Post by ph71 on Jul 5, 2024 16:31:08 GMT 1
Friday Night Panic! Episode 10:
Friday 05 October 2001
Live late-night on FX
7,550 crowd from St Louis, Missouri
Announcers: Joey Styles & Scott Hudson
-------------------------------------
Joey Styles kicks the show off by welcoming fans to WCW Friday Night Panic! live from ST LOUIS, MISSOURI!
Scott Hudson says fans are in for a treat tonight as we see the conclusion of the Round of 16 of the WCW Cruiserweight Classic, with Super Crazy vs Little Guido, Tajiri vs Gedo and in our main event tonight we have two former WCW Cruiserweight Champions clashing, as Chavo Guerrero Jr takes on The Artist Formerly Known as Prince Iaukea
Joey Styles jumps in and says we will also hear tonight from Chyna ahead of her much anticipated WCW debut next week live here on Panic!, plus we hear from Booker T and our broadcast colleague Stevie Ray, who will be off commentary again tonight, after they were jumped at the end of Nitro this past Wednesday, but right now to open the show... you know what time it is!
---
We see Steve Corino with the WCW FXtreme Television Championship, with his manager Don Callis walking out just behind him.
"Excuse me, St Louis, excuse me, my client has something he'd like to say" says Don Callis as the fans boo.
Steve Corino comes to the ring with Don Callis and his WCW FXtreme Television Championship
Steve Corino says of course due to the mandatory requirements of his contract he's here for tonight's edition of the Steve Corino Open Challenge
Joey Styles reminds viewers of the Steve Corino Open Challenge rules:
If the competitor was a former WCW World Television Champion the match will take place under standard rules.
If they were the WCW World Hardcore Champion or ECW Television Champion it will be under NO-DQ rules.
If the competitor has been WCW World TV and the Hardcore or ECW TV champion as well, then it is dealer's choice and they can choose.
Steve Corino says at Fall Brawl he put down Big Wiggle and with it any doubt that he's the best technical wrestler and the best hardcore wrestling in both WCW and the world today.
Don Callis says that nobody else in the back is on Corino's level. He says that despite Shane McMahon contractually obliging Corino to defend his belt 4 times a month, even on an Open Challenge they're going to struggle to keep finding opponents as there simply isn't enough men with balls big enough to come out and face him. Callis says to get in the ring with Corino you need balls the size of a bull's and there just ain't anybody left in the back with balls big enough to-
Oh wait just a minute! says Scott Hudson. Don Callis said you need balls the size of a bull's to want to go toe to toe with Corino, where here's Johnny 'The Bull' Stamboli!
Joey Styles says he can't speak for how big Stamboli's balls are, but he is a former WCW World Hardcore Champion, so this match will be a No-Disqualification match!
---
Match 1:
The Steve Corino Open Challenge: Steve Corino (c) (with Don Callis) vs Johnny Stamboli for the WCW FXtreme Television Championship - No-Disqualification Match
There is an intense start to the match as Johnny Stamboli starts smashing Steve Corino with punches. Scott Hudson says he doesn't think Steve Corino wants to go blow for blow with Stamboli like this, Stamboli has quite the size advantage on him.
Callis goes under the ring and rolls a big chain to Steve Corino to try and help him out (fans boo)
But to Callis' surprise, before Corino can grab the chain, Stamboli gets it and immediately punches Corino with it. Corino hits the deck and then Stamboli puts the chain around a grounded Corino's neck and begins to try and choke him out with it
STAMBOLI COULD GET A SHOCK WIN HERE! shouts Hudson excitedly, just as Don Callis gets on the apron and starts protesting at the referee.
Stamboli stops and he comes over to the apron and punches Callis with the chain, the fans cheer as Callis goes flying off the apron and onto the floor below in a heap holding his face.
Stamboli laughs at him, he then turns around to get back to work on Corino, but Corino has managed to get to his feet in the mean time and Corino kicks Stamboli right in the nuts.
Stamboli drops the chain and then falls to his knees in pain.
Corino kicks Stamboli viciously in the face, then grabs the chain and starts to choke out Stamboli with the chain.
Stamboli puts up a good fight but after 20 seconds he has passed out and the referee rings the bell
Steve Corino retains via submission - (5.04) - (49 rated)
---
After the bell a furious Callis stumbles into the ring and barks orders at Corino not to release the hold and to keep choking Stamboli.
Big Vito comes running out from the back to make the save. As he gets into the ring Corino and Callis run off.
It's Big Vito! says Hudson, he returned last week as part of an Open Challenge Tag Team Battle Royale and he's come back again tonight to save his partner, Stamboli!
----
We see a pre-recorded promo from Booker T and Stevie Ray
Stevie Ray says it seems like he's been making a lot of enemies lately. Booker says he knows that Buff Bagwell and Buff Daddy V have been colluding with that punk-ass Bill Alfonso, he don't know what they got planned but he hopes it involves coming to Nitro next week cause we would sure like to see all 3 of those boys!
Booker T then says he doesn't know why Sean O'Haire and Chuck Palumbo have decided to get involved in all this... he says if you're trying to get Harlem Heat to make you famous, then you might well have done it, but it ain't the kinda fame that you want, trust me, cause by the time we're done with you clowns you ain't never getting another shot at those WCW World Tag Team Titles you want back so much!
Freestyle segment with Harlem Heat - (97 rated)
---
Match 2:
WCW Cruiserweight Classic 2001 - Round of 16 Match - Super Crazy vs Little Guido
Before this match starts we see Little Guido in the back-stage area checking on his friend and ally from The F.B.I, Johnny Stamboli, who got choked out by Steve Corino in the opening match. Big Vito and Tony Mamaluke tell Guido to forget about Stamboli for now and go out and win the match!
Little Guido comes out and looks up for the fight
Super Crazy comes out to a decent pop.
These two guys put on a pretty good match with a decent amount of technical wrestling and high spots. It's an even match with both guys getting in good amounts of offence on each other.
The end of the match comes when a mistake in footing from Guido allows Super Crazy the chance to hit a Spinning Wheel Kick, when Guido stumbles back to his feet Super Crazy hits him with a Crazy Bomb and gets the 1-2-3
Super Crazy wins via pinfall - (4.52) - (54 rated)
After the match Joey Styles mentions how incredibly this actually means in the Quarter Final it will be The MexiCruisers against each other, as Super Crazy will face Psychosis
---
In a pre-recorded promo we see Chyna
Chyna says since she first arrived here in WCW all she has wanted is the chance to prove herself.
Men like Eric Bischoff and James Mitchell have colluded to try and keep me off your television screens and out of your arenas. But Shane McMahon has given the green light. FX have given the all clear. Next Friday night on Panic! I will show the world just what the future of women's wrestling in WCW looks like!
Freestyle segment with Chyna - (51 rated)
---
In the back we see Tajiri with Fit Finlay warming up for his Round of 16 Cruiserweight Classic match with Gedo
Steve Corino comes into set and says he just wants to wish Tajiri the best of luck tonight
Tajiri looks suspicious but then shakes his hand
Fit Finlay says Corino got lucky tonight and that he only retained his WCW FXtreme Television Championship because of Don Callis. You better hope Don Callis is always around, otherwise you might not have the same luck.
Steve Corino scoffs at him and walks off.
/
We then see a pre-recorded hype package showing clips of Gedo in Japan and from his previous WCW run
Freestyle segment with Fit Finlay, Tajiri, Steve Corino and Gedo - (52 rated)
----
Match 3:
WCW Cruiserweight Classic 2001 - Round of 16 Match - Tajiri vs Gedo
Gedo comes out and Scott Hudson hypes him up as a future star of Japanese wrestling
Tajiri's 2001 v1 Titantron Entrance Video feat. "Imperial City" Theme [HD] (youtube.com)
Tajiri's 2001 v1 Titantron Entrance Video feat. "Imperial City" Theme [HD] (youtube.com)
Tajiri then comes out and Joey Styles says forget about the future Scott, this is the present. Tajiri made his name in ECW and here in WCW he's now looking to cement himself at the top of the mountain even more by winning this tournament
This match involves a lot of strikes and strong-style wrestling with Tajiri using his athleticism and agility to ultimately out-wrestle and out-perform Gedo.
Gedo still puts in a good performance but the crowd rally around the WCW rising star and Tajiri eventually gets the win with a brutal Buzzsaw Kick and the pin.
Tajiri wins via pinfall - (4.21) - (48 rated)
After the match Fit Finlay comes out and celebrates with Tajiri
----
Juventud Guerrera and 'Sexy' Brian Lawler promo
We see a pre-recorded promo where Juvi and Brian Lawler talk smack about each other ahead of their WCW Cruiserweight Classic 2001, Quarter Final match, which is confirmed to take place next week on Nitro.
Juvi says he beat Brian at Fall Brawl and next week he's going to beat him again to put him out of the Cruiserweight picture in WCW once and for all!
'Sexy' Brian Lawler says Juvi got lucky last time but his luck will run out next week!
