WCW Fall Brawl 2001
23 September 2001
37,000 crowd in Detroit, Michigan
Announcers: Tony Schiavone, Jerry 'The King' Lawler & Joey Styles
----
Show opens up with Fuel's "Haemorrhage (In My Hands)"
Fuel - Hemorrhage (In My Hands) (youtube.com)
We see Scott Hall's Bentley pull up, with The Sandman get out of the driver's seat looking annoyed to let his employer out. Scott Hall gets out with the WCW World Heavyweight Championship wearing shades.
The camera cuts to backstage where we see 'Dr Death' Steve Williams alongside Jimmy Hart warming up in a training room with Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda, his friends who appear to be helping him stretch and prep for the match later on in the show.
Tony, Jerry and Joey welcome fans to Fall Brawl LIVE FROM MICHIGAN!
We've got a huge show for you tonight, folks, says Tony Schiavone, in our main event tonight we see 'The Bad Guy' Scott Hall put his WCW World Heavyweight Championship on the line against 'Dr Death' Steve Williams! Team Canada aim to defend their WCW World Tag Team Championship against Fit Fight Club, plus we will have an Anarchy In The Arena match with WCW's own Booker T, DDP and Kanyon taking on The Extreme Alliance, and I have to say I hope our WCW guys kick their butts!
Joey Styles says "impartial commentary as always, Tony!" as Jerry 'The King' Lawler says he hopes Joey isn't rooting for those Extremely Crappy Wrestlers tonight. King says the WCW United States Championship is also up for grabs for Rob Van Dam, Joey Styles jumps in and says if Sabu retains the title then The Extreme Alliance are all given WCW contracts, "oh god, can you imagine!" groans Tony Schiavone.
Tony goes on and says we've also got 'The Natural' Dustin Rhodes in action in with Shawn Stasiak who recently bloodied his father 'The American Dream' Dusty Rhodes, Akira Hokuto aims to defend her WCW World Women's Championship against former British Women's champion, Sweet Saraya, whilst Juventud Guerrera and Jerry's son, "Sexy" Brian Lawler, face off for the WCW World Cruiserweight Championship. Any comment on that one King? to which Lawler says "no comment"
Joey Styles then adds that Steve Corino will face off in a rematch from Friday Night Panic! for the WCW FXtreme Television Championship against the returning Norman Smiley, whilst Buff Bagwell will face off with Curt Hennig.
But first off tonight we've got the legendary Terry Funk in tag-team action with his protégé Christopher Daniels as they take on The Hounds of Hades.
-----
Match 1:
Christopher Daniels & Terry Funk vs The Hounds of Hades (Djinni Parisi & Saemon Daemon) (with 'The Queen of The Underworld' Dawn-Macaria)
Terry Funk's Titantron Entrance Video feat. ''Road To Texas'' Theme [HD] (youtube.com)
Well folks, Terry Funk and the young Christopher Daniels making their way to the ring as we speak. This feud kicked off a few weeks ago when the WCW Hall of Famer, Terry Funk, got a singles victory against Saemon Daemon. The Hounds of Hades would have their revenge though as mid-way through a Christopher Daniels match with Disco Inferno on Nitro, where the rookie Daniels looked set to score a big win, there was a distraction from The Hounds of Hades which helped Disco Inferno pick up the win.
Terry Funk confronted Dawn-Macaria and the Hounds of Hades this past week on Nitro after Dawn-Macaria scored her debut win in a WCW ring against the well fancied Meiko Satomura, after she summoned a Tarantula to terrify the young Japanese star.
Hades - Epic Music Orchestra for the God of the Underworld - Ancient Gods (youtube.com)
As we see Dawn-Macaria come out with Djinni Parisi and Saemon Daemon, King mentions how Dawn-Macaria keeps going on about a Fugitive of Heaven. I don't think anyone really knows what on God's earth she is going on about with that stuff, but I'm sure Terry Funk is hoping that he and his young protege Daniels can shut this spooky trio up for good tonight.
This match gets just under 10 minutes as all 4 men get a chance to shine. Terry Funk spends much of the match getting beat up, but Christopher Daniels gets the hot tag and the energetic young rookie comes flying in and makes a real difference looking in great shape.
Daniels tags back in Funk who has recovered and looks determined to get the big win. Just as Funk looks like he might do just that, Dawn-Macaria picks up a mic and the lights go off.
Dawn-Macaria on the mic says that for weeks The Underworld has been searching for it's Fugitive of Heaven. She says that The Fugitive of Heaven was right under their nose the entire time. Dawn-Macaria says many moons ago an Angel fell from Heaven and was sent to The Underworld under Dawn-Macaria's care.
But that Angel escaped and regained his soul when he left The Underworld.
Dawn-Macaria says they have located the Angel and she has come to take back his soul to The Underworld where it belongs.
The lights come back on.
Terry Funk is standing in the ring looking completely bemused as to what is happening.
Dawn-Macaria is in the ring. She walks over to Christopher Daniels on the side of the ring apron who looks a bit concerned. Suddenly, Dawn-Macaria grabs him and kisses him on the lips in a "kiss of death" type motion.
Terry Funk comes over to try and intervene.
Once the momentary kiss is over Christopher Daniels looks like a completely different person. His mannerisms change. He looks really angry, demonic even.
Christopher Daniels gets in the ring and walks over to Funk. Terry Funk is asking him what's going on? what's gotten into him?
Christopher Daniels hits an Angels Wings on Funk, then the legal man for The Hounds of Hades, Djinni Parisi, smiles before covering Terry Funk to get the 1-2-3
The Hounds of Hades win via pinfall - (9.48) - (46 rated)
---
Well, my God, I'm not quite sure what just happened there, says Tony Schiavone. Christopher Daniels, the rookie, appears to have turned on his protégé Terry Funk. And it looked like Dawn-Macaria did it by casting a spell on him or sucking out his soul or something...
I'd let her suck my soul out, Tony! says Jerry Lawler.
Joey Styles tries not to laugh as we see Dawn-Macaria grab a microphone
"The Angel has Fallen once more!" she says, as The Hounds of Hades lift Christopher Daniels arms in the air as he appears to have joined their ranks
Freestyle segment with The Underworld - ('The Queen of the Underworld' Dawn-Macaria, 'The Fallen Angel' Christopher Daniels and The Hounds of Hades - Djinni Parisi and Saemon Daemon) - (48 rated)
---
JJ Dillon backstage with Booker T, DDP and Kanyon
JJ Dillon says well Booker, DDP, Kanyon, a big match for you later tonight, they're calling it Anarchy in the Arena with Shane McMahon keen for you to get your fight with The Extreme Alliance wherever it may take... after they jumped you this Friday Night on Panic!, we have to ask, what kind of condition are you guys in tonight?
Booker T says look JJ it don't matter what kind of condition we're in! The fact of the matter is me, DDP, Kanyon, we're all fighting men, I haven't always gotten along perfectly with them I won't deny that, but tonight the 3 of us are one! We got one goal and that's to put The Extreme Alliance down! Bill Alfonso WE COMING FOR YOU SUCKA!!!
DDP jumps in and says he'd be lying if he said he felt good, he had to stretch extra hard this morning just to get out of bed due to the pain in his neck from being jumped by them on Panic!, but tonight we want to not only beat the hell out of Tommy Dreamer, Axl Rotten and Balls Mahoney because they we don't like them personally, but also so they can't get involved in Rob Van Dam's match with Sabu later tonight. DDP says it don't matter whether it takes place in the parking lot, the ring, the backstage area, the street, somewhere in or around this arena you will catch us beating their asses tonight!
Kanyon says Shane McMahon and the people of WCW want The Extreme Alliance to suffer. Well who better than KANYON... and DDP and Booker T to do just that?! Kanyon says he's seen more of The Extreme Alliance in the last few months than he cares to have and tonight he says we're going to put the Extreme Alliance through an EXTREME amount of pain!
Freestyle segment with Booker T, DDP and Kanyon - (90 rated)
----
Match 2:
Buff Bagwell (with Buff Daddy V) vs Curt Hennig
Tony says this feud has been brewing for several months. Curt Hennig and Buff Bagwell have butted heads more or less ever since Shane McMahon took over the company and Curt Hennig made his return to WCW. It all came to a head a few weeks ago on Nitro when Curt Hennig, devastated at missing out on the chance to win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at Mayhem, charged to the ring after Buff Bagwell put hands on his young son, Joe. Joe had been in the ring bigging up his father who had been frustrated and disappointed at the manner of his defeat to Scott Hall for the Big Gold Belt.
