. Mysterio took a lot of abuse from O'Haire, but he refused to stay down. Mysterio looked to have victory secured when he hit the 6-1-9 at one point and went for the West Coast Pop, but O'Haire was too big and too strong for it and countered with a tremendous power bomb that got him a nearfall. Mysterio had trouble recovering, but he finally got that opening when O'Haire missed his Seanton Bomb. Mysterio went on to hit a second 6-1-9 and teased the West Coast Pop, but remembering the power bomb from before, went with the Drop of the Dime and survived a brutal match against O'Haire.

Rey Mysterio Jr. pinned Sean O'Haire after the Drop of the Dime in 0:12:59.
Rating: *** 1/2

With O'Haire's defeat, you have to believe that CM Punk is not going to be a happy individual.

* * * * *

We cut backstage where World Heavyweight champion Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, Chris Benoit, and Low-Ki are all talking strategy. The spirits are good until the wild card on the War Games team, Brock Lesnar, enters the room and everyone goes silent. Eventually Lesnar breaks the silence, but he doesn't have a lot to say. "I don't like any of you... but Kurt Angle is going to DIE!" And with that, Lesnar left the room. After a moment of silence, Jericho said, "Well, I'm glad he's on our side, at least."

* * * * *


Match #3
"Cruiserweight Challenge"
The Hurricane vs. Justin Credible
Justin Credible has been desperately trying to get a shot at the Cruiserweight Title now for a number of weeks, and each time failing to make weight to qualify for a title shot. Commissioner Tommy Dreamer told Credible that unless he starts winning some matches, it won't matter if he makes weight or not. Thus, Credible wanted to put himself to the test against any cruiserweight on the roster. The Hurricane accepted the challenge and thus we had this match. It looked as if Credible's recent losing luck was going to continue in the early portion of this match as The Hurricane was banging on all cylinders. Credible got desperate as he could feel the match slipping away, and after catching the Man In Green with a poke to the eyes, he reached into his tights unnoticed by referee JD Sanders and placed a small metal plate into his boot. When The Hurricane turned back around, Credible caught him in the face with a spinning leg lariat, utilizing the well-placed foreign object. The Hurricane was out cold, and Credible had the win.

Justin Credible pinned The Hurricane after a spinning leg lariat in 0:04:57.
Rating: *** 1/4

Credible celebrated his "victory" over a cruiserweight, but you have got to believe that Tommy Dreamer isn't going to allow such a tainted victory to affect Credible's standing in earning a Cruiserweight Title shot.

* * * * *

We cut backstage to where the Hardy Boyz, Goldust, and Booker T are talking about their upcoming tag match against the Cabinet. The Hardyz and Goldust seemed to be getting along pretty well (Matt and Jeff were understandably a bit freaked out, but things were amicable). Booker T, however, was having none of it, siting with his back turned to the group for the duration before he finally threw his hands up and with a grunt, exited the room for the ring. The Hardyz looked to Goldust for an explanation. Goldust's reason for Booker T's outburst? PMS. Yes, you read that right. Goldust is one strange bird, no doubt.

* * * * *


Match #4
The Hardy Boyz/Goldust/Booker T (w/ Lita) vs. The Cabinet (w/ Shaniqua & Lamont)
John Bradshaw Layfield wanted an 8-man tag match for the pay-per-view as he felt that Abyss' performance against Rhyno a week ago on Explosion embarrassed the entire Cabinet. This match was arranged after the Cabinet attacked the Hardyz and Goldust and Booker T during their tag match last week. JBL is a lot of things, but a stupid man is not one of them. With Booker in the state of mind that he is, there was absolutely no way that the opposition would be able to co-exist. As has been the norm in recent weeks, Booker T refused to tag into the match and tried to walk out, but he was stopped by Jeff Hardy who wanted to know what Booker's problem was. As Jeff and Booker argued, Goldust jumped to the floor as well to play the peacemaker. During all of this commotion, Matt Hardy was left out to dry in the ring and suffered the Stock Market Crash from JBL to give the Cabinet the duke.

The Cabinet (Abyss, Danny Basham, Doug Basham and John Bradshaw Layfield) defeated The Hardy Boyz (Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy), Booker T and Goldust when JBL pinned M. Hardy with the Stock Market Crash in 0:06:23.
Rating: ** 3/4

JBL celebrated his victory, making sure to rub it into Abyss' face, yelling several times, "That is how it's done!" Abyss looked as if he wanted to fire back at JBL, but one slap from Shaniqua and that urge was suppressed. One of these days though, Abyss isn't going to be restrained with a mere slap.

* * * * *

Backstage, CM Punk is berating Sean O'Haire for failing to defeat Rey Mysterio Jr. earlier in the night. Punk told O'Haire that losing was a sign of weakness, and the Prophecy will not stand for weakness. "Christopher Daniels was weak, and look what happened to him." O'Haire asked Punk for forgiveness. Punk said that forgiveness is not given, but rather earned. O'Haire said he understood and was then sent away.

* * * * *


Match #5
Television Title Match
CM Punk (c) vs. Rhyno
Rhyno knew that he was going to have a shot at the Television Title tonight, but all month he had been preparing to face Christopher Daniels. However, with Daniels' injury and subsequent losing the title to CM Punk, Rhyno had an entirely different set of circumstances to deal with. Rhyno didn't have any real tapes to study of Punk, because we haven't seen much of him in GCW. As a matter of fact, this was only Punk's second official match, and his first one didn't exactly show a lot of his tendencies or style. Rhyno was having some noticeable difficulties with Punk's style, but when you're as powerful as Rhyno is, sometimes you can just throw the gameplan out the window and use your raw abilities to run right through your opponent. Punk was out thinking Rhyno for much of the match, but Rhyno's brute strength propelled the Manbeast to the brink of victory when he had Punk set up on the top turnbuckle for a superplex. Rhyno went for the move, but SEAN O'HAIRE was down at ringside, and he had a hold CM Punk's foot! Rhyno fell hard to the mat, cracking the back of his head on the canvas. Punk then jumped off with a high cross body. Rhyno was knocked just loopy enough for Punk to get the 3 count.

CM Punk pinned Rhyno after a high cross body in 0:12:25.
Rating: *** 1/2
(CM Punk retained the GCW Television Title.)

I believe this is the forgiveness that CM Punk was talking about O'Haire having to earn. Punk seemed very proud of O'Haire for his actions tonight, helping to keep the Television Title with the Prophecy. O'Haire would feel the affects of an angry Manbeast though as Rhyno nailed O'Haire with the Gore! Rhyno went for Punk, but Punk was able to elude him and jump from the ring before suffering the same fate. I have a good feeling that the Prophecy will be hearing from Rhyno again very soon.


Match #6
North American Title No-Holds-Barred Match
"The Alpha Male" Monty Brown (c) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero
If it wasn't for War Games looming in the main event, this would have been without question the most brutal match on the card. Monty Brown and Eddie Guerrero have had their problems, but the fact that things have escalated to this level of brutality goes a long way to show how far off the deep end Guerrero has fallen. Many feel that Guerrero's vicious attacks on the Alpha Male have been unnecessary, and if not that, a little stupid, because who in their right mind would willingly anger a man like Brown? Well, Latino Heat isn't in his right mind, and that helped him take it to Monty Brown like not many before have. With the rules as they were, Eddie was going to have to hit Brown with everything that wasn't tied down (and a few things that weren't). Eddie Guerrero ended up costing himself in a big way though when his malicious attitude got the better of him and he tried to drive Brown through a table with the Frog Splash, but Brown got out of the way and Latino Heat ate the table hard. Though the match went on for a few more minutes, by this point Eddie was out of it and the Pounce put Eddie down for good.

No-Countout-No-DQ-Match:
Monty Brown pinned Eddie Guerrero with the Pounce in 0:16:38.
Rating: **** 1/2
(Monty Brown retained the GCW North American Title.)

Monty Brown had to work hard for it, but he's still the North American champion. It will be interesting to see who challenges Brown next for the gold that he has defended so well.

* * * * *

All that was left now was War Games in our main event, but first we went back to the locker room of Team Angle where Kurt Angle was rallying the troops. Angle emphasized the importance of a Team Angle victory toward the efforts of getting the World Heavyweight Title back around his waist. Angle told his men that failure was not an option, that this was a battle they couldn't afford to lose. After getting everyone pumped up, the only man remaining in the locker room was Kurt himself, who simply kept repeating to himself, "I can do this, I can do this." He has to have that mindset, or else he's going to be in big trouble within the confines of the two-rings and the steel cage.

* * * * *

* * * * *

We see North American champion Monty Brown in the back untying his boots after his hard fought victory earlier in the night. Brown suddenly turns his head and stands up. The camera pans out and we see that John Bradshaw Layfield has entered the room. JBL tells Brown to calm down and that he's not there for a fight. He congratulates Brown on his successful title defense, but says that over someone like Eddie Guerrero, it's not a surprise. JBL goes on to tell Brown that he hasn't had a real challenge for the title yet, and that it's time that some gold was around the waist of the "best singles wrestler in the world today." Brown smiled and said, "If you want some, come get some. Because you, just like Eddie Guerrero, and just like everyone else, will feel the POOOOOOOOOOUNCE! Period!" JBL was not impressed and thought about throwing a punch, but he thought better of it and took his leave.

* * * * *


Match #7
MAIN EVENT
War Games
"Y2J" Chris Jericho (World Heavyweight champion)/Randy Orton/"The Crippler" Chris Benoit/Low-Ki/Brock Lesnar vs. Team Angle (Kurt Angle/Eric Angle/Steve Bradley/Shelton Benjamin/Charlie Haas [World Tag Team champions])
We knew that our main event was going to be a war, and not just because it was War Games. Both of these factions have a lot of bad blood, and this was their chance to extract as much punishment on their enemies as possible. Not only is ability a huge part of being successful at War Games, but you also have to have a sound strategy. The first two men in the ring are important because those men are inevitably going to take a lot of damage as they're in for the duration. Randy Orton, being only 24 years old and in tremendous condition, was the first man for his team. For the next five minutes, he would be paired off with the undefeated Eric Angle. Eric Angle's job was obviously to set the tone for Team Angle, but Orton was on fire to start off. Angle got his shots in, but Orton was one step ahead and made great use of the cage as a weapon. Orton was laying it into Eric Angle when the 5 minutes was up and it was time for the coin toss. Team Angle won the toss, which would be huge as they'd now be one man up for the next two minutes. Kurt Angle sent in Shelton Benjamin next, and the double team was on.

Orton as trying to fight back, but when you're in a cage, two-on-one odds are definitely not in your favor. Benjamin came in with a purpose, and that was to inflict some serious damage on Orton, and that's what he did by throwing Orton repeatedly into the cage, busting him wide open. We were only about 6 minutes into the match and Orton was already sporting a crimson mask. That didn't bode well for him as there were many more competitors to join the fray. Orton would have help soon though as the two minutes was up and in came Low-Ki. Low-Ki had a huge beef to pick with Shelton Benjamin, who played a major part in the attack that put Elix Skipper out of this match. Low-Ki went right after Benjamin and laid into him with some tremendous kicks. Low-Ki has some of the hardest kicks in the business, and if you don't believe me, ask Shelton Benjamin.

Low-Ki was so focused on putting it to Benjamin that he forgot that Orton needed some help as Eric Angle viciously ripped away at the cut forehead of the Legend Killer. When the next period was up, Team Angle once again had the one man advantage as the other half of the World Tag Team champions, Charlie Haas, entered the mix. Haas went right to help his partner, but Low-Ki saw him coming and nailed him with a thrust kick under the chin. Low-Ki was fighting off both of the World Tag Team champions for a bit, but with those odds, they got the better of him as they caught him with a double flapjack that saw Ki hit the top of his head on the roof of the cage. With all the blood that Orton was losing, he needed to do something desperate to get back into this, and he did that by hitting Eric Angle with a low blow and the R.K.O. Orton was getting a second wind and he flew into the other ring with a double clothesline from the top that took down both members of the World's Greatest Tag Team.

Orton and Low-Ki were rolling, and their odds were about to improve even more as the period ended and Chris Benoit entered the ring to put each team at 3 a piece. Any time that the Crippler enters the ring, the intensity level shoots up. The former World Heavyweight champion came in with chops for everyone he could see, even almost hitting Low-Ki with one in the confusion. Luckily for Ki's chest, Benoit stopped. Things weren't looking good for Team Angle as Jericho's team had the clear advantage when Benoit gave Eric Angle, Shelton Benjamin, and Charlie Haas a German suplex each. When the period was up, Kurt Angle saw how much Benoit was dominating and rather than go in himself, sent his top henchman Steve Bradley into the fray. War Games is certainly right up Bradley's alley. For him, this is legalized assault, and he planned to take full advantage of it. Bradley's aggressive style helped give Team Angle the advantage once more, as well as bust Low-Ki wide open after he tossed him into the cage.

