November to Remember ’99

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

November to Remember

November 7, 1999

Burt Flickinger Center

Buffalo, New York

News & Notes: After Anarchy Rulz, Sign Guy Dudley adopted a new persona. With the Dudleys gone, he needed a fresh gimmick. So Sign Guy imitated Paul Heyman. He now calls himself Lou E. Dangerously, which didn’t amuse Heyman. However, Lou accomplished one thing with this change. He brought Mikey Whipwreck back to ECW. But Mikey wasn’t the only return. Candido and Tammy Sytch reappeared in the company. Then Tammy did an emotional interview about her struggles and personal demons. Furthermore, Tammy vowed to continue her feud with Dawn Marie. Finally, I need to discuss a departure. Miss Congeniality left to join the WWF. Danny Doring said it would take him at least two hours to get over her. So he invited any ladies in the crowd to his hotel room.

Joey and Cyrus open the show and welcome everyone to Buffalo, New York. Cyrus once again wears a rubber glove for their handshake. This time, he says it’s because Buffalo is the bacteria capital of the United States. He would rather live in Toronto if he had to work here. Plus, Cyrus claims he’s the smartest man in wrestling. He only has to work every eight weeks. With that said, Joey tries to start the program, but Gertner interrupts him. Joel makes innuendos about porking and ball licking. After introducing himself, Joel tries to take Cyrus’ job as the co-host. Cyrus looks annoyed, but he backs off because he knows what is coming.

Taz storms to the ring. He confronts Joey Styles and asks him why he didn’t return his calls or messages. Taz says Joey accused him of cowardice the previous week. Styles said Taz jumped RVD from behind. So Taz reminds him he always grabs the Tazmission from the back. When Joey doubles down on his comments, Taz threatens him. This makes the crowd chant for Joey. Since the fans want a fight, he dares Styles to bring it. But Joey wants no part of this. He pleads his case only for Taz to twist his words. It’s a no-win situation. Every comment makes Taz angrier until he gives Joey three seconds to leave. Once Joey obliges, Taz turns to Gertner next and puts him in a Tazmission after insulting him. Finally, Taz faces Cyrus, but he shakes his hand and they thank each other.

After the usual ECW opening video, Simon Diamond arrives. He brings his bodyguard, Dick Hertz. The fans give them a hard time, so Simon admonishes them. He says they are two clean-cut American guys who hang out as friends. But Dick doesn’t help matters by massaging Simon and patting him on the butt. Simon reminds him he didn’t say Simon says, but he agrees to let Dick slide tonight. After more dick jokes, Jazz interrupts them. She has enough of Simon, and she gives him the Jazz Stinger. In response, Dick nails Jazz with an inverted side slam. Cyrus calls it the Penile Implant. Then Simon taunts her and tells the crowd to look at his giant killer. Of course, this draws out the real giant killer. Spike Dudley comes to the ring and does the Acid Drop on Dick, so Simon attacks him.

Spike Dudley vs. Simon Diamond (w/ Dick Hertz)

Storyline: Since Simon Diamond pissed off most of the locker room, he hired a bodyguard. His name is Dick Hertz, and he’s there to watch Simon’s rear! After Simon announced this, Dick slapped his ass. But Diamond let it slide. Simon said everyone in ECW would feel his big stiff Dick! Meanwhile, Spike Dudley continued his giant killer gimmick. Spike scored victories over Big Sal and Rhino. The former caused issues with Little Guido, so Spike faced Guido and Sal in a handicap fight. Dudley won after a miscommunication between Guido and Sal. Also, Spike found a girlfriend. He gave her his glasses before a match, but Guido took the glasses and stomped on them. Later, Spike earned a TV Title shot against RVD, but he lost.

