River City Wrestling

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #881
June 23, 2001
Davenport, Iowa

Dark Matches Before RAGE

Opening Bout
Vincent Regliatti defeated Zakk Wylde by submission to the figure-four at 5:10
**a bit of a tradition in RCW is that when you lose a feud with the heavyweight champion you fall all the way to the opener. In this case Regliatti definitely had a chip on his shoulder and wrestled with a lot of intensity. He risked a revere decision by refusing to break the hold ntil the last possible second; than gave the knee of Wylde a couple extra stomps.

Bout #2
Tiger Khan defeated Matt Fairlane by pinfall after a Tiger suplex at 6:21
**another glorified squash match. Khan really enjoyed doling out punishment. He was not seconded in this bout by Derek St. Holmes as his manager prepares for his own match tonight.

Bout #3
Derek St. Holmes, Esq defeated Lord Zoltan by disqualification for use of a foreign object at 6:44
**the battle of the weasel managers but the fans were behind the cajun Zoltan who seemed to be taking the high road since returning to RCW. St. Holmes apparently traded in his wrestling boots for track shoes as he kept his distance early. Both men had a chunk of the match they controlled. Then after a suplex when making the cover St. Holmes placed a pair of brass knux into the palm of Zoltan. When the N'Orleans native got to his feet he opened his fist and the knux fell out. Seeing this referee Shiela Bloom called for the DQ despite the pleadings of both Zoltan and the crowd.

Bout #4
Adam Knight & Ryan Price defeated Ed Harris & Darren Dalton by pinfall when Knight pinned Harris after a release powerbomb at 8:19
**filler. Knight gets a measure of revenge for his loss to Harris last week that was due in part to his former partner Dalton's distraction.

Bout #5
Joe & Stan Malenko and The Extremists: Ace Darling & Devon Storm battled to a double countout at 9:40
**well this was a surprise ending to a battle between two fan favourite teams. The Malenkos tried to keep the pace slow and grounded while the Extremists tried to pick it up. It started in the Malenkos favour but then the Extremists took over. Then tempers flared and before you know it we had a four man brawl outside the ring and head referee Buddy Lane counted both teams out. The brawl lasted for a couple more minutes until RCW officials could break it up.


RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

Bout #6
RCW Tag Team Title Match
Jesse Hennig & Stan Baker defeated The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers by disqualification for abuse of official at 8:47
[The Spinebusters retained the RCW Tag Team Titles]
**heels versus heels, and the fans were really split on who to cheer for. Actually the crowd wasn't really into this bout until near the end because they didn't like either team. Caruthers and Hennig were the best workers by far and Baker the strongest, while Orth is the sneakiest. Every time the champs tried to cut the ring in half or double team on an exchange the challengers would just fight fire with fire and had no qualms about entering the ring. In the end Hennig had nailed Orth with his running neck snap and made the cover, but Caruthers came in to break it up. Maybe unable to reach Hennig in time Caruthers instead jumped on referee Shiela Bloom to cause the DQ. After the bout the challengers thrashed the champions around the ring until they were able to slip away, grab their titles and flee.

Bout #7
RCW Television Title Match
Al Hardamann defeated Raymond Bingham by pinfall after a vertebreaker at 11:52
[Al Hardamann retained the RCW Television Title]
**solid match between two fan favourites but the crowd was firmly behind the more established champion. Bingham out wrestled and out worked Hardamann for a good deal of the bout but could not put him away. Hardamann was too cagey, and then his moves too explosive for Bingham to deal with. After the bout Bingham was unconsolable, despite the efforts of Hardamann to offer his congratulations on a great match.

Main Event
Sam Holiday & The Patriot defeated Max Pain & Kevin Matthews by pinfall when Holiday pinned Matthews after a top rope legdrop at 9:06
**two top faces pair up against two top heels. Pain and Matthews did not work well together and disagreed, and that was their downfall as the faces got along amicably. In the end the fans were sent home happy without the stock of Pain or Matthews as singles threats being diminished greatly.
 
