FORUM HOME > TNM Circuits > NDW
NDW Week 55 - A New Beginning

Critic of the DawnPosted on 10/22/04 at 05:05:28

Late again.  I really need to stop being so busy on weekends.  Sorry if I haven't been around as much as usual or haven't been offering much feedback lately.  I've been busy.  Hopefully I'll get less busy in the future.  Or get a job.  Either would work.  Anyway, here's the card for last week.

*****

The Future vs. Dementia (Sean O'Haire & Damian 666)

Sean O'Haire and Damian 666 whip Xavier into the ropes.
They hit Xavier with a double elbowsmash.
Sean O'Haire and Damian 666 whip Xavier into the ropes.
They hit Xavier with a double fist to the midsection.
Sean O'Haire and Damian 666 whip Xavier into the ropes.
They hit Xavier with a double backdrop.
Sean O'Haire and Damian 666 hit Xavier with a double stomp.
Chance Beckett leaves the ring.
Sean O'Haire goes for a spinning heel kick, but Xavier blocks it.
Xavier gives him a kneelift, but Sean O'Haire only stares at him.
Xavier takes Sean O'Haire down with a kick to the midsection.
Xavier goes for the Running Forearm Smash, but Sean O'Haire counters it with
a Gorilla Press.
Sean O'Haire executes the Widowmaker on Xavier.
The crowd erupts.
Sean O'Haire goes for the pin.
Andrew Thomas counts: One, two, thr... kickout.

Xavier hits Sean O'Haire.
Xavier is being booed like there is no tomorrow.
Xavier goes for a high knee, but Sean O'Haire side-steps and Xavier
only hits air.
The bell rings. The time limit has expired.
Andrew Thomas lets the match continue.
Sean O'Haire goes for a splash, but Xavier rolls out of the way.
Xavier is going for the pin.
Andrew Thomas counts: One, kickout.
Xavier goes for a boot choke, but Sean O'Haire blocks it.
Sean O'Haire goes for a hiptoss, but Xavier counters it with a facerake.
Xavier gives him a spinebuster slam, but Sean O'Haire doesn't budge.
Xavier takes Sean O'Haire down with a high knee.
Xavier takes Sean O'Haire down with the Running Forearm Smash.
Andrew Thomas counts: One, two, shoulder up.
Xavier throws Sean O'Haire out of the ring.
Andrew Thomas counts: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine,
Sean O'Haire reenters the ring.

Chance Beckett uses a kick to the head on Damian 666.
Damian 666 collides with Andrew Thomas.
Xavier goes for a cobra clutch suplex, but Damian 666 blocks it.
Chance Beckett leaves the ring.
Damian 666 runs into the ropes.
Xavier goes for a bodyslam, but Damian 666 counters it with an elbowsmash.
Damian 666 places Xavier on the turnbuckle.
Damian 666 executes the Valagueza on Xavier.
The crowd is going crazy.
Damian 666 goes for the pin.
There is no referee to count.
Jimmy Korderas comes running down to the ring.
Jimmy Korderas counts: One, two, three.
The crowd is going crazy.

The winners are Dementia. Time of match: 0:22:27

Dementia (Sean O'Haire and Damian 666) defeated
The Future (Chance Beckett and Xavier) when Damian 666 pinned Xavier with the
Valagueza in 0:22:27.
Rating: ** 1/2

Damian 666 and especially Sean O'Haire were on fire tonight, dominating The Future throughout the entire match, and that isn't easy.  The Future aren't former tag team champions for no reason, after all.  They're one of the most formidable pairings in the history of NDW.  After this impressive victory by Damian and O'Haire, it looks like Dementia will be a team to be reckoned with in the future...

(Senior Referee Earl Hebner makes his way to the ring with a microphone.)