Joey Styles says didn't these two guys have a retirement match a few years ago?
We don't talk about that one, says Schiavone.
WCW Buff Bagwell 4th Theme Song - "Buff Daddy" (With Tron) (youtube.com)
Buff Bagwell tonight coming out with his tag-team partner and defacto body-guard, Buff Daddy V, says Tony, how big an impact do you think he will have to play tonight guys?
Joey Styles says look at the size of the guy. What do you think Tony?! King says well Curt Hennig does have a victory to his name against Buff Daddy V, but if you're in the ring with a guy of Buff Bagwell's calibre the absolute last thing you want is a big distraction at ringside like this guy.
Curt Hennig 2nd WCW Theme Alternate Version (youtube.com)
Curt Hennig comes out to a decent pop and looks determined to get the win tonight.
The match begins and Curt Hennig comes into the match hot and aggressive. Schiavone mentions how Hennig, usually operating with a technical and mat type style is looking for more of a brawl tonight. King says this is a slugging match!
Buff Bagwell takes a few punches early on but eventually manages to hold his own with Hennig and the two take the brawl to the outside. They get near Buff Daddy V who professes to the ref that he's not getting involved, but at one point Buff hides behind Buff Daddy V, before quickly pouncing on Hennig in a split second he's not watching.
Bagwell then sends Hennig flying into the steel steps which lays him out on the outside.
Oh my, says Tony, looks like Curt Hennig is busted open. We see Hennig bleeding slightly from his face.
Hennig starts to get counted out but eventually gets into the ring at the count of 6 and starts fighting Bagwell again, but he seems a bit punch-drunk at this point. Hennig goes for a Perfect Plex but he doesn't seem to have the strength to do it with the blood loss and Buff Bagwell counters it and hits a DDT on Curt Hennig. Buff then stomps on Hennig's face several times causing his cut to burst open and he bleeds a lot more.
Curt Hennig staggers to his feet very slowly, bleeding as Buff gets onto the turnbuckle setting up for a Blockbuster. Buff goes for a Blockbuster but Curt Hennig manages to counter as he ducks out of the way, hits the ropes and then hits a drop-kick on Bagwell when he stumbles back to his feet.
The crowd are behind Hennig and despite the blood-loss he seems back in the match and to have got some momentum back. Hennig goes for a Perfect Plex again but Bagwell counters it into a roll-up and grabbing onto Hennig's tights the ref counts the 1-2-3!
Buff Bagwell wins via pinfall - (9.51) - (55 rated)
After the match Buff Bagwell celebrates wildly with Buff Daddy V outside of the ring, whilst a bloodied and defeated Curt Hennig looks very disappointed in the ring.
----
April Hunter interview with Rob Van Dam
April asks Rob Van Dam about his preparation for tonight. Is he 100 percent fit? I can see you still have a bit of tape on your ankle, is it healed?
Van Dam says that's very observant of you April. My ankle is still taped up but I'm more than 100 percent fit for tonight's match with Sabu. A wrestler never goes into any match without any kind of pain but my ankle is totally fine.
Hunter asks if he's looking forward to trying to regain his WCW United States Championship tonight?
Van Dam says that's what it's all about. He's totally focused on doing just that tonight. He lost that title when Alfonso turned on him and so he hopes he gets the chance to get his hands on him tonight if Booker T hasn't already put him in the hospital before our match.
Van Dam says tonight is a special night for him. He grew up down the road from here in Battle Creek, here in Michigan this is a home-town show for me. I've got a lot of friends and a lot of family in the arena tonight... that just gives me positive energy and makes me even more determined to get the win tonight, April.
Hunter asks RVD if he feels under pressure tonight to deliver for WCW and Shane McMahon who have put a lot of faith in him.
Van Dam says he doesn't feel nervous tonight. He's feeling a lot of positive energy in the universe tonight especially here in Michigan, this is Rob Van Dam country and karma is on his side after what Alfonso and Sabu did at Mayhem. Van Dam says tonight WCW fans can rest assured that walking away with the WCW United States Championship will be... Michigan's own...
ROB...VAN...DAM
/
The screen cuts into a pre-recorded promo of Sabu and Bill Alfonso
Bill Alfonso says tonight I prove why switching sides from Rob Van Dam to Sabu was the best business decision of my career.
Sabu says tonight he settles the debate of who's better out of Sabu and Rob Van Dam. And not just that but he gets a WCW contract for himself and his buddies who have supported him in the last few months.
Alfonso says and Booker T, DDP and Kanyon! If you think you're gonna take out The Extreme Alliance tonight then you got another thing coming!
Alfonso then starts blowing his whistle excitedly.
Freestyle segment with April Hunter, Rob Van Dam, Sabu and Bill Alfonso - (73 rated)
-----
Match 3:
Billy Kidman (with Torrie Wilson), Shane Helms & The Hurricane vs fReEk-sHoW (Vampiro, rAgE? yEs! & mOrE-bId!) (with lYnCh)
WCW Billy Kidman 4th Theme (1998-2000) (youtube.com)
Well this next match has some scores to be settled, says Tony. Over the last few weeks we've seen Vampiro and his freak-show causing havoc in WCW, most notably towards Billy Kidman, Shane Helms and Torrie Wilson.
But Kidman and Helms have fought back against Vampiro, the two men formerly in 3 Count, Shannon Moore and Evan Karagias - and presumably they've got the very brave Torrie Wilson out here in case Cynthia Lynch, or at least formerly Cynthia Lynch, decides to get involved.
WCW: "Sugar" Shane Helms [Theme Song] - "Vertebreaker" (youtube.com)
Shane Helms coming out now, says Tony, a man who has been targeted by Vampiro and co, but he's always maintained in the last few months that he had Billy Kidman's back and wanted to form a tag-team with him. Well he's certainly got the chance to team with him tonight, although the 3rd man in their alliance against Vampiro is the mysterious super-hero, The Hurricane, who should be coming out just now.
Billy Kidman and Shane Helms are in the ring. Torrie Wilson waits at ringside excitedly for The Hurricane who promised her he would team with them in their fight against the evil fReEk-sHoW!
The Hurricane's 2003 Titantron Entrance Video feat. "Eye of the Hurricane v2" Theme [HD] (youtube.com)
Kidman and Helms await their team-mate's arrival but his theme goes on for a while without anyone arriving. Torrie Wilson looks confused.
Kidman is not happy in the ring and starts asking questions of Shane Helms.
Jerry Lawler on commentary says has anyone actually seen Shane Helms and The Hurricane in the same room... or ring?
Tony Schiavone says well some have speculated that Shane Helms might have been The Hurricane but surely that got put to bed weeks ago when The Hurricane turned up whilst Shane Helms was injured!
Twiztid - We Don't Die - Freek Show (youtube.com)
Vampiro comes out with rAgE? yEs!, mOrE-bId! and lYnCh! following him.
Kidman and Helms look towards the entrance ramp a bit apprehensive.
Tony says well folks I think this may well be a handicap match by default now. Who knows what happened to The Hurricane, maybe Vampiro took him out backstage!
The match gets underway with Shane Helms and Billy Kidman set to take on the 3 juggalos.
We see Torrie Wilson and lYnCh! staring off but they don't come to blows on the outside.
As the match goes on Kidman and Helms clearly suffer from the numerical advantage that Vampiro has on his side.
However, the turning of the tide really comes when half-way through the match Vampiro hits a Powerbomb from the outside onto the apron on Shane Helms and Helms seems legitimately injured by this move. Helms is in real pain on the outside. Kidman, who is the legal man in the tag team match at that point looks on helplessly as medical team intervene and Shane Helms is actually stretchered out of the match.
Kidman then really starts to suffer as it's 3 on 1. He does his best but not long after Helms is wheeled out of the arena, Vampiro manages to get Kidman primed for a Nail in the Coffin, when...
The Hurricane's 2003 Titantron Entrance Video feat. "Eye of the Hurricane v2" Theme [HD] (youtube.com)
What?! shouts Jerry Lawler
Better late than never! adds Tony Schiavone, as we see The Hurricane run towards the ring, jump on the apron and after a drop-kick, Kidman manages to make the save and The Hurricane gets the hot tag!