The Match: Simon stomps Spike in the corner and avoids an Acid Drop. He hits Spike with a hotshot and more stomps before throwing Spike to the floor. Then they chase each other in and out of the ring until Spike does a cannonball off the apron. Plus, Dudley grabs a wooden chair and nails a flying chair shot. This busts Diamond open, but he backdrops Spike and rams him into the rail. Back inside, Simon does rolling suplexes into a gourdbuster, but it only earns a two. Next, Diamond attempts a Samoan Drop only for Spike to slip free. This leads to traded eye pokes and low blows. After Spike headbutts Simon in the balls, he scores the Acid Drop for the victory.

Thoughts: There wasn’t much to this, but it got a great reaction from the crowd. However, it’s another example of ECW throwing impromptu bouts on their PPV. It makes them seem disorganized. Plus, they overuse the tactic. This stops being unpredictable and chaotic when you can see it coming on every show.

Winner: Spike Dudley (2:59)

As Spike celebrates, Guido and Sal attack him! Guido pulls Spike down from the turnbuckles with a powerbomb. He also holds Dudley on the mat for Sal’s splash. So Nova arrives to rescue Spike. He tries a flying axehandle, which Guido avoids, but Nova hits Sal instead.

Little Guido (w/ Sal E. Graziano) vs. Nova

Storyline: After Chris Chetti went down with an injury, Nova dedicated his matches to him. But he needed a new partner, so Nova chose Jazz. Then they sought revenge on Doring & Roadkill, only to fail. Doring & Roadkill earned the victory after Roadkill hit Jazz with a running powerslam. To make matters worse, Da Baldies also attacked Nova after a promo. (I’ll explain more about them later.) Elsewhere, Guido continued his problems with Super Crazy and Tajiri. Guido jumped Crazy after losing to him, so Spike intervened. Plus, Guido competed in a 3-Way Dance with Simon Diamond and Tajiri, which Tajiri won.

The Match: Nova scores a sit-out spinebuster and a jumping forearm, so Guido regroups. But Nova doesn’t let him rest. He nails a flying crossbody, which the camera misses. Back inside, Guido answers with strikes and clotheslines. He also does a diving facebuster. Next, Guido counters the Spin Doctor with a neckbreaker and climbs the turnbuckles. This leads to a super Samoan Drop, which wipes out both men. However, Guido rolls over for a cover and gets two. After more back and forth, Nova hits the Smash Mouth (a powerbomb flip into a press Diamond Cutter). When he covers, Sal pulls Nova off of the pin. So Nova gives Sal a tornado DDT. But this allows Guido to use the Tomakaze for the win.

Thoughts: They started the show with two spontaneous contests again. That’s multiple PPVs in a row. Plus, both bouts were a few minutes long. You can’t register what’s happening long enough to care. People complain about Russo’s crash TV style, but this is worse. However, let me clarify something. This isn’t a knock on the competitors. It’s a booking problem. Nova and Guido gave us good action. They did fine.

Winner: Little Guido (4:20…Nice)

The attack doesn’t stop after the bell. Guido and Sal give Nova another splash, so Chris Chetti runs to the ring. As Chris nails a springboard spin kick, Cyrus questions why he returned so soon. Doring and Roadkill confirm his concerns when they jump Chetti. Doring gives him a Double-Arm DDT, and Roadkill lands a flying splash on Chetti’s injured back! Cyrus says they ended Chetti’s career.

Before I can catch my breath, we have another match. Steve Corino and still wheelchair-bound Jack Victory lead Tajiri to the ring. Corino calls Tajiri the god and king of the 3-Way Dance. He also insults Super Crazy and Jerry Lynn. Steve tells Lynn to stop complaining about broken finger nails and bruised toes. Next, Super Crazy and Jerry Lynn arrive. Crazy’s song appears to give Tajiri a headache.