Earl Hebner: Ladies and gentlemen, as you probably know, major changes have
been occuring in New Deal Wrestling.  Wrestlers are retiring, new faces are
emerging, and the company is continuing to grow.  Furthermore, those of you who
watch RAW probably saw what happened.  If you missed it, what happened was
Julio Dinero's RAW debut match.  This came as just as big of a surprise to us
as it did to you, as Dinero did not warn us that he would be leaving so we
could make preparations.  He simply showed up on National Television bragging
about how he had finally begun to achieve his destiny by riding a major
independent promotion - us - into the ground, taking our title, and skipping
town with it.

Therefore, I have an announcement.  As of this moment, all titles have been
declared vacant.  The match between America's Most Wanted and The Ultimate
Alliance tonight will determine the new Global Tag Team Champions.  As for the
Global Heavyweight Title... in about a month's time, New Deal Wrestling will
present The Crowning 2005, a one-night tournament to determine the new
champion.

Thank you, and enjoy tonight's card.  Coming up, Dusty Rhodes will take on Jay
Briscoe, Flying Tigers and Chuck Palumbo will face Overpower - or whatever
remains of it without Dinero, Insane Dragon will face Nana with The Undertaker
as guest referee, and Danny Basham will face New Jack in a Strap Match.  Plus
there's the main event, and a few other matches that were just booked.  Please
enjoy the show, and we apologise for the interruption.

"The Midnight Rider" Dusty Rhodes vs. Jay Briscoe

Jay Briscoe takes Dusty Rhodes down with a kick to the head.
Jay Briscoe runs into the ropes.
Dusty Rhodes misses with an elbow.
Jay Briscoe goes for a short lariat, but Dusty Rhodes blocks it.
Dusty Rhodes hits a roundhouse right on Jay Briscoe.
Dusty Rhodes gets a sleeperhold on Jay Briscoe.
Jay Briscoe tries to escape the hold.
Jay Briscoe is valiantly trying to break the hold.
Jay Briscoe breaks the hold after 18 seconds.
Jay Briscoe hits Dusty Rhodes with a short lariat.
Tim White counts: One, two, shoulder up.
Jay Briscoe goes for a dropkick, but Dusty Rhodes side-steps and Jay Briscoe
only hits air.
Dusty Rhodes hits Jay Briscoe with the Bionic Elbow.
Dusty Rhodes is going for the pin.
Tim White counts: One, kickout.
Dusty Rhodes gets a sleeperhold on Jay Briscoe.

Jay Briscoe takes Dusty Rhodes down with a corkscrew legdrop.
Jay Briscoe hits Dusty Rhodes with a German suplex.
Tim White counts: One, two, kickout.
Jay Briscoe nails Dusty Rhodes with a punch.
Jay Briscoe throws Dusty Rhodes out of the ring.
Jay Briscoe jumps onto him with a somersault plancha.
Tim White counts:  1.
Jay Briscoe sets up Dusty Rhodes on the table.
Jay Briscoe executes the J-Driller through the table.
The table is broken in half.
There are lots of chants for Jay Briscoe.
Jay Briscoe hits Dusty Rhodes with a Yakuza kick.
Jay Briscoe throws Dusty Rhodes into the guardrail.
Tim White counts:  2.
Jay Briscoe reenters the ring.
Dusty Rhodes climbs back into the ring.
Jay Briscoe is going for the cover.
Tim White counts: One, two, shoulder up.

Jay Briscoe runs into the ropes.
Dusty Rhodes hits Jay Briscoe with a roundhouse right.
Dusty Rhodes nails Jay Briscoe with an atomic drop.
Dusty Rhodes executes the Bionic Elbow on Jay Briscoe.
Dusty Rhodes executes a series of jabs on Jay Briscoe.
Dusty Rhodes gives the sign for the Bionic Elbow.
Dusty Rhodes executes the Bionic Elbow on Jay Briscoe.
Dusty Rhodes goes for the pin.
Tim White counts: One, two, three.
Jay Briscoe complains about a fast count.
Dusty Rhodes is being booed like there is no tomorrow.

