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[GCW] Monday Night Explosion - 1/17/05

Snabbit888Posted on 09/13/05 at 05:58:55

We are just three days removed from Gold Rush where we saw the crowning of a brand new World Heavyweight champion, Chris Jericho! We knew he was in the building tonight, as well as the former champion Kurt Angle, as GCW invaded the MCI Center in Washington D.C. for Monday Night Explosion! Tonight we would also be introduced to the new commissioner of Global Championship Wrestling, taking over for the now displaced Ryan Niemiller! A lot of great wrestling action as well with the singles debut of Frankie Kazarian, the in-ring debut of Niemiller's former bodyguard Matt Morgan, Chris Benoit vs. Steve Bradley, and what proves to be a hard-hitting streetfight between Eddie Guerrero and newest Team Angle member, Eric Angle!

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The night kicked off pretty much the only way it could, and that was with the unveiling of our new commissioner. William Buck made the announcement, and it was former GCW wrestler and recent retiree TOMMY DREAMER! Dreamer got a good reaction from the Washington D.C. fans as he spoke about how honored he was to be the commissioner and how he promises to use his power fairly and with the best intentions of the fans of GCW in mind. It didn't take long for Dreamer to deal with his first interruption as Team Angle, now five men strong, came down to the ring. When Kurt Angle had the World Heavyweight Title, it was hard not to see him with a grin on his face Tonight, it was anything but a smile. Kurt got in the ring with his troops flanked behind him in an obvious attempt to flex their muscle and intimidate the new commissioner. The first thing Kurt did was demand that the World Heavyweight Title be returned to him immediately. Dreamer rejected that by saying that the referee's decision is final, and at the end of Gold Rush, the referee declared Chris Jericho the new World champion. Having failed there, Angle asked Dreamer to suspend Brock Lesnar for his role in costing him the World Heavyweight Title. Surprisingly, Dreamer said yes. Everyone in the arena booed except for Team Angle, that is until Dreamer said that if Lesnar is suspended, Eric Angle would be suspended as well for his role interfering in the cage match. Kurt looked at his brother, who shot him a dirty look for even considering that trade off. Angle finally relented and simply asked when he was going to get his rematch, and suggested Winter Warfare as a good date. Dreamer assured Kurt that he would be getting a rematch, but it wouldn't be at Winter Warfare because Kurt is already in a match. In fact, all of Team Angle is in a match as they will make up one team for War Games! It will be Kurt Angle, Eric Angle, Steve Bradley, Shelton Benjamin, and Charlie Haas taking on World Heavyweight champion Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, Chris Benoit, Elix Skipper, and Low-Ki! Team Angle wasn't thrilled about this knowing how dangerous War Games has the potential to be. Dreamer also informed Kurt that he wanted to make Matt Morgan's first match special, so it was going to be against the former World Heavyweight champion... right... NOW!

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Match #1
Matt Morgan (IN-RING DEBUT !!!) vs. Kurt Angle
Matt Morgan came into this match with a lot of enthusiasm, and with good cause. Not only was this the first match of his GCW career, but he had a huge opportunity to make an impact against the former World Heavyweight champion Kurt Angle. Morgan came out with a lot of excitement, and that excitement was magnifying as in the early moments of the match, he was having some success against Angle, using his tremendous size to toss Angle around with some major league hiptosses and throws. I think Angle expected this to be a cakewalk against the inexperienced Morgan, but he got all that he could handle and then some. Morgan looked impressive, but once the Olympic gold medal winner buckled down, he systematically took Morgan to school and chopped down the big tree, taking the win with the Ankle Lock.

Kurt Angle defeated Matt Morgan when Matt Morgan passed out in the Ankle Lock in 0:07:08.
Rating: *** 1/2

Matt Morgan showed a lot of good things in his debut, but he still has a way to go before he's ready to compete with someone with the skill level of Kurt Angle. Now Kurt has to find a way to get his troops prepared for war at Winter Warfare.

