Post by fifthhorseman on Jun 16, 2020 22:49:54 GMT -5
Cold open to start the show – earlier in the day, the Freebirds showed up en masse to talk to Bobby Heenan. His office door was closed, and his new head of security, Vinnie Vegas, was standing in their way. Apparently they were having second thoughts about accepting Kerry Von Erich's challenge the week before, and Hayes and Garvin did not want to put the titles on the line.
As if on cue, Heenan opened the door, and he anticipated their antics. “Hey, you're my main event tonight, and those belts are gonna be defended – it's not like I can just call the Brooklyn Brawler and throw him into that spot! Besides... you're the champs, right? You're coming off a huge title defense, you just beat two teams at Battle of the Belts! If you can't beat two muscleheads that aren't even a real team, well, I mean... it makes me wonder if the right guys are representing my territory. So, are you? Are you the best team I have? If you are, prove it!”
He retreated back into his office, and Vegas tilted his head to imply that the angry quartet should move on.
LOS GRINGOS RENACIDO vs. DON MURACO and BOB ORTON, Jr:
vs.
As the heels walked to the ring, a picture-in-picture video aired, where the two were speaking with Percy Pringle backstage. The camera didn't pick up what the three men said, but Orton and Muraco seemed to be disappointed at the end of the conversation.
Both teams needed a win; they were both stuck in the middle of the rankings, and Corleone's ribs were taped up, even three weeks after his brutal cage match at Battle of the Belts. They were very evenly-matched, with the two powerhouses of each team negating each other, just like the technicians Orton and Barr. However, this was the “Love Machine's” best match in CWF to date, and he helped carry the still-sore Corleone to victory, hitting a frog splash on “the Cowboy” at 11:51 to score the win.
Russell couldn't help noticing that Bobby Heenan put a member of the “Devil's Advocates” stable into each qualifying match, and he asked Bennett if that was his way of trying yet again to stack the deck against Brian Pillman. The color man replied, “That may be, but he didn't let the third Advocate, Leo Kruger, accompany either man to the ring. Whoever wins will do it by himself.”
Taylor was giving up a lot of size in this match, but the perpetually underrated Floridian was used to fighting bigger guys, and had won a lot of titles over his career from them as well. He went after O'Haire's ribs and back early on, hoping that he was also feeling the effects of his cage match at BotB. However, if he was ailing, the freakishly-built O'Haire wasn't letting his opponent know it. He came back with punishing blows and slams on Taylor, grinding him to the mat. But rather than use a Seanton bomb to end it, he went with his Widowmaker (fireman's carry slam), and earned the clean win at just 8:25.
Russell: “Bobby, we couldn't help but notice that you refused to see Razor Ramon tonight. The replays from Battle of the Belts clearly showed that Percy Pringle distracted the referee while Rick Rude hit Mr. Ramon hard below the belt. IF that didn't happen, who knows how that match would have turned out?”
“Who knows indeed,” Heenan replied, “but the fact is, the better man won. Now, if the referee saw what you're describing, then he probably would have disqualified the champ – and if that happened, Ramon still wouldn't have won the title. So either way, 'Ravishing' Rick Rude is still the Florida Heavyweight champion. But just so you know, I did fine that referee for missing it... but that's all. I'm most certainly not to reverse or review every single match just because it doesn't go a certain guy's way. I have the best referees in the world, and I'm gonna leave it up to them.”
Bennett nodded his head in approval. “Now, Bobby, I've heard rumor that you're going to announce a very special match for next week as well, before we get to our main event.”
“That's right. Next week, we're going to have ourselves a 'Welcome to CWF' battle royale. As you know, we've acquired a lot of talented wrestlers over the last couple of weeks, and with nearly all of their contracts taken care of, I don't plan on rolling them out once at a time. On the contrary – let's throw them all together and see what we have! Right here, next week, you're gonna see at least a dozen new faces, all at once, all in the same ring!”
All four Freebirds strode down the ramp. the Von Erich brothers jawed at each other, practically going nose-to-nose. Big-match intros for the main event, and after the announcements were made, the referee decided that he didn't need any additional drama – so he ejected David, and Ray Gordy, from ringside, and the crowd roared its approval.
The challengers took control early, with stereo press-slams on Garvin and Hayes. They definitely had the strength advantage, and they used it, isolating “Gorgeous Jimmy” and slowing the pace down. For an ad hoc team, Haynes and Von Erich had good chemistry, and they calmly dominated the early going. But a simple missed elbowdrop turned the tide, and the middle stretch of the match saw the champions take over, and they kept Haynes in their corner. It was textbook tag work, using every second of the five-count for double-teaming.
Eventually things broke down and it turned into a brawl. All four men were in the ring, and David slowly walked down the ramp to stir things up. The referee spotted him, and jumped outside to shoo him away. Meanwhile, from the opposite side, Gordy slipped through the crowd – shades of his interference during the brothers' match weeks earlier – jumped up on the opposite apron, and tossed a pair of brass knuckles towards Hayes.