The Hurricane clotheslines Vampiro then smashes rAgE? yEs! off the apron onto the floor. He picks Vampiro up and he hits a Chokeslam on him!
Hurricane taking the match by storm here, says Lawler, he could get the win!
The referee makes the count 1...2...3! NO! mOrE-bID! broke up the count just in time this match is still going on!
After the initial hot tag momentum dies down The Hurricane ends up tiring out, with Kidman still in a bad way Vampiro tags mOrE-bID! and then rAgE? yEs! in who wear down The Hurricane.
The Hurricane eventually manages to tag back in Kidman who has recovered a bit but still doesn't seem exactly energetic. Kidman manages to take down Vampiro who is the legal man again and Kidman has him prone for a Shooting Star Press!
Kidman goes up for it but mOrE-bId! knocks him off the apron! The Hurricane rushes over and they end up fighting, both going over the apron.
Vampiro seizes the moment, hits a Powerbomb on Kidman and then gets the 1-2-3!
fReEk-sHoW wins via pinfall - (9.59) - (60 rated)
In the aftermath we see fReEk-sHoW smiling in the ring as Kidman and Hurricane retreat to the back with Torrie Wilson in tow.
----
We see Shane McMahon's office from the outside and the announcers are surprised to see The Sandman, with Kendo stick in hand, walk into the office.
Shane looks annoyed at seeing The Sandman. He says he doesn't have time for this.
The Sandman says he has an offer that he thinks Shane will want to hear. Shane says he has 30 seconds.
The Sandman says tonight if Sabu wins his match you have to sign Sabu, Alfonso, Dreamer and The Freaks to WCW contracts.
Shane says that won't happen, but yes.
The Sandman says he's had enough of being Scott Hall's bitch. The Sandman says he is willing to "make sure" that Rob Van Dam gets the win, if Shane McMahon will give him a WCW contract of his own.
Shane laughs and says why the hell would I want to give you a contract?!
The Sandman says either way you end up hiring someone you don't want to hire. At least this way it's just 1 guy instead of 5 guys, you're the businessman, no? I'll save you a lot of money.
Shane says Rob Van Dam will get the job done anyway, plus he already has several WCW guys helping out tonight to make sure there's no funny business in that match.
The Sandman says there's a reason why your Daddy didn't want you running his company. You gotta be pretty stupid if you don't think Sabu and Alfonso will have something funny planned in that match regardless of how much your boys beat up Dreamer, Axl and Balls.
The Sandman says if you change your mind at any point tonight, give me a call... I ain't the best wrestler in the world, I ain't the toughest guy in the world... but if you want someone to get the job done, make sure Sabu ain't winning that match, I'll get it done any means necessary and that's what you need tonight, Shane.
The Sandman then walks off with Shane McMahon pondering what's just been discussed.
Freestyle segment with Shane McMahon & The Sandman - (75 rated)
-----
Match 4:
Steve Corino (c) (with Don Callis) vs Norman Smiley for the WCW FXtreme Television Championship
WCW Norman Smiley 2nd Theme Song - "Yadda Yadda" (With Tron) (youtube.com)
Well this match set-up after a time-limit draw this past Friday on Panic! says Joey Styles. Corino couldn't quite get the job done against Norman Smiley and Shane McMahon was impressed enough to book this rematch for tonight live on PPV says Styles.
Tony Schiavone says this is a huge opportunity for Norman Smiley. He's got nothing to lose tonight.
Well sure he hasn't, says Jerry Lawler, he lost his dignity years ago on Nitro, ehh Tony!
Schiavone says you can laugh all you want King but Norman Smiley is one of the most under-rated technical wrestlers of our time! Hailing from England he's not someone you want to write off lightly tonight!
ECW Steve Corino Custom Titantron (youtube.com)
Corino comes out with his WCW FXtreme Television Championship and Don Callis by his side giving him instructions ahead of the match.
The match gets a decent amount of time, just under 15 minutes, it's a straight up wrestling match with a lot of technical mat wrestling and strikes and submissions as the match goes on.
Corino struggles to get the best of Norman Smiley, who every now and then gets the crowd going and riles up Corino and Callis with his trademark dancing and biggle wiggles.
Towards the end of the match Smiley hits a Smiley Spank on Corino which sees Callis stand up on the apron in outrage shouting at Smiley and the referee. Smiley just laughs and hits a body-slam on Corino.
Smiley then tries to get Corino into his trademark Norman Conquest, the Crossface Chickenwing but Corino manages to counter out of it and gets Smiley in a Sleeper.
Smiley tries to get out of it but it's not too long before the referee calls for the bell as Smiley is out for the count!
Steve Corino retains via submission - (14.32) - (63 rated)
After the match Corino looks down at Smiley almost like he respected the effort. The announcers mention that's probably the hardest Corino has had to work to defend his title so far, but defended it he has as Don Callis celebrates with him.
-----
In Sable's office we see Sable sitting in her office. Ricky Steamboat wheels in Eric Bischoff who is not alone. He comes in with Akira Hokuto, the WCW World Women's champion, alongside several members of security and one of the lawyers we've seen in previous weeks.
Eric Bischoff asks where is Chyna?
Sable says she does not know
Akira Hokuto says Chyna! She put Mister Mitchell in the hospital! Now he is sick! He can't manage me for my match tonight! Mister Mitchell is not happy!
Eric Bischoff explains that James Mitchell has filed a lawsuit against Chyna and that she could be in a lot of trouble given she hospitalised him after punching him on Nitro.
Sable says she has no idea where Chyna is.
Bischoff says come on Ricky, we gotta find her, I've got a big announcement to make for Halloween Havoc and I'm not having it ruined by that unhinged woman!
Sable looks concerned as Steamboat wheels Bischoff out and the group seemingly go in search of Chyna elsewhere
Freestyle segment with Sable, Eric Bischoff, Ricky Steamboat and Akira Hokuto - (49 rated)
---
Match 5:
Juventud Guerrera (c) vs 'Sexy' Brian Lawler for the WCW World Cruiserweight Championship
Right Said Fred - I`m Too Sexy (1991) (youtube.com)
Well it looks like Chyna is back in hot-water with the WCW legal team, says Joey Styles, but next up we have WCW World Cruiserweight Championship action and Jerry look it's your son!
Lawler doesn't seem overly pleased as 'Sexy' Brian Lawler comes out and gives him a wave when he makes his entrance.
Tony Schiavone explains a bit awkwardly that this match has been brewing for several weeks. An open challenge battle royale for anyone who had never been WCW World Cruiserweight champion before took place on Nitro earlier in the month and 'Sexy' Brian Lawler turned up as a surprise debut. It looked like one of Juventud Guerrera's close friends in the MexiCruisers, Psychosis or Super Crazy may well win that match, when The Sons of the South, Erik Watts and David Flair rocked up in league with Brian Lawler. To say they gave him the assist would be an understatement.
WCW Juventud Guerrera 2nd Theme Song - "Summer Nights In Spain" (With 2nd Tron) (youtube.com)
Tony Schiavone explains after Friday Night Panic, both The MexiCruisers and The Sons of the South have been banned from ringside for this match.
This match is a high-flying match with just over 10 minutes of action to get the crowd back going again.
The match starts off a bit like a brawl though as Juvi and Lawler have waged an aggressive war with each other in recent weeks. The match eventually settles a bit with Juvi throwing in high-flying spots and Lawler trying to use a more ground and pound type style.
The end of the match comes when Brian Lawler goes for a Full Nelson Facebuster, but Juvi manages to counter his way out of it and then nails Lawler with a Juvi Driver.
Juventud Guerrera retains via pinfall - (12.21) - (57 rated)
After the match Juvi rolls out of the ring and grabs the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, holding it in the air, but he's immediately jumped by Erik Watts and David Flair.
The MexiCruisers soon come flying out the entrance ramp and even it up, eventually fighting off The Sons of the South and getting Juvi to the back.
Tony Schiavone says it seems like Juvi won the battle tonight, but have The MexiCruisers won the war against The Sons of the South just yet?