FADE TO BLACK


Breaking kayfabe;
And fade to black indeed. Unknown at the time this would be the last event held until September. Things were barely hanging on at RCW as the fed tried to work out a deal with a bigger umbrella organization. Unfortunately from now until 2004 there would be several breaks in continuity and a couple "restarts". On the plus side when RCW returns in September the cards being posted were actually done at that time, I will not have to do them retroactively (except for some gap filling). I am very fond of these cards as they are angle and personality heavy. When RCW returns in September it will be part of the umbrella WWA organization that was run by Carl Todd / John Frerickson, that had its own history and way of doing things. I am looking forward to this new (old) section of River City Wrestling history!! See ya soon.

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #882
September 10, 2001
Mankato, Minnesota

After an over two month hiatus, River City Wrestling returns as part of the WWA (World Wrestling Alliance). To kick things off the company starts with a house show.

All the RCW titles were on the line tonight in Mankato, Minnesota.

House Show

Main Event:
RCW Heavyweight Champion SAM HOLIDAY was victorious by pinfall over SINISTER STAN BAKER in a wild brawl. Holiday immobilized Baker with a cradle piledriver and then nailed the Holiday leg drop for the pinfall at 22:35 to retain his title.

RCW Television Champion Wild Thing AL HARDAMAN also retained his title despite the best efforts of JESSE HENNIG to cheat his way to victory. Hennig picked up two near falls, both narrowly averted when referee Buddy Lane noticed Hennig using the ropes for leverage each time. Lane chewed out Hennig which allowed Hardaman enough time to recover. Never one to shy away from dirty tactics Hardaman went "low" on Hennig to turn things around before finishing Hennig off with a Vertebreaker. The pinfall victory came at 14:26.

RCW Tag Team Champions The Spinebusters: Bryan Caruthers & Jerry Orth also retained their titles but it was via a 30-minute time limit draw with Joe & Stan Malenko. This match was scheduled to be a best 2 out of 3 falls match, but neither team managed to win even a single fall before the time limit expired. This was a rough and tumble match with a lot of great mat wrestling. Caruthers was the worst off after the match as he had been opened up early by a shot into the ringpost and then bled from the forehead for most of the bout.

The Patriot picked up a big win over Kamala the Ugandan Giant after a missile dropkick at 8:50.

Max Pain and Dirty Don Spartan battled to a double disqualification when referee Shiela Bloom finally threw out the match after about 4 minutes of action. The two fought for a good 5 minutes outside the ring before they finally stepped in the ring to start the match. Then they spent the next 4 minutes in and out of the ring before it was thrown out as they exchanged chair shots. Afterwards they continued to brawl outside the ring until officials broke it up.

Lord Zoltan got a tainted pinfall victory over Lash LeRoux after busting him open with brass knuckles. It wasn't hard for Zoltan to cover up his illegal tactics as the referee for the match was long time inept official Jurgen Hermann. The pinfall came at 10:04.

In the opener, J.J. Extreme managed to recover after wrecking himself with a missed tope, to make a comeback and pin Derek St. Holmes ESQ following a hotshot at 8:36.

****************************

So, everything was going as planned. Then on September 11th tragedy hit New York, and the world. Although I am a Canadian I bear a heavy heart for our American friends.
There is nothing else that can be said at this time. My prayers are with you.

While it would be logistically possible to go forward with our planned card at Duluth on Friday the 14th, we can not muster up the energy to put on the type of show our fans deserve.

Instead RCW will cancel the show, but will travel as planned to Canada for shows in Winnipeg on the 15th, Brandon on the 16th. 

Note: Earlier it says every RCW title but no mention was made of the women's title. The women's title has been put on the shelf for now.

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #883
September 15, 2001
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Television

ed. Note] This is a report on the Winnipeg version of the show. Some interviews are done for each city, so some content may vary from station to station.

