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NDW Week 22 - Return of the King

Critic_of_the_DawnPosted on 04/25/04 at 19:36:30

This is one of my shorter cards, but that doesn't make it any less eventful.  QUite a bit is revealed this week, and things are slowly starting to shape up for the big card on Week 26.  If I could go back and run these again, I think I'd try to hype the big card a bit more.  Most of my stuff has been regular old storyline advancement, and thus the big show comes out of nowhere at the end.

But I digress.  Here's Week 22.

*****

America's Most Wanted vs. The Future

Jimmy Korderas is back on the job.
Jimmy Korderas asks Chris Harris if he should stop the fight.
Chris Harris shakes his head.
Jimmy Korderas tells Chris Harris to respond or he'll stop the fight.
Chris Harris nods.
Chris Harris makes it to the ropes after 19 seconds.
Chance Beckett hits Chris Harris with a double underhook suplex.
The crowd is vociferously booing Chance Beckett.
Chance Beckett uses a double arm DDT on Chris Harris.
The decibel level in the building is unbelievable.
Chance Beckett covers Chris Harris.
Jimmy Korderas counts: One, two, three.
The crowd is vociferously booing Chance Beckett.

The winners are Chance Beckett and Xavier. Time of match: 0:02:43

Chance Beckett and Xavier defeated
America's Most Wanted (James Storm and Chris Harris) when Beckett pinned
C. Harris after a double arm DDT in 0:02:43.
Rating: * 3/4

The Future works well together here despite their earlier troubles.  Chance Beckett gains a quick win for his team by taking out Chris Harris with a hard Double Arm DDT.  Following the match, he stared down Xavier, who offered his hand.  Beckett looked to the crowd, who cheered loudly for Beckett... the crowd reached a fever pitch as he stepped ominously towards Xavier... then shook his hand as the crowd exploded into boos.  After all of the disrespect he's gotten, Beckett is apparently far more willing to forgive and forget than the fans.

(The Royal Court's music hits and Jerry "The King" Lawler makes his way out to
the ring without his sling.)

Jerry Lawler: Hi everybody!

(The crowd boos loudly)

Jerry Lawler: Oh yeah, I forgot.  You people never could appreciate class when
you saw it!  You're pathetic... but I'm getting off topic.  I'm out here for
three reasons.  First, to welcome myself back to NDW!  Did you miss me?

(The crowd shouts "NOOOOO!")

Jerry Lawler: ...Because God knows that I didn't miss you inbred hicks!

(Nore boos)

Jerry Lawler: The second thing I'm here to do is announce that tonight I've
been unfairly booked in a match against The Undertaker.  Now The Royal Court
doesn't have a problem with 'Taker... we certainly ain't afraid of no ghosts!
But putting me in a match against him on the night I return from injury is just
plain cruel!  I need time to get back into the swing of things!  I had tennis
elbow, people!  Tennis elbow!  Do you know how much that hurts?!?

(The crowd heckles Lawler for letting such a minor injury put him out of
comission.)

Jerry Lawler: Oh, will you PLEASE just shut up?  If you keep yelling at me,
I might be here all night!

(Sudden silence.  A cricket chirps somewhere, and a tumbleweed blows down the
entrance way.)

Jerry Lawler: Smartasses...  Anyway.  The final reason I'm out here tonight is
to introduce a very talented young wresther!  If he plays his cards right, he
just might be the next member of The Royal Court!

(The Briscoe Brothers music plays, and Mark Briscoe makes his way to the ring.)

Jerry Lawler: Hi Mark!  Listen, I just wanted to know that I've heard from
Prince Nana that you're interested in the group.  That's just great.  You're
a fantastic wrestler, and when Sabin and Nana win the Tag Team Titles tonight,
you probably won't be a contender for them anyway.  So I'll make you a deal.
All you have to do to join is to convince me that you're worthy!  Easy, right?

Mark Briscoe: I'll do it, King.

Jerry Lawler: Of course you will.  Okay... the first thing I need you to do is
to take on Edge tonight in a singles match.  Take him out.  I want him on the
injured list, Mark.  Can you do that for me?

Mark Briscoe: I'll try...

Jerry Lawler: A famous muppet once said something about there being no try.
Just do it, and maybe you can get yourself crowned.  How does the name "Baron"
Mark Briscoe sound to you?

Mark Briscoe: Pretty good.

Jerry Lawler:  Exactly.  So get back there and get ready for your match, kid!

