Anarchy Rulz ’99

(All screen captures are the property of World Wrestling Entertainment)

Anarchy Rulz

September 19, 1999

Odeum Expo Center

Villa Park, Illinois

News & Notes: After Heat Wave, ECW debuted on national television with ECW on TNN. So I have extra storylines to discuss for once. There isn’t much, but I will mention a few things. The Dudley Boyz left to join the WWF. On their way out the door, Buh-Buh and D-Von kicked Joel Gertner to the curb. But it wasn’t the end for Gertner. He appointed himself as Joey Styles’ co-host for the TNN show. This made Cyrus feel underappreciated. Cyrus interjected himself into backstage segments. As a result, the Impact Players promised to make him the new co-host when they took over the company. Meanwhile, ECW brought out all the stars. P.N. News appeared on ECW TV! It led to a fight with Spike Dudley, who defeated News with a low blow and an Acid Drop.

The show opens with Masato Tanaka arriving at the arena. Steven Prazak stops him for a word about the ECW Title contest, but he runs into a language barrier. Then another car pulls up behind them. It’s Judge Jeff Jones, who complains about them blocking the way. He can’t get to his VIP parking spot! Jones says he doesn’t care about Tanaka. There are plenty of guys backstage who deserve a shot before him! While he says this, a group of fans swarm the scene. They chant kick his ass, so Tanaka obliges. He shoves Jones against the car and leaves. Jones says Tanaka committed a crime. He will pay the price, and the price will be awesome!

Inside the ring, Joey welcomes everyone to the Odeum Center outside of Chicago. He is with his broadcast buddy, Cyrus the Virus. Despite Styles’ sarcasm, Cyrus shakes his hand. But Joey notices Cyrus wore a rubber glove. Cyrus says it is a precautionary measure for their intellectual intercourse. He also labels himself as the extreme intellectual and greatest color commentator in wrestling. Cyrus promises to make Joey a star. With that said, Joey announces there is no law and order tonight. Chaos is the norm because Anarchy Rulz!

After the ECW video, Lance Storm and Dawn Marie enter the arena. Storm takes exception to the fans’ show your tits chant. Styles calls them colorful. Then Jerry Lynn joins them, and he taped his injured ribs. This causes a heated discussion between Cyrus and Joey about working through injuries. Styles admonishes Cyrus for his callousness, but Cyrus calls himself a realist.

Lance Storm (w/ Dawn Marie) vs. Jerry Lynn

Storyline: The Impact Players said everyone was gunning for them. They singled out RVD, Sabu, and Jerry Lynn. So Justin and Lance jumped Lynn at a house show and beat him with a cane. As a result, Lynn returned the favor. He interrupted the Impact Players vs. the Dudleys and attacked Justin and Lance. Meanwhile, RVD and Lynn continued their rivalry on TNN. When they wrestled a return bout, the Players ruined it. Storm gave Lynn a cradle piledriver while Credible took out RVD with That’s Incredible. The next week, the Players ambushed Lynn once more, and an ambulance arrived for him. However, Jerry reappeared at the end of the program to help RVD fend off the Players. Since Justin and Lance robbed the fans again, RVD challenged Jerry to an immediate rematch. Lynn fought through his injuries, but RVD won with a Van Daminator.

The Match: They start with fast-paced chain wrestling. It’s a stalemate until Storm targets the ribs. After a hug from Dawn, Storm scores a cartwheel splash. He also cuts off Jerry’s rally with a low blow and grabs a chinlock. But Lynn fights back with a hip toss, plancha to the outside, and missile dropkick inside the ring. Next, a blocked cradle piledriver leads to traded pin attempts. Jerry gains the advantage, so Dawn interferes. She introduces a chair, which backfires. Afterward, Jerry does a sunset bomb into a jackknife pin, but Dawn breaks up the cover. She also puts Storm’s foot on the ropes, following Lynn’s DDT on a chair. This opens the door for Storm to attack the ribs again. He uses backbreakers and strikes. Jerry rallies with a Stunner and a diving hurricanrana. However, Storm knees him in the ribs and pins Lynn with an inside cradle.

