Post by fifthhorseman on Apr 13, 2020 11:57:06 GMT -5
CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING from FLORIDA
EPISODE 8
EPISODE 8
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. The clip ended with a still shot of Rick Ride holding the CWF Florida Heavyweight championship belt over his head, while his fallen challenger Nigel McGuinness was prone on the mat.
Drake Maverick: “Ladies and gentlemen, the CWF Florida Heavyweight champion... 'Ravishing' Rick Rude!”
The familiar music blasted through the arena as Rude was followed to the ring by his manager, Percy Pringle III. He looked every part the champion, suited up while Pringle carried the gold over his shoulder. The two men arrogantly sauntered into the squared circle, and Rude took the microphone from Maverick before he could even ask his questions.
“What I'd like to have right now is for all you fat, ugly, out of shape, Florida fleshbags, is to keep the noise down and let your champion speak. After all, I'm the only reason you keep showing up week after week, and out there in TV land... if you have HDTV, you're probably even luckier than these chumps. But let me tell you what's on your champion's mind. Last week, I took care of the so-called number one contender, Nigel McGuinness, in a 30-minute Iron Man match and I barely broke a sweat! Bobby, my friend, with all due respect... if he's the best you have to put against me, then you have to open up that checkbook of yours and find me some real competition! I mean, I'll take him on again if you want, but it's gonna be the same result – right, Percy? In fact -”
He was suddenly cut off by Razor Ramon, who walked through the curtain and borrowed a mike from Lance Russell. “Hey yo. I hate to interrupt such a thrilling speech, but tick tock – I have a match, and you're in my workspace. But if you're looking for a challenger, let me take care of business in there first, and maybe 'the Brain' will do the right thing the next time you're ready to fight instead of just talk.”
Before Rude could respond, some intelligent backstage officials came out to make sure things didn't escalate. “Ravishing Rick” and Pringle marched up the ramp and stared down the nonchalant Ramon, all while being separated by about half a dozen men. The big Cuban smiled and handed the microphone back to Russell, and got ready for his opponent.
BUDDY MURPHY vs. RAZOR RAMON:
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This was an important match; while it wasn't officially a “top contenders” match, it pitted two of the hottest names in the territory against each other. Despite the 60-pound disadvantage, Murphy was relentless on the attack, and he took it as well as he dished it out. No rest holds here, they fought at a furious pace, and nearly went the time limit. But with about 30 seconds left, Ramon muscled the Australian up for the Razor's Edge, and brought him down hard for the pin at 14:46.
Ramon: “I said what I needed to say a few minutes ago, and I just proved why I should be next man up. Chico, if you're man enough, you'll give me the next shot at that belt.”
COMMERCIAL
A 30-second introductory vignette for the Nasty Boys was shown, highlighting the team's multiple title reigns in FCW, WWF, and WCW. They were on their way...
...which segued into the next segment. The Freebirds were due to defend their tag-team titles against someone soon, Russell pondered, and the next match would probably help sway the case for whoever won it.
The ASCENSION (w/Kevin Sullivan) vs. the FASHION POLICE vs. MIKE GRAHAM and STEVE KEIRN vs. the UPPERCLASSMEN:
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Fatal four-way rules for this one, insuring chaos with eight very hungry fighters. Wily veterans, youthful power, speed, double-teaming past the five-count – you saw it all in this one. The Ascension looked dominant in stretches of the bout, with Sullivan guiding them on the outside. However, while they were tangled up with Keirn and Graham on the outside, Nowinski hoisted Breeze up and Riley shot off the ropes with a clothesline. It was a blatant steal of the Hart Attack – but it worked. The Upperclassmen took a hard-fought victory at 11:20, and they were happy to brag about it.
Nowinski: “Maverick, you saw it, they all saw it, now let me tell you about it. We just defeated half the tag-team roster here in the CWF. Made it look easy... because it was. Now, I don't get to make the matches, but if I did, I'd say that Alex and I just staked our claim on the next shot against the Freebirds.”
COMMERCIAL
Another Sean O'Haire vignette aired, similar to last week's. He once again spoke about what he perceived as the evils and hypocrisy in the world, and of the CWF audience. He also verbally slagged his former friend, Marco Corleone, and mocked his new allies, Art Barr and Louie Spicolli. O'Haire didn't overtly threaten anyone... not yet, at least.
LEO KRUGER vs. RECKLESS YOUTH:
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Russell reminded the viewers that this match was precipitated by a post-match attack by the big-game hunter, but this time, Youth was ready for him. The “King of the Independents” was a step ahead of Kruger throughout the battle, frustrating the South African to no end. But he wouldn't stay down, and used his strength to take it to the floor, where he brawled with the young fighter well past the bell that signaled the double count-out at 7:55.
CWF officials had to break it up, and the unexpectedly short match gave Russell the opportunity to queue a pre-taped interview he conducted earlier in the week with Jack Brisco. He was relatively humble, but the deep-voiced Oklahoman was also justifiably proud of his accomplishments as he recited them: two-time NWA World champion (with each reign lasting over 365 days); six-time Mid-Atlantic champion; a multi-time World tag-team champion with brother Jerry, as well as other tag reigns with other partners... and he continued, “And that's not even listing all the things I've done right here in Florida. Jack Brisco is synonymous with wrestling in the state of Florida. There isn't a belt I haven't worn around my waist in the CWF – and that includes the Florida Heavyweight title that Rick Rude is carrying around right now. My resume speaks for itself, and Rick Rude, Percy Pringle, one of these days, we'll face off, man to man, in the center of the ring. And when we do, I'll be wearing that belt again.”
COMMERCIAL
Russell: “Fans, before we get to our big main event, I wanted to let you know that next week, the CWF Southern Heavyweight champion, Brian Pillman, will be defending his title yet again – against the 'Prince of Darkness' himself, Kevin Sullivan... in a steel cage! Also, los Gringos Renacido – Marco Corleone, Art Barr, and Louie Spicolli – will be in six-man action as well.”
As he finished those announcements, he was joined by CWF President Bobby Heenan, who smugly acknowledged the fans. As was his tradition, he always watched – and called - the last match of the night in person.
RAY GORDY (w/Michael Hayes and Jimmy Garvin) vs. KERRY VON ERICH:
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Despite being outnumbered, the “Modern Day Warrior” entered the ring with supreme confidence. He was a Von Erich, and he was very familiar with the devious tactics of the Freebirds – the newest, Ray Gordy, was just the latest. He pressed the youngster over his head, and slammed him down to the canvas in the first minute, and the high-flyer rolled outside to regroup.
As it happened, Heenan made a surprising announcement. “Hey, Russell – did I mention that we have a pay-per-view coming up? Yessir – Battle of the Belts, after our thirteenth episode. That means that the boys have about a month left to impress me, to get on the biggest card of the spring, probably the biggest card of the year!”
The action picked back up, and Gordy tried to slow things down. The odd (for him) strategy worked, albeit with his colleagues' assistance. The Freebirds honed their interfering ways to a science – when Garvin distracted the ref, Hayes would interfere, and vice versa. And Gordy was no slouch, on the mat or especially in the air, and he scored several two-counts on his more powerful opponent. However, he couldn't finish him off, and Von Erich rallied, taking Gordy down with the iron claw.
But before the Freebird submitted, Garvin and Hayes slid into the ring and put the boots to their longtime foe. The bell rung, repeatedly, but it didn't slow down the gang's attack. This continued for several seconds, until it was interrupted by a most unlikely person – David Von Erich.
The big Texan ran down the ramp and dove under the bottom rope, scattering the Freebirds to various corners. He hovered over his younger brother, inspecting the damage...
...and then he locked the iron claw on his own brother. With his other hand, David waved the heels over, and they continued to swarm the weary, battered younger brother. The referee waved for assistance, and after what seemed like an eternity to Kerry, the ever-present CWF officials ran down to the ring, followed by other face wrestlers like the Fashion Police, Mike Graham, and Steve Keirn. While the wrestlers guarded the “Texas Tornado” and checked him out, the officials escorted his brother and the Freebirds back up the ramp.
But before they left, Hayes extended his hand to David, who accepted it with a broad smile across his face. The four men all saluted the jeering crowd, and as the show went off the air, Russell exclaimed, “I never thought I'd see the day – David Von Erich has joined the Fabulous Freebirds!”