Post by fifthhorseman on Mar 8, 2020 13:14:14 GMT -5
CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING from FLORIDA
EPISODE 2
EPISODE 2
60-second video montage showcasing some of the greatest stars that competed in the classic CWF, as well as FCW and NXT. The clip ends with a still shot of the Freebirds holding the tag-team titles over their heads.
Russell: “Hello, everybody, and welcome to Championship Wrestling from Florida! I'm Lance Russell, and we have six incredible matches in store for you tonight, every one of them a qualifying match to determine the six challengers for the CWF Florida Heavyweight championship. But the goal tonight is not simply to defeat your opponents – nosiree. These matches will all be timed, and the sooner you're able to win the match, the more of an advantage you'll have in the championship match two weeks from now. In addition, each match will have a 15-minute time limit, and if there is no winner, neither man will move on.”
“It looks like our ring announcer, Drake Maverick, is ready to go, so let's get down to the ring for tonight's opening contest!”
DAVEY RICHARDS vs. TERRY TAYLOR:
vs.
Taylor enjoyed the weight advantage, but Richards was just as strong, and twice as intense. It was a stiff but scientific affair, and just good an opener as you would expect. The tide shifted several times throughout the contest, despite both men's efforts to end it early. The “American Wolf” finally ended it with a cross armbreaker at 11:17.
After the match, Maverick did the customary post-bout interview with the winner. “I”ll take the win, because I deserve it,” he said angrily, “but that took way too long, especially against a nobody like Terry Taylor. Ring rust, that's what it was – but in two weeks, when I get in the ring with the gold on the line, all that rust will be shaken off.”
As Richards left, the scene shifted to Heenan's backstage office, where Brian Pillman was banging in the door. Heenan opened it, and said, “I need a bouncer back here. I'm a busy man, make it snappy - what do you want?”
Pillman went straight to the point, asking, “Why the hell am I not wrestling tonight? You don't think I'm one of the 12 best guys in your company?”
“The Brain” smirked. “You probably are, kid, but here's the thing – I just don't like you that much. Remember that time you tore the headset off me from behind, a man with chronic neck injuries? Yeah, I still do. You're a loose cannon, and there's no way I'm putting you in a position to be the face of my company. But here's what I will do, because I'm a magnanimous owner – I'll put you in the CWF Southern Heavyweight championship match next week. If you're as good as you think you are, that shouldn't be a problem for you, right?”
Heenan stepped back into his office. “One more thing – work on your conditioning. It's a 'Three Stages of Hell' Match. You're gonna have to earn it.”
COMMERCIAL
RAZOR RAMON vs. SEAN O'HAIRE (w/Mark Jindrak):
vs.
RAZOR RAMON vs. SEAN O'HAIRE (w/Mark Jindrak):
vs.
Both men were fan favorites walking into the ring, but it was clear that the crowd preferred the “Bad Guy” that much more. The two cautiously shook hands before it started, eye to eye and nose to nose, and then it was on. Though they weighed over 550 pound between them, they were incredibly agile, and worked like cruiserweights. However, Ramon took advantage of a missed Seanton Bomb, and put his opponent away with the Razor's Edge at 12:02.
Jindrak congratulated Ramon, as did O'Haire (albeit reluctantly), and then he stated his case for the championship. “Hey, yo. Sean O'Haire is one bad hombre, and a hell of a wrestler. But today was my day. It doesn't matter if I have to beat him, his partner, Davey Richards, or whoever else gets in my way... I'm gonna beat them all, uno, dos, tres.”
A 30-second highlight reel from last week's match was shown, centered around the match bwtween two of the industry's most unheralded athletes, Blitzkrieg and Reckless Youth... and then it was right back to the “Beat the Clock” action.
JACK BRISCO vs. DON MURACO (w/Bob Orton, Jr.):
vs.
vs.
There was no love lost between these two, and they tore into each other from the opening bell. It was a rugged match, and the “Magnificent One” used his power to take charge, occasionally aided from the outside by the “Cowboy”. However, the NWA legend battled back against the odds, and shocked Muraco with a small package roll-up at 7:40.
Before he could catch his breath, the evil duo put the boots to him until Richie Steamboat made the save with a chair in hand. Brisco: “Less than eight minutes, hunh? Looks like I'm calling the shots now, fellas. I'll see the rest of you in a couple of weeks.”
COMMERCIAL
Backstage, four of the remaining wrestlers waited outside Heenan's door to find out who was facing whom. The Von Erich brothers were relaxed, but eager to see who would get Nigel McGuinness, and who would battle Kevin Sullivan. As if on cue, Heenan came out with a bemused expression on his face. “Geez, shouldn't you be stretching or doing push-ups or something? For all you know, the next match might last three seconds – and you can't blame me if you're not warmed up! Besides, I don't offer health insurance!”
