Post by fifthhorseman on Oct 7, 2020 22:40:44 GMT -5
CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING FROM FLORIDA
EPISODE 29
EPISODE 29
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 Rick Rude, Dory Funk, Jr., and Rusev all throwing punches at each other in the ring.
Cold open in the ring with Gene Okerlund. “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Percy Pringle III, and the CWF Florida Heavyweight champion... 'Ravishing' Rick Rude!”
The two men strutted to the ring, Rude in a custom-tailored suit, and cut his usual insultory pre-match monologue before bragging about the match the week before. “You can throw one man at me, two men, five, the whole damn locker room... it doesn't matter! For almost seven months, I've defended the Florida Heavyweight title, and as far as I'm concerned, I'll hold this title until the day I retire. Now, I was gonna take the night off tonight, but, Bobby asked me to give you redneck rubes something to tell your inbred kids about, so here's an open challenge. If any man on the CWF roster wants a shot at greatness, come on out.”
The crowd buzzed in anticipation, and a few seconds later, the curtain parted – and it was Christian Cage. They roared their approval, and the “Instant Classic” had a microphone conveniently in hand.
“You know, it's funny. A lot of people down here were stars – legends – in the original CWF. And some of the boys in the back, they got their start in FCW, or NXT – and they're both great, too. And of course, a few other guys were born and raised right here in Florida. So where do I fit in?” Cage paused for a moment, and said, “Has anyone ever heard of TNA? You know, the promotion just up the road from here, they were in Orlando for about 15 years? Yeah, that TNA. I was the World champion there – twice – and it was a pretty big deal. So, I think that gives me enough street cred to answer your challenge. See you later tonight, champ.”
Cage walked away before Rude could say another word, and it was obvious that he and Pringle were not happy about the Canadian's debut. The two men left after waiting for Rude's music to start, and when they walked by the broadcast table, Lance Russell picked things up.
Russell: “Greetings, wrestling fans! I'm Lance Russell, and I'm joined on color this week by Nigel McGuinness. Nigel, I'm sure you'd rather be in the ring this week, but I'm afraid this show is jam-packed – we have five scheduled matches on the program tonight, and from the sounds of it, we're adding a sixth!”
McGuinness nodded. “And what a match that will be. But you're right, I'm ready to go, and Bobby Heenan is well aware that my true calling is in the squared circle. However, we have the CWF Television title semi-final matches in the queue tonight, and we're starting the program off with one of them right now!”
CWF TV TITLE TOURNAMENT MATCH – NO HOLDS BARRED
TERRY FUNK vs. NICK NEMETH:
vs.
TERRY FUNK vs. NICK NEMETH:
vs.
The pre-show coin toss seemingly came up in favor of the hardcore Texan, but it was rumored that Nemeth had trained for such an eventuality in local underground matches across the state. Therefore, it was a very competitive, and very brutal, contest. Surprisingly, there was very little brawling on the floor, but they beat the hell out of each other in the ring, using every piece of it to inflict extra damage. Perhaps it was Funk's recent heavy schedule (working singles and tags with brother Dory), or perhaps Nemeth was peaking at the right moment; regardless, the Kent State star won after hitting a shining wizard, DDT, and ZigZag.
COMMERCIAL
Back in Heenan's office, Rude complained about tonight's challenger walking into CWF, and “not doing a single thing to deserve a shot against me.” Heenan considered this, and replied, “You have a point, Rick. He might have an impressive resume, but I just can't give him a title shot on his very first night.”
Pringle nodded in agreement, but “the Brain” continued. “That said, when you're on TV, my ratings skyrocket. So you're still gonna fight Cage, but it'll be a non-title match. Let him prove himself. If he impresses me, then maybe, a few months from now, he'll earn another match with you.”
Rude was frustrated, but he couldn't change Heenan's mind, so he left to go get ready.
TED DiBIASE, Jr., “SUPERSTAR” BILLY GRAHAM, and RICHIE STEAMBOAT vs. the HOUSE OF HUMPERDINK:
vs.
vs.