Thoughts: This was a strong contest to open the show. The wrestling was crisp and exciting and it told a good story. I almost complained because the action didn’t match the feud’s intensity. They built the rivalry around the Impact Players injuring Jerry. Yet the contest opened with chain wrestling. But they escalated to the more violent and angry moments. It makes sense given their characters. Both men are technical wrestlers who pride themselves on their skills. So trying to out-wrestle each other despite their animosity fits the narrative. The only gripe is the finish was a little weak, but I still enjoyed this.

Winner: Lance Storm (16:38)

Dawn jumps up and down and celebrates, but Lynn and Storm lie on the mat in exhaustion. When Dawn notices this, she helps Storm to his feet. Lynn has to pull himself up by using the ropes.

Meanwhile, Joey talks about the PPV airing in Canada for the first time. He accuses Cyrus of having a Canadian bias because of his heritage. Despite the insult, Cyrus compliments Joey. He says the office is happy with him. This confuses Styles. He says they don’t have an office. Who is Cyrus talking about? Cyrus doesn’t answer. He says Joey missed the meeting, but Heyman will clue Joey in later. The exchange makes Styles threaten to strangle Cyrus off camera.

Next, Simon Diamond makes his PPV debut. This causes an argument between Styles and Cyrus about intelligence vs. arrogance. While they bicker, the fans give Simon a hard time. After dismissing them, Simon announces ECW ordered him to find a tag partner. He spots Tom Marquez at ringside and tells him to get in the ring. But when Tom climbs on the apron, Diamond points out he didn’t say Simon says! So Marquez sits down again. Then Diamond claims no man in the locker room wants to partner with him. This comment draws Jazz to the ring, and Simon loses his patience. Jazz says she wants to prove herself, but Simon interrupts her. He tells her to get her flat chest and ghetto booty out of here! Jazz shoves him in response. So Simon yells, “Tom Marquez! Simon says get her! Get her!” Tom attacks, which leads to a match.

Jazz vs. Tom Marquez (w/ Simon Diamond)

Storyline: Simon Diamond debuted on ECW TV with a unique gimmick. He tells people what to do, but he must say Simon says first! If not, you suffer the consequences. ECW informed Simon he needed a tag partner for one bout, so Marquez answered the call. However, Simon didn’t say the magic words! Meanwhile, Jazz’s issues with Jason continued. Jason paid Corino and Rhino to deal with her. But Jazz beat Corino when Dreamer and Francine distracted him. Then Jazz helped Chetti and Nova handle their problems with Doring and Roadkill. But it was an unsuccessful attempt.

The Match: Tom kicks Jazz and whips her to the ropes, but she ducks a clothesline. Then Jazz performs a crossbody only for Tom to catch her. While he holds her in his arms, Marquez dances. He follows with a front slam and stands above her for some taunting. This is a mistake. Jazz reaches up and grabs a testicular claw. So Tom stops it with a thumb to the eye. Next, Tom lifts Jazz, and she drops behind him. Jazz scores a kick and the Jazz Stinger. But when she covers, Diamond attacks to cause a DQ.

Thoughts: It was a character-building segment, not a match. With that said, it was amusing and did its job. So I won’t fault this. Plus, Tom’s dancing was funny.

Winner: Jazz (by DQ) (0:58)

Tony DeVito runs to the ring and joins Simon in stomping on Jazz. So Chris Chetti and Nova rescue her. Chetti sends DeVito outside with a kick. Since Chetti and Nova were Simon’s planned opponents, the ref recognizes DeVito as Simon’s partner.

Nova & Chris Chetti vs. Simon Diamond & Tony DeVito

Storyline: When Marquez tried to partner with Diamond, it was a bout against Chetti and Nova. Since Simon didn’t accept Marquez, Super Crazy stepped in instead. Crazy ignored Diamond when he didn’t say Simon says and teamed with him. But Simon and Crazy lost after Simon slapped Crazy for not listening. As far as Chetti and Nova, they continued their feud with Doring and Roadkill. Doring expressed his frustrations with the phony superhero and the wannabe Ricky Martin. Danny challenged Chetti, Nova, and Jazz to face himself, Roadkill, and Miss Congeniality. Doring claimed he would shave his head if his team lost. During the contest, Roadkill gave Jazz a guillotine leg drop and let Congeniality pin her.