Three-Way Dance: Jerry Lynn vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri (w/ Steve Corino & Jack Victory) vs. Super Crazy

Storyline: After Jerry Lynn defeated Super Crazy, he got caught up in Tajiri and Crazy’s feud. Lynn cut a promo about the Impact Players injuring him, so Corino called him a crybaby. Steve then led Lynn to a chase backstage, where Tajiri attacked Jerry. When it happened again, Lynn had enough. He wrestled Tajiri and hit the cradle piledriver, so Corino interfered. This allowed Tajiri to spray the red mist in Lynn’s eyes and pin him after a brainbuster. Meanwhile, Crazy bounced back from his loss to Lynn. He beat Guido and Spike in a 3-Way Dance.

The Match: They trade strikes and takedowns before Tajiri puts both men in a Tarantula. Then the action spills outside where everyone lands dives and moonsaults. This leads to crowd brawling, and Crazy climbs onto the overhang above an exit door. There, he performs a moonsault on his opponents. Back in the ring, Crazy powerbombs Jerry and Tajiri, but it isn’t enough. Next, Lynn gives Crazy the cradle piledriver, but Tajiri breaks the pin. He wants to eliminate Crazy, and he does with a brainbuster!

With Crazy gone, Tajiri uses handspring moves until Lynn catches him with a German suplex. But Tajiri answers by countering a Tombstone into a backbreaker. Afterward, they exchange strikes, and Tajiri screams in Jerry’s face. Later, Lynn scores a tornado DDT and hurricanrana. So Tajiri targets the ribs to stop his onslaught. This almost prevents a cradle piledriver, but Lynn hits it on his second try. It’s enough for the pin.

Thoughts: This was a lot of fun. They used some cool visuals and great spots. Plus, it was the right length. This didn’t overstay its welcome like some 3-Way Dances do. Also, I loved the closing moments. Tajiri and Lynn daring each other to bring it was a nice moment. (On a side note, I realized a few minutes into this I saw this years ago. I rented an ECW tape from the video store.)

Winner: Jerry Lynn (10:59)

After the bell, Corino stomps on Jerry’s ribs. He then whips Lynn toward Jack Victory, who is on the apron. It doesn’t work. Lynn dropkicks Victory and gives Corino the cradle piledriver. With Corino down, Lynn warns him not to do it again.

Now they show a replay of Spanish Angel using a staple gun on New Jack’s eye. After the video, we see Da Baldies already in the ring. Plus, Joey and Cyrus argue about this fictional office Cyrus keeps mentioning. Once they finish, Styles talks about Da Baldies. He calls them street thugs and the kings of the street. Their attack on New Jack cemented the moniker. With that said, their opponents arrive. Da Baldies jump Axl and Balls because they don’t think New Jack is there. But they are wrong. New Jack’s music plays, and he drags a trash can full of weapons behind him.

Handicap Match: Da Baldies (Spanish Angel, Tony DeVito, Skull Von Krush, & P.N. News) vs. The Hardcore Chair Swingin’ Freaks & New Jack

Storyline: ECW’s bald wrestlers united to form a group. It comprised Spanish Angel, Tony DeVito, and Skull Von Krush (Vito LoGrasso). Once they introduced themselves, Da Baldies focused on Axl Rotten and Balls Mahoney. They watched the Chair Freaks’ match, so Axl dared them to fight. But Skull and Da Baldies left. Later, Da Baldies attacked Nova and Jazz until Axl and Balls intervened. This pissed off Nova and Jazz’s opponents, Doring and Roadkill, which led to a brawl. In the chaos, Jazz clocked Miss Congeniality with a chair! Since everyone was using chairs, Da Baldies called Axl and Balls out for a chair war. However, P.N. News joined Da Baldies to give them a one-man advantage. As a result, New Jack came to the aid of Balls and Axl. Unfortunately, Angel used Jack’s staple gun on New Jack’s eye!

