ECW King of the Hill
Saturday, October 20th, 2001
Attendance: 11,170 – Petersen Events Center – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
PPV Buy Rate: 0.44
CURRENT CHAMPIONS:ECW World Heavyweight Champion: Mike Awesome
ECW World Tag Team Champions: Chris Candido and Simon Diamond [Diamond Bodies]
ECW World Television Champion: Christopher Daniels
ECW World Junior Heavyweight Champion: Hayabusa
CHRISTIAN YORK & JOEY MATTHEWS [YOUNG BLOOD] (w/JOEL GERTNER) DEF. AIR PARIS & AJ STYLES [AERIAL ASSAULT]; AMAZING RED & CHRIS HAMRICK – PIN (MATTHEWS > RED) – 7:25
RATING: 42
FULL-SHOW RECAP
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MATCH #1 – CASKET MATCH
CROWBAR vs. JAMIE GIBSONProbably the most violent pound-for-pound (if that’s a thing) rivalry going in ECW got to open the pay-per-view. Crowbar and Gibson, two ex-WCW guys, hate each other so much they want to put one another in a casket.
The match started out as a proper brawl, with the two using chairs, a crowbar and, of course, a dog collar to beat each other. Both were bleeding in two or three minutes. Only then and for about two minutes we got to see some polished wrestling to show both’s skills. The coffin wasn’t used much until the very end, except for some head-banging.
Near the end, Gibson seemed to have the upper hand again after choking Crowbar with the dog collar, and he was able to hit the Gibson Driver. He was hurt and it took a bit for him to think straight. He dragged Crowbar to the outside, near the casket and finally opened it… but there was someone inside! It’s Daffney!!! Daffney got up with a loud scream thank shook Gibson, who was then met with a crowbar shot and then a Falling Reverse DDT! Crowbar then put Gibson in the casket and closed the lid, maybe on the whole feud!
RESULT: CROWBAR DEF. JAMIE GIBSON – LID CLOSURE – 9:17
RATING: 56>> DREAMER REVEALS HIS OBJECTIVE>> Tommy Dreamer cut a promo backstage. Accompanied by Beulah, of course, Tommy stated once again that a match with Terry Funk at November To Remember isn’t in his plans… but he opted to follow Funk’s advice and look forward into his future. And that will start tonight, as he has his goal perfectly set: he wants to win the King of the Hill Battle Royal and main event N2R, in a match for the most precious title in pro wrestling: the ECW World Heavyweight Championship!
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MATCH #2 – ECW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
CHRIS CANDIDO & SIMON DIAMOND [DIAMOND BODIES] © (w/DAWN MARIE & TAMMY LYNN SYTCH) vs. LITTLE GUIDO & TONY MAMALUKE [F.B.I.] (w/BIG VITO)ECW needed one more referee, and Shane McMahon gave him a true big test: to officiate the match between the two biggest cheaters in the roster and F.B.I. Smart decision? We’ll see…
The bout was very good, as the two technically-skilled teams shifted the momentum constantly. Big Vito made sure that Sunny Dawn didn’t get too close to action, so Candido and Diamond had to fight their own battle solo, which wasn’t easy, as Mamaluke’s high-risk offense and Guido’s submission work unsettled the champions, who were in danger.
Finally, after Candido and Guido bumped into the newbie ref, Tammy was able to distract Vito enough and Dawn entered the ring, hitting Mamaluke with a chair. The referee was already up, but had his back turned. Vito got to the ring… but Dawn acted quick, blinding Vito with the damn pepper spray! While blinded, Vito inadvertedly shoved the referee… who called for the bell! Candido and Diamond retain via DQ!
RESULT: CHRIS CANDIDO DEF. LITTLE GUIDO – DQ – STILL CHAMPIONS! – 8:38
RATING: 59>> F.B.I.: ARRIVEDERCI, REF!>> After the match, F.B.I. jumped the champions, but Candido and Diamond were quick to get their belts and escape alongside their valets. The referee had no such luck: Guido grinned his teeth, Mamaluke made the sign of the cross… and Vito, who just recovered his vision, hit a big Lariat! Then, Guido climbed the top rope and the F.B.I. hit the Kiss of Death. Is it safe to assure we’re not seeing this referee again?
>> Shane McMahon was quick to come to the ring to try to calm the F.B.I. down, but Guido ended the segment with a message to Shane: they want a rematch under some fair conditions!
>> IMPACT PLAYERS MAINTAIN THEIR EYES SET ON THE BODIES>> There was another team irate about the Diamond Bodies’ win. The Impact Players, of course, who showed some sympathy towards the F.B.I. before re-enforcing their wish: if either Storm or Credible win the King of the Hill Battle Royal, the Players will head to November To Remember to challenge the Bodies inside a cage yet again. And as they mentioned before, Francine concluded: “me and their two bitches will be locked too! As for F.B.I… they will have to wait their turn!”
>> MIKEY BRINGS SOMEONE TO THRASH THE CHURCH>> The Independent Church made their way to the ring and Yoshihiro Tajiri followed, along with Mikey Whipwreck, a few steps back and with a bandaged eye. As the Sinister Minister and his minions laughed, Mikey got to the mic to say a few words. He stated the obvious, saying three different doctors didn’t clear him. So, even if he wants to “burn the Church”, he won’t be teaming with Tajiri tonight. But someone will… Mikey then pointed to the entrance way…
>> …and the facial expression of all three members of the Church changed quickly. The ECW World Heavyweight Champion, Mike Awesome, is stepping up for Mikey! As Awesome gets to the ring, the bell sounds!
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MATCH #3
CHRISTOPHER DANIELS & CM PUNK [INDEPENDENT CHURCH] (w/SINISTER MINISTER) vs. MIKE AWESOME & YOSHIHIRO TAJIRI (w/MIKEY WHIPWRECK & PAUL ELLERING)Daniels, Punk and specially the Minister weren’t expecting to deal with Awesome and that was clear as they started the match getting beat up by two of the deadliest wrestlers in ECW for the fans’ delight. It actually took a while until they could respond properly, but thanks to a more polished double-teaming strategy, they did it with the help of some weapons.
A table came into play mid-match and it helped Awesome and Tajiri to get their momentum back, when Tajiri dropkicked the set-up table so its edge hit Punk’s face, busting him open. The World Champion and the ‘Buzzsaw’ were having fun, so the Minister tried to resort to his ultimate measure to stop the fun: he actually entered the ring and tried to spike Tajiri… but Mikey stopped him and punched him back to ringside!
Awesome and Tajiri had the match won, it seemed, as Punk was bumping around at Awesome’s will. Daniels tried to use his TV title belt, but Tajiri countered it and was able to lock the Tarantula on the ropes! Awesome finally lift Punk for… the Awesome Bomb! Shattering the table in the process. 1…2…3! The Minister won’t be laughing tonight!
RESULT: MIKE AWESOME DEF. CM PUNK – PIN – 8:26
RATING: 73>> I.Q. KEEP THEIR PLAY A SECRET>> Backstage, we got to see the Insurance of Quality. Chris Kanyon, C.W. Anderson and Sean O’Haire are seemingly really on the same page and that can only be good heading to the King of the Hill Battle Royal. Kanyon talked to the camera for a bit, stating that each of the three men know exactly which match they will ask for in case one wins the Battle Royal, but neither opened up about it.
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MATCH #4 – ECW WORLD JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
HAYABUSA © vs. BILLY KIDMANThe pre-main event was the second title match of the night: potentially a dream match too between two of the greatest high-flyers of all time. The bout started out slowly, as both wrestlers studied each other methodically. Hayabusa didn’t want to fall on his first defense; Kidman didn’t want to lose a match for the ECW World Junior Heavyweight Championship for the second time. How detrimental to his reputation would it be?
After some minutes on the ground, the match took off, becoming a fast-paced and somewhat spotty fest with lots of air time. Kidman was able to take advantage of Hayabusa’s own risky strategy, by stopping a Slingshot Corkscrew Crossbody to the outside with a big chair shot. BK smartly used the guardrail and said chair to inflict pain on Hayabusa’s ankles as to keep him grounded.
Back in the ring, Kidman’s strategy seemed to pay off and after some work on H’s back, he signaled for the BK Bomb, but Hayabusa was able to avoid it, then using two chairs to recover some momentum. He had to keep on the ground, though, thanks to injury, so he hit some Suplex variations, even getting a two-count following a Bridging Dragon.
Then, he hit a Tiger one, before deciding to risk it all and head up for the Phoenix Splash! He took some time to climb the turnbuckle and when he landed it… Kidman had moved! The challenger then got up and fustigated H’s ankles some more so he wouldn’t get up. He then went up for the Shooting Star Press! Hayabusa couldn’t move… but he managed to get his knees up! He then quickly rolled BK: 1…2…3! Hayabusa retains!
RESULT: HAYABUSA DEF. BILLY KIDMAN – STILL CHAMPION! – 16:15
RATING: 61>> KIDMAN HITS A NEW LOW>> Hayabusa kept the champion, but he was having some trouble getting up and Billy Kidman got up faster than him. The referee was waiting to give the champion his title, but the crossed challenger took it instead, then hitting the foreign star in the head with it. Despicable by itself? Surely, but Kidman wasn’t happy. He sat Hayabusa and placed his fingers in the eye-holes of H’s mask, partially ripping it, before…
>> …someone could do a thing. Thankfully, Super Crazy was only a bit late, as he rushed to the ring, hitting an impressive Springboard Leg Lariat on Kidman that ran him off before Crazy checked on the man who beat him for the belt.
