ECW '01 - A World in Jeopardy

ECW on MTV #13
Friday, August 5th, 2001
Attendance: 1,168 – Hazard Memorial Hall – Hazard, Kentucky, USA
TV Rating: 0.95 on MTV

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DARK MATCH:
C.W. ANDERSON & SEAN O’HAIRE [I.Q. – INSURANCE OF QUALITY] DEF. DANNY DOMINION & DERRICK NEIKIRK – PIN – 5:12
RATING: 39

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FULL-SHOW RECAP

>> SOMEONE’S BACK… AND ADAPTING TO THE ECW WAYS!
>> If you were looking for a Heat Wave recap, you’d get disappointed. As soon as the show started, the Diamond Bodies, along with Dawn Marie and Tammy Lynn Sytch, got to the ring, looking pissed. All four talked about being robbed off the ECW World Tag Team Championships on Saturday due to the new rules. Plus, it was clear that there was some distrust towards Dawn, who got the team DQ’d, giving the win to… her former clients, the Impact Players.
>> Still, that was not the main point. Candido and Diamond wanted a new title shot, so… Candido called Shane McMahon in the ring, so the boss could give them one. Once again, the phone rang and rang, leading the ECW crowd to laugh at Diamond Bodies.
>> Paul Heyman got to their ring and mocked them too, before telling the duo that if they want to talk to McMahon so badly, he can arrange them a meeting. Or better… they can do it face-to-face. No one understood what Heyman meant until Shane McMahon himself came back to ECW! The crowd was still confused, but as Shane got to the ring (with an ECW baseball shirt), through a chorus of boos, they were clarified.
>> Shane began to announce that, from now on, him and Heyman are co-running ECW as a team. Then, as the Diamond Bodies were gaining hopes about their future, Shane dropped the shock, guaranteeing that ECW is his and Paul’s turf and, believe it or not, he’s now one of the Extreme promotion’s own. Then, Shane announced his first pro-ECW measure: “Do you guys want another shot at the Tag Team titles? I’m willing to give you one if you end up deserving it. Three weeks from now we have another edition of Hard Hits live on MTV… and you guys will have a #1 Contendership Match. Your opponents? Tommy Dreamer and The Sandman! And be ready to put a wager on the line, as the match will be an ECW specialty: Ultimate Jeopardy!”
>> The crowd was still not fully behind Shane, but they were somehow trusting Heyman’s confidence throughout the whole segment. Candido and Diamond were sour about having to put something on the line, of course.

>> A ‘LIVING LEGEND’ IN THE MAIN EVENT
>> Joey Styles and Kevin Kelly briefly commented on the shocking opening scene and announced tonight’s main event: Chris Kanyon vs. Terry Funk, one-on-one.

MATCH #1
CHRISTIAN YORK & JOEY MATTHEWS [YOUNG BLOOD] (w/JOEL GERTNER) vs. KID KASH & SUPER CRAZY
We were treated to a special team in the opener. In a fast-paced match we saw up-and-coming Young Blood against the new Jr. Heavyweight Champion and surely one of his top contenders. Despite Gertner’s boys’ efforts, Super Crazy got the win following a Trifecta on Matthews while Kash dove with a Sommersault onto York at ringside.
RESULT: SUPER CRAZY DEF. JOEY MATTHEWS – PIN – 6:50
RATING: 43

>> SUPER CRAZY: ON A QUEST AGAINST THE WORLD’S BEST
>> After the match, Super Crazy stayed in the ring. With a microphone and in a mix of Spanish and English, the champion claimed that he wants to make the Jr. Heavyweight Championship a prestigious title, defending it against the world’s best wrestlers of said weight class.
>> That pleased Paul Heyman, who complimented the luchadore before telling him to get ready for a short excursion. Next week, he’ll be in Mexico defending the belt in AAA.

>> CROWBAR AND GIBSON: FIGHTING LIKE DOGS (LITERALLY)
>> The camera then moves abruptly to the backstage area, where once again Crowbar and Jamie Gibson are on focus. The two are having a violent brawl, until Gibson rakes his rival’s eyes, then luring him to a corner where he has a dog collar hidden and smashing the chain across Crowbar’s head, busting him open. Gibson then managed to put the collar on Crowbar before dragging him for some meters across the floor while badmouthing him. Some ECW wrestlers (Nova, Danny Doring, Roadkill…) ran Gibson off, making him leave, but with a smile.