He paused, and said as if only just remembering, “Oh yeah, I suppose you're here to find out who your dance partner is. Well ,” he looked down at a piece of paper in his hand, knowing full well what the matchups were, “here you go. Mr. Sullivan, you'll be facing Nigel McGuinness next. Good luck to you both.”
The Von Erichs were shocked, and glared at Heenan, who shrugged his shoulders and smirked. “And you two – you're my main event! May the best man win!”
LEO KRUGER vs. BUDDY MURPHY:
vs.
vs.
The NXT alumni were “heels” in the traditional sense, but they brought the crowd to their feet in a sprint of a match. The South African mercenary and the former Cruiserweight “Juggernaut” kept one eye on the clock the whole time, and Kruger came close to ending it in what would have been a slight upset. However, the Australian was too fast and focused for him, and he ended it with Murphy's Law at 8:33.
Murphy: “All I needed was a chance. You can't hold back excellence, and now that I've secured a spot in the CWF Florida Heavyweight championship match – whatever it is – you might as well hand me that belt right now. The match itself is just a coronation for the new champ... Buddy Murphy.”
COMMERCIAL
NIGEL McGUINNESS vs. KEVIN SULLIVAN (w/Hade Vansen):
vs.
NIGEL McGUINNESS vs. KEVIN SULLIVAN (w/Hade Vansen):
vs.
Russell: “An army starts with one man... and with Hade Vansen accompanying Kevin Sullivan to ringside, one has to wonder if the 'Army of Darkness' is being rebuilt again in Florida a soldier at a time.”
The match presented quite a contrast in styles and shapes; McGuinness, tall and lanky, and Sullivan, compact and muscular. It was an entertaining match as well, as the contrast played well. The Bostionan was an underrated technician, and more than held his own. However, the former ROH stalwart was extremely motivated, given Heenan's threat the previous week, and he finished Sullivan off with the Tower of London cutter at an even 11 minutes.
As soon as the bell rang, Vansen attacked, and the two Brits were trading lefts and rights until two more wrestlers ran down the ramp and made it a three-on-one mauling.... Konnor and Viktor, the Ascension. Sullivan got to his feet and directed the brutal assault, but the four heels scattered when 2MB and the Fashion Police made the save. There was no post-match interview, as the teams helped McGuinness to the back.
A vignette was shown, with a voiceover provided by the owner himself, Bobby Heenan. While clips from classic CWF Southern Heavyweight title matches were shown, he said, “Next week, a new champion will be decided, right here in Tampa. The participants? Larry Cameron, Apollo Crews, Sonny Siaki... and Brian Pillman. The contest? A fatal four-way, three stages of hell match. The first stage will be fought under regular rules – pinfall or submission. The second stage – falls count anywhere. The final stage? A ladder match, with the CWF Southern Heavyweight title suspended 15 feet above the ring! So the question, gentlemen, is this – how bad do you want it? If you want to be my Southern Heavyweight champ, you're gonna have to go get it.”
COMMERCIAL
Drake Maverick introduced Heenan to the audience, and he strutted out and sat down beside Russell, as was his custom for CWF main events. It gave him the best view of his talent, and deep down, he loved being – in his mind – the true voice of CWF. He also had the brand-new Florida championship strap with him, and he propped it up in front of him.
Russell: “Bobby, can you give us any insight as to why you put the Von Erichs against each other tonight?”
Heenan: “Are you kidding? They're two of the greatest wrestlers in the world, and whoever moves on is going to be able to say they earned that spot! And tonight, we're gonna see who wants it most. Is the CWF Florida Heavyweight championship more important that brotherhood? I say, yes!”
DAVID VON ERICH vs. KERRY VON ERICH:
vs.
vs.
As a show of solidarity, the two men walked down the ramp together, both Texans staring holes through the CWF owner and president. Maverick made the big match intros, and the crowd buzzed, wondering what would happen.
One of the first things they noticed was that David was bigger than ever, with about 35 extra pounds on his frame since his last foray into Florida. He was in great shape, and he'd have to be, facing one of the best-conditioned strongmen in the entire MUW Network. The brothers started slowly, but as the minutes ticked away, they traded holds and counters with increased speed. But neither man could pin the other for a three-count.
With just two minutes left on the time limit, Kerry missed a flying splash into the corner, crashing hard into the ringpost, and blood began to trickle from his forehead. Seeing the injury, David took a step back.. but only for a moment. He looked at the clock, then back at the broadcast table, and then... he snapped. David fell on his brother, raining heavy fists down on Kerry's forehead, and the trickle of blood became a steady stream. The referee pulled him off, but David was relentless, and he locked the dreaded iron claw on his younger brother. Kerry thrashed around, but the 275-pounder kept him down. The clock continued to tick away, and the former Intercontinental champion fought as hard as he could.. but with just two seconds left, he was too weak to get his shoulders off the mat, and the referee counted the pin. David had his bloody hand raised in victory, and he did not even look back as he left the ring.