>> CORINO: “I HAVE A GOAL. THIS TIME, FOR MYSELF.”>> Last promo before the King of the Hill Battle Royal: Steve Corino, the man chasing the World title for months now, had the camera for himself. He talked about how there will be 19 other men on the ring, but none as ambitious and focused as himself. He also talked about how he’s going to go and get, by himself, something he deserves for so long: a championship match, on pay-per-view, and a chance for a proper redemption “(…) if the ECW fans want to call it that way. My goal is set. I want to be the ECW World Heavyweight Champion. And this time, I didn’t climb the ranks due to my affiliations, but due to myself and myself only!”
MATCH #5 – 20-MAN KING OF THE HILL BATTLE ROYALEntrance order:#1: Jerry Lynn
#2: Super Crazy
#3: Julio Dinero
#4: EZ Money
#5: Elix Skipper
#6: Tommy Dreamer
#7: Justin Credible
#8: Danny Doring
#9: Nova
#10: C.W. Anderson
#11: Chris Kanyon
#12: Roadkill
#13: Balls Mahoney
#14: Lance Storm
#15: Sean O’Haire
#16: Steve Corino
#17: Kid Kash
#18: Spike Dudley
#19: Johnny Swinger
#20: Shane Douglas
Order of elimination:#1: Elix Skipper (by Jerry Lynn – Pin)
#2: Super Crazy (by Hot Commodity – Over the top rope);
#3: Tommy Dreamer (by Hot Commodity – Over the top rope);
#4: Julio Dinero (by Justin Credible – Over the top rope);
#5: EZ Money (by Jerry Lynn – Over the top rope);
#6: Danny Doring (by C.W. Anderson – Over the top rope);
#7: Roadkill (by Chris Kanyon – Pin);
#8: Balls Mahoney (by Justin Credible – Over the top rope);
#9: Nova (by Sean O’Haire – Pin);
#10: Jerry Lynn (by C.W. Anderson and Sean O’Haire – Over the top rope);
#11: Johnny Swinger (by Steve Corino – Pin);
#12: Spike Dudley (by Chris Kanyon – Over the top rope);
#13: Steve Corino (by Shane Douglas – Over the top rope);
#14: Shane Douglas (by Steve Corino – Over the top rope);
#15: Kid Kash (by Sean O’Haire – Over the top rope);
#16: Sean O’Haire (by Impact Players – Over the top rope);
#17: Justin Credible (by Chris Kanyon – Over the top rope);
#18: C.W. Anderson (by Lance Storm – Submission);
#19: Lance Storm (by Chris Kanyon – Pin).
The rules of the match were explained by Joey Styles: entrances occur every minute and a half; eliminations can occur by pin, submission and by throwing an opponent over the top rope, except in the final two, where out-of-the-ring throws are ignored.
Super Crazy, who saved Hayabusa, left to the back and returned to the ring after Jerry Lynn’s entrance. They were #1 and #2 and had a fun start before being joined by Hot Commodity (#3 and #4) and Elix Skipper (#5). Skipper was the first eliminated person, after a Sunset Flip Powerbomb by Lynn. Super Crazy was sent flying over the top rope with a Double Hip Toss by Money and Dinero.
Business picked up when Tommy Dreamer joined as #6 and he made a brief impact before… Terry Funk attacked him with a chair shot to the back of the head, and one more to the face. Hot Commodity then disposed of Dreamer, who will have to accept Funk’s challenge… or do something else at November To Remember.
Some more entrances and eliminations happened and it seems like Nova will have to pull the trigger on a change, as Danny Doring, Roadkill and himself didn’t overstay their welcome. Nova was actually pinned by Sean O’Haire after a Widow Maker through a table that Balls Mahoney brought in, but not before Balls was, himself, put through another one at ringside by Justin Credible, who eliminated him.
The ring was then filled, as the second half of the participants made they way to the ring and few got thrown out. Heavy favorites Chris Kanyon, Lance Storm and Steve Corino were all in the fray now. Jerry Lynn was overwhelmed by the I.Q. and Anderson and O’Haire eliminated him after he got distracted with Kid Kash.
Corino made sure Johnny Swinger (#19) didn’t spend any more than 20 seconds in the ring, pinning him after an Old School Expulsion. Spike Dudley didn’t last long, as Kanyon (of course) threw him out while countering an Acid Drop. And then… who’s #20???