Unfortunately for him, Kerry intercepted the weapon.
Haynes sent Gordy sprawling from the ring with a dropkick, and then took Garvin down with a tackle, rolling past the referee and through the ropes. After they took their tumble, the “Modern Day Warrior” picked Hayes up, spun around, and cracked him in the jaw with a weapon-aided tornado punch. The leader of the Freebirds was out like a light, and the referee spun around just in time to see Kerry drop down for the pin. Three seconds later, and 21 minutes from the opening bell, it was over, and the first title change in the reborn CWF had happened. Haynes and Von Erich celebrated in the corners with the gold straps as the show went to credits, while Garvin checked on his partner, and the other two 'Birds yelled at the official.
As if on cue, Heenan opened the door, and he anticipated their antics. “Hey, you're my main event tonight, and those belts are gonna be defended – it's not like I can just call the Brooklyn Brawler and throw him into that spot! Besides... you're the champs, right? You're coming off a huge title defense, you just beat two teams at Battle of the Belts! If you can't beat two muscleheads that aren't even a real team, well, I mean... it makes me wonder if the right guys are representing my territory. So, are you? Are you the best team I have? If you are, prove it!”
He retreated back into his office, and Vegas tilted his head to imply that the angry quartet should move on.
CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING FROM FLORIDA
EPISODE 15
EPISODE 15
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 the CWF Southern Heavyweight champion, Brian Pillman, trapped in a figure-four leglock by the master of that hold (and many more), Jack Brisco.
Lance Russell: “Hello, wrestling fans! I'm Lance Russell, and the man to my right is Stu Bennett - welcome to Championship Wrestling from Florida! We have four fantastic matches in store for you tonight, including two qualifying matches to determine who gets the next shot at Brian Pillman's Southern Heavyweight championship. One of these four men - Nigel McGuinness, Terry Taylor, Dexter Lumis, or Sean O'Haire - is next in line for that prestigious belt."
Bennett: "And what about our main event? The Freebirds, the only tag-team champions this territory has known since Bobby 'the Brain' Heenan returned it to its former glory, put those straps on the line tonight in a title vs. career match. Biily Jack Haynes and Kerry Von Erich are a fine set of challengers - but if they lose, the 'Texas Tornado' must leave CWF!"
Russell: "It's a big match indeed, but so is our opening contest - so let's get to the ring!"
LOS GRINGOS RENACIDO vs. DON MURACO and BOB ORTON, Jr:
vs.
As the heels walked to the ring, a picture-in-picture video aired, where the two were speaking with Percy Pringle backstage. The camera didn't pick up what the three men said, but Orton and Muraco seemed to be disappointed at the end of the conversation.
Both teams needed a win; they were both stuck in the middle of the rankings, and Corleone's ribs were taped up, even three weeks after his brutal cage match at Battle of the Belts. They were very evenly-matched, with the two powerhouses of each team negating each other, just like the technicians Orton and Barr. However, this was the “Love Machine's” best match in CWF to date, and he helped carry the still-sore Corleone to victory, hitting a frog splash on “the Cowboy” at 11:51 to score the win.
COMMERCIAL
Backstage, Bennett stood next to Rusev, and congratulated him on his impressive win seven days earlier. But before he could reply, he was interrupted by another behemoth – Ryback. The resident of Las Vegas was in street clothes, and in a foul mood. “Yeah, let's all give Rusev his props. Big win last week. And a lot of hype for you coming in, what with all those vignettes you got. But who know who isn't impressed by the hype? Me. I signed my CWF contract just a week after you did – and what have I gotten? Not a damn thing. No videos, no acknowledgement from the announcers, not even a match!”
Before he could air more grievances, a group of CWF officials got in between the two titans, in anticipation of the worse, and slowly moved Ryback away... but not before Rusev calmly looked at Bennett and said, “It's not my fault he hasn't gotten a match yet. But if he's looking for a fight...” His voice trailed off and he walked out of frame.
DEXTER LUMIS vs. NIGEL McGUINNESS:
vs.
vs.
Russell couldn't help noticing that Bobby Heenan put a member of the “Devil's Advocates” stable into each qualifying match, and he asked Bennett if that was his way of trying yet again to stack the deck against Brian Pillman. The color man replied, “That may be, but he didn't let the third Advocate, Leo Kruger, accompany either man to the ring. Whoever wins will do it by himself.”
Bennett wasn't wrong. The sociopath took charge with his unique power-based game, but McGuinness didn't mind taking a punch to get one in of his own. The brawling Brit took over after surviving the initial beating, and wore Lumis out with his combination of striking, matwork, and experience. Lumis got in a few blows near the end, but McGuinness finished him off with the jawbreaker lariat at 13:24.