The Match: Nova and Chetti hit a double hip toss, elbow drop, and slingshot senton. When Chetti adds a Lionsault, Simon’s team regroups. However, something is wrong. Chetti lies on the mat. Nova checks on him and realizes Chris hurt himself, so Nova takes over the action. He does a slingshot crossbody onto Diamond and DeVito. Back inside, Nova scores strikes and snapmares. But Tony answers with a low blow and taunts Nova in the corner. Afterward, Tony does a powerbomb and tags Simon. As Diamond lands rolling suplexes and a gourdbuster, Styles notices the officials helping an injured Chetti. Meanwhile, DeVito returns and botches the uranage. They redo the spot, but Doring and Roadkill arrive to cause a no contest.

Thoughts: This was a mess, but it wasn’t the wrestlers’ fault. No one expected Chetti to go down with an injury during the opening sequence. I felt bad for them. This was an unwinnable situation. Kudos to everyone for rolling with it. But they made the right move by sending Doring and Roadkill to give it a quick ending. However, it sucks for Simon Diamond. This was his big PPV debut.

Winners: No Contest (3:52)

Afterward, Doring and Roadkill attack Nova and Jazz while Miss Congeniality taunts them. They hit the Hart Attack on Jazz, which Joey calls deplorable. But Cyrus says she deserves it for the testicular claw. Next, Roadkill looks to do a flying splash on her, so the locker room empties to stop him. As a brawl erupts, New Jack’s music plays. He drags a trash can full of weapons to the ring, but Cyrus claims ECW banned Jack from their arenas. Jack doesn’t care. He uses waste baskets, a keyboard, a road sign, and a pool cue. CW Anderson, Spanish Angel, and Rod Price fall victim to Jack’s attacks. But the worst comes when Jack uses a staple gun on Price’s head.

Once the chaos ends, Joey plugs ECW’s website. He promises photos and a special report on the PPV. Cyrus calls it Joey’s stooge report, which angers Styles. He yells at Cyrus until his voice cracks. Joey says he has laryngitis, and Cyrus knows this. So Styles accuses him of trying to wreck his voice and take over the booth.

Next, we get the entrances for Guido vs. Tajiri vs. Super Crazy. Guido rides Sal to the ring, Tajiri scowls at the fans, and Super Crazy looks happy to be there. Also, Guido and Sal threaten Bob Artese, which pisses him off. As this happens, Cyrus makes Joey crack with a joke. He says Guido is small and greasy enough to be Sal’s suppository.

Three-Way Dance: Yoshihiro Tajiri vs. Super Crazy vs. Little Guido (w/ Sal E. Graziano)

Storyline: While Tajiri fended off Taz’s challenges, he also continued his three-way rivalry with Guido and Crazy. Tajiri beat Guido after Heat Wave. Then he competed in two contests against Crazy. During the first one, Tajiri debuted a new attack. He spat mist in Crazy’s eyes while Corino distracted him. It earned Tajiri the victory. As a result, Crazy sought revenge against Corino and Rhino. He pinned Rhino, but Corino and company attacked him afterward. Next, Tajiri and Crazy had their rematch. This time, Crazy defeated Tajiri with a powerbomb.

The Match: Tajiri and Crazy fluster Guido until he regroups. Then Guido returns and puts Crazy in a Camel Clutch. He holds him for Tajiri’s dropkicks, but Tajiri targets Guido with the second one. Next, everyone fights to the floor. There, Tajiri lands an Asai Moonsault into the stands! However, Big Sal attacks Tajiri and Crazy when they return to the ring. It allows Guido to nail a diving Fameasser on Tajiri and cover Crazy for a two. Afterward, they do more crowd fighting and it’s Crazy’s turn for an Asai Moonsault. He even knocks Sal off the apron and through a table! But Tajiri catches Crazy in the Tarantula. In response, Crazy puts Tajiri in a Camel Clutch while Guido adds a Sicilian Crab. Once Tajiri escapes, Guido gives Crazy a Tomakaze. It isn’t enough, and Crazy eliminates Guido with a moonsault.

