ECW November To Remember 05.11.1994
Philadelphia, PA
1. ECW World Television Title: Dean Malenko def. The Tazmaniac (w/ 911 and Paul E. Dangerously) (decision match) (12 mins)
This is the tournament final for the first ever “Extreme” TV champion, moving on from the “Eastern” lineage. Tazmaniac and Malenko are also in a feud, after what happened at the last shows, so this is more than a simple final. At the time, ECW built this as a shooter vs shooter match, even though it was “savage Tazmaniac” instead of “shooter Taz”, but it can be a good one anyway. Paul E. asks 911 not to interfere, as Tazmaniac wants to measure up with Malenko. Malenko wins with a roll up, using the ropes for leverage
2. The Pitbulls (w/ Jason) def. The Bad Breed (6 mins)
These two teams started feuding around this time and I am all up for it, because I am a fan of "non titles feuds" in the tag division, as it helps building our teams for future chances. This is also a first time ever at this time, which helps as well, despite the ceiling being pretty low in terms of quality. Jason helps the Pitbulls and #2 finishes Ian with the superbomb, getting the pinfall while Axl was hitting #1 with a chair outside the ring
3. Too Cold Scorpio def. Hack Myers (7 mins)
Scorpio needs to rebuild himself a bit, as he's been in ECW for a few months and lost both programs he started: against Sabu and against Shane Douglas. Myers is in babyface mode transition and with a decent win/loss record, but he plays the heel again here as Scorpio would get the fans' support mostly. Scorpio blocks a Myers punch with a spinning kick and hits the 450 splash to win the match
ANGLE: Scorpio shakes hands with Myers and says that he will not be back in ECW until 1995, due to other commitments. When he returns, his eyes are still on gold and he vows to get revenge on the Triple Threat
4. Dual Singapore Cane Knockout Match: Tommy Dreamer def. The Sandman (w/ Woman) (11 mins)
So, this is the stipulation: they both get a singapore cane each and they can do whatever they want with it, the match can only be stopped when one of them is knocked out and can't answer a 10 count from the referee. This is Sandman's type of match, but this time Dreamer has a bigger chance, for once he can actually use the cane as well instead of being jumped and blindsided. This is bloody, of course. Woman tries to interfere with a singapore cane of her own, but she gets stopped by Peaches (Sandman's wife (ex wife in storyline), they feuded the whole spring/summer of '94). Sandman is distracted, while he had the upper hand and, when he turns around, Dreamer smashes his cane on Sandman's head finally. Sandman can't get up and Dreamer wins (the stipulation also protects Sandman, who was more established, so he's putting over Dreamer without getting pinned)
ANGLE: Dreamer actually waits for Sandman to get back up and looks at him. Sandman has a puzzled expression, like he's actually starting to respect Dreamer now for being tough (which will help when they start teaming in a few years), but Woman barks at Sandman, who canes both Dreamer and his former wife Peaches too
5. Ron Simmons def. Stevie Richards (6 mins)
Simmons has recently made his debut in ECW and is still undefeated, as he got a couple of wins since his arrival. This match seems to be no challenge at all for him. Richards tries hard to be funny, but the crowd just hates him and keeps booing him, hoping for Simmons to destroy him. Richards insists on comedy spots, but they don't get the right appreciation. He tries to turn serious, but he makes a few mistakes and Simmons destroys him with a powerslam, then pinning Richards
ANGLE: Richards leaves the ring smiling and being a goof, but Tod Gordon stops him on the aisle: Richards has lost all the 1994 matches so far (both with the real timeline and mine) and that is just pathetic. Richards just continues being silly and Gordon says that, if Richards loses his match at Holiday Hell too, he will be fired from ECW. Richards' smile quickly disappears
6. ECW World Heavyweight Title: Shane Douglas (c) def. Brian Pillman (13 mins)
So, WCW was kind enough to loan us Steve Austin in November 1994, but they ended up sending us Brian Pillman instead. I'll take it, but I'll take it on this show instead, so running the match 2 weeks before what really happened. It's not like November to Remember was on PPV, so it's fine. This match can be a great attraction and, in the weeks leading to it, Douglas talks about how many times they stole the show down South (Hollywood Blondes vs Steamboat & Douglas series), but now he's the World Champion, he's the franchise, while Pillman's career is going nowhere (it wasn't in late 1994). Pillman can bring the Flyin Brian babyface fire and look really good here, not only this match will make their 1996 interactions more meaningful, but in 1996 I can't use Pillman in the ring as he's injured. Douglas whips Pillman towards the referee and then pins him with the belly to belly suplex
7. ECW World Tag Team Titles Tornado Street Fight Match: Public Enemy def. Cactus Jack & Mikey Whipwreck (c) (11 mins)
Public Enemy get their title rematch and it will be a tornado street fight, meaning that all 4 wrestlers can be in the ring at the same time and there will be no countouts if they are away from the ring for plenty of time. Mikey gulps, he knows he can't rely on Cactus much here, because there will be no tags. However, while of course Cactus has to work extra time, Mikey does all he can and keeps taking risks with dives and starting punch confrontations with the Enemies. At the end, the challenges hit the drive-by on Mikey and Rock pins him
ANGLE: Public Enemy celebrates with the titles, but actually clap their opponents and nods when Cactus helps Mikey back to his feet. More establishment for Mikey, while the Enemies start their face turn
8. Chris Benoit def. Sabu (w/ 911 and Paul E. Dangerously) by RTD (2 mins)
Benoit vs Sabu was probably THE indy dream match in 1994, in terms of people that were not signed with the big two. It's a shame that real life happens, so the match starts and Benoit suplexs around Sabu recklessly, ending up injuring his neck. Sabu goes down and the referee checks on him, then declaring Benoit the winner by referee technical decision (not no-contest, Paul E., really?!)
ANGLE: Of course, the crowd is both worried and disappointed while Sabu gets checked on. Tazmaniac comes down too, while Malenko backs Benoit. Paul E. is furious and says this is not the end of it. Benoit and Malenko walk towards backstage, but Paul E. dares them to fight Sabu and Tazmaniac if they have balls, so they accept and run towards the ring. The referee is against it, so 911 chokeslams him (per storyline, he will be fined) and another one comes out to start the impromptu main event
9. The Tazmaniac & Sabu (w/ 911 and Paul E. Dangerously) def. Chris Benoit & Dean Malenko (12 mins)
Now, about Sabu's injury: I am sure he was hurt, but him breaking his neck was part of the storyline, a great storyline, but he didn't really break his neck. He wrestled like 10 days later. He hurt his spinal cord and I'm sure he wasn't well, but he'd be okay to do this. What's more ECW than an impromptu tag main event, anyway? Sabu stays on the apron for the whole match, this is all Benoit and Malenko tagging in and out and destroying poor Tazmaniac for 10 minutes. Then, hot tag and Sabu comes in, changing the whole momentum. Shane Douglas runs down to interfere, but 911 chases him and they both disappear. Sabu takes no bumps, only dishes punishment, and beats Benoit with the arabian facebuster to send the crowd home happy