The winner is Dusty Rhodes. Time of match: 0:12:54

Dusty Rhodes pinned Jay Briscoe with the Bionic Elbow in 0:12:54.
Rating: **

Dusty Rhodes came down to the ring in a TCW shirt, making his first appearance after his shocking alliance with America's Most Wanted last week.  In what is yet another disturbing occurance, Dusty corrected the ring announcer when he called him "The American Dream," claiming that he wanted to be referred to as "The Midnight Rider."  Seconds later, Jay Briscoe hit the ring at a run, fighting hard to get some revenge for the unprovoked assault last week.  With the fans solidly behind him, Briscoe pulled out all the stops, even putting Rhodes through a table with the dangerous J-Driller.  Unfortuantely, a series of hard Bionic Elbows took him to one knee, and after the flip, flop and fly Briscoe hit the mat and Dusty picked up his first NDW victory.

Edge's music hits and the fan favorite enters the ring to the roar of the
crowd.)

Edge: Someone from backstage, get out here right now!  I was the top contender
when Dinero left, so that should make me the new champion!

(The crowd roars its approval)

Edge: So here's what's going to happen.  I'm going to sit here in this ring and
Spear the hell out of anyone who tries to make me move.  And I'm not going
anywhere until I get what's owed to me!

(Several minutes pass, and finally Earl Hebner emerges once again.)

Earl Hebner: Look, Edge, management wants me to tell you that they feel
terrible about what happened.  But just because you won a match a month ago
doesn't mean you can just demand the title.  Your top contender status means
you get a shot at the title, not the title itself.

(The crowd boos and Edge glowers, moving to the corner and beginning to crouch.
The crowd bursts into cheers again, thinking that Hebner is about to get
Speared.)

Earl Hebner: Wait!  I'm not finished!  Management has decided that because you
won the match you did, you won't have to qualify for the Tournament.  No matter
what happens, if you're physically able you're going to have your shot at the
gold.

(Edge pauses, then stands once again.)

Edge: Good enough for me.  Come The Crowning, I *will* be Global Heavyweight
Champion again!  You can all count on it!

Flying Tigers & Chuck Palumbo vs. Overpower (A-Train, Ahmed Johnson & Johnny Ace)

Red attacks Johnny Ace before the bell.
Red whips Johnny Ace into the ropes.
Red misses with a clothesline.
Red and Johnny Ace get hit with a double clothesline.
Red nails Johnny Ace with a legsweep.
Funaki enters the ring to make it two-on-one.
A-Train enters the ring, but gets cut off.
Red and Funaki whip Johnny Ace into the ropes.
They hit Johnny Ace with a double clothesline.
Funaki leaves the ring.
Red executes the Red Star Press on Johnny Ace.
The crowd is behind Red all the way.
Red executes a roundhouse kick on Johnny Ace.
The crowd is behind Red all the way.
Red tags Funaki.
Funaki lifts Johnny Ace up.
Red nails Johnny Ace with the Air Raid and goes for the pin.
The chants for Red are deafening.
Mike Sparks counts: One, two, three.
The chants for Red are deafening.

The winners are Flying Tigers and Chuck Palumbo. Time of match: 0:00:51

Flying Tigers (Red and Funaki) and Chuck Palumbo defeated
Overpower (A-Train, Ahmed Johnson and Johnny Ace) when Red pinned Ace after the
Air Raid in 0:00:51.
Rating: *

Overpower are clearly in chaos, as they lacked direction in this match and were quickly eliminated by the skilled pairing of Funaki and Red in less than a minute.  A-Train and Ahmed Johnson looked disgusted with how quickly Johnny Ace had been defeated.  As the group headed for the back, they were quite clearly in the midst of some kind of heated argument.  Are we witnessing Overpower's collapse?  Or is Johnny Ace just having problems understanding what Johnson is saying?

(A pre-taped interview plays.  Ron "The Truth" Killings and "The Madman from
Tijuana" Psicosis are being interviewed in a hotel lobby by NDW interviewer
Derek Nadel.)

Derek Nadel: Hello, I'm here with Ron Killings and Psicosis.  Thank you for
meeting with me, gentlemen.

(Ron Killings nods, but Psicosis remains silent.)