Freestyle segment with Juventud Guerrera and 'Sexy' Brian Lawler - (55 rated)
---
Scott Hall/Dustin Rhodes promo
We see another pre-recorded promo where Scott Hall says next week he's got the chance to win a tag team match in the main event of Nitro and with it the chance to choose the stipulation against Dustin Rhodes at Halloween Havoc
Scott Hall says if he wins that match then he's going to make it a First Blood match because he knows those Rhodes boys bust open almost as easy as Ric Flair! Hall says he's going to give the people of Texas a preview of what's to come at Halloween Havoc, as next week on Nitro, not only will he win that tag-team match but he's going to make both Father and Son bleed!
Dustin Rhodes says it doesn't matter what Scott Hall thinks or wants to do because he ain't winning that match next week. Dustin says when he and his father beat Scott Hall and The Sandman's sorry asses only then will he reveal to the people and to Scott Hall what his match stipulation will be!
Freestyle segment with Scott Hall and Dustin Rhodes - (82 rated)
---
Match 4 / Main Event:
WCW Cruiserweight Classic 2001 - Round of 16 Match: The Artist Formerly Known as Prince Iaukea vs Chavo Guerrero Jr
Well folks, says Joey Styles, a big main-event here, the final Round of 16 Match of the WCW Cruiserweight Classic 2001. The Artist, not just Formerly Known as Prince Iaukea, but he was also Formerly Known as WCW World Cruiserweight Champion on 2 occasions, he will take on Chavo Guerrero Jr, himself also a 2 time WCW World Cruiserweight Classic.
We hear Chavo's theme but he doesn't come out.
Well where is he?! asks Joey Styles
We see Prince Iaukea in the ring looking confused
Perhaps mind games from Guerrero here, Joey? suggests Scott.
Suddenly we cut to backstage where we get on the camera just in time to see Hugh Morrus slam Chavo Guerrero Jr against a wall in the gorilla position in the back. Morrus fights off some road agents and security before power-slamming Chavo Guerrero Jr on the top of a table!
OH MY GODDD!! shouts Joey Styles
Scott Hudson says well last week Hugh Morrus asked Chavo if he wanted to team with him in the Open Challenge Tag Team Battle Royale for past champions. Chavo perhaps understandably said no to focus on this tournament, but it seems that Hugh Morrus I can only assume didn't take that well.
We see Disco Inferno rush over as Hugh Morrus makes an exist. Disco Inferno checks on Chavo who looks in a real bad way.
The medical team are checking him over as Prince Iaukea in the ring is waiting to see what happens.
Disco Inferno helps Chavo Guerrero Jr to his feet and Chavo tells him to help him to the ring!
Disco and the doctor on duty seem to be advising Chavo he can't possibly compete in tonight's main event but he won't hear it. We then see Chavo's music still playing and Disco Inferno helping a wounded looking Chavo to the ring.
Well folks, I bet The Artist can't quite believe his luck here. Hugh Morrus has caused significant damage to his opponent before this Round of 16 Match, it looks like Chavo Guerrero Jr will be able to compete, but in what condition I really don't know.
Chavo manages to walk into the ring by his own devices and the referee rings the bell.
Prince Iaukea, sensing the obvious opportunity immediately rushes over to Chavo Guerrero Jr and looks to try and score a quick punch and win, but Chavo manages to counter it, grabs Iaukea's tights and rolls him up!
1-2...3---NO! Iaukea just kicks out at 2.5 and Chavo almost stole one there!
Even just the effort in putting a school boy roll-up seems to have reinforced Chavo's injuries and he takes much longer to get to his feet than Iaukea.
Iaukea spends the next few minutes putting Chavo in holds and every now and then hitting him with a stiff kick or take-down. Chavo is in increasingly more and more pain and can't do much about it.
The match comes to an end when Chavo manages to counter his way out of a take-down and tries to hit a Gory Bomb on Iaukea, but he struggles to execute it and Iaukea counters out of it before hitting Chavo with a Jumping DDT.
The referee counts and thanks to a big assist from Hugh Morrus it is The Artist Formerly Known as Prince Iaukea who gets the win!
Prince Iaukea wins via pinfall - (4.44) - (59 rated)
---
The show ends with the announcers showing the updated bracket of the WCW Cruiserweight Classic 2001 and confirming that next week on Wednesday night Nitro we will see Juventud Guerrera vs 'Sexy' Brian Lawler and Super Crazy vs Psychosis, then on Friday Night Panic! we will see moRe-bId! vs Billy Kidman and Tajiri vs The Artist Formerly Known as Prince Iaukea!
----
Show Rating: 78
0.91 TV rating (686K viewers)