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After the match, we rushed backstage after Joey O'Donnell informed us that there was a disturbance. When the cameras reached the area in question, we saw that Elix Skipper was bloodied and unconscious on the floor! Medical staff and officials surrounded Skipper, but he wasn't moving. Tommy Dreamer showed up and asked what happen, but no one knew. That is, until the World Tag Team champions conveniently walked by. Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin, faking shock, asked what could have happened. Dreamer was furious over this and the smiles of the World's Greatest Tag Team were quickly turned upside down when Dreamer informed them that they'd now be defending their titles in the main event against Randy Orton and the World Heavyweight champion Chris Jericho! The WGTT pleaded their case trying to convince Dreamer that they were innocent, but Dreamer would have none of it. The match was on. Things did not look good for Elix Skipper though as he was in a bad way. We didn't have an update on his condition when we went off he air, but we have been promised a report next Monday on Explosion from Baltimore.

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Match #2
Shark Boy vs. Frankie "The Future" Kazarian
Frankie Kazarian made an impressive debut this past Thursday at Gold Rush, being one of the final three in Cruiserweight Chaos II and at points in the match being very dominant. He had his first taste of singles action tonight against the always quirky Shark Boy. Kazarian received a lot of hype over the last couple of months, and thus far, he has lived up to it. Shark Boy came prepared to fight, but the cold hard facts are that he is outmatched by Kazarian. The Future had little trouble with the Boy from the Sea, who was overcome by the Wave of the Future.

Frankie Kazarian pinned Shark Boy with the Wave of the Future in 0:05:40.
Rating: **** 1/4

After the match, Kazarian grabbed the microphone and simply said, "The Future is here... and the Future looks good!" At least we know he's not short on confidence.


Match #3
Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles
Any time you get two wrestlers with the abilities of Rey Mysterio Jr. and AJ Styles in the ring, you know there is the potential for something very special to take place. Both of these guys are two of the most talented men you're going to find anywhere. But as has been the case for months now, any time Mysterio is in the ring, the Prophecy is not far behind. Styles is very talented, but when you take that talent and mix it with youth, you often times end up with a lot of ego. Styles' ego was given a reality check in the early going as the veteran Mysterio was making him look downright bad. As Styles' frustrations mounted, it made it even easier for Mysterio to get the upperhand on the Phenomenal One

The match was firmly in Mysterio's control until to nobody's surprise, here came Sean O'Haire and Daffney of the Prophecy. Referee JD Sanders saw them coming and was quick to react, jumping to the floor and demanding that they return to the locker room. While Sanders was doing his job correctly, it left his back wide open to where CM PUNK, who had come through the crowd, threw a fireball in Mysterio's face! Mysterio fell to the mat clutching at his eyes, which made it easy for Styles to hit the Styles Clash and pick up the victory.

AJ Styles pinned Rey Mysterio Jr. with the Styles Clash in 0:06:13.
Rating: *** 1/2

Luckily, we found out that Rey Mysterio Jr. only suffered some minor burns thanks to his mask protecting him from the fire. Mysterio will be okay, but when will enough be enough for the Prophecy? Mysterio better have eyes in the back of his head come Winter Warfare when he faces Sean O'Haire.


Match #4
"The Crippler" Chris Benoit vs. Steve "Who's Your Daddy?" Bradley
Chris Benoit and Steve Bradley locked horns a month ago at Best of the Best, a match in which the Crippler won. However, he certainly didn't come out looking like the winner after suffering cracked ribs from Bradley's black baseball bat Mofo. Benoit has had a bit of time to heal, but it's safe to say that he is not at 100%. Benoit came out aggressively knowing that with his ribs in the state that they are, the sooner he could end this match, the better. Bradley weathered the early storm until he found his opening to go on the offensive. Bradley's a ruthless competitor and he further cemented that reputation by maliciously targeting Benoit's ribs. Benoit kept trying to fight back, but he was fading fast as injured ribs make it very hard to breathe as a match goes on. Benoit had one more good shot to pull this one out when he hit a desperation German suplex on Bradley and climbed to the top. Benoit tried for the swandive headbutt, but it took him too long to get to the top because of his ribs, allowing Bradley to roll away and Benoit to crash hard. You could see all of the wind escape the Crippler's lungs, allowing the Baddest Mofo on the Show to hit the Smashmouth and get the biggest victory of his career.