Jay Briscoe vs. "The Amazing" Red

Jay Briscoe uses series of chops on Red.
Jay Briscoe works the crowd.
The crowd is booing Jay Briscoe.
Red springs to his feet.
Red takes Jay Briscoe down with a legsweep.
Red takes Jay Briscoe down with the Red Star Press.
Red is going for the cover.
Jack Doan counts: One, two, three.
The chants for Red are deafening.

The winner is Red. Time of match: 0:05:57

Red pinned Jay Briscoe after the Red Star Press in 0:05:57.
Rating: ***

The Amazing Red goes over Jay Briscoe with an absolutely wicked Red Star Press, much to the delight of the crowd.  Jay fought well, but Red's speed was just too much for him tonight.

Marcos vs. Funaki vs. Doug Basham vs. Matt Hardy

Doug Basham inches his way towards the ropes after being locked up for 5
seconds.
Marcos hits a flying axhandle on Doug Basham.
Marcos goes for a headbutt, but Doug Basham blocks it.
Doug Basham tags out to Matt Hardy.
Matt Hardy hits Marcos with an eye gouge.
Matt Hardy hits a sitout power bomb on Marcos.
Matt Hardy pulls the tights.
Jimmy Korderas counts: One, two, kickout.
Matt Hardy goes for a back elbow, but Marcos ducks out of the way.
Marcos nails Matt Hardy with a vertical suplex.
Marcos locks Matt Hardy in a chokehold.
Jimmy Korderas warns Marcos to let go.
Jimmy Korderas counts: One, two, three, four, five.
Jimmy Korderas calls for the DQ.
The crowd is vociferously booing Matt Hardy.

The winner is Matt Hardy. Time of match: 0:09:44

Four Corners Match:
Matt Hardy defeated Marcos, Funaki and Doug Basham when M. Hardy defeated Marcos
by disqualification in 0:09:44.
Rating: ** 1/2
[Lita interfered against Funaki.]

Marcos got a little carried away here after Matt Hardy slapped him upside the head, snapping and locking Hardy in a chokehold until the bell ringing to announce his own disqualification brought him back to his senses.  Hardy quickly rolled out of the ring, neglecting his traditional post-match Twist of Fate for once as he struggled to catch his breath.  Lita helped him to the back as a very confused looking Marcos seemed slightly bothered by the cheers of the crowd.

Edge pinned Mark Briscoe after a spinning heel kick in 0:09:15.
Rating: ** 1/2

Edge unsurprisingly came out on top of Mark Briscoe despite Briscoe's enthusiastic efforts to put him away.  Eventually, a stiff spinning heel kick knocked him on his back, and Edge was able to pick up the victory while Briscoe was stunned.  Following his defeat, Mark Briscoe looked angry at himself, and stalked to the back, dejected.

Jerry "The King" Lawler vs. "The Dead Man" The Undertaker

The Undertaker hits a DDT on Jerry Lawler.
The Undertaker goes for a headbutt, but Jerry Lawler blocks it.
Jerry Lawler runs into the ropes.
The Undertaker executes a choke slam on Jerry Lawler.
The Undertaker is going for the pin.
Charles Robinson counts: One, two, three.
The crowd is going into a frenzy.

The winner is The Undertaker. Time of match: 0:04:37

The Undertaker pinned Jerry Lawler after a choke slam in 0:04:37.
Rating: **

Lawler didn't last long against The Undertaker.  After a brief exchange of blows, The Undertaker used his superior strength to take control of the match, and was quickly able to score with the Choke Slam to pick up the victory.  This obviously isn't the sort of return that Lawler might have hoped for...

Your Main Event:
The Royal Court (Chris Sabin & Prince Nana) vs. The Victors

Chris Sabin hits a clothesline on Sean O'Haire.
Chris Sabin hits Sean O'Haire with a flying cross body press.
Earl Hebner counts: One, two, three.
The boos are resurfacing again.

The winners are The Royal Court. Time of match: 0:30:30

The Royal Court (Chris Sabin and Prince Nana) defeated
The Victors (Jamie Noble and Sean O'Haire) when Sabin pinned O'Haire after
a flying cross body press in 0:30:30.
Rating: **** 1/4
(The Royal Court won the Global Tag Team Titles.)

Here are your winners... and NEW GLOBAL TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS... Prince Nana... Chris Sabin... THE ROYAL COURT!