The mood was about to change though when the fourth man entered the ring for Team Jericho, "The Monster From Minnesota" Brock Lesnar! Kurt Angle was screaming from ringside for his troops to attack Lesnar, but Lesnar was not about to be stopped. Lesnar was mowing through Team Angle like a hot knife through butter, hitting suplex after suplex. He was even able to F-5 Steve Bradley from one ring into the other, throwing him onto Haas and Benjamin. Lesnar was a one man wrecking crew, tearing through Team Angle. When the period ended, Kurt Angle was the last man for his team, but he didn't come in alone as he had Mofo, Bradley's trusting baseball bat. Angle snuck up behind Lesnar as he had Eric Angle up for the F-5 and cracked Lesnar hard in the ribs. Lesnar dropped Eric and walked right into a hard shot in the left arm with the bat. Lesnar dropped to the mat clutching his arm, obviously in some serious pain. Eric Angle grabbed Lesnar and put him in a Fujiwara armbar. Lesnar refused to give up, holding on for a lengthy period of time before Chris Benoit finally saved him, but Lesnar was in a bad way.

With Lesnar all but out of it, Team Angle had the distinct advantage and Kurt used it to his full advantage.  Chris Jericho came in for the final period and did his best to take out Team Angle, even getting Haas in the Walls of Jericho.  The numbers were on Team Angle's side though with Lesnar being hurt.  A few minutes later, Angle caught Orton in the ankle with the baseball bat and locked on the Ankle Lock. With Lesnar down and out, Team Angle had four guys to keep away three from saving Orton, and with all the blood that Orton had lost throughout the match, he had nowhere to go and was forced to give it up.

War Games No-Countout-No-DQ-Match:
Team Angle (Charlie Haas, Eric Angle, Kurt Angle, Shelton Benjamin and Steve Bradley) defeated Brock Lesnar, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Low-Ki and Randy Orton when K. Angle made R. Orton submit to the Ankle Lock in 0:21:34.
Brock Lesnar tore his right triceps. He will be out for approximately 3 months.
Rating: ****

Everyone was beat up, but it was Team Angle that pulled out the win. Kurt Angle had to be thrilled with this result as in his mind, this has to put Angle in position to get his rematch for the World Heavyweight Title. The other major factor coming out of this match is that the injury bug has struck again, this time to Brock Lesnar. Angle had a very specific plan to take Lesnar out as he knew the Monster From Minnesota was hot on his trail, thus the attack with the baseball bat. Lesnar tore a muscle in his right triceps, but luckily for him it wasn't a major tear and will only put him out for 3-4 months. Either way, with Lesnar's recent path of destruction, this is a huge blow to him. The show went off the air with Team Angle in celebration over their win in War Games.
americamamushiPosted on 10/15/05 at 00:40:32

Great opening.  It's nice to start the PPV on a high note.  

OoOoOoOoOoOo... possible Kazarian/Styles faction?  That'd rock if it happens.  Or maybe just Kazarian interjecting himself into the title scene.  Either way some more great action in the cruiserweight scene seems to be on the horizon.

Predictions: 1/1

Another good match.  If Rey moves back into the TV title picture I think his matches with Punk could rival his matches with Daniels in terms of great TV.

Predictions: 2/2

Well, I said Justin would win if he was in the chicken suit.  No chicken suit so I get guessed this one wrong.  Credible couldn't get it done just on talent though so maybe his cruiserweight asperations are just a pipe dream.

Predictions: 2/3

Hurray!  Another right guess.  Abyss is like a time bomb and JBL is a kid with a hammer.

Predictions: 3/4

Punk retains.  Good stuff.  O'Haire better watch out though.  No matter how big you are Rhyno is a guy you don't want coming after you.

Predictions: 4/5

Poor Eddie just couldn't get it done.  Brown is a force indeed.  I think he's gonna be holding that gold for a loooong time.

Predictions: 5/6

Booyah.  I only missed one.  Excellent cap to the show.  Whoa.  Real tough break with Lesnar getting injured.  That's superhero lame of your TNM to do that to you.  That's two big blows in a short period of time.  I'm almost afraid to read Explosion for fear that some other big name will be injured. :)

Predictions: 6/7
LKOPosted on 10/15/05 at 16:04:09

That was a great show. I was waiting all week for it and it delivered.

Its only a matter of time before Angle gets that title back. And how long can Steve Bradley sit in Angle's shadow without feeling that gold himself?
Murphy42782Posted on 10/17/05 at 17:47:29

Great card and it looks as if a Jericho/Angle rematch is bound to happen, with Lesnar on the shelf. Although Orton is due a title shot if Im not mistaken. Things are gonna get interesting.