----
We see Shawn Stasiak with Mark Jindrak and Stacy Keibler
Stasiak says tonight is the night he puts the Stasiak name in the history books of WCW. Tonight is the night that the Rhodes family legacy begins to be erased! We're at a cross-roads you could call it - and tonight Dustin, I run you down!
/
Dustin Rhodes cuts a promo where he says if Shawn Stasiak is trying to get in his head then he's doing a real good job of it. But the fact of the matter is Shawn you couldn't last a minute in my head! You think you can get under my skin and stress me out before tonight's match that much, huh?
Mark Jindrak, jumping me after my match last week, you think that's clever, huh? Tonight, Jindrak, if you try to get involved you can do it man to man to my face and I'll mess up that pretty face of yours - without your look what have you got? What can you bring to this company? It certainly isn't in-ring ability!
Stasiak... I'll see you in the ring later tonight, where you're going to learn that you're just another page in the chapter of the legacy of 'The Natural' Dustin Rhodes!
Freestyle segment with Shawn Stasiak, Mark Jindrak, Stacy Keibler and Dustin Rhodes -
------
We see the entrance to the Arena and Schiavone on commentary says well folks it's now time for what they're calling the Anarchy in the Arena match, of course featuring "Team WCW" of sorts of Booker T, DDP and Kanyon, who are taking on those bastards The Extreme Alliance, the 3 man team tonight of Tommy Dreamer, Balls Mahoney and Axl Rotten and wait a minute-
The camera shows a commotion but it's not The Extreme Alliance it's a group of security guards escorting Chyna out of the building!
Chyna is furious and says that the incident with James Mitchell on Nitro was a complete accident - just watch the footage!
The security guards say as part of Mitchell's lawsuit against her she cannot legally be on the premises tonight. Chyna argues saying Mitchell isn't even here himself but with an armed police official they kick Chyna out of the building.
Well what a signing Chyna is turning out to be for WCW so far, says Joey Styles. She got suspended for choke-slamming Eric Bischoff, certainly something none of us could blame her for, but now she's punched James Mitchell and got a lawsuit with him. Is this the worst signing WCW have ever made in terms of value for money?
Tony Schavione asks sardonically when Joey started watching WCW...
Freestyle segment with Chyna - (55 rated)
---
Match 6:
Booker T, DDP and Kanyon vs The Extreme Alliance (Tommy Dreamer, Balls Mahoney & Axl Rotten) in an Anarchy in the Arena match
Kanyon (youtube.com)
WCW DDP Theme Song Self High Five (youtube.com)
WCW Booker T Theme (youtube.com)
We see the 3 WCW guys come out to the entrance ramp and take in the pop from the crowd.
The commentators speculate on where The Extreme Alliance are.
Suddenly we see the screen come alive with Alfonso, Dreamer, Balls and Rotten on it.
Dreamer says we're in the Parking Lot, boys! We see Dreamer with a Baseball Bat and Balls and Axl both holding chairs.
Booker, DDP and Kanyon head off for the Parking Lot. We see them go through the curtain past Shane McMahon and other production colleagues. They eventually make it to the Parking Lot and start looking for The Extreme Alliance.
It seems like The Extreme Alliance are trying to jump them from behind again, says Tony Schiavone, before Jerry Lawler adds that they're a bunch of cowards! Joey Styles says it's just smart.
Dreamer, Balls and Rotten suddenly appear with their weapons, but Booker, DDP and Kanyon have picked up weapons of their own on the way. Booker T has a chain, DDP has a steel pipe and Kanyon's got a chair of his own.
The 6 men clash with Bill Alfonso nowhere in sight.
They fight in the Parking Lot before the brawl takes them through the backstage area. Kanyon spears Axl Rotten through a corridor wall sending both men crashing to the floor as random arena workers and backstage officials look shocked.
DDP, Booker and Dreamer and Mahoney continue the fight which now makes it's way into the arena where the crowd are. They come through the side of the stage and trade blows right on the edge of the stage towards a sheer drop below.
Tommy Dreamer at one point looks like he's going to try to hit a DDT on DDP off the stage, but DDP counters out of it and his fight with Dreamer makes it's way to the stage itself with DDP ramming him off the side of the production screens.
Meanwhile, Booker T and Balls Mahoney trade blows down the ramp and eventually get just outside the ring. Mahoney looks under the ring and finds a bag of something. He gets into the ring and opens it up to find thumb tacks.
Booker T immediately enters the ring and hits a Superkick on Balls Mahoney who falls down onto the tacks.
The camera cuts to Kanyon and Axl Rotten fighting their way back through into the entrance ramp too. We see DDP in the process of trying to throw Tommy Dreamer off the side of the stage onto a stack of tables below, but Axl Rotten manages to stop him and pulls DDP off. However, we then see Kanyon come flying running across the stage and this time Kanyon hits a Spear onto Axl Rotten which sends them both clattering off the stage and down into the tables below
OY MY GOD!!! shouts Joey Styles as Schiavone and King reflect on the damage Kanyon has done to his own body and Axl Rotten, seemingly taking them both out of the match.
Dreamer and DDP continue to fight, now taking their brawl down towards the ring where Booker T now has Balls Mahoney's face pressed into the thumb tacks.
The camera shows and picks up Booker T now with a mic in hand. He says he wants to know where that whistle-blowing cat Bill Alfonso is hiding! Balls says he won't tell him! Booker then presses Balls' face into the tacks causing a crimson mask to develop on Balls' face who smiles before crying out in pain. "He's waiting with Sabu in our rental truck! It's in the parking lot!"
Booker T stops pressing Balls into the thumb-tacks and then looks like he's heading on out to the parking lot.
Before he can go, DDP starts shouting at him. DDP says we gotta get this match won first! Let's take these guys out then you can worry about Alfonso. Booker looks annoyed and says he doesn't think DDP understands, when suddenly Dreamer attacks both from behind with a chair he's found.
Dreamer nails DDP and then Booker T with the chair. Dreamer clotheslines Booker T out of the way and then hits a DDT on DDP on the outside of the ring.
Wait a minute! says Schiavone. This is falls count anywhere, Dreamer could steal a win here!
Dreamer covers DDP and the ref counts!
1...2....but Booker T just manages to break up the pin!
Just as Booker T breaks up the pin Balls Mahoney grabs him and rolls him into the ring.
Dreamer and Balls are now in the ring and it's 2 on 1 on Booker T.
Booker starts fighting with both of them. He manages to come out on top at first, but eventually the numbers game catches up with him and they look set to hit a double Powerbomb on Booker, but DDP has managed to crawl into the ring and stops it.
DDP then hits a Diamond Cutter from out of nowhere on Tommy Dreamer! The momentum sends both men into the tacks and they both roll out of the ring in a lot of pain.
We see the cameras showing Kanyon and Axl Rotten who are both getting medical attention at the bottom of the stage. The announcers mention how it seems neither of these men will be able to continue in this match tonight such was the impact of Kanyon's spear onto Rotten off the stage.
Booker T and Balls Mahoney are now brawling on the outside as Booker T seems to be directing Mahoney towards the top of the ramp.
DDP and Dreamer are both just about back on their feet and having a fight near the ring by the crowd barricade. Dreamer clotheslines DDP and sends them into the crowd. We see DDP and Dreamer fighting among fans as Booker T and Balls Mahoney head through the entrance ramp and out the back. Booker T throws Balls Mahoney into a production camera just through the gorilla position as he storms off heading for the Parking Lot shouting about how Bill Alfonso is gonna get what's coming to him.
Just as Booker gets to the Parking Lot we see Mahoney catch him up and he nails Booker with a steel pipe in the back of the head. Booker hits the deck but then Balls Mahoney gets punched and... it's Stevie Ray!
Schiavone says Joey it's your pal Stevie Ray from Friday Night Panic! Stevie Ray and Balls Mahoney fight in the Parking Lot as Booker T manages to get to his feet and then help his brother in a now 2-on-1 fight with Mahoney as the referees catch up in case Booker or Balls go for a pin or submission.
Booker T is shouting at Balls Mahoney "where's the car?! where's Alfonso and Sabu??!" Balls refuses to them so Booker says to Stevie Ray let's do him! Powerbomb through the car windshield!
Booker points to a car and Stevie Ray says who's car is that? Booker T says I don't care who's care it is we're putting this fat asshole through the windshield!
Stevie Ray relents and Booker and Stevie Ray lift up Balls Mahoney before smashing him through the windshield of a car causing glass to smash all over the place.
Meanwhile, in the ring, DDP seems to be on top of Dreamer, but Dreamer grabs a handful of thumbtacks and presses them into DDP's face. DDP screams in agony.
We see a split screen in the parking lot and Balls Mahoney looks completely out of it.
Stevie Ray says to Booker T "I don't think you're getting much information out of this cat, Book, just end this thing and we can find Alfonso without these cameras and refs getting in the way!"
Booker says yeah, yeah, as if he forgot this was a match and not just a fight and he carefully gets onto the windshield to pin Balls Mahoney without getting glass all over himself.
Just as this happens we see Tommy Dreamer hit a DDT on DDP onto the thumbtacks in the ring!
The announcers say Tommy Dreamer could get a win here!
Just as Tommy Dreamer gets to a count of 1 we see the bell-ring as in the split screen we can see the ref in the parking lot as reached 3 for Booker T's pin on Balls Mahoney.
We see DDP still out of it for a few more seconds as Dreamer looks on in disbelief as he very nearly pulled off an upset win here.
Booker T, DDP and Kanyon win via pinfall - (14.32) - (80 rated)
In the parking lot we see Booker T and Stevie Ray continuing the search for Bill Alfonso and Sabu's car.
Dreamer looks down and considers beating down on DDP some more, but he leaves the ring and escapes through the crowd instead.
Schiavone on commentary says we'll be sure to keep you posted if our cameras out in that parking lot pick up on Harlem Heat having found Alfonso or Sabu!
---
JJ Dillon interview with Team Canada
We see Lance Storm, Mike Awesome and Carl Ouellet. Storm and Awesome hold the WCW World Tag Team Championship belts whilst Ouellet waves a big Canadian flag
JJ Dillon says so Team Canada, a big match tonight where you defend your belts against Fit's Fight Club here in Michigan. What's your mentality going into this match tonight, Lance?
Lance Storm says well JJ if I can be serious for one moment. I don't like Michigan, never have, never will. A typical American state. Detroit as well, is a horrible city. (fans boo). My mentality is we get the win tonight as quickly as we can then we can get out of this hell-hole and home to Canada to celebrate still being champions!
JJ says you can't under-estimate Fit Finlay and Tajiri though?
Mike Awesome says Tajiri and Finlay might like their jokes about me eating poutine but the fact of the matter is they're not going to be able to eat any poutine for a good couple weeks after tonight! You wanna know why, JJ? Cause I'm the CAREER KILLER! THE FAT CHICK THRILLA! And I'm going to beat Finlay and Tajiri so bad tonight they'll be eating through a straw 'till Starrcade!
Storm pipes in that it doesn't matter if the dirty people of Detroit want to support an Irishman and a Japanese man over their Canadian cousins tonight. Team Canada will retain their belts tonight and that's just a fact.
/
Fit Finlay cuts a promo with Tajiri looking intense in the background
Finlay says Team Canada can talk off all they want. Everyone is real brave in this life until they get punched in the face!
Finlay says tonight Storm and Awesome will get punched in the face many times. And Tajiri here will give you plenty of kicks for good measure too!
Tajiri then starts shouting in Japanese
Finlay translates and says Tajiri says he has no problem with Canadians, but Storm you're a maple leaf short of a stack of pancakes! And Awesome... you wanna talk about being a Career Killer? A Fat Chick Thrilla? Well Tajiri came to Detroit to make love with Fat Chicks and win the Tag Team titles... and he's all out of fat chicks so he's coming for those belts!!
Tajiri says yeah excitedly! then asks Fit what is fat chick?
Freestyle segment with Team Canada and Fit's Fight Club - (57 rated)
-----
Match 7:
'The Natural' Dustin Rhodes vs Shawn Stasiak (with Stacy Keibler and Mark Jindrak)
WCW Shawn Stasiak 4th Theme Song - "Stasiak Theme" (With Tron) (youtube.com)
Shawn Stasiak about to make his way out to the ring getting quite rightfully booed to the ring some might say, King, says Tony. Stasiak has been determined in recent weeks to put his own family's legacy above the Rhodes family, some task many might say, but Stasiak did defeat Dusty Rhodes and bust him open.
Stasiak coming out now with Stacy Keibler his manager and of course his good friend and tag-team partner, Mark Jindrak and OH MY!
Chaos ensues as we see Dustin Rhodes not waiting for his entrance as he bursts onto the scene, grabs Mark Jindrak who had been trailing behind Shawn Stasiak and hits a Final Cut onto Jindrak on the steel entrance way.
Jindrak looks in a real bad way, as Stacy ducks out of the way as Stasiak turns around and is furious to see what Rhodes has done to Jindrak.
Before Stasiak can get much of an offence in Rhodes punches him and the two drag each other to the ring. Dustin gets a right hook in on Stasiak just outside the ring before rolling him into the ring. Dustin slides into the ring and the match officially begins!
It is quickly established that Mark Jindrak will be a non-entity in this match as he's in a bad way and helped by officials out of the match.
This match goes just over 10 minutes. It's a fairly even affair with both guys seeming to be wrestling a bit more aggressive than usual. Shawn Stasiak is really determined to prove himself in this match and get thew in against Rhodes, but Stasiak has riled Rhodes up enough that his extra aggression is helping him over the line.
The end of the match comes when Stasiak hits Dustin with a Meat Grinder and Rhodes is down. Stasiak goes for the pin but he's not quite moved Rhodes to the centre of the ring so Dustin can get his foot on the rope. Stasiak is furious at the referee and protests.
He picks up Dustin and looks set to hit some kind of suplex or something on him, when Dustin counters and nails Stasiak with a Final Cut!
Dustin covers Stasiak and he gets the 1-2-3!
Dustin Rhodes win via pinfall - (12.45) - (65 rated)
After the match as Dustin Rhodes is celebrating, his father, seemingly healthy again after his encounter with Stasiak a few weeks ago, comes out to celebrate with his son. The crowd pops for this moment. Dustin looks a bit surprised to see Dusty out there with him but Dusty relishes in seeing his son doing well and the crowd cheering for both of them.
Stacy leads Stasiak away who looks very annoyed at what's gone down.
----
'Real Talk with Roddy' interview with 'Dr Death' Steve Williams
We see Roddy Piper in a pre-recorded sit down interview with tonight's main event challenger for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.
Piper starts the interview by saying Steve, a hell of a career in the U.S and Japan that you've put together in your 2 decades in this industry. Would the win tonight be the cherry on top?
Williams says he's always dreamed of taking home the Big Gold Belt and tonight he will take the opportunity to do just that.
Piper says in a similar way to Curt Hennig last month at Mayhem, is this the biggest match of your career? Maybe your last chance at winning the big one? How do you prepare mentally for that?
'Dr Death' says he's prepared for it like any other match. He trains hard. He eats well. He will be at peak performance when that bell rings and the focus is on taking that belt off Scott Hall.
You mention peak performance, how is your quad going into tonight's match? asks Piper
Williams says his quad is about as good as it's going to be at this stage of his life when you've wrestled this much and played this much football. He's not stupid and he knows Scott Hall will probably try and target it, but that gives Williams the benefit of knowing what Hall's likely game plan will be tonight so he's had plenty of time to think about how he will counter it.
Piper says okay, okay, what do you have to say to Scott Hall ahead of tonight's big match?
'Dr Death' finishes the promo by addressing the camera by saying Scott, you've been running from me for weeks, but nobody can run from the Doctor forever, Scott. Tonight, my dream becomes your nightmare! I will run through you like a knife through hot butter! So spend some time backstage tonight looking at that Big Gold Belt. Drink in what it feels like to be a World Champion... because after tonight I guarantee you will never get to live in the moment of that feeling ever again!
Freestyle segment with Roddy Piper and 'Dr Death' Steve Williams - (58 rated)
----
Match 8:
Akira Hokuto (c) vs Sweet Saraya for the WCW World Women's Championship
Sweet Saraya BCW Theme Song “Faint” (Arena Effect) (youtube.com)
Tony says this match came about when the former British champion, Sweet Saraya, brought into WCW on the recommendation of Dave Taylor, won a qualifying match to determine who would be the number 1 contender for
Akira Hokuto's title after Chyna was suspended from in-ring action.
Chyna of course has also recently inadvertently, or not depending on who you speak to, taken out James Mitchell, so this will be the first big match of Akira Hokuto's reign without her manager Mitchell with her.
Joey Styles says that could have a big impact on Hokuto tonight. She's not lost a singles match in WCW since Shane McMahon's relaunch of the company, but all of thoes matches were with Mitchell by her side. This is new territory for her and that has to play into the challenger's hands.
Akira Hokuto 4th - Pacific Zone (WCW Official Theme) - YouTube
This match gets just under 10 minutes.
Sweet Saraya's style is more in like with Hokuto's than other opponents that she's had in WCW. Hard hitting, with technical based wrestling, this match is an intense one where Sweet Saraya seems determined to try and fight for the title and put her name in the headlines.
At one point it looks like Saraya might just get the win, she hits a Neckbreaker on Hokuto and goes for the win, but Hokuto just kicks out.
The match goes on and Hokuto goes to the top rope, but Sweet Saraya manages to stop her from executing any kind of move, however Hokuto comes down from the rope with Sweet Saraya in a chokehold. Saraya eventually falls to the ground with Hokuto still holding the choke in and eventually Saraya taps out before she chokes out.
Akira Hokuto retains the title via submission - (9.32) - (34 rated)
Hokuto celebrates with her title as the announcers mention how this was a big win for her out there without her manager for the first time as champion.
----
We see a Eric Bischoff in his wheelchair facing a camera in the back.
Bischoff says he has a big announcement for Halloween Havoc next month
Bischoff says WCW has a rich history of all styles of wrestling. He's proud to have been someone who helped bring Cruiserweight, Lightweight, Junior Heavyweight, whatever you want to call it, wrestling to prominence in the US and across the world right here on WCW.
Bischoff says to honour Cruiserweight wrestling in association with Shane McMahon and WCW they have decided to create a prestigious annual tournament to be held at Halloween Havoc and the proceeding weeks of Nitro and Panic!
Eric Bischoff says this Halloween Havoc, in Houston, Texas, will see the first ever WCW Cruiserweight Classic winner crowned.
Bischoff explains how the WCW World Cruiserweight Championship won't be defended at Halloween Havoc, instead the focus will be on winning this prestigious tournament open to the best of the Cruiserweights not just in WCW but the entire world.
Eric Bischoff says over the course of the next month, 16 Cruiserweights will battle it out to determine who will be crowned the WCW Cruiserweight Classic winner of 2001.
Bischoff says the qualification for the 16 slots each year of the WCW Cruiserweight Classic will be as follows:
1 spot for the current WCW World Cruiserweight Champion
1 spot for any WCW World Cruiserweight Champion since the last Halloween Havoc
3 Wildcard slots available for international talent not currently signed with WCW. To represent their historic contribution to Cruiserweight wrestling both Japan and Mexico will have 1 spot each, with 1 spot also going to the Rest of the World.
Any remaining spots will be determined by rankings based on TV and PPV performance in the calendar year.
Bischoff says more information including the tournament brackets will be announced this Wednesday on Nitro!
Freestyle segment with Eric Bischoff - (60 rated)
----
Match 9:
Sabu (c) (with Bill Alfonso) vs Rob Van Dam for the WCW United States Championship in a No-Disqualification Match - If Sabu retains the title, then The Extreme Alliance (Bill Alfonso, Sabu, Tommy Dreamer, Axl Rotten & Balls Mahoney) will all get WCW contracts
WWE Rob Van Dam 1st Theme "Van Daminator" (HQ) (youtube.com)
Schiavone says well folks that's a very exciting announcement from Eric Bischoff about the WCW Cruiserweight Division and the upcoming first of it's kind WCW Cruiserweight Classic to take place in the next few weeks and finishing off in style at Halloween Havoc in Houston, Texas, next month, but right here, right now we've got a very important match for the WCW United States Championship!
That's right, Tony, says Joey Styles, Rob Van Dam, he lost his title fair and square at Mayhem to Sabu, he made a reckless decision and karma caught up with him. Well he has a chance tonight to prove everyone wrong and get that title back from Sabu, but it won't be easy.
He didn't lose that title fair and square! replies Tony. Bill Alfonso screwed him over!
Van Dam makes his way to the ring and looks up for the match tonight and the chance to redeem himself.
Well, this should be interesting, says Jerry Lawler. Bill Alfonso and Sabu, they've been hiding from Booker T, DDP and Kanyon all night! I think both Axl Rotten and Balls Mahoney got taken out of the arena in an ambulance... so I don't think The Extreme Alliance have the numbers game at all here.
We see Booker T, a battered DDP and Shane McMahon, alongside Stevie Ray and several road agents watching on from gorilla.
Booker T says Alfonso is his as soon as he shows up! He ran me down, dammit!
Van Dam in the ring looks on waiting for the match to start
ECW Classic/Original Theme Song (youtube.com)
We see a car pull up on the side of the stage and Sabu, with the WCW United States Championship, jumps out and heads towards the ring. Bill Alonso appears to be driving.
Booker T and Stevie Ray come running out of gorilla, with DDP trailing behind, but they go for the car, not for Sabu, as it’s Bill Alfonso they want.
Sabu makes his way to Van Dam in the ring
We see Tommy Dreamer jump out of the car with a Baseball Bat and he protects the car/Alfonso from Booker T and Stevie Ray initially, but once DDP gets there he loses the numbers game. Alfonso looks to try and reverse the car and get out of dodge, but the car stalls and he's stuck.
Booker T and Stevie Ray manage to get the door open and they drag Alfonso out of the car whistling like crazy.
In the ring, we see Sabu stare down Rob Van Dam as the referee lifts up the WCW United States Championship. Sabu looks back and seeing Alfonso and Dreamer in trouble he looks to head back, but Van Dam grabs him and hits a German Suplex on him as he's looking the other way briefly.
DDP and Tommy Dreamer re-start their fight from earlier, as Harlem Heat lift up a mortified looking Bill Alfonso for a Powerbomb.
Tommy Dreamer just about manages to prevent Harlem Heat from doing that by slamming into them, knocking them down for a bit and in the distraction Alfonso manages to get up, sneak back into the car and reverse the hell out of there!
Harlem Heat chase after the car as it leaves the Arena front and Tommy Dreamer manages to escape from DDP through the crowd, although DDP gives chase.
Schiavone says, well folks the Anarchy in the Arena Match finished a while ago but we still seem to have Anarchy in this Arena!
This match goes for just shy of 20 minutes.
For the most part the actual match from when the bell goes doesn't see too much interference with Harlem Heat and DDP driven off Alfonso and Dreamer, plus Axl Rotten and Balls Mahoney being taken out earlier, it leaves it to Rob Van Dam and Sabu to fight amongst themselves.
They don't actually use weapons in the match too much despite it being No-DQ.
There are a few bumps in the match with table though, as at one point Sabu hits a Springboard Leg Drop on RVD who's on a table on the outside. It's not Falls Count Anywhere so the ref begins to count them both out. When Sabu eventually gets up and back into the ring he seems content for Van Dam to be counted out, but Van Dam just makes it back into the ring at the count of 8.
Jerry Lawler on commentary says if Shane McMahon wants the WCW United States Championship back so bad, why don't the whole roster just jump Sabu and let Van Dam pin him?
Schiavone says that would be Shane McMahon sinking to The Extreme Alliance's level. Rob Van Dam is good enough to win this match out-right providing there's no outside interference from anyone else. Shane McMahon doesn't want to look like a dodgy businessman. Lawler and Styles at the same time reply BUT HE'S A MCMAHON!!
As the match goes on Van Dam seems to tire a bit and he starts to look a bit unsure on his feet. His ankle seems to be bothering him a bit but he fights on.
Sabu seems to have the upper hand in the match and starts to ground and pound Van Dam a bit more, limiting his high-flying offence.
Sabu then manages to nail Van Dam with a chair a few times and Van Dam looks a bit out of it on the floor.
Sabu then puts Van Dam in a Camel Clutch! Van Dam looks in all kinds of trouble as he desperately holds out.
I think Van Dam might tap here! says a worried Tony Schiavone.
He doesn't have to tap! says Styles. He could pass out and then he's lost anyway!