****************************************
{Voice over from Sam Holiday as we watch an American flag flying half-mast waving in the wind.}
{On behalf of all the other River City wrestlers and staff, I just want to express our sadness, and extend our condolences to the families and friends of those missing and deceased after the tragedy of September 11, 2001, in New York City, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. So, as you watch today's show we hope that you can be momentarily distracted from all the grief that surrounds us. We hope that you can remember a time of greater innocence and security. It seems like years ago, but it was less than a week ago. God be with our great nation.}

Bong

Bong

Bong

Bong

Bong

Bong

Bong

Bong

Bong

Bong



<<< cue "One Big Rush" by Joe Satriani >>>

Standing in the RCW ring is announcer Joe Aiello with a mic.
Joe Aiello] Ladies and gentlemen welcome to the all new River City Wrestling under the World Wrestling Alliance banner. I'm your host Joe Aiello and I will be joined later at the broadcast booth by two guys whose faces you will know a lot better than you know mine; Cyrus and Jason Sensation.. But right now, I have the pleasure of kicking off tonight by introducing to you the most famous face here in the mid-west, the holder of the RCW Heavyweight Championship..Saaaaammmmmm Holllllidayyyyy.

<<< cue "Ain't Going Down 'till the Sun Comes Up" Garth Brooks >>>

The fans come to their feet as Sam Holiday comes down the ramp with the RCW title worn over his shoulder. The big Texan is dressed in snakeskin boots, dirty blue jeans, a black RCW t-shirt and a black stetson. He waves to the crowd, and then stops halfway down the ramp. The champ takes the belt off his shoulder, holds it in front of him with both hands, as if examining it. The Champ looks up at the fans with a puzzled look on his face. You can feel the fans' restlessness and hear their murmors of surprise. Then the big man smiles and buckles the big gold belt around his waist.
He charges to the ring and slips under the bottom rope. He remains on his knees, his hands thrown up in the sky as the fans cheer.
Finally Holiday stands to his feet and takes the mic from Aiello.

Holiday] Thank you Joe..and THANK-YOU RCW. Most of you probably expected us to kick this big night off with the money man, but you were wrong. You see Larkin called me up last week and asked me, your champion, if I would be his ambassador, his messenger if you weehlllll. He said to me, Holiday, it's you guys that deserve the spotlight, so you go out there and give the fans what they want. But give them a message for me would you? And I said, "screw you!" Nahhh, I was just playing with you there. I'm happy to deliver a message from Larkin. But damn if I can remember much of what he said, with his thick Canadian accent and all. But it went something like this, "no evil commissioners, no New World Orders, no restraining orders, no evil clowns, no bull *bleep*." If you want to be the man..yous gots to..gots to..act like a man and stand on your own two feet..throw a few punches and if need be by god you might even have to bleed to lead. Well he said something like that anyway.

The fans seem very happy to see Holiday back, and the fans have been eating out of the palm of his hand. But they seem to be getting a little restless.

Holiday] As for me..well none of that is really going to change what I do much.... 

<<<cue "Rest in Peace" by Extreme>>>

"Sinister" Stan Baker makes his way down the ramp. Unlike Holiday he is dressed to go, in his normal gear, black pants, no shirt, wrists taped, and his fingers taped in white athletic tape. He strokes his goatee on the way to the ring. Reaching the ring he steps in, and immediately goes nose-to-chin with the champ who hasn't backed off an inch. Baker has his own mic.

[Baker] change what you do? Why would it. You suck and always will you big wuss. I had your number last time we fought Holiday and you had to cheat to win. Well nothing has changed..I'm still the #1 contender and the next RCW champion.

Holiday] Listen up Baker,cause I'm going to make this real simple for you to understand. I've always been better than you, and I always will be better than you. Just cause you got yourself a little yeast infection problem Baker, doesn't mean I'm going to be your medicine. If you want a shot at this belt..than by god you can have a shot at this belt tonight.

Baker , nodding his head] You know Holiday, you may be a lot of things, but two things you aren't is a coward*Baker turns to the crowd, playing to them*..and smart

Baker suddenly turns and attempts to deliver the heartpunch to Holiday. But the champ seems to expect it, and blocks the punch. Dropping his mic he begins to trade shots with Baker.

Jesse Hennig appears and slides into the ring, aiding Baker he makes it 2-on-1 but Holiday holds his own.

<<<cue "Wild Thing" by The Troggs>>>

The crowd goes nuts as Al Hardaman walks confidently to the ring carrying a frypan, and wearing the RCW TV gold around his waist. Sliding under the bottom rope he takes a couple of shots from an awaiting Jesse Hennig. Al fights back with a poke to the eye, and then slams Hennig over the head with the frypan. Hennig hits the mat, and Al kicks him out of the ring. By this time Holiday has Baker under control and tosses him over the top rope.

Holiday and Hardaman shake hands. Outside the ring Baker has a mic.

[Baker] You guys think you're so tough? Good to see you had time to take off the apron and pantyhose Al, and put on a pair of shoes before coming to the ring with your frying pan. Neither one of you knows a suplex from a souffle, and tonight we're going to prove it. Screw the title shot..tonight we want you two in a tag team match.

[Hardaman] No problem, Stanley. Bring your little buddy 'hesse and we'll kick your asses so hard tonight that the only thing you'll be able to wear tomorrow is a pair of chaps.


[Commercial Break]

Taped Rob van Dam promo to watch RCW.
"Hi, I'm Rob Van Dam..the whole ****in show, and the World Wrestling Alliance Champion.and you're watching River City Wrestling, a proud member of the World Wrestling Alliance whose World champion is me..Rob-Van-Dam, so support the best that RCW has to offer, it's the proving grounds of professional wrestling, and the hometown territory of BattleCreek, Michigan, the home of me Rob-Van-Dam the whole ***in show."

Taped interview Diamond Dallas Page;
"Hey yo..fans of RCW..it's me..it's me..D-D-P..along with the lovely Diamond Doll, Kimberly. As you probably already know I've just signed with River City, and will be making my television premiere on your tube on September 22nd, so watch me and feel the BANG."

Jason Sensation does his best Gene Okerlund impression and delivers a promo for the upcoming Brandon Card tomorrow on September 16th.
Brandon card breakdown
Sam Holiday defends against Stan Baker
Diamond Dallas Page v Jesse Hennig
Spinebusters v Malenko's (non-title, 2 out of 3 falls)
Lord Zoltan v Lash LeRoux (Boubon Street Brawl)
Kurt Barnes v Derek St. Holmes
Sean O'Haire & Shane Helms v Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine
Raymond Bingham v Paul Diamond
Menele v Outlaw Sammy Jo Simon

<<< cue "Bad Religion" by Godsmack >>>
From Edwardsville, Illinois, coming in at 5'11 and 227 pounds, the man Mark Coleman coined BattleCat Kurt Barnes!!!
The fans greet Kurt with a modest amount of cheers.

<<< cue "We Will Rock You" by Queen >>>
And led to the ring by his entourage, hailing from Denver, Colorado, coming in at 6'5" and 270 pounds, the instrument of total destruction Steve Riley!!!
The fans greet Steve with an outpouring of negative sentiment.
Riley strides confidently to the ring, wearing a white robe overtop his hunter green trunks, his hands on the shoulders of his trainers.

Referee Buddy Lane working in his 18th year as an RCW official pats down both men and gives them the last second instructions. The bell rings.

"BattleCat" Kurt Barnes v "Total Destruction" Steve Riley

Collar-elbow hookup to start and Riley shows his superior strength by shoving Barnes half way across the ring. He poses for the crowd, flexing his arms and pointing to his skull and crossbones tattoo. They lock up again, but this time Barnes ducks down and goes for the double leg takedown..and succeeds in putting the big man on his ass. Barnes grabs a foot, twists, and then hammers down an elbowdrop onto the thigh of Riley. Riley is tough though and grabs a handfull of Barnes' hair. But Barnes' hair is too short and he manages to escape to his feet.
Riley goes to get up to his feet but is too slow and Barnes pounces on his back, going for a rear chinlock. He can't sink it though and Riley tosses him off. Getting to his feet Riley delivers a big stomp to Barnes' chest, knocking the wind from him. Riley comes off the ropes for momentum and then delivers a crunