Post by fifthhorseman on Feb 12, 2021 1:14:26 GMT -5
CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING FROM FLORIDA
EPISODE 44
EPISODE 44
A 60-second video montage showcasing some of the greatest stars that competed in the classic CWF, as well as FCW and NXT, opens the telecast, ending with a still shot of Triple H in the ring after winning the top contenders' battle royale.
The show opened with a similar scene, with the NeXT Evolution and Gene Okerlund in the ring for an interview. The “Cerebral Assassin” told the world that his faction was already the greatest assemblage of talent in any territory, and Florida was lucky to have them. He also guaranteed victory at Winterslam against the Florida Heavyweight champion, Jack Brisco, after which the rest of NeXT Evolution would quickly collect every other belt in CWF.
He was interrupted by the man he eliminated from the battle royale last – Scott Hall. The popular big man said that he should have known his “old friend” would do something like that, but added, “Let's see what you can do when my back isn't turned. Me and you, tonight – or right now, I don't care. But you're getting your ass kicked either way.”
Suddenly, Hall was also interrupted by Bobby Heenan, and he made it clear that that was not happening. Hall could wrestle anybody else in NeXT Evolution – but not Triple H. “You guys figure it out, and come to my office to let me know. Hey, that ought to make you a little bit happy, right? Now that that's all settled, all of you, get out of here – I have a show to run!”
CHRISTIAN CAGE vs. BUDDY LANDEL:
vs.
The show started with a pair of top-notch technicians. The lesser-known “Nature Boy” was his normal brash self, and he took aim at Christian's left leg. But the “Instant Classic” was operating at a different level than Landel, and it only took him about six minutes to turn things around and win with an Unprettier.
When the match ended, Cage took the microphone from Okerlund and challenged Paul Orndorff to a rematch. “Let's see if you can win a match without using the ropes for leverage – yeah, that's right. I watch the show, too!”
COMMERCIAL
A pre-taped interview was shown on the video monitors. The CWF Florida tag champs, Terry and Dory Funk, Jr., were ready to defend their titles at Winterslam. “Rumor has it that Dory and I will be taking on the Stronghold,” Terry said, “and if that's the case, well, it's no rumor that they're big and strong and mean. But here's the thing... we've been fighting guys like you all our lives. On the ranch, and in the ring. Good luck against the Funk brothers, fellas... you're gonna need it.”
The KINGS OF WRESTLING and NIGEL McGUINNESS vs. the BROMANS and DISCO INFERNO:
vs.
vs.
The three newcomers came to Florida for a shot at greater glory, but they ran into a wrestling machine. Inferno, Godderz, and Robbie E were the faces by default in this one, but aside from a few well-timed moves, they were overmatched from the opening bell. McGuinness and the Kings were brutally efficient, and it ended via a discus kick by Hero on Inferno.
COMMERCIAL
As luck would have it, Gary Hart and Paul Orndorff were backstage, and the wily manager commandeered a camera. “Cage, you punk, if you want a fight so bad, you got it. And if you're so worried about 'Mr. Wonderful' using the ropes against you, then let's have a match where pinfalls don't matter. If you got the guts, let's do this at Winterslam – in a last man standing match!”
DEXTER LUMIS vs. JON MOXLEY:
vs.
vs.
Lance Russell recapped what happened last week – namely, Raven's post-match DDT on Moxley – prompting the former Shield member to seek revenge. However, Heenan didn't want to give Moxley the idea that he could call the shots in CWF, so he substituted the sociopathic Lumis into the match instead.
Every member of the Flock was banned from ringside, but Moxley constantly looked over his shoulder, just in case. Lumis wrestled his best match since arriving in the territory, and his change-of-pace style – methodical yet explosive – frustrated his foe. But after he missed a top-rope legdrop, Moxley took charge long enough to win via the Paradigm Shift.
However, he wasn't done. He picked Lumis up and hit him with a second DDT, then dropped to a knee beside him to engage the camera. “Raven! I'm done fighting your lackeys! Either sign a contract to fight me at Winterslam, or I'll keep dropping this guy on his head. Again and again. Your choice.”
Moxley deadlifted Lumis up with a headlock, and paused long enough for the Flock to come out onto the stage. Raven said, “Moxley, you think I care what you do to one of my followers? Dexter will follow me to the ends of the earth. If I told him to not fight back, he wouldn't fight back! However, let's see if you'll do what I say. I accept your challenge, Moxley – but it's going to be a Raven's Rules match!”
COMMERCIAL
The NEW DAY vs. the TAMPA TOWERS:
vs.
vs.
Before the match, as Kingston and Woods bounced the ramp, Russell observed that they didn't have the same “pep in their step” that they usually did. There were many reasons for that, and the Towers waiting in the ring for them were just two of them. Conversely, Spivey and Awesome were riding a wave of confidence; Spivey was taking credit for running the Varsity Club out of town, while Awesome would be wrestling for the Southern Heavyweight strap at Winterslam.
The contest itself was an obvious contrast of styles, and though the New Day took it to their bigger opponents, they were surprisingly overwhelmed. After tossing Kofi from the ring, the Towers hit Woods with a double-powerbomb for the decisive win. As the winners walked up the ramp, Awesome looked into the camera, and yelled a short promo at Drew McIntyre; at Winterslam, the Scotsman was going to get bombed, just like everyone else.
COMMERCIAL
CWF TELEVISION TITLE MATCH
LEX LUGER (c, w/Sir Oliver Humperdink) vs. BARRY WINDHAM:
vs.
LEX LUGER (c, w/Sir Oliver Humperdink) vs. BARRY WINDHAM:
vs.
The champion and his manager threatened to wrestle the bout under protest: in their minds, Luger had proven his point, and Windham had to go to the back of the line. The former champion, however, argued that Luger hadn't decisively beaten him in either of their rematches... so Heenan booked it one more time.
Champion's choice this time around, and Luger selected no holds barred. He even jumped Windham at the bell, and took control early with his raw power. They fought in the ring, on the floor, and wherever they went, the “Package” was relentless. However, the big Texan fought back, but with about a minute left to go, Luger flung him head-first into the ringpost. Windham was cut – badly – and could barely stand. Luger hoisted him into the Torture Rack, and as the blood poured, he pulled down on Windham's back as hard as he could. The bell rang soon after... but like before, it was a time-limit draw.
The former “Narcissist” dropped Windham to the canvas and shouted, “I'm done with him! His blood is on my hands – and Bobby, if I wrestle him again, it'll be on yours!”
COMMERCIAL
Heenan was talking to the NeXT Evolution backstage. He looked at Regal and said, “You can have one person at ringside with you, but only one – and not him.” He pointed at Triple H and continued. “Like I said before, I don't want anything, or anyone, messing up my main event at Winterslam, so Hunter, you're staying back in the back.”
The CWF owner kept walking, through the curtain, across the stage, and he sat down with Russell. “What a show, am I right? And what a main event we have coming up. But first, let's talk about that TV title match we just saw. Another outstanding contest. Another great fight! Another draw. But I have to admit, Lex Luger was the better man tonight, and it's time to give someone else a shot at the TV title.”
SCOTT HALL vs. STEVEN REGAL (w/Finn Balor):
vs.
vs.
The “Bad Guy” would have preferred to get his hands on his former friend, but Regal was just as punchable. Despite outward appearances, this was not the contrast that one would think; Hall was a very skilled wrestler that just happened to be big, while Regal could brawl with anybody if he wanted to.
This was a very rare non-title main event match, but Regal and Hall delivered. They mixed traditional wrestling, brawling, and even a couple of comedy spots over the course of nearly 20 minutes, and Balor was just enough of a bother outside to keep it intriguing. Regal worked the neck, Hall the back, and after trying multiple times to hit their finishers, the multi-time Intercontinental champ rolled Regal up with a simple small package for the win.
As soon as the bell rang, Balor leapt in and attacked Hall. Regal joined in and the two men kicked away at Hall until he worked his way back up, and fought them off. Leaving them in the ring, he stumbled up the ramp with a smile on his face. When he got to the stage, Triple H sneaked through the curtain, waiting for him... but Hall sensed it, and when he turned around, he caught “the Game's” kick. The show ended with the two men going nose to nose.