The Match: New Jack uses a crutch and keyboard on Da Baldies. He then confronts Angel, who has the staple gun. Angel tries to attack, so Jack hits him with a golf club and a vacuum cleaner! While this happens, Axl wields a trash can. Next, the bout divides into two fights. New Jack and Axl take Angel into the stands, while Balls fends off the rest. Balls struggles, but Axl and Jack succeed. They hit Angel with a ladder and a wooden chair. Plus, Jack uses the ladder to climb a basketball goal. Once Jack reaches the top, he leaps onto Angel and puts him through a table. (The camera misses the landing.) When they return to ringside, Jack attacks Da Baldies with a Nintendo console. He also staples Skull’s head. But this leaves Jack open to Angel’s guitar shot. It earns Angel the pin.

Thoughts: This was the usual New Jack brawl. It was messy and hard to follow. The only good parts were Joey’s commentary and the dive off the basketball goal. Everything else was filler between the big moments. While Axl and Jack fought in the crowd, Da Baldies and Balls did little of note. In fact, I can’t recall one move from DeVito.

Winners: Da Baldies (8:21)

Joey once again calls Angel the king of the streets. He also says three of the four Baldies are bleeding. As he says this, Da Baldies help Angel to the back, and they show a replay. We see a better angle of New Jack’s dive. After the video, the fans applaud the competitors.

Next, Joey discusses the website, and Cyrus mocks Joey’s stooge report again. He also claims he read something interesting about Joey online. But Joey accuses Cyrus of posting it. This draws a fake laugh from Cyrus. He tells Joey the office wants him to speak less, so Styles asks him to explain what he means. Instead of answering, Cyrus tells Joey to stop kay-fiving the fans and tell the facts. Joey says, “What the hell is kay-five? You made that up!” However, Cyrus still doesn’t give Joey answers. He tells him to do his job and talk about wrestling. This leaves Joey speechless, so Cyrus says Joey must have the old script.

Afterward, we get a solemn interview with Fonzie and Sabu. Fonzie explains their demeanor. He says Sabu’s best friend passed away before the show. His name was Ticho, and Sabu wears an armband in his honor. So Fonzie warns Chris Candido to be ready for the fight of his life. Fonzie claims Sabu fights harder than any wrestler he ever met. Sabu will dedicate this match to Ticho and his family. As Fonzie says this, Sabu points to the sky, and the camera zooms in on Sabu’s armband.

Even Styles and Cyrus send their thoughts and prayers to Ticho’s family. But then they drool over Tammy Sytch as she and Chris Candido arrive for the next contest. Joey asks for a closeup shot, but Cyrus doesn’t think the internet fans need that image. Once Sabu joins them, he chases Chris and Tammy out of the ring.

Sabu (w/ Bill Alfonso) vs. Chris Candido (w/ Tammy Lynn Sytch)

Storyline: Sabu and RVD wanted to fight, but Fonzie did everything to prevent it. If that wasn’t enough, Sabu also had to fend off Rhino and Taz. Sabu defeated both men and tried to go after RVD. He failed because Taz got to RVD first. Since Sabu couldn’t get RVD, he needed to take out his frustrations on somebody. So Fonzie suggested the returning Chris Candido. As for Candido, he and Tammy reignited their feud with Storm and Dawn Marie. Dawn vowed to rid ECW of her female competition. So she attacked Tammy and Miss Congeniality with a paddle. Then she warned Francine she was next.

The Match: They exchange strikes in and out of the ring. Then Candido scores suplexes and a New Jersey Jam. When Sabu answers with a DDT and triple jump attacks, Candido changes his tactic. He keeps trying to put Sabu through tables, and it backfires. After a crash, Tammy puts Chris’s foot on the ropes to save him. Later, Sabu lands a triple jump plancha into the stands! Plus, Sabu locks Candido in Camel Clutches, but he can’t get a submission.

Since he can’t make Chris submit, Sabu uses more tables. He puts Chris through one with a guillotine leg drop, but Sabu misses a triple jump moonsault. So a desperate Candido nails a powerbomb, piledriver, and superplex. When Sabu shows life, Tammy crotches him on the top rope. This opens the door for Candido’s Frankensteiner and flying headbutt. They still aren’t enough. It causes an argument with the ref, so Sabu gets another table. But this draws Tammy and Fonzie into the ring. Tammy almost ends up on the table until Chris saves her. However, Chris goes through the table instead. Finally, Sabu does an Atomic Arabian Facebuster and makes Chris tap with a Camel Clutch.

Thoughts: They started hot and had a fun brawl. Plus, they mixed in a little of everything. We saw mat wrestling, crowd fighting, and weapons. But the match dragged a little in the middle. They started getting repetitive. However, the closing moments saved it. So I will call this good but not great.

Winner: Sabu (17:42)

Fonzie and the officials pull Sabu off Chris, and Fonzie offers Sabu a drink of water. Sabu then pats his armband and points at the sky again. Meanwhile, Joey says the match gave him a new respect for Candido. Cyrus says you can sometimes gain something from a loss. (I agree with them. This match made Candido look great.)

Next, we get promos from Tanaka and Mike Awesome. Masato runs on a treadmill and speaks Japanese. Before he finishes, Tanaka switches to English. He promises to become the world champion! Afterward, they go to Mike Awesome and Judge Jeff Jones. While Awesome works out, Jones speaks to the audience. Jeff says court is in session. Sure, Tanaka beat Mike on two occasions, but tonight is different. Jones even quotes a supposed law that confirms it. The law states no big-headed challenger will defeat a champion. So Tanaka’s sentence is a defeat. The ECW champion will hand him a severe and brutal beating. With that said, Awesome vows to break Tanaka’s back and make him feel the power. And Jeff Jones declares the case dismissed.

After the promos, Joey says Tanaka has a good chance of defeating Awesome. Masato beat him more than anyone in Japan or the United States. Even Cyrus predicts an upset. After all, controversial title changes happen in November. Cyrus says this with a wink and a nudge. When it doesn’t amuse Joey, Cyrus tells Joey he upset the office. In fact, Cyrus has incriminating footage. Styles begs him not to show it, but they do. We see what appears to be Heyman yelling at someone on the phone. He interrupts Joey Styles, and Joey complains. When a stagehand, Jazz, and Francine get in Heyman’s way, he fires them! But Jazz turns him around to reveal it’s Lou E. Dangerously! So security drags Lou away, as he claims his dad is a lawyer.

Now it’s time for the ECW Title match. When Awesome arrives, we hear his great theme song. I’m glad they left it intact on the network. Also, Stephen DeAngelis introduces Tanaka, but he doesn’t call him the FMW champion. Did Tanaka lose the belt since the last PPV?

ECW Title Match: Mike Awesome (c) (w/ Judge Jeff Jones) vs. Masato Tanaka

Storyline: After Anarchy Rulz, Mike Awesome tore through his competition. He put multiple wrestlers through tables with an Awesome Bomb. His list of victims included Rhino, Rod Price, New Jack, and a returning Mikey Whipwreck. Then ECW announced Awesome would defend his belt against his rival, Masato Tanaka. Since Tanaka split his time between Japan and the U.S., that’s the build. But it’s enough for these two. They have a well-established history.

The Match: They whip each other around the ring, and Mike scores an avalanche splash and back elbow. Then they fight outside, where Tanaka does a springboard clothesline and flying plancha. Not to be outdone, Awesome lands a tope and a springboard plancha into the stands! Next, they exchange flying chair shots. Masato even knocks the weapon into Mike’s face with a Roaring Elbow! Plus, he lands a tornado DDT onto chairs. They aren’t enough. So Awesome recovers and points at the table on the floor. After fighting back and forth, Awesome puts Tanaka through it with a sit-out Awesome Bomb! Back in the ring, Tanaka keeps trying a superplex onto a table. He gets it after two tries and follows with a Diamond Dust. But Tanaka misses a Roaring Elbow. Finally, Awesome uses suplexes, an Awesome Splash, and a super Awesome Bomb to put Tanaka down.

Thoughts: Everyone touts the Heat Wave encounter, but this was Awesome and Tanaka’s best meeting. They did their usual brutality-fest with a few new additions. Plus, I liked the callbacks to their previous encounters. Those subtle touches are why I enjoyed this bout more than the other ones. It was the match of the night, so far.

Winner: Mike Awesome (12:26)

Next, Joey and Cyrus discuss the eagerly-awaited match between RVD and Taz. Joey thought RVD would challenge Taz for his ECW Title, but it’s the other way around. Now Taz looks to take RVD’s TV belt. Also, Cyrus implies Taz will take the gold to the WWF. This raises suspicions with Joey. He accuses Cyrus of knowing Taz would interrupt him at the beginning of the show. Plus, Joey asks why Cyrus thanked Taz. Cyrus explains he thanked Taz for taking out Gertner. Taz wanted Cyrus to keep Joey under control.

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

Storyline: As I mentioned earlier, RVD wanted Sabu, but he didn’t get his wish. So RVD faced Spike Dudley instead and won. Afterward, RVD didn’t know his opponent for the PPV. When he once again demanded Sabu, Sabu stormed into the locker room. However, ECW’s security held him back. Then Joey Styles announced RVD would face Taz at November to Remember. Later, RVD intervened when the Impact Players attacked Sabu. This gave Taz an opening. He put RVD in the Tazmission to soften him up ahead of their bout. So RVD accused Taz of being jealous. People viewed RVD’s TV belt as more important while Taz was the ECW champion, and that bothered Taz.

The Match: They start with mat wrestling, which ends in a stalemate. After some standoffs and posing, RVD scores a sunset flip in the corner. But Taz recovers and backdrops RVD over the ropes. This wipes out a cameraman. Next, they fight on the rail. Taz stops Fonzie when he brings a chair for a Van Daminator. So RVD leaps over the rail and clips his ankle on it! Taz capitalizes with a chop block in the ring. He also throws crossfaces and lands a Tiger Tazplex. Plus, Taz introduces a table.

Before he can use it, RVD nails kicks, a cartwheel moonsault, and Rolling Thunder. However, Taz evades a monkey flip and Van Daminator before hitting a capture Tazplex. With RVD in trouble, Fonzie enters the ring with a chair. He drops it when Taz spots him, but Fonzie slaps Taz instead. In response, Taz tries to hit Fonzie with a chair. So RVD saves Fonzie with a flying Van Daminator. Afterward, Taz and RVD tussle on the top rope, but they slip and fall. To make up for it, RVD lands a split-legged moonsault. Finally, RVD counters a German suplex and does the Five Star Frog Splash for the win.

Thoughts: Other than the one shaky moment toward the end, this was great. They recovered well from the slip-up, so it didn’t ruin this. It was impressive and hard-hitting. Plus, it’s nice to see Taz put RVD over on his way out the door. If it wasn’t for RVD’s upcoming injury, this would have probably set him up for a world title run. It seems Taz wanted to pass the torch to him.

Winner: RVD (14:34)

While RVD celebrates, Cyrus says, “If god were a wrestler, he would be Rob Van Dam.” Then Taz rises to his feet. He gives RVD a high five and shakes Fonzie’s hand. Afterward, Taz nods at RVD and leaves the ring. So Van Dam continues his celebration.

Now we get the entrances for the main event. Rhino and the Impact Players come out first. Justin Credible wears a t-shirt for Cyrus’ radio show, No Holds Barred Radio. So Joey gives Cyrus crap for having him wear it. But this doesn’t last long. When Dawn Marie and Francine appear, Joey and Cyrus lose their minds. Next, Dreamer, Raven, and Sandman join the party. Sandman does his long walk through the crowd. He shares beers with the fans and cuts his forehead when he smashes the can on it. While this happens, Joey says the Impact Players have the advantage. Dreamer and Sandman hate Raven. To illustrate Joey’s point, Raven shoves Sandman during the introductions.