With Guido gone, the pace slows a little. Tajiri and Crazy trade kicks, but they show signs of fatigue. After a double jump moonsault, Crazy thinks Tajiri is out cold, but it is a trap. Tajiri surprises Crazy and nails a handspring elbow. Plus, Tajiri tries a suplex, but Crazy drops behind him. It leads to a sit-out bomb by Crazy, and he attempts another. This time, Tajiri turns it into a DDT. It doesn’t earn a three, so Tajiri tries another suplex. Crazy slips free and grabs a Dragon Sleeper, which he transitions into an inverted tornado DDT. He continues with triple moonsaults, but Tajiri raises his knees. This opens the door for Tajiri’s buzzsaw kick, running dropkick, and brainbuster for the win.

Thoughts: This was great. The first half was hectic and exciting. They did impressive spots and some fun double-teaming. Then the second half was more about the storytelling. They slowed it down and sold the fatigue and frustration. This was a well-crafted contest. Plus, I liked the closing sequence. Also, Tajiri needed a win after failing against Taz. It was the right decision.

Winner: Tajiri (14:38)

Afterward, they go to Corino, Rhino, and Jack Victory backstage. Cyrus calls Corino a nice young man, which Styles finds ridiculous. Corino says ECW told him to find a mystery team to face Dreamer and Raven. Steve claims he contacted the Insane Clown Posse. Fans watched them on another station, but they were going to come to ECW. Then their manager pulled them from the show at the last second. When they heard they would face Dreamer and Raven, they refused to lose to them! But Corino delivers his promises. So he says Dreamer and Raven will face Corino and Rhino tonight!

When they return to the arena, Styles spots Billy Corgan in the crowd. Cyrus claims Billy is a big fan of his. Also, Joey backs up Corino’s story about the ICP. Styles claims the ICP told WCW to stick it up their ass and almost jumped ship. But they didn’t want to lose to Dreamer and Raven. Joey wonders if WCW will accept them back after this. They humiliated WCW’s new president, Bill Bush.

Now it’s time for Justin Credible vs. Sabu, but Credible has bad news for the fans. ECW lifted Sabu’s ban, so Justin got a restraining order. It bars Sabu from getting into the ring or even entering the building. Justin gives the paper to Jim Molineaux and demands he award him the match. Jim reads the paper and agrees it is legit. However, there is no law and order tonight. Anarchy rules, so Justin will face Sabu! Credible and Jason yell at him while Artese begins his introductions. As he does, Justin threatens Artese. Since Bob doesn’t listen, Credible whacks him with the cane. He beats up Artese until the lights turn off. When they return, Sabu is in the ring!

Justin Credible (w/ Jason) vs. Sabu (w/ Bill Alfonso)

Storyline: Sabu went on a rampage after Heat Wave. He ambushed Doring, Roadkill, and Miss Congeniality. Then Sabu demanded RVD, but he got Justin Credible instead. Justin attacked Sabu with the cane as the episode ended. But ECW still didn’t allow Sabu to wrestle, so he disappeared from TV for a few weeks. Finally, Cyrus announced ECW lifted Sabu’s ban, and he would face Credible at the PPV. Fonzie predicted an ass kicking from hell. Alfonso even threatened Justin’s life.

The Match: Sabu scores a springboard leg drop, Arabian Press, and a Camel Clutch. But the action soon heads to the ramp, and Fonzie sets up a table. This backfires. Credible splashes Sabu on the plunder and returns him to the ring. Next, Sabu rallies with a springboard wheel kick and a baseball slide. The latter sends Justin into the crowd for a somersault plancha. Justin avoids another table, but he eats a guillotine leg drop while hanging on the ropes. Later, they crash through a third table on the floor and it leaves both men bloody.

Afterward, Sabu and Credible trade Camel Clutches and cane and chair attacks. This leads to them fighting over the cane until Justin hits a Stunner. He also puts Sabu through a fourth table, but Justin crashes as well. Once Sabu recovers, he lands triple jump attacks and evades That’s Incredible. Plus, Fonzie thwarts Jason’s interference. An Arabian Facebuster follows, but Justin kicks out. Finally, they reverse through a That’s Incredible attempt until Justin hits it on a chair for the victory.