MATCH #2
AIR PARIS & AJ STYLES [AERIAL ASSAULT] vs. JUSTIN CREDIBLE & LANCE STORM [IMPACT PLAYERS] (w/FRANCINE)
The Tag Team Champions had a non-title match against the exciting team of Paris and Styles. The clash was somewhat respectful and, in the end, Storm and Styles had a nice sequence before the Canadian hit a Superkick for the win.
RESULT: LANCE STORM DEF. AJ STYLES – PIN – 6:27
RATING: 59

>> IMPACT PLAYERS AND FRANCINE VERBALLY BUTCHER THE DIAMOND BODIES
>> After the match, Justin Credible, Lance Storm and Francine were still hungry enough to verbally eviscerate the Diamond Bodies. Not fully convinced that Shane McMahon is pro-ECW now, the trio personally attacked Candido, Diamond and their valets. In a joke, Storm thanked Dawn Marie who handed them the title retention. Then, the champions claimed they are looking forward to beat the living hell off the Bodies again – this time clean –, even if they lose at Hard Hits!

>> LYNN: DARING THE YOUNGER TALENT TO STEP UP
>> In a very short video promo, Jerry Lynn reflected on the amazing match between him and Rob Van Dam at Heat Wave. ‘The Dynamic One’ thanked ‘The Whole F’n Show’ for another great classic. Then, he claimed that even though RVD is not around in ECW anymore, Lynn still wants to have banger after banger. So, he dared the younger talent to step up and meet him in the ring.

>> THE REVEAL OF DANGER
>> Mikey Whipwreck and Sinister Minister made their entrance to the next match. Finally, we would get to know who the mysterious and dangerous forces who are coming for Mikey’s World Television title are. In the ring, Minister ordered the challenger(s) for their client’s title to come and reveal themselves once and for all.
>> It was a return! Christopher Daniels is the challenger. The talented wrestler had a few matches for ECW in the past, but he’s now coming with a darker aura [as he was during the ‘Fallen Angel’ era in TNA] and with an ally: an attractive but disturbed looking young woman named… Ms. Taken [Alexis Laree/Mickie James].


MATCH #3 – ECW WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP – 10 MIN. TIME LIMIT
MIKEY WHIPWRECK (w/SINISTER MINISTER) © vs. CHRISTOPHER DANIELS (w/MS. TAKEN)
As soon as the match started, affected by the anticipation of recent weeks, Mikey jumped the challenger aggressively, looking to end the match earlier but failing. He then asked his manager for his scepter, but once again Minister refused to hand him the object. That messed with Mikey’s head, as Minister told him he must pass tonight’s test on his own, which he can do.
However, Daniels’ technical prowess began to show and to make a difference in the match. Whipwreck got locked in some submission holds and took some Suplexes that put his title reign in danger. A table was brought to play and it seemed that Daniels was really close to take the gold after a Butterfly Powerbomb on the leaned table.
Instead of Daniels pinning the champion, we saw Ms. Taken get inside the ring, placing herself between Daniels and Mikey. Then, the young woman took a metal spike out of her pocket and tried to give it to Daniels. That prompted Sinister Minister to get involved, hitting her from behind with the scepter!
The crowd popped, as it seemed that Mikey was being helped by his manager. But then… Minister handed the scepter to Daniels! Mikey was on his knees and got struck with the damned scepter! Daniels then hit an Angel’s Wings to get the win and the championship. Minister really betrayed one of ECW’s most beloved guys… and he kept the metal spike to himself too.
RESULT: CHRISTOPHER DANIELS DEF. MIKEY WHIPWRECK – PIN – NEW CHAMPION! – 7:07
RATING: 48

>> HEYMAN: GIVING SHANE A CHANCE + TITLE MATCH MADE
>> In an office, Paul Heyman and Shane McMahon briefly comment on the outcome of the previous match, in which Sinister Minister turned on Mikey Whipwreck. That prompted Heyman to tell Shane that he’s only giving him a chance to make things right here in ECW. Yes, because even though Shane is the one who owns ECW, Heyman knows he can turn the whole roster against the boss.
>> Shane understands that and assures Heyman he’s on his and on ECW’s side. Then, they’re interrupted. Loud as usual, the Full Bloodied Italians can be heard before even knocking the door. Once in, Little Guido questions the boss…es about not being included in the Tag Team title picture: “Saturday we beat ‘Dream-ah’ and Sandman… should we not be in the Ultimate ‘Jeopah-dy’?”
>> They’re right, both bosses reckon, so Heyman gives them some pleasant news: next week we’ll watch the Impact Players defend the ECW World Tag Team Championships against Guido and Tony Mamaluke! That pleases the Italians, and each of them euphorically kiss Shane and Heyman’s cheek.

>> SANDMAN AND DREAMER: ON THE SAME PAGE?
>> In a promo video from Dreamer’s home, The Sandman and Tommy Dreamer seemed to be on the same page once again. Dreamer talked about how they must work together and keep their chemistry alive at Hard Hits Vol. 2: Ultimate Jeopardy, so they can beat the Diamond Bodies and secure a title match between two teams that actually respect ECW. Sandman talked way less, but he agreed while smoking a cigarette and chugging beer (of course).