Van Dam looks in a really bad way.
Suddenly we hear the screech of a car.
Is that Alfonso and Dreamer?! asks Schiavone. But it's not. The camera shows Scott Hall's Bentley.
Out of the driver's seat we see The Sandman, with his Singapore Cane, who starts walking very quickly to the ring.
Wait a minute! says King. The Sandman gave Shane McMahon an offer earlier tonight. If Shane gave him a WCW contract, he'd made sure Van Dam got the title and Sabu and the Extreme Alliance didn't get contracts!
I don't know if Shane McMahon would do business with The Sandman, Jerry, says Tony.
Lawler again says but he's a McMahon! He's got someone else to do the dirty work! He didn't agree anything on camera, that's basically clean in the eyes of the law!
The Sandman gets into the ring and Sabu stops the Camel Clutch with Van Dam more or less out on the ground now.
Sabu starts squaring up to The Sandman despite him holding the Singapore Cane.
It's not clear what's Sabu is saying here, says Tony.
I think maybe he's trying to cut a deal with The Sandman! says Lawler.
I doubt he'll get better than a WCW contract! replies Tony.
Styles says it's The Sandman! Promise him a keg of beer and a big pack of cigarettes next time you come back from Mexico and he'll probably change to your side, Sabu!
Sabu points at Van Dam and tries to reason with The Sandman. The Sandman seems to be thinking about it. Maybe he is going to take whatever offer Sabu has given him.
But then out of nowhere he absolutely clatters Sabu with the Singapore Cane!
THE SANDMAN IS ON OUR SIDE!!! Jerry Lawler.
Oh brother, says Tony Schiavone.
Oh my god, sighs Joey Styles.
The Sandman clatters Sabu a few more times, before then placing the Kendo Stick across Sabu's throat and hitting him with a White Russian Legsweep. Sabu lays down and out on the floor.
The referee watches on waiting to see what's going to happen.
By this point Rob Van Dam staggers to his feet. He looks like he's punch-drunk and trying to fight The Sandman who he doesn't realise is on his side.
The Sandman over-powers him given he's not just been wrestling for 15-16 minutes and starts shouting at him that he's there to give him the win. Van Dam looks confused, but then seems to understand.
The Sandman tells Van Dam to cover Sabu.
Van Dam covers Sabu to go for the win.
The referee counts 1...2...3-NO!!! Sabu kicked out at 2.9!!
Oh god, sighs Tony. The time Van Dam wasted not realising The Sandman was on our side has given Sabu just enough time recover to kick out.
The Sandman is livid. He seems to swear at the referee as if to say why didn't you count quicker?! Van Dam himself still looks pretty hurt, so The Sandman smacks Sabu a few more times with the Singapore Cane. He looks at Van Dam who is back on his feet. He asks Van Dam if he's got enough left to "Terminate" Sabu. Van Dam looks at the home ground. The home crowd chant for their home town Michigan boy. Van Dam says yes!
The Sandman lays out Sabu so his head his on the bottom corner of a turnbuckle. He then places the steel chair Sabu had been using and places it towards Sabu's face. The crowd are going nuts for Van Dam. He tells The Sandman he can go now, he's got this!
The Sandman shrugs and takes his leave. We see him walk down the entrance ramp and back to the Bentley parked at the side of the ring as Van Dam slowly climbs to the top turnbuckle of the adjacent side of the ring so he can hit a Van Terminator on Sabu.
He calls this the VAN TERMINATOR! says Joey Styles.
Is he going Coast to Coast? asks Lawler.
Forget about Coast to Coast I think he'll blow the roof off this Arena here in Michigan if he hits this one, says Tony Schiavone.
The crowd cheer and hold their breath as Van Dam absolutely launches himself and completely and utterly nails Sabu with the Van Terminator!
OH MY GODDDD!!!! shouts Joey Styles, as Lawler and Schiavone also go nuts at what just happened.
Van Dam hits the deck hard and seemingly as soon as he lands he's injured his ankle again as he cries out in pain and is desperately holding his ankle.
It doesn't matter if his ankle doesn't work anymore, says Lawler, he's just got to cover Sabu and end this!
Sabu, despite being in a really bad way, actually now bleeding quite a lot from his face, musters the energy to roll out the ring and is just in a big heap on the arena floor.
Van Dam holds his ankle in a bad way as the referee looks at Van Dam, then Sabu, then realises he's not got much choice but to start counting Sabu out.
1
Van Dam sort of rolls over and tries to pull himself up so he's sitting up a little bit
2
Van Dam feels his ankle again and his face tells the story that he's really hurt himself again
3
The camera shows Sabu who has rolled onto his front, face covered in blood as he looks absolutely awful
.
4
Van Dam struggles over to the rope so he can try and leverage himself up
5
Van Dam pulls himself up with the ropes and holds on like a child who can't ice skate holds onto the rails at an ice skating rink
6
Van Dam tries to walk but his ankle gives way immediately and the momentum means he feels back down.
7
Van Dam starts slamming the mat in frustration.
8
Sabu meanwhile has just about managed to pull himself up using the ring steps and is putting some weight on the outside of the ring now.
9
I think Sabu will just beat the count! says Tony Schiavone
Sabu goes to slide in the ring just before the 10 count, but then just as it looks like he's going to roll into the ring he dramatically falls to the floor and fails to make it
10!
Rob Van Dam wins via Count-Out - (19.46) - (82)
---
That's it! Van Dam wins! says Lawler. Those Extremely Crappy Wrestlers aren't getting a contract with WCW!!
The camera shows Sabu on the outside, who has kind of got to his feet again and has a smile on his face.
Wait a minute, now! says Tony. Rob Van Dam's won this match via count-out, but what does that mean? I'm not sure the referee is too-
Joey Styles laughs and says you can't win a Championship belt via count-out you idiots! Sabu is still champion!
Hang on. Hang on now pip-squeak, says Lawler. Maybe Sabu is still champion, but he had to win the match to get The Extreme Alliance contracts, no?
Tony Schiavone mumbles that he's not actually sure if the stipulation mentioned anything about winning the match... just keeping the title.
What?! shouts Lawler.
We see the referee somewhat reluctantly give the belt to Sabu who holds it up.
Van Dam still in a lot of pain seems to come to terms with what's happened now in the ring as he asks another referee now helping him up what's happened.
We see Shane McMahon walk onto the entrance ramp looking absolutely furious at what's happened.
Sabu's quick thinking there might just have cost Shane McMahon and WCW a whole lot of money! says Joey Styles triumphantly.
The scene is cut with a close up on Shane McMahon's face as he now looks like he wants the whole world to swallow him up
Oh, brother, sighs Tony Schiavone.
-----
JJ Dillon interview with Scott Hall
We're standing by with the WCW World Heavyweight Champion, Scott Hall, this interview was pre-booked ahead of your main event title defence against 'Dr Death' later tonight, but do you have anything to say about what we just saw?
Hall says yeah, I got a big main event title defence tonight and my driver is messing around in other matches. What the hell was that about? If Jimmy ain't ready to drive me out in the main event there will be hell to pay. And I don't think he's insured to drive that Bentley without me in it!
JJ Dillon says you've got no comments on The Extreme Alliance seemingly getting WCW contracts?
Scott Hall shrugs and says, are they trying to steal my Championship belt? Are there contracts coming out of my pay-checks? I don't care what happens in the mid-card, JJ! I'm in the main-event, you see what I'm saying? The way I see it, there's been a lot of talk about the WCW United States Championship in recent weeks... and look it's a great belt, I won it twice, great lineage, no question... would be a shame if it had been put in the trash or got lost in Japan or something... but the fact is JJ, The Bad Guy has been the WCW World Heavyweight Champion for 63 days now. Why don't you ask me some questions about that?
Well, says JJ, well yes, 63 days as Champion, of course that's great.
It is great, JJ, glad you agree, replies Scott. Hall then says that I suppose you want to ask me how I feel going into the match with 'Dr Death' tonight, yeah?
Of course, says JJ.
Scott Hall says the fact of the matter is Steve Williams is a hell of a worker. Got a tonne of experience. Could out fight most men in the history of the business in a fist fight, no question. Top football player, great athlete. But do you know what separates a guy like 'Dr Death' and a guy like The Bad Guy, JJ?