Thoughts: It was a literal and figurative mess, but this had some good moments. This wasn’t great. However, I didn’t hate it. The blood added some excitement. It felt like a war. The only downside was it had little selling, as you expect with a Sabu match. It won’t win any awards or blow you away, but it was a decent brawl.

Winner: Justin Credible (14:06)

Justin’s victory leaves Styles speechless. He still can’t believe his eyes during the replays. But Cyrus calls it a great night for the Impact Players.

Then Masato Tanaka arrives for the ECW Title bout. Styles says Masato is FMW’s world champion. So he could walk away with two belts. Taz is next, but the fans boo him and chant you sold out. They heard Taz signed a deal with the WWF. Despite the animosity, the crowd throws streamers into the ring during the introductions. However, Taz spots someone in the stands. It’s Judge Jeff Jones and Mike Awesome! Mike wants a piece of Tanaka, but Taz says Awesome now has beef with him as well. Heyman comes to quell the situation, so Taz tells him to let Awesome fight. After Taz mocks Heyman, Paul E gives Taz his wish. If Taz wants to fight two men, they will make it a 3-Way Dance! Meanwhile, Styles says Jones stooged to Mike Awesome. ECW used footage of Tanaka beating Mike, so Jones told him about it.

Three-Way Dance for the ECW Title: Mike Awesome (w/ Judge Jeff Jones) vs. Masato Tanaka vs. Taz (c)

Storyline: After Heat Wave, people said Taz went too far with Tajiri. He disagreed. Taz wanted to finish Tajiri for good and deal with that pest, Corino. When Tajiri, Rhino, and Corino attacked Dreamer and Francine, Taz intervened and confronted them. It led to Taz vs. Rhino in the first episode of ECW on TNN. Taz won, and then he faced Tajiri in the second episode. He also succeeded in this contest. With the challenge fulfilled, Taz sought a new opponent. ECW announced Masato Tanaka’s return, which intrigued Taz. He asked for Tanaka because Masato is one of the few who wouldn’t complain about Taz working stiff.

The Match: Taz watches and applauds while Awesome and Tanaka brawl. When they spot him, Taz dares them to bring it. He gives Awesome suplexes. So Awesome and Tanaka team up for chops on Taz. After Taz answers with clotheslines, Awesome hits Tanaka with an Awesome Bomb. He then climbs the ropes. But Taz catches him and lands an overhead superplex. The landing leaves both men dazed, so Tanaka drills Taz with a Roaring Elbow. With Taz down, Awesome does a Frog Splash, and Awesome and Tanaka cover Taz to eliminate him! Taz then moves to the ramp and joins a group of wrestlers watching the contest. He tells Awesome and Tanaka to fight.

The action spills outside where Awesome performs a tope. He also scores a flying clothesline and a sit-out bomb. Those don’t work, so they head to the ramp. Tanaka does a running chair shot and a tornado DDT. He follows with a second one onto a pile of chairs. Neither earns a three, so Tanaka tries a flying chair attack and a powerbomb. But Awesome recovers and throws Tanaka onto a table on the floor with an Awesome Bomb! Once he collects Masato, Awesome continues with an Alabama Slam and Frog Splash. It’s still not enough! Plus, Tanaka shakes off more chair shots and hits a Diamond Dust for another two! Afterward, Awesome fires back with a spear and his own flying chair bash. It leads to fighting on the top rope. Awesome wins the exchange and ends it with a Super Awesome Bomb on a table.

Thoughts: It was exciting, surprising, and impressive. They used shock value because they knew the fans would turn on Taz for leaving. This was the right call. Plus, the fans loved the action. Once they eliminated Taz, we got another brutality-fest between Awesome and Tanaka. In retrospect, it’s uncomfortable but interesting to watch.

Winner: Mike Awesome (New Champion) (13:48)

John Finegan tries to hand Awesome the belt, but Taz grabs it. After a tense moment, Taz kisses the belt and hands it to Mike. The fans applaud the sign of respect as Taz raises Awesome’s arm. Styles said Taz promised to do this for anyone who could defeat him, and he stayed true to his word. Afterward, Taz hugs Heyman on the ramp. He also tells the fans to chant Awesome’s name. Joey calls this a class act.