Steve Bradley pinned Chris Benoit with the Smashmouth in 0:08:31.
Rating: *** 1/2

This was a huge momentum builder for Team Angle as War Games looms on the horizon. Benoit's ribs were in no condition to withstand this onslaught, and it cost him the match as a result. With this nagging injury, could Benoit be the weak link for his team at War Games?

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We then cut back to the offices of the new GCW commissioner Tommy Dreamer. It didn't take very long before CM Punk made his way into the room. Punk didn't say anything for several moments before maniacally laughing. When Dreamer inquired as to what was so funny, Punk responded by saying that just because former President Ryan Niemiller was gone, the destiny of Prophecy remains the same. Though no direct threats were made toward Dreamer himself, this was obviously an attempt by Punk to establish dominance, but Dreamer was not about to be intimidated. As the tension was mounting, it was broken when BROCK LESNAR came into the office and told Dreamer he was in the mood to kick some ass tonight. CM Punk took exception to Lesnar interrupting him and was not at all shy about letting the Monster From Minnesota know this. Lesnar was not impressed with Punk's gusto and let him know by grabbing him around the throat and lifting him with a choke lift. SEAN O'HAIRE ran in the office and nailed Lesnar from behind to break that up, and the two powerful began slugging it out right there in Dreamer's office! With the help of the GCW Official Brigade, Tommy Dreamer finally separated these two and told them if they wanted to fight so badly, they could do it in the ring tonight, and NEXT!

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Match #5
Brock Lesnar vs. Sean O'Haire (w/ Daffney)
Two of the biggest and toughest men in GCW met in the squared circle next, just moments after having an impromptu brawl in the office of Commissioner Tommy Dreamer. When Brock Lesnar and Sean O'Haire moved the fight to the ring, it was just as high impact as it was in the back. O'Haire has been on fire the past few months in Global Championship Wrestling, being on a tremendous roll, even coming within one match of winning the Best of the Best tournament. However, it's hard to look around this place and see anyone who is as motivated and fueled by anger as Brock Lesnar is. Lesnar has two goals in mind, the World Heavyweight Title and obliterating Kurt Angle. Even with as good as O'Haire has been, Lesnar showed what kind of animal he is by basically blowing through O'Haire with the F-5 en route to a highly impressive win here on Explosion.

Brock Lesnar pinned Sean O'Haire with the F-5 in 0:06:44.
Rating: *** 1/4

Daffney showed her chagrin by shrieking loudly after the outcome of this match was sealed. If I was Kurt Angle, I'd sleep with one eye open.

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World Heavyweight champion Chris Jericho and Randy Orton were backstage discussing their match for the World Tag Team Titles tonight against reigning champions the World's Greatest Tag Team. Jericho and Orton are good friends and sounded as if they were on the same page, until Orton made the comment about how he won't only be one half of the World Tag Team champions, but after Beat Your Valentine in February, he will be GCW's first ever double champion when he becomes the World Heavyweight champion. Y2J took exception to this, seeing how he is the current World Heavyweight champion and all. The two bickered back and forth before finally agreeing to just focus on tonight first, Beat Your Valentine later. The two shook hands to end the segment, but it was a far warier handshake than the two would have had before this altercation, that's for sure.