No? says JJ
Hall says when I retire, JJ, I'll be inducted into every Hall of Fame of every company that I've ever worked for. When I die, JJ, the bells will toll and the tributes will fly in from all corners of the globe... they'll say, man, Scott Hall, The Bad Guy, what a legend of this business. But 'Dr Death'? He'll still just be a hell of a worker. Great athlete. Good talent. The difference is JJ, 'Dr Death' is an iconic figure of wrestling in... I AM A LEGEND! And 'Dr Death' you can't kill a LEGEND!!
Freestyle segment with JJ Dillon and Scott Hall - (94 rated)
-----
Match 10:
Team Canada (Lance Storm & Mike Awesome) (c) (with Carl Ouellet) vs Fit's Fight Club (Fit Finlay & Tajiri) (with Dave Taylor) for the WCW World Tag Team Championship
Finlay's 2006 v2 Titantron Entrance Video feat. "Lambeg v2" Theme [HD] (youtube.com)
Well, shocking scenes and I think WCW fans in the arena and around the world are still taking in what they just saw with Sabu and Rob Van Dam, says Tony. But the show must go on and we've got a big Tag Team Championship clash for you up next.
That's right, says Jerry Lawler. Fit Finlay seems to have been around forever, but this young Japanese kid, Tajiri, he's a hot prospect alright and Finlay and Dave Taylor seem to have taken him under their wing so to speak.
Lance Storm WCW Titantron - "Team Canada" (youtube.com)
Joey Styles says ECW made Tajiri a name! And Lance Storm and Mike Awesome for that matter!
Schiavone says well that may be the case, but you can't argue that Team Canada since winning those WCW World Tag Team Championship belts have looked a dominant force in WCW. Incidentally, listen to this stat, since Shane McMahon took over WCW, no man or woman on the entire roster has picked up more wins in matches than Lance Storm!
That's a hell of a record, says Lawler, and one I'm sure he'll be looking to continue tonight. But Finlay and this young Tajiri have shown in recent weeks, stepping in as a team due to Taylor's shoulder injury, they're not messing around and they could take those belts home with them tonight!
This match gets about 15 minutes and is a good display of technical wresting, strike based fighting and submissions. All 4 men get a decent amount of time in the ring.
There are a few times when Carl Ouellet and Dave Taylor seem to get involved on the outside, but the referee prevents either of them from making that much of a difference to the match.
Finlay and Tajiri work hard during the match, determined to bring home gold to Fit's Fight Club, but in the end they suffer from having only teamed together a handful of times and a miss-communication prevents Fit Finlay from getting a hot tag late on. Tajiri ends up stuck as the legal man and despite his bravery Mike Awesome manages to over-power him and hit an Awesome Bomb.
Finlay tries to get across to break up the pin, but Lance Storm manages to prevent him from doing so. The referee manages to count the 1-2-3.
Team Canada retain via pinfall - (15.03) - (72 rated)
As the match ends Lance Storm and Mike Awesome hold up the titles with Ouellet waving the Canadian flag.
A good match and a good effort from Fit's Fight Club, but it just seems like nobody can stop Team Canada at the moment!
-----
Before the main event we see The Sandman shouting and swearing as he leaves Shane McMahon's office red-faced and looking absolutely furious. A few backstage staff members are trying to calm him down but he starts smashing stuff in the corridor and storms off.
JJ Dillon races onto the scene, it's clear that The Sandman won't offer him any words so he knocks on Shane's office.
Shane answers the door looking flustered and angry.
JJ Dillon says what's the current situation with The Extreme Alliance? What about The Sandman?
Shane McMahon says as far as The Sandman is concerned let me just say he better hope that Scott Hall continues to employ his services as a driver. As for everything else... I will address all of that this Wednesday on Nitro.
Freestyle segment with JJ Dillon and Shane McMahon - (88 rated)
----
Match 11 / Main Event:
Scott Hall (c) vs 'Dr Death' Steve Williams (with Jimmy Hart) for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship
Prior to the match we see a video package hyping up the match and showing what's happened in recent weeks.
Schiavone mentions how Steve Williams won the Beat The Clock challenge, which seems like months ago now, before starting a rivalry with Scott Hall which many say has seen The Bad Guy running scared of 'Dr Death'. His driver, The Sandman, was employed to "damage" Steve Williams and he certainly did hurt his quad, but Williams earlier today to our broadcast colleague Roddy Piper seemed to indicate that he was fighting fit to compete tonight.
AJPW Steve Williams 1st Theme Song - "I Love It Loud" (With 1st Tron) (RIP) (youtube.com)
We see 'Dr Death' Steve Williams come out with his manager Jimmy Hart by his side. He seems up for the match tonight and the fans give him a decent pop as he's established as the fan favourite against The Bad Guy
ECW: Ready Or Not (Scott Hall) [Feat Fugees] - Single + Download Link (youtube.com)
Scott Hall's theme rings out for a while but we don't see his trademark Bentley driven by The Sandman turn up at all.
Eventually, after about 1 minute of his theme song blaring out, an annoyed looking Scott Hall walks out from the entrance ramp with the WCW World Heavyweight Championship instead.
Well, says Tony, it looks like The Sandman may no longer be Scott Hall's driver. We're not sure exactly what has gone on there, but the events of tonight seem to have gotten into The Sandman's head and he's left his employer, the World Champion, to fend for himself!
Tony asks Jerry what kind of impact that has on you as the World Champion.
Oh it's huge, Tony! says Jerry. You go into a big match like this, live in Detroit, all these screaming fans, you want to be prepared how you always prepare, Tony. Hall would've wanted to come in driven with the Bentley mentally preparing in his head for the match. Instead he's walking through backstage, wondering where his driver is, eventually having to change up his entrance instead, that's going to annoy him and pre-occupy his thoughts and preparation - as a champion, that's not what you want!
The match ends up lasting about 16 minutes. Obviously both guys are in their early 40s and not necessarily in the prime of their careers, but this match focuses more on story-telling and psychology than some of the more fast-paced or technical based clashes we've seen earlier in the card.
'Dr Death's quad seems to hold up and the early minutes of the match he uses his aggression and speed and strength to his advantage, Hall can't live with him in the first 2-3 minutes and despite trying to avoid Williams, he ends up on the back foot.
Half-way through the match it seems like Hall has taken inspiration from Sabu's earlier title defence, as after a massive lariat from 'Dr Death' around the 10 minute mark, Hall hits the deck, rolls out the ring and the referee begins to count him out. When 'Dr Death' clocks what's going on Jimmy Hart starts shaming Scott Hall, Williams goes to get out of the ring to grab Hall but Hall just laughs and starts walking up the entrance ramp.
He's going to get himself counted out deliberately! says Schiavone.
But just as Hall gets half-way up the entrance ramp, who do we see? None other than Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda, 'Dr Death's buddies, who start walking down and telling Hall he better get back in the ring.
Hall, especially without The Sandman for back-up, sees little other option and has to get back in the ring as Expressly American go back behind the curtain.
Williams appears to begin to tire a bit around this point of the match and whilst Hall doesn't particularly have great stamina given how poorly he's looked after his body over the years, he hasn't exerted himself as much as Williams so he can still maintain a regular rhythm.
Hall doesn't target Williams' quad as much as 'Dr Death' had expected, instead Hall uses his taller frame to his advantage, countering a lot of Williams attempted punches and strikes and slowly grinding him down with strikes of his own and holds.
The conclusion of the match comes when 'Dr Death' goes for a running lariat on Hall, but Hall manages to move out of the way, hit the ropes and then hits a Lariat of his own on Williams who seems to land awkwardly on the back of his head.
This seems to knock the wind out of him and the announcers speculate that Williams could be concussed. It's not clear if this is what has happened or not but when Williams gets to his feet he's swinging for Hall much more wildly and Hall has little trouble dodging his blows, before he kicks Williams in the quad, which seems to really hurt him, then he manages to get Williams up for the Razor's Edge and he nails him with it.
The referee counts...1...2.....3!!!
Scott Hall retains via pinfall - (16.35) - (78 rated)
----
The show ends with Scott Hall smiling smugly into the camera saying "I'm the Bad Guy to beat in this Company!" as he celebrates retaining his WCW World Heavyweight Championship once again.
-----
Show Rating: 81
1.02 buy rate (515K buys)
----