Derek: Well, I think the biggest question that people have for you is how you
feel after having one of the best matches of 2005 thus far?

Psicosis: ˇAi!  ˇMadre del dios!  ˇNuestra luncha era increible!

Ron Killings: Our match against Project Wunderkind wasn't just one of the best
matches of 2005, it has been *the* best match of 2005 anywhere in the world
thus far, and that is the truth!

Derek: Yes, well... can I get your reaction to what happened last week to
Project Wunderkind at the hands of America's Most Wanted?

Psicosis: ˇAi!  ˇMadre del dios!  ˇEso correcto!

Ron Killings: What my partner is trying to say is that what happened just
wasn't right.  After all the effort they put into the tournament, they got
nothin' but disrespect, and that's the truth.  But I promise you this.  Next
week, Psicosis and I are going after them, and when we do, they're gonna get
some respect beaten into 'em.

Derek: Strong words by Ron Killings and Psicosis.  Back to you guys.

Ron Simmons & Balls Mahoney vs. "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan & Marcos

Balls Mahoney and Ron Simmons hit Jim Duggan with a double bodyslam.
Ron Simmons leaves the ring.
Balls Mahoney goes for a bodyslam, but Jim Duggan counters it with
a small package.
Andrew Thomas counts: One, two, thr... kickout.
Jim Duggan runs into the ropes.
Balls Mahoney hits Jim Duggan with a shoulderblock.
Balls Mahoney nails Jim Duggan with a fist to the midsection.
Balls Mahoney runs into the ropes.
Jim Duggan hits a clothesline on Balls Mahoney.
Jim Duggan executes the Old Glory on Balls Mahoney.
Jim Duggan goes for the pin.
Andrew Thomas counts: One, two, Ron Simmons doesn't make it in time... three.
The crowd is cheering on Jim Duggan.

The winners are Jim Duggan and Marcos. Time of match: 0:15:34

Jim Duggan and Marcos defeated Ron Simmons and Balls Mahoney when Duggan pinned
B. Mahoney with the Old Glory in 0:15:34.
Rating: *

This makeshift pairing between Marcos and Jim Duggan worked very well against the hardhitting team of Ron Simmons and Balls Mahoney.  Marcos, who Duggan referred to as "little buddy" used his speed to thoroughly flummox his larger opponents, then Duggan used his power to essentially bat cleanup, taking down Mahoney before scoring the Old Glory kneedrop for the pinfall victory.

Legend vs. "The Franchise" Shane Douglas vs. Chris "HAIL" Sabin

Legend runs into the ropes.
Legend uses a leg lariat on Shane Douglas.
Legend covers Shane Douglas.
Mike Sparks counts: One, shoulder up.
Legend nails Shane Douglas with a swinging neckbreaker.
The boos are resurfacing again.
Legend sends Shane Douglas into the turnbuckle, but Shane Douglas reverses it.
Legend comes back and rocks Shane Douglas with a clothesline.
Legend takes Shane Douglas down with an exploder suplex.
The boos are resurfacing again.
Legend hits a split legged moonsault on Shane Douglas.
Legend hits an enzuigiri on Shane Douglas.
Legend executes a double underhook suplex on Shane Douglas.
Legend takes Shane Douglas down with a leg lariat.
All of a sudden, the boos are turning into almost unanimous cheers.
Legend executes the Stone Cutter on Shane Douglas.
The boos are resurfacing again.
Legend goes for the pin.
Mike Sparks counts: One, two, three.
The crowd is wildly cheering Legend with only a few scattered boos audible.

The winner is Legend. Time of match: 0:14:23

Triangle Match:
Legend defeated Shane Douglas and Chris Sabin when Legend pinned Douglas
with the Stone Cutter in 0:14:23.
Rating: ****

This Triple Threat ranking match once again showed just how out of the game Overpower is with the absence of their leader.  Shane Douglas and Legend had been working together to isolate Chris "HAIL" Sabin for most of the match, but Douglas made the unwise decision to break up an armbar hold that Legend was using to wear down Sabin.  Legend turned on him in an instant, beating him silly and hitting the Stone Cutter for the victory while Sabin looked on.