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Match #6
Rhyno vs. John Bradshaw Layfield (w/ The Cabinet)
Two more of GCW's hosses locked up in our next encounter as the impressive newcomer, Rhyno, the current number-one contender for the Television Title, took on John Bradshaw Layfield. JBL has been far more confident in the ring since compiling the Cabinet, and he had his entire troupe down with him at ringside for this one, putting Rhyno had a decided disadvantage. Rhyno knew he had to have his fighting shoes on if he was going to win this match, and quite frankly, I don't think the Manbeast ever forgets his fighting shoes. JBL tried a couple of times early on to toss Rhyno to the outside for the Cabinet to pick him apart, but both times Rhyno fought out of it, fighting off both of the Basham Brothers. Rhyno didn't have to fend off Abyss because Abyss was making no aggressive moves toward Rhyno. After a good back and forth power contest, JBL bought himself a bit of time by throwing Rhyno over the top to the floor, right at the feet of Abyss. At first, Abyss wouldn't attack Rhyno. Abyss refused to do so until an enraged Shaniqua got in his face and started yelling, demanding Abyss to take Rhyno out. Abyss was still reluctant until Shaniqua gave him a hard slap across the face. Abyss then picked Rhyno up and drove his back into the ringpost and threw him back in the ring. The fans booed Abyss for his actions, and the strange masked giant absolutely hated it. He had grown accustomed to the cheers he was starting to garner and the boos made him feel horrible. Abyss covered his ears and ran to the back to get away from the negative reaction, but the damage he had done to Rhyno was quite clear. Moments later, JBL hit the Stock Market Crash to get the 1-2-3.

John Bradshaw Layfield pinned Rhyno with the Stock Market Crash in 0:08:31.
Rating: ** 3/4

A huge win for JBL (even if it was tainted) and a huge setback for Rhyno as he looks to become the Television champion at Winter Warfare. I bet that JBL will never let us hear the end of this one. After the show went off the air, we received word that Rhyno has challenged Abyss to a match next week, and Tommy Dreamer has signed it. I understand Rhyno's frustrations, but this could be a mistake to accept a match of this kind six days before a big title match.

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Before our semi-main event pitting Eddie Guerrero and Eric Angle against each other in a streetfight, we received an update on the condition of the man who Guerrero savagely assaulted with a sledgehammer a few days ago at Gold Rush, Shawn Michaels. We learned that Michaels back is in very bad shape, both a combination of the two blunt blows from the sledgehammer and his previous back injury that caused him to take four years off from the sport. Though HBK will be able to recover from these injuries to function normally, the early prognosis is that Shawn Michaels' wrestling career could very well be over.

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Match #7
Streetfight
"Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero vs. Eric Angle
This was a match that I was personally very much looking forward to as Eddie Guerrero and Eric Angle looked to settle their differences once and for all in this streetfight. You knew right from the beginning this was going to be something different. While Angle came out in his traditional ring gear, Guerrero was wearing a pair of jeans and steel toed boots. This had to be the biggest threat to Angle's undefeated streak as not only is Guerrero a vicious competitor, but he has nothing left to lose. This one was scary right from the word go, losing all semblance of being a wrestling very quickly. This type of match plays into Guerrero's hands more than Angle's and it showed. Eric Angle spent most of the match trying to keep distance between him and Eddie whereas Eddie was like a steam roller, using the absence of rules to the fullest advantage.

These two fought all around the ringside area, making use of everything from chairs to the ring bell to the ringsteps. Eric Angle somehow managed to avoid bleeding throughout this match, but Guerrero wasn't as fortunate as a drop toehold counter by Angle into the ringsteps gave Eddie the crimson mask. If Eddie wasn't fired up enough, the sight of his own blood sent Eddie into more of a rage, meaning more pain and suffering for Eric Angle. At one point in the match, a table was brought into the ring by Eddie, but a well-placed low blow cut Latino Heat down. However, after Eddie regained the advantage, he went to the outside, looked under the ring, and pulled out a sledgehammer! Guerrero's intentions were to do to Angle as he did to Shawn Michaels. Guerrero had a sick look on his face as he measured Eric Angle with the sledgehammer, but as he charged, Angle had the presence of mind to counter purely on instinct with a powerslam that sent Guerrero crashing right through the table! Angle draped an arm over Eddie Guerrero's motionless body and somehow managed to pull out a victory in a violent affair.