Excellent match between two excellent teams.  Though the crowd doesn't much like either pairing, they were hot for this match due to the sheer quality of the match they put on.  After a lengthy exchange, Chris Sabin went for the Future Shock against Sean O'Haire, but O'Haire was just too big.  Sabin didn't give up, however, knocking O'Haire down and waiting for him to get back up to come off the top rope with a flying cross body press for the victory.  Following the match, Jerry Lawler made his way out and raised the hands of both of his fellow Royal Court members as the crowd booed him out of the building.

Card rating: ***

Match observations:

Match of the Evening: The Royal Court vs. The Victors

Wasted Youth will be back in action next week, taking on The Victors in a Two out of Three falls match with AMW member Chris Harris volunteering to referee the match.  This should be a high-flying extravaganza the likes of which has seldom been seen in NDW.

Additionally, both Prince Nana and Chris Sabin of The Royal Court will be in action next week.  Prince Nana will face James Storm of AMW, and Chris Sabin will take on none other than The Amazing Red.  If Storm or Red can pull out a victory, they'll put their team in an excellent position to get a shot at The Royal Court's new Tag Team gold.

Finally, Chris Hero will make his return to the ring, and he has announced that in the spirit of fairness, he will give Mark Briscoe another shot at his title due to the fact that he had already wrestled last week when he accepted Hero's challenge.  This should be an excellent match, and you have to worry that The Royal Court might involve themselves somehow...

Until next week, be seeing you!

*****

Eric "Critic of the Dawn"
TecmoNickPosted on 04/26/04 at 00:23:18

This was probably one of my favorite cards. Everything that I would want to happen as a booker happened, but the great things was, TNM did it all for you.

The Undertaker went over big by beating Lawler in his comeback. Edge took out Briscoe making Briscoe look even less superior to the Court. Matt Hardy won a much needed 4-way to keep himself a top contender for the title. And the main event was very solid.

I'm really looking foward to Briscoe vs. Hero next week.
rgarrardPosted on 04/26/04 at 02:40:34

Beckett and Xavier back together!  Wow!

Marcos choked out Hardy!   and I'm disappointed.. no postmatch Twist of Fate from Matt.

looks like Baron Briscoe didn't take out Edge like he was supposed to.  Lawler won't be happy.  ;)

Taker had a very strong showing vs Mr Tennis Elbow it seems.  
And it wasn't looking like a good night for the Royal Court and then they go and win the tag team titles in the main event, very old school indeed.

Card #26 should be a blockbuster of a night if Lawler doesn't play more tennis.  ;)
Critic_of_the_DawnPosted on 04/26/04 at 09:50:13

Like I said in the opening statement, I was initially not really pleased with this card just because it was shorter than most of the ones I do.  However, there was so much going on in it that this really doesn't hurt it any, and everything therefore comes off as extremely solid.

NDW seems to run hot and cold.  One week, 75% of the matches will be DQs and little seems to advance, and the next there are major revelations coupled with great matches.  I suppose I need to work on pacing myself a bit more to avoid that.

With regards to Beckett and Xavier sticking together... Yep.  There are enough tag team breakups going around.  I really didn't need to go with another one.  Things never would have seemed as serious as they did if TNM hadn't decided to send Beckett after Xavier as a favor to me during last week's card, thus costing him his match against Funaki.

I think the lack of post-match Twist of Fate is a combination of the fact that Hardy doesn't think management will stand for it if he isn't the champion and the fact that he got choked out by an illegal chokehold.  Those're illegal for a reason, after all.  And it's hard to contemplate sneak attacks while gasping for air.

As for 'Taker beating Lawler... I get the feeling that Jerry saw it coming.  He did complain that putting him in a match against someone as big as 'Taker on his return was unfair, after all.

I've got mixed feelings about Mark Briscoe in NDW.  On one hand, he's not over.  With a 50 charisma, he's dead in the water heatwise.  On the other hand, he's got a decent workrate and a great moveset, so it's easy to get behind him and he always presents a threat to his opponents.  He wouldn't have been my pick for the guy to answer the open challenge, but I'm kinda glad he did because it's given me a chance to explore his relationship with The Royal Court.

Of course, a heel vs. heel main event isn't very oldschool at all, but both teams are hideously over and the match got over ****, so I gather the fans didn't mind all that much.  It's nice to see The Court with a bit of gold, but I feel a little guilty for letting the title get away from The Victors so soon when they work so well.  Guess Noble should have spent less time drinking and goofing off and more time preparing for new challenges like O'Haire suggested.

Eric "Critic of the Dawn"