Insane Dragon vs. Nana with special guest referee The Undertaker

Nana goes for the Elevated DDT, but Insane Dragon counters it with a backdrop.
Insane Dragon runs into the ropes.
Nana hits Insane Dragon with a shoulderblock.
Nana whips Insane Dragon into the turnbuckle, but Insane Dragon reverses it.
Insane Dragon charges in with an enzuigiri.
Insane Dragon hits Nana with a bodyslam.
Nana begs off.
Insane Dragon hits Nana with a somersault legdrop.
A fan at ringside badmouths Insane Dragon.
Insane Dragon goes for a DDT, but Nana counters it with a low blow.
Nana runs into the ropes.
Lita hits Nana in the back with a chair.
Insane Dragon uses a dropkick on Nana.
Insane Dragon runs into the ropes.
Insane Dragon hits a swinging neckbreaker on Nana.
Insane Dragon is eliciting a sizable round of boos.
Insane Dragon is going for the pin.
The Undertaker counts: One, two, thr... shoulder up.

Insane Dragon uses a swinging neckbreaker on Nana.
Insane Dragon executes a legdrop on Nana.
Insane Dragon executes an armdrag takedown on Nana.
Insane Dragon hits a punch on Nana.
Insane Dragon executes a spinning leg lariat on Nana.
Insane Dragon hits Nana with a dropkick.
Insane Dragon gives the sign for the Dragon Driver.
Insane Dragon executes the Dragon Driver on Nana.
Insane Dragon uses the ropes for leverage.
The Undertaker counts: One, two, three.
The crowd is booing Insane Dragon.

The winner is Insane Dragon. Time of match: 0:08:03

Match with Special Referee The Undertaker:
Insane Dragon pinned Nana with the Dragon Driver in 0:08:03.
Rating: * 1/2
[Lita interfered against Nana.]

This match wasn't even remotely fair.  Insane Dragon went for a high risk dive out of the ring early in the match, but Nana avoided it.  When it appeared that Insane Dragon might be counted out, The Undertaker simply stopped the count.  Nana tried to maintain control of the match, but Lita smacked him in the back of the head with a chair, allowing Insane Dragon to take advantage of the stunned Ghanain and hit the Dragon Driver several minutes later for the victory.

Danny Basham vs. "The Original Gangsta" New Jack in a Strap Match

New Jack whips him with the strap.
New Jack goes for a kick to the midsection, but Danny Basham blocks it.
Danny Basham executes a Russian legsweep on New Jack.
Danny Basham has the crowd going wild.
Danny Basham takes New Jack down with a Russian legsweep.
Danny Basham works the crowd.
Danny Basham has the crowd going wild.
Danny Basham goes for a Fujiwara armbar, but New Jack blocks it.
New Jack uses a punch on Danny Basham.
New Jack goes for a roundhouse right, but Danny Basham blocks it.
Danny Basham hits New Jack with a dropkick.
Danny Basham chokes him with the strap.
Danny Basham goes for an inverted DDT, but New Jack blocks it.
New Jack puts Danny Basham in a chokehold.
Brian Hebner warns New Jack to let go.
Brian Hebner counts: One, two, three.
New Jack nails Danny Basham with a bodyslam.
New Jack executes the Diving Headbutt on Danny Basham.
New Jack goes for the pin.
Brian Hebner counts: One, two, thr... shoulder up.
New Jack uses a clothesline on Danny Basham.
New Jack tries to hit turnbuckle number one, but Danny Basham is there before
him.
Danny Basham hits turnbuckle number two.
Danny Basham hits turnbuckle number three.
Danny Basham hits turnbuckle number four.
The chants for Danny Basham are deafening.