No-Countout-No-DQ-Match:
Eric Angle pinned Eddie Guerrero after a powerslam in 0:16:44.
Rating: *** 1/4

Yet again, Eric Angle found a way to get the job done when he looked destined to be on the losing end of the spectrum. This match could have gone either way, and had it not been for one bad decision by Eddie Guerrero, Eric Angle could be sitting with his first loss. Despite the loss, Eddie Guerrero looks primed and ready to take on Monty Brown for the North American Title at Winter Warfare. We will have to wait and see if the Alpha Male has enough to turn Latino Heat away.

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Tommy Dreamer's interesting night continued when he was joined in his office by Justin Credible. Credible started off by kissing up to Dreamer, saying that he was sure the new commissioner would do a fantastic job and be much better than Ryan Niemiller was. Dreamer saw through Credible's buttering up attempt, and had zero problems turning Credible down when he inevitably asked for a Cruiserweight Title shot. Credible threw a hissy fit, saying, "Why can't I have a title shot, Tommy? We have a history!" Dreamer had to remind Credible that they didn't have a good history, as it was Credible that caused Dreamer to have to retire from active competition. Dreamer had heard enough out of Credible and offered him a match with a cruiserweight at Winter Warfare. Credible was excited about this, asking if it would be Paul London again so he'd have a "chance for retribution." Dreamer told him it wouldn't be London, but rather The Hurricane. Credible seemed happy with this chance to prove himself a worthy cruiserweight. But as Credible was leaving, Dreamer told him to be ready for action next week as he'd be taking on Brock Lesnar! Credible's jaw dropped and as he started to protest, Dreamer simply directed him out of the office and shut the door. It looks like Tommy Dreamer has a long memory.

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Match #8
MAIN EVENT
World Tag Team Title Match
The World's Greatest Tag Team (c) vs. "Y2J" Chris Jericho (World Heavyweight champion)/Randy Orton
Our main event was set up earlier this evening by Commissioner Tommy Dreamer after Elix Skipper was found unconscious backstage. The number one suspects were the current World Tag Team champions, Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin. To punish them for their involvement, Dreamer showed his first bit of power by ordering that the World's Greatest Tag Team defend their titles tonight against Randy Orton and the reigning World Heavyweight champion Chris Jericho. When the announcement was first made, the advantage seemed to be in the hands of the challengers. However, Randy Orton has a World Heavyweight Title shot pending for Beat Your Valentine in February, and that seems to be driving a wedge between he and Jericho. Early on though, the challengers looked to have put their previous argument behind them and were working well as a team.

As the match wore on, you could see the teamwork of Jericho and Orton unravel. Orton was in control in the ring when Jericho called for a tag, but Orton refused. A brief argument ensued resulting in Y2J tagging himself in. Jericho took it right to Benjamin for a few moments, but as he hit the ropes, Orton tagged himself back in. They were playing a game of "Anything you can do, I can do better" and it ultimately led to their downfall. Orton was the legal man, but Jericho refused to leave. The two teammates got face-to-face and argued, which let Charlie Haas sneak in the ring and nail Orton in the back, knocking him into Jericho, sending the World Heavyweight champion to the floor. Orton turned around right into a huge superkick from Benjamin, and with a pull of the tights, the WGTT were still the champs.

The World's Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) defeated Chris Jericho and Randy Orton when S. Benjamin pinned R. Orton after a superkick in 0:10:26.
Rating: ** 3/4
(The World's Greatest Tag Team retained the GCW World Tag Team Titles.)

This was very uncharacteristic of Chris Jericho and Randy Orton, who have worked quite well together. After the match the two got in each other's face again, blaming the other for the loss. They may have come to blows but KURT ANGLE and STEVE BRADLEY jumped them before they had that chance. They tried to defend themselves, but when the World's Greatest Tag Team rejoined the fray, they were quickly overwhelmed. That is until CHRIS BENOIT and LOW-KI came in to even the odds, helping Jericho and Orton send Team Angle from the ring. There was some obvious tension between Jericho and Orton, but the show ended with a handshake between the two. They had better get on the same page if they want any chance of surviving at War Games.