COMMERCIAL
A 30-second “coming soon” vignette was shown, showcasing the skills, physique, and charisma... of “Superstar” Billy Graham.
Backstage for the second time tonight, and Razor Ramon sized up Heenan's henchman Vegas. The seven-footer was not letting Ramon in, so the “Bad Guy” left a message: tell your boss I was cheated out of a win at Battle of the Belts – and I demand a rematch.
SEAN O'HAIRE vs. TERRY TAYLOR:
vs.
vs.
Taylor was giving up a lot of size in this match, but the perpetually underrated Floridian was used to fighting bigger guys, and had won a lot of titles over his career from them as well. He went after O'Haire's ribs and back early on, hoping that he was also feeling the effects of his cage match at BotB. However, if he was ailing, the freakishly-built O'Haire wasn't letting his opponent know it. He came back with punishing blows and slams on Taylor, grinding him to the mat. But rather than use a Seanton bomb to end it, he went with his Widowmaker (fireman's carry slam), and earned the clean win at just 8:25.
COMMERCIAL
With such high stakes and emotions running rampant for the main event, Bobby Heenan couldn't wait to get out to the broadcast table. A short video vignette aired detailing the various (and nefarious) deeds the Freebirds had performed since arriving in CWF, including their tag-team title win, David Von Erich joining the faction, and his win at BotB.
Russell: “Bobby, we couldn't help but notice that you refused to see Razor Ramon tonight. The replays from Battle of the Belts clearly showed that Percy Pringle distracted the referee while Rick Rude hit Mr. Ramon hard below the belt. IF that didn't happen, who knows how that match would have turned out?”
“Who knows indeed,” Heenan replied, “but the fact is, the better man won. Now, if the referee saw what you're describing, then he probably would have disqualified the champ – and if that happened, Ramon still wouldn't have won the title. So either way, 'Ravishing' Rick Rude is still the Florida Heavyweight champion. But just so you know, I did fine that referee for missing it... but that's all. I'm most certainly not to reverse or review every single match just because it doesn't go a certain guy's way. I have the best referees in the world, and I'm gonna leave it up to them.”
Bennett nodded his head in approval. “Now, Bobby, I've heard rumor that you're going to announce a very special match for next week as well, before we get to our main event.”
“That's right. Next week, we're going to have ourselves a 'Welcome to CWF' battle royale. As you know, we've acquired a lot of talented wrestlers over the last couple of weeks, and with nearly all of their contracts taken care of, I don't plan on rolling them out once at a time. On the contrary – let's throw them all together and see what we have! Right here, next week, you're gonna see at least a dozen new faces, all at once, all in the same ring!”
“That actually sounds like a great idea, Bobby," Russell conceded, "and it looks like our ring announcer is ready to go, so let's get down to the ring!”
TITLES VS. CONTRACT
CWF FLORIDA TAG-TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
The FABULOUS FREEBIRDS (c) vs. BILLY JACK HAYNES and KERRY VON ERICH:
vs.
The FABULOUS FREEBIRDS (c) vs. BILLY JACK HAYNES and KERRY VON ERICH:
vs.
All four Freebirds strode down the ramp. the Von Erich brothers jawed at each other, practically going nose-to-nose. Big-match intros for the main event, and after the announcements were made, the referee decided that he didn't need any additional drama – so he ejected David, and Ray Gordy, from ringside, and the crowd roared its approval.
The challengers took control early, with stereo press-slams on Garvin and Hayes. They definitely had the strength advantage, and they used it, isolating “Gorgeous Jimmy” and slowing the pace down. For an ad hoc team, Haynes and Von Erich had good chemistry, and they calmly dominated the early going. But a simple missed elbowdrop turned the tide, and the middle stretch of the match saw the champions take over, and they kept Haynes in their corner. It was textbook tag work, using every second of the five-count for double-teaming.
Eventually things broke down and it turned into a brawl. All four men were in the ring, and David slowly walked down the ramp to stir things up. The referee spotted him, and jumped outside to shoo him away. Meanwhile, from the opposite side, Gordy slipped through the crowd – shades of his interference during the brothers' match weeks earlier – jumped up on the opposite apron, and tossed a pair of brass knuckles towards Hayes.
Unfortunately for him, Kerry intercepted the weapon.
Haynes sent Gordy sprawling from the ring with a dropkick, and then took Garvin down with a tackle, rolling past the referee and through the ropes. After they took their tumble, the “Modern Day Warrior” picked Hayes up, spun around, and cracked him in the jaw with a weapon-aided tornado punch. The leader of the Freebirds was out like a light, and the referee spun around just in time to see Kerry drop down for the pin. Three seconds later, and 21 minutes from the opening bell, it was over, and the first title change in the reborn CWF had happened. Haynes and Von Erich celebrated in the corners with the gold straps as the show went to credits, while Garvin checked on his partner, and the other two 'Birds yelled at the official.