The Impact Players & Rhino (w/ Jason & Dawn Marie) vs. Tommy Dreamer, Sandman, & Raven (w/ Francine)

Storyline: Despite still being tag champs, Raven kept attacking Dreamer to provoke him. As a result, Dreamer demanded they settle things once and for all, but Raven walked away. However, this didn’t stop Raven from costing Tommy victories. To make matters worse, the Impact Players wanted the tag titles. So they jumped Dreamer and Raven. Since Dreamer and Raven had a common enemy, they were stuck with each other. Plus, another problem arose. When a frustrated Rhino went after a New Orleans Saints player, Dreamer stopped him. In response, Rhino interrupted Dreamer & Raven vs. The Impact Players. This gave the Players an advantage until The Sandman made his surprising return. He saved Tommy & Raven and shared a beer with Dreamer. As they drank, Sandman stared down Raven until he left.

The Match: Storm and Rhino tell Sandman to drop the cane before they start, so he hands it to the ref. Then Sandman takes Rhino down by the hair. Next, Dreamer and Sandman make frequent tags, but Raven refuses to enter the fight. Meanwhile, Credible avoids Sandman until he’s in trouble. This happens when Rhino attacks Sandman on the floor and Justin whacks him with a cane. Sandman tries to fight out of their corner, but Rhino hits the Gravedigger (superbomb). Afterward, Credible crotches himself on a missed corner baseball slide. Also, Storm misses a flying splash.

Now the match devolves into chaos when Raven tags himself in. Raven cleans house with backdrops and almost kills Credible with one. So Rhino stops Raven with a Gore. This leads to fighting on the floor, where Storm does a plancha onto Dreamer. As this unfolds, Raven lands the Even Flow on Justin, but Storm breaks the cover. It causes more insanity. Rhino gores Storm by mistake. Raven betrays Dreamer and gives him a drop toe hold on a chair. Dawn and Francine catfight until Sandman kisses Dawn. And Raven nails Sandman with a cane! But was it on purpose? Either way, Raven does nothing while Justin hits That’s Incredible. It earns the victory.

Thoughts: It wasn’t great, but this was fun chaos. Plus, it furthers the Raven/Dreamer/Sandman saga. I have no issue with it. The crowd reacted well, and it built the storylines. The only thing I would do differently is the order of the card. This shouldn’t have closed the show. RVD/Taz is the better choice.

Winners: The Impact Players & Rhino (9:19)

As the Impact Players pose and celebrate, Joey questions Raven’s actions. Did he hit the Sandman on purpose? Then Joey talks about Justin Credible. He says Justin defeated Sabu and Sandman in back-to-back PPVs. Meanwhile, Raven stares at his fallen teammates with a smirk. When he leaves, the show ends with a highlight reel.

The Good:

• Awesome/Tanaka was great.

• RVD/Taz was good.

• Sabu/Candido was a solid bout.

• The 3-Way Dance was fun.

The Bad:

• The camera work was terrible.

• The first thirty minutes of the show were a mess.

Observations:

• I usually like Nova’s innovative moves, but the Smash Mouth made no sense. People always talk about wasted movement in wrestling, but this move exemplified it.

Performer of the Night:

I’m giving it to Mike Awesome. This was his night to shine as the ECW champion, and he did it. His bout with Tanaka solidified his status in the company. Yes, I know what happens later, but I’m speaking about this show.

Final Thoughts:

Once they got past the opening thirty minutes, this became a solid PPV. Everything after the first two fights ranged from good to great. Now I’m finished with ECW’s 1999 PPVs, I can easily say this was my favorite year for ECW. The only problem was the revolving door of talent. This will take its toll on the company over the next year, but they did well in ‘99.

Thank you for reading, my next review is the WWF’s Survivor Series ‘99. Look for it next Sunday!