The winner is Danny Basham. Time of match: 0:04:04

Strap Match:
Danny Basham defeated New Jack in 0:04:11.
Rating: ** 3/4

Danny Basham has always been the better brawler of the Basham Brothers, and he needed it here in this strap match against New Jack.  New Jack has been on a hell of a tear lately after turning on his partner.  The only reason Danny Basham (who had been flattened just seconds ago by New Jack's Diving Headbutt) was able to get a win here is because New Jack got into an argument with a fan at ringside.  As they jawed, Danny Basham crawled around the ring and quickly touched the four turnbuckles for the win.  Following this victory, New Jack rushed back into the ring, beat Danny Basham down, and choked him out with the strap until referees were able to pull the two apart.

Your Main Event:
America's Most Wanted vs. The Ultimate Alliance for the vacant Global Tag Team Titles

The Undertaker misses with a clothesline.
James Storm hits The Undertaker with an elbow.
James Storm whips The Undertaker into the ropes, but The Undertaker reverses it.
The Undertaker misses with a clothesline.
The Undertaker hits James Storm with an elbow.
The Undertaker goes for a bodyslam, but James Storm counters it with
a small package.
Earl Hebner counts: One, two, shoulder up.
James Storm tags out to Chris Harris.
Matt Hardy enters the ring and lays out James Storm.
The cheers for Matt Hardy are drowning out the boos.
The Undertaker and Matt Hardy whip Chris Harris into the ropes.
They hit Chris Harris with a double backdrop.
Matt Hardy leaves the ring.
The Undertaker whips Chris Harris into the ropes, but Chris Harris reverses it.
The Undertaker hits a flying clothesline on Chris Harris.
The cheers for The Undertaker are drowning out the boos.
The Undertaker gives the sign for the Tombstone.
The Undertaker catches Chris Harris totally by surprise.
The Undertaker executes the Tombstone on Chris Harris.
The crowd seems to be rallying behind The Undertaker.
The Undertaker goes for the pin.
Earl Hebner counts: One, two, three.
The boos are resurfacing again.

The winners are The Ultimate Alliance. Time of match: 0:06:56

Match for the vacant Global Tag Team Titles:
The Ultimate Alliance (The Undertaker and Matt Hardy) defeated
America's Most Wanted (James Storm and Chris Harris) when Undertaker pinned
C. Harris with the Tombstone in 0:06:56.
Rating: *** 1/4
(The Ultimate Alliance won the Global Tag Team Titles.)

The Ultimate Alliance picks up a decisive victory over America's Most Wanted here after a Tombstone out of nowhere, giving Matt Hardy and The Undertaker the Global Tag Team Titles.  It's clear that this powerful new duo will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming days in NDW, and it wouldn't be at all surprising to see them both in the tournament  to crown a new Global Heavyweight Champion at The Crowning 2005.

Following the match, AMW stormed to the back, upset at their defeat but preoccupied with planning for their match next week against Ron Killings and Psicosis.  As they departed to meet Dusty Rhodes, they passed Edge and Chris Sabin, who came to ringside, pointing to Matt Hardy and The Undertaker and signaling that their belts would soon be around their wastes.  It looks like The Best of the Best vs. The Ultimate Alliance may just be on the horizon!  And we are out of time!

Card rating: ** 1/2

Match observations:

Match of the Evening: Legend vs. Shane Douglas vs. Chris Sabin

It turns out that the name "A New Beginning" proved to be quite accurate for tonight's show.  With the vacating of all titles and the victory of The Ultimate Alliance over America's Most Wanted, the Tag Team Division has been shaken up quite a bit.  Add to that the announcement of The Crowning 2005 and Edge's automatic qualification and you've got a hell of a lot of changes for one week.

Next week should be just as huge, however.  To start things off, Dementia will face A-Train and Ahmed Johnson of Overpower.  With their huge victory over The Future this week, Dementia is poised to rise quickly up the card.  Overpower will want to put a quick end to that, and if they can steal the momentum of this quickly rising new tag team, they won't hesitate to do so.  Will Sean O'Haire and Damian 666 be able to come out on top?  Or will Overpower come back strong next week?