>> FUNK: TRYING TO TEACH KANYON SOMETHING
>> Before the main event, still backstage, Terry Funk took on Chris Kanyon’s words from Heat Wave where he stated that “(…) if Funk is an ECW legend, then I shall become one too.”. Terry doesn’t agree with it one bit and told Kanyon he won’t become a legend around here if he keeps bashing the whole place. Finally, Funk advised him to change his ways to match his talent before saying he’ll gladly smack some sense into his head next.

MATCH #4
CHRIS KANYON (w/C.W. ANDERSON & SEAN O’HAIRE) vs. TERRY FUNK
As expected, we witnessed another brawl between the leader of Insurance of Quality and the ‘Living Legend’. Mutual respect wasn’t a thing, but at least Anderson and O’Haire didn’t stick their nose in the match. Once again, Kanyon tried to deny the introduction of weapons, but that didn’t last long.
Funk had a bit of control in the match, managing to hit a DDT onto a chair to get a near fall… and Kanyon bleeding. He also introduced some thumbtacks that would work against him, as Kanyon managed to hit an Electric Chair Drop onto the tacks for a two-count only! Kanyon then introduced a table and looked to finish the match the same way he did at Heat Wave with Spike: with a Flatliner from the top and through the table. Funk countered it and both men crashed the wood!
Back on their feet after a while, both traded fists before Kanyon hit the veteran with a big chair shot, nailing then a Flatliner in the middle of the ring to get the win.
RESULT: CHRIS KANYON DEF. TERRY FUNK – PIN – 8:15
RATING: 63

>> KANYON SETS GOAL + CONTENDER CONFRONTATION = NEW MATCH (AND INTERESTING JEOPARDIES)
>> The crowd clapped their hands for Terry Funk’s effort until Chris Kanyon shut them off. Still bleeding, with his buddies on the back, Kanyon was quick to remind the ECW faithful that he has beaten some of his icons in Heat Wave and Funk again tonight. So he told the fans to take him and the Insurance of Quality seriously, claiming that the faction is due to become ECW’s greatest and he’s ECW’s MVP already.
>> Kanyon then set a new goal for himself, stating that the MVP should be the company’s top champion: he wants the ECW World Heavyweight Champion. And that’s when someone interrupted him: Steve Corino! Not really a company man, but someone who feels like he deserves another shot.
>> In the ring, Corino told him to get in the line and was brave enough to turn his back on the I.Q. and call both Paul Heyman and Shane McMahon out to give him another shot. But he was interrupted by Kanyon, who stated to have a lot of respect to Corino… specially the Steve Corino of the previous years, when he stood against the “values” of ECW. Kanyon went as far as to offer Corino a spot in the I.Q… if he returned to his old ways. Corino left him wondering for a bit before laughing at the offer, something that the ECW fans enjoyed a lot.
>> “Hold on! Hold on! Hold on!”, Heyman shouted. Him and Shane made their way to the ring too and Heyman had an announcement to make after revealing he really wants to see Mike Awesome kick any of their asses, but finally recognizing Corino’s guts. At Hard Hits Vol. 2, it will be Chris Kanyon vs. Steve Corino… and the winner will take on Mike Awesome for the World Title!
>> Finally, Shane added a little something: the match will also be an Ultimate Jeopardy match, but instead of letting both of them decide their wager, Shane proposed them: “Steve Corino… if you lose, you will join Kanyon and his group and he will be your leader!”, Kanyon loved it. “And Kanyon, if you lose, you’ll lose one important piece of the puzzle that you may need to be called a legend: if you lose, you will never get a World Title shot!”. He didn’t like his jeopardy very much and contested it, but Corino stood between him and the bosses, got to his face and offered his hand for Kanyon to shake. Kanyon didn’t and left the ring with his posse. The show ended with Corino staring Heyman in the eyes.

FINAL RATING: 66

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BOOKER’S NOTES:
>> I know. I wrote too much again, but some of the angles in this episode demanded some writing, as I want to make the readers feel like they’re really watching the whole thing unfold.

>> Yes, Shane McMahon is now back. It didn’t make sense to me to just keep him off ECW forever and he’s really popular so he’s a rating-bait. IRL he was a babyface by this time and even if he kicked off his ECW tenure with the wrong foot, I’m sure he could get at least a bit respected with some effort over time.

>> Ultimate Jeopardy is one of my favorite ECW concepts and having Shane bring an ECW trademark could help establishing him as a “not-so-heel” character, I feel. Btw, I would love to see you guys try to guess the outcome of the Ultimate Jeopardy matches weeks ahead and think what the jeopardies of the tag team match will be.

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