The current card for Winter Warfare, to take place live from the Fleet Center in Boston, Massachusetts on January 30th is as follows:

War Games - Team Angle (Kurt Angle/Eric Angle/Steve Bradley/Shelton Benjamin/Charlie Haas) vs. Chris Jericho/Randy Orton/Chris Benoit/Low-Ki/Elix Skipper

No-Holds Barred Match for the North American Title - "The Alpha Male" Monty Brown (c) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero

Television Title Match - "Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels (c) vs. Rhyno

Cruiserweight Title Match - Paul London (c) vs. "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles

Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Sean O'Haire

The Hurricane vs. Justin Credible
americamamushiPosted on 09/13/05 at 07:26:25

w00t to Dreamer.  Dreamer is ridin' the bull... he's feelin' the flow.

I knew Angle would win.  He's Kurt freakin' Angle after all.  Morgan didn't tap though.  Still a loss in his first match, but you could argue that better men than he have tapped in Angle's ankle lock.

Dreamer is really laying down the law and making his first night on the job count.  You go boy.

Poor Shark Boy.  He's so the GCW's bitch. :)

Yay Punk... er... booo... cause he's... a heel... I'll go sit in the corner. ;)

Yay impromptu match!

Lesnar is definitely on a raging path to Angle whether he has the title or not.  Angle better watch out, if Lesnar gets to him before the PPV then he'll be the weak link on their team.

Whelp, there go Orton & Jericho's chances of winning the tag titles.  When you fight a tag team, especially the tag team champions and you're singles wrestlers you have to be on the same page.

I thought for sure Rhyno would win despite JBL having the cabinet.  I guess the cabinet has empowered him more than I thought.

Say it ain't so Shawn.  Say it ain't so.

Heh, Credible got SWERVED! :)

Good main event.  Good show.  Good wrestle buddy :)
Critic of the DawnPosted on 09/19/05 at 03:17:06

Tommy Dreamer is the new commissioner!  Works for me.  I've always liked Dreamer - he may not be the best worker in the world, but he has a lot of heart.  I think he'll do just fine.

And starting off the night is Morgan's in-ring debut... against an irate Kurt Angle, who procedes to practically break Morgan's ankle.  Not exactly what I'd call an auspicious debut for the big man.

Kazarian has his first REAL match, and promptly squashes Shark Boy.  Poor Shark Boy.  He loses so much.  Makes me wonder who would win if Sharky and Hurricane had a match.  A double pin, perhaps?

Nice little match between Rey Rey and AJ.  Hey... that rhymes!  Anyway, Rey is in control of his fellow high profile cruiserweight when The Prophecy comes for him.  I think the Prophecy doesn't like Rey Rey or something.  And there's Punk with the fireball.  HADOKEN!

Angle's enforcer takes on Benoit, and... wins!?!  CLEANLY?  That's pretty scary.  Looks like your pet project is moving up the ranks, because that victory was actually kinda believable after he's been put over as such a badass.

BROCK SMASH!  Sean O'Haire... smashed.  Lesnar WILL win the World Heavyweight Title one of these days.

JBL takes down Rhyno with some help from the Cabinet, and... I shrug.  I liked JBL on his own, and I like Shaniqua on her own.  Together they seem considerably less than the sum of their parts to me.

Angle defeats Eddie in a Streetfight.  Sooner or later this winning streak is going to have to either end or result in a title win for Eric Angle, or else it's going to begin to seem contrived.

Team Angle defeats Jericho and Orton handily because the good guys can't get along.  This works well to build tension for WarGames.  I like it.  I also like the lineup for the match itself.  Looks like something I wouldn't want to miss.

Good show, comrade.

Eric "Critic of the Dawn"