After the celebration, we go to Raven on a playground. He recaps his entire history with Tommy Dreamer, and they show clips. Raven says they waged epic battles of mythic proportions. They had a friendship based on love and a hatred based on friendship. Dreamer scarred Raven’s face and took his girlfriend. But Raven’s goal was to exorcise Tommy’s demons. So he gave Tommy a victory and left. However, Tommy’s life and career lost its meaning in Raven’s absence. Tommy even lost his girl because of the Dudleys. Now Raven is back. He quotes Keyser Soze’s line about the devil’s greatest trick. Then Raven says he is Tommy’s personal demon. They already crucified this savior for Dreamer’s sins.

Stephen DeAngelis tries to introduce the match, but Joel Gertner interrupts him. He talks about the girls at home having the tools to massage his family jewels. Once he finishes his innuendos, Joel reveals his reason for appearing. He wants to interview Dreamer and Francine about Dreamer’s future. Despite his loathing for Tommy, Gertner wants to know his status. Dreamer talks about watching Sammy Sosa hit his 60^th home run. He says Sosa plays for the fans because they pay his salary. So Tommy wants to do the same. He is sick of listening to doctors. Tommy doesn’t need fancy pyro. He only wants to sweat, bleed, and innovate some violence! With that said, Corino interrupts and mocks Tommy. If Dreamer wants to bleed, he’ll give him his wish. He tells Rhino to get Tommy and Rhino attacks. The bout begins before Raven even arrives.

Tag Team Title Match: Tommy Dreamer & Raven (c) (w/ Francine) vs. Steve Corino & Rhino (w/ Jack Victory)

Storyline: The Dudleys regained their belts from Balls & Spike after Heat Wave. Then they threatened to take the gold to the WWF. So Balls & Spike desperately tried to prevent this. After trading the championship back and forth, it appeared the Dudleys’ threat was imminent. As one last act of defiance, the Dudleys taunted Tommy Dreamer. It led to Dreamer taking them on alone for the tag belts. But a surprising ally came to Tommy’s aid. Raven returned from WCW and gave Buh-Buh the Even Flow. Dreamer and Raven won the tag titles! Despite this, Dreamer still hadn’t decided about his future. As a result, Corino and company continued antagonizing him. This included attacks on Tommy and Francine until Raven stopped them. However, Raven didn’t forget their past. He said Dreamer lost his way, and Raven vowed to be Tommy’s personal demon to set him straight.

The Match: Tommy shakes off Rhino’s punches and hits a hangman’s neckbreaker, but this hurts Tommy’s back. Corino sees an opening and takes a swing, so Tommy chases him to the ramp. As Steve runs, he leaves Jack Victory behind. Dreamer dumps Jack out of his wheelchair and into Francine’s chair shot! They also use the chair on Rhino and Tommy attempts the Spicolli Driver. His back gives out, so Rhino scores a spinebuster. Plus, Corino grabs a ladder, but Tommy whips Rhino into him. Once Rhino recovers, he grabs Francine and hits a Michinoku Driver. He then targets Dreamer, but Raven arrives and drops Rhino with the Even Flow. This leads to Corino and Victory brawling with Tommy and Raven. Corino’s team whips Raven and Tommy into each other and they argue. But Raven and Dreamer turn and hit stereo DDTs on Victory and Corino for the win.

Thoughts: It wasn’t much of a match. Parts of this were amusing, but it’s forgettable. If Dreamer is working through injuries, why put the tag titles on him? Sure, it keeps Dreamer strong and gives Raven an explosive return angle. But they aren’t producing great action. Also, Rhino is losing a lot in his early months. He needs some victories.

Winners: Dreamer & Raven (3:24)

After the bout, Chicago DJ Mancow appears on the ramp with his buddies, Al Roker Jr. and Toad. Joey says Mancow is Raven’s friend, whether he admits it or not. As they watch, Raven says something to Dreamer we can’t hear. Then Raven celebrates with Mancow and his shirtless sidekicks. Cyrus thinks Al Roker Jr.’s back hair is a sweater.

Next, Cyrus and Joey recap the night, but Axl Rotten interrupts. He enters the ring and challenges Mike Awesome for the ECW Title. Axl wants the first shot. However, this annoys the Impact Players. They come to the ring with a British wrestler named Johnny Smith. He’s their associate and RVD’s opponent for the night. Storm claims the Players will be 3 for 3 when Smith wins, so Axl better rescind his challenge or they’ll do it for him! Axl refuses and insults the Players, which causes a brawl. Balls Mahoney and Spike Dudley come to help, and Spike gives Dawn Marie the Acid Drop! Once they clear the ring, Balls Mahoney knocks out Johnny Smith with his personalized chair. Axl says RVD won’t have an opponent because they gave him an extreme headache. Therefore, RVD should defend against Balls instead and prove he is the whole f’n show!

TV Title Match: Rob Van Dam (c) (w/ Bill Alfonso) vs. Balls Mahoney

Storyline: Balls Mahoney wore a neck brace after Heat Wave because of the botched powerbomb. He fought through the pain, but this wasn’t his only worry. Axl Rotten returned. He said he made a pact with Balls. If they lost the tag belts, they would fight each other. So Axl brought New Jack as backup and faced Balls and Spike. Axl dropped Mahoney on a flaming table while Jack used a chair on Spike. However, they didn’t get their frustrations out of their systems. This led to a bloody brawl between Balls and Axl. New Jack added himself to the mix and made it a 3-Way Dance, but Balls eliminated him. Axl finally scored the pin after trash can and chair shots. Afterward, they embraced and put it behind them.

The Match: Balls scores a back suplex and clotheslines, but RVD answers with takedowns and a crossbody. Then they fight into the crowd, and Balls uses fans’ beers as weapons. When they return to the stands a second time, RVD lands an insane somersault plancha from the ring! Back inside, RVD uses more kicks, but Balls responds with a powerslam, New Jersey Jam, and a chinlock. So Fonzie offers RVD a drink of water to revive him. It fails, so Balls lands the Ball Breaker and a Frog Splash. They don’t work, and Fonzie introduces a chair for a Van Daminator and Rolling Thunder. But Balls rallies again with suplexes, a piledriver, and a powerbomb. More chair shenanigans by Fonzie backfires, so Fonzie breaks up a pin with a chair shot. Afterward, Fonzie runs, but this allows RVD to do the Van Daminator and Five Star for the victory.

Thoughts: I wanted to like this. Parts of it were impressive and fun. But it dragged. Plus, they used an excessive amount of kick-outs. This became tiresome. However, I laughed at some of Fonzie’s antics. The bout wasn’t a bad experience, but it was disappointing.

Winner: RVD (19:39)

Joey Styles sings Balls’ praises after the bout. Plus, Cyrus wants someone to flog Fonzie for being annoying. Then Balls and RVD have a standoff with chairs, but they agree to drop them on the count of three. With the chairs gone, they hug. Balls says there are no hard feelings. He did his share of chair attacks. Balls even embraces Fonzie. Once Mahoney leaves, RVD poses with his belt and the show ends with a highlight package.

The Good:

• They had a strong opener.

• Tajiri vs. Guido vs. Super Crazy was great.

• The ECW Title match was wild and surprising.

The Bad:

• Chetti’s unfortunate injury.

• RVD/Balls was a little disappointing.

Observations:

• All these impromptu matches makes it seem like ECW didn’t plan anything for their PPV.

• Was the story about ICP almost jumping ship to ECW true? Joey Styles seemed to think it was.

Performer of the Night:

I’m giving it to Tajiri. The 3-Way with Guido and Crazy was great, and Tajiri needed a big win. His character changes and high-profile bouts helped his career.

Final Thoughts:

Most of the action was quite good. In fact, I’d call this an overall fine show. The problem is the structure and booking made this feel more like an extended episode of TV. It seemed disorganized and unplanned. I know they wanted unpredictability and surprise, but it hindered the presentation. Part of this could be because of the ever-changing ECW roster. The departures and returns throw a monkey wrench into their plans. But much of it was a design choice. With that said, I still enjoyed the PPV.

Thank you for reading. My next review is the WWF’s Unforgiven ’99. Look for it next Sunday!