The Basham Brothers issued a challenge to Oldschool tonight after the show ended.  Legend and Snuka wanted no part of a match that might hurt their tag team rankings, however.  Legend has agreed to face Doug Basham in a First Blood match next week, on the other hand.  This should be a hell of a match between two fast rising stars in NDW.

"The Midnight Rider" Dusty Rhodes will team up with "The Franchise" Shane Douglas next week in a match against Chuck Palumbo.  Normally Palumbo would have Billy Gunn as his partner, however with Gunn's injury he will either have to find a temporary partner somewhere or he will be easily defeated by these two angry old men.  Both Team TCW and Overpower have announced that they have a major surprise planned for this match.  Who will Palumbo's partner be?  What will the surprise be - if, indeed, there is one?  And who will be victorious next week?  Tune in to find out!

We have a hell of a six man tag team match booked for next week as well.  In this match Nana will team with Edge and Chris Sabin against The Ultimate Alliance and Insane Dragon.  Best of the Best has indicated that they're coming for Hardy and 'Taker's title, so for the time being at least they have a common goal with Prince Nana.

Ron Killings and Psicosis challenged America's Most Wanted to a tag team match this week in a taped interview.  Will AMW accept the challenge?  Or will they demonstrate that their recent change of heart includes a yellow streak?

Finally, in our main event, The Amazing Red will take on Ron Simmons in a match where the winner will qualify for The Crowning 2005.  The stakes are literally huge here, as there's a chance that the winner might become the new Global Heavyweight Champion in a few short weeks!  Can Red leverage his speed advantage into a victory here?  Or will the wily veteran Simmons catch him and brutalize him?

There's only one way to find out.  See you next week.

*****

Eric "Critic of the Dawn"
Snabbit888Posted on 10/23/04 at 06:55:01

Wow... a lot of shake ups.  A huge surprise with Julio Dinero being gone now.  You're not having a lot of luck, are you? :)

I'm actually sorta glad Slaughter is gone.  It was a fuyn little novelty, but a more deserving team ahs the tag titles now.  Very good main event, and the Unholy Alliance show they mean business.  Does that make Matt Hardy the first guy to hold both titles?

I'm also glad Edge gets an "advantage" going into the tournament.  If he didn't, you and I would have had words, Eric.  Serious, serious words.
Captain TagonPosted on 10/23/04 at 07:08:30

As always good stuff. Though Jay jobbing out to Dusty is a big saddening. :-/
Critic of the DawnPosted on 10/23/04 at 08:17:40

Julio Dinero's departure really annoyed me at first, but I couldn't stay mad because it was so in-character for him.  He rode NDW up as high as it would take him, then jumped to WWE before somebody could take the title off of him and force him to fall back into the midcard.  After all his references to his destiny, it just sort of made sense.  I'm glad the tournament was coming up, though...

Slaughter's departure and the end of Team USA is fine by me as well.  I'll admit that I marked out when they won the titles and JUST WOULDN'T LOSE THEM, but if they had held the titles much longer they would have become a joke.  And the only joke in NDW is about racist Johnny Ace.

Incidentally, Xavier was the first man to hold both the Global Heavyweight and Global Tag Team Titles.  As if that wasn't enough, he actually held them simultaneously.  Six months ago The Future were the biggest heels in NDW.  Now they've got quite a bit of competition.

I kept wanting to give Edge his shot, but the rules wouldn't let me because my granting him #1 Contender Status actually resulted from my misreading the rules.  So I was stuck waiting for a title shot that was up to me.  Fortunately, giving him automatic entry into the tournament lets me stop worrying about that, plus it guarantees my #1 babyface is in the tournament.

As for Jay Briscoe jobbing to Dusty...  I really like the Briscoes a lot, but they've pretty much been jobbers in NDW ever since week 1.  Alex Wright and Jay Briscoe as a team only had any success of note in the last month or so, where they moved to the top of the division and then split up.  So Jay Briscoe doesn't exactly have a strong record.  If it makes you feel any better, it was a fast count...

Thanks for the feedback, guys.

Eric "Critic of the Dawn"