‘THE FRANCHISE’ SHANE DOUGLAS! The host of After Hours came to the ring and looked ready to join forces with Steve Corino, a man which he said reminded him of his younger self, against the Insurance of Quality. But… nope! Douglas turned on Corino and even hit him with a chair. He got cheered, as we’re in Pittsburgh. But why did he do it? Of course we got no explanation. What we got to see was Douglas trying to eliminate Corino, only for Corino to push Douglas over the rope instead. ‘The Franchise’ hung on the apron and pulled the rope down when Corino rushed to eliminate him. Both men are out!
Kid Kash was thrown out too due to O’Haire’s strength. We’re down to five men! It’s the Impact Players vs. the I.Q.! Even three-on-two, the Players didn’t hold back, and they got O’Haire on a bad position on the apron. With a Double Superkick, they made him crash a table at ringside. Two-on-two now.
Credible chose to deal with Kanyon; Storm chose to deal with Anderson. For a while the four fought and Storm locked a mean Canadian Maple Leaf! Kanyon managed to throw Credible over the rope thanks to his own leverage. At the same time, C.W. gave up! It’s down to two men!
The final two clash lasted for six minutes, with both Storm and Kanyon giving the crowd some great wrestling. They were exhausted but it added to the drama. Storm went for a Superkick, but Kanyon ducked, hitting the Flatliner! 1…2… but no! Storm kicked out! Kanyon didn’t release him, though, instead getting him up for a Wrist-Clutch Kanyon Cutter! 1…2…3!!! The leader of the I.Q. is now the King of the Hill!
RESULT: CHRIS KANYON WINS – LAST ELIMINATION: LANCE STORM – PIN – 44:28
RATING: 70>> HEYMAN (AND US ALL) MUST WAIT UNTIL WEDNESDAY>> Chris Kanyon was accompanied in his celebration by C.W. Anderson and Sean O’Haire. Most fans didn’t like his win, but others actually recognized he won the Battle Royal fairly and appreciate him as a wrestler. To the ring then came Paul Heyman.
>> ECW’s matchmaker actually congratulated Kanyon for winning such a hard-fought match. Now it’s up to the leader of the I.Q. to choose his own match for November To Remember. Heyman reminded him, however, that he can’t go for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship, as the Ultimate Jeopardy match he lost in June prevents him from challenging.
>> Kanyon told Heyman that he was aware of that. But he also told Heyman that he will have to wait until Wednesday to find out what his plan for November To Remember really is. “But Paul, I assure you: you don’t have to worry about a thing. I will have everything arranged by Wednesday… and you won’t see it coming!” He ended the show with a confident laugh.
FINAL RATING: 68
BOOKER’S NOTES:>> I’m really happy with this show, to be honest, in terms of ratings. I wasn’t expecting Awesome & Tajiri vs. Independent Church to be rated as highly (it was the MOTN), but both Awesome and Daniels played a huge part in that. We also got our best attendance yet!
>> So, Shane Douglas is back wrestling and he pretty much sabotaged Steve Corino’s plans of winning King of the Hill and challenging for the ECW World Title. Where will that lead us?
>> Little fun fact: as Battle Royals are normally disappointing in TEW, I booked both the Battle Royal AND then a little match between the final two to try to give us a better rating. Somehow, the Battle Royal got a 70, which is some 10 or 12 numbers above my expectation… and then the little match between Kanyon and Storm got a 70 too, which means it was completely useless to book it in-game.
>> I officially hate to write Rumble-style matches.
AROUND THE WORLD:>> WWF held No Mercy the day after our King of the Hill. In the main event, Steve Austin retained the WWF Championship against Eddie Guerrero and Triple H. The pay-per-view had two more 3-way matches and a 4-way match, including Kurt Angle beating DDP and Scott Steiner. Sting defeated Ric Flair in the pre-main event and Goldberg and The Rock teamed up to defeat Booker T and Chris Jericho.
The highlight of the whole show, however, was the return of Ultimate Warrior to WWF pay-per-views. He defeated William Regal, Big Bossman and Bryan Clark… alongside The Hardy Boyz! Can you imagine? The Ultimate W-Hardy-Or?
PREDICTION CONTEST - RESULTS:armandopayne94 - 2/7
Asaemon - 4/7 (he made two predictions, one before After Hours, the other one after. I counted the second one)
henriquesser - 2/7
johnnyboombatz - 4/7
marc91 - 3/7 (+1 due to guessing the surprise entrant, even if not while answering the question regarding the surprise entrant)
The winner is:
No one! In the funniest prediction contest of all time, Asaemon's second guess prevented Johnny's win.[/div]