This was the culmination of several events, but the Luger/Graham feud showed no signs of letting up. However, the addition of Monty Brown to the mix was new, as he replaced Uhaa Nation by force in the Stronghold several days earlier. It was your typical six-man whirlwind of a match, and it lasted about ten minutes. As usual, “Superstar” and the “Total Package” found themselves on the floor firing haymakers at each other. In the ring, Cameron launched Steamboat into the rope, and his partner, the “Alpha Male”, finished him off with a wicked pounce tackle for the win.
COMMERCIAL
A VTR aired, in which Okerlund, earlier in the week, separately interviewed Jack Brisco and Dusty Rhodes about their best-of-five series to earn a shot at Rick Rude. Brisco won the first match on TV, and the second, at a house show, ended in a double-countout. The footage was spliced so that it almost seemed like they were talking to each other, and as usual, “Mean Gene” asked all the right questions to the respectful competitors.
CWF TV TITLE TOURNAMENT MATCH – PURE RULES
TIMOTHY THATCHER vs. BARRY WINDHAM:
vs.
TIMOTHY THATCHER vs. BARRY WINDHAM:
vs.
The “Professor of Pain” planned on winning by submission, and wanted to soften Windham up with a variety of strikes to help achieve that. Conversely, the lanky Texan intended on using his weight and leverage to force Thatcher to the mat. And in the timespan allotted, both men got their offense in, and they were two of the smoothest and smartest men in the entire MUW Network. However, Thatcher went for one too many armbars, and Windham surprised his opponent by muscling off the mat and rolling over the top of Thatcher, catching him in the dreaded one-count pin at 9:43.
COMMERCIAL
Footage from last week's match between Drew McIntyre and the CWF Southern Heavyweight champion, Muhammad Hassan, aired for the audience, ending with Brian Pillman's run-in. When it ended, Okerlund introduced McIntyre to the excited crowd, who said that he respected Pillman, but he shouldn't have interfered in his match, and that he already petitioned Heenan for a title rematch. Those words drew the “Loose Cannon” out, who had been MIA since Bash at the Beach. He offered a half-hearted (but genuine) apology to the Scotsman, but noted that he deserved a rematch as well, especially given the circumstances that caused him to lose. Finally, that brought Hassan and his manager, Freddie Blassie out. The iconic heel leader told them both that his man was a fighting champion, and he'd take both of them on next week if they dared... in a tag-team match. Blassie added that if either man pinned Hassan, they'd get the next title shot... but when one of them got pinned or gave up, that man would never get a title shot at Hassan. McIntyre and Pillman didn't even have to think about it; they were in.
McIntyre asked, “Who's the tag-team partner?”
Blasssie laughed. “Who do ya think? You're gonna regret the day you was born, the both of ya!”
CWF SOUTHERN TAG-TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
The GEORGIA OUTLAWS vs. the VARSITY CLUB:
vs.
The GEORGIA OUTLAWS vs. the VARSITY CLUB:
vs.
Rotunda and Spivey were accompanied by a third man, and it was not Nemeth. It was the stud athlete who was featured in September TV vignettes. It was 260-pound Eric Bugenhagen from the University of Wisconsin, two-time NCAA wrestling qualifier and certified powerlifter... most definitely, not the air guitarist from 2MB.
(And you should check him out here: twitter.com/rikbugez)
The match itself was a good one, and the Armstrong brothers put up a very sturdy challenge in the Club's first tag-team title defense. Brad was the face in peril, and whenever he and Rotunda were in the ring together, the chain wrestling was magnificent. The Outlaws got some near-falls in near the end, but Spivey's raw power was the difference, and he powerbombed the “Road Dogg” to wrap up about 13 minutes of action.
After the match, Wade Barrett, Heath Slater, and Justin Gabriel appeared, and the Nexus leader mocked both teams. Bugenhagen was in no mood to hear it – after all, he was one of the first victims of the Nexus – and he charged up the ramp and double-legged his former partner Slater, and then all eight men were mixing it up. A swarm of CWF officials raced out to break the fracas up, and the show went to
COMMERCIAL
CHAIN MATCH
RUSEV vs. RYBACK:
vs.
vs.
Russell told the audience that “the Brain” issued a stern edict about the match during the commercial break: if anyone interfered, if anyone even got within ten feet of the competitors until the match was over and they were back in their respective locker rooms... that person would be fired. In fact, after the recent dispersal draft, Heenan probably welcomed the opportunity to clear some space on the roster.
The two bulls were tied together by a 12-foot-long chain, and it was used often – for tying, whipping, choking, but most of all, it was wrapped around their big fists. Both men were cut open, and every punch left visible marks. The “Big Guy” from Las Vegas looked to have everything under control, despite the blood seeping from his forehead 15 minutes in, and he signaled to the crowd that one final Shellshock was going to finish the match. With maximum effort, he muscled the brutish Bulgarian onto his shoulders... but Rusev fought out of it, and slid down his back. He hit Ryback with a machka kick in the back of the head, driving him to the canvas. He wrapped the chain around his enemy's neck, and around his own shoulders, and then he leaned back with the back-breaking Accolade. Everything was in pain, and Ryback gave up quickly. Rusev held the move on for an additional spiteful couple of seconds, and with blood pouring down his face as well, bellowed in triumph.
COMMERCIAL
After a slick graphics package aired showcasing the men in the main event, Heenan made his grand entrance. However, before settling in beside Russell and McGuinness, he addressed the crowd – he had some grievances.
“Kerry Von Erich!” he began angrily. “Don't you ever show your face in Florida again! I thought I was doing you a favor – you said you wanted to go back home, and me, being a family man, I gave you your release. Then you have the nerve to sign with the Fullers in CCW over in Alabama? I don't know if they're brothers, cousins, or both, but I realize that you and your clan have a lot in common with 'em. But rest assured, you will never work for Bobby Heenan again!”
The crowd booed, and “the Brain” shifted gears. “Now... you might have heard that the guy who runs WCW, Mr. Nitro – if that is indeed his real name – filed a complaint with the MUW board of directors about me. Now, I doubt any of you saw it – it being a WCW show, after all – but they had the audacity to run a pay-per-view right here in my backyard, in my territory, right here in Tampa. If anyone has a reason to complain to the MUW board, it's me!”
“This Nitro guy is upset that the East-West Connection jumped the rail and interfered in his so-called 'World' Tag-Team title match. First of all, he should be excited that Adonis and Ventura were there – they were probably the best part of the show! And second – don't blame me for that! I assure you, that whatever Jesse and Adrian did or didn't do with nightsticks, they did on their own. In fact, as soon as I heard about it, by God I called them in and I fined them. One hundred bucks. Each.”
Heenan continued. “As far as I'm concerned, you never should have come into my territory, but rest assured, if you swing through Florida again, I won't take it up with the MUW board of directors – I'll deal with it myself.”
NON-TITLE MATCH
CHRISTIAN CAGE vs. RICK RUDE (c, w/Percy Pringle III):
vs.
CHRISTIAN CAGE vs. RICK RUDE (c, w/Percy Pringle III):
vs.
Despite his reluctance to put the gold on the line, Rude still carried himself like the biggest superstar in the sport. But Cage was confident in his own abilities, and he brought plenty of experience into the match. The reigning champion controlled the first third of the match, relying on his superior strength to keep Cage down. However, the next eight to ten minutes were much more even, and “Captain Charisma” frustrated Rude with a combination of speed, technique, and intelligence. It was arguably the toughest pure wrestling bout the Minnesotan had yet endured in CWF.
The tide shifted yet again, and Rude was angry. He hit Christian with every power move in his arsenal, but the Canadian would not stay down. With about a minute left in the match – TV time remaining, after all – and after the two fought over a backslide, Cage went for the Unprettier. He had Rude in position, but the champ slowly reversed it, and seized his opponent in the Rude Awakening – and he did hit it. Both men went down, and Rude draped an arm over Cage. One, two... foot on the ropes! The challenger had just enough ring presence to sense the bottom rope, and for the moment, he was still alive.
Rude got to his feet, livid at the referee. He was certain that he had won, but the official simply shook his head, and he pointed to the ropes. They argued for several seconds, giving Cage time to sneak behind the champion and made a cradle pin, but the bell sounded at one, ending the match after nearly 25 minutes of action. The show ended with a giddy Pringle presenting the Florida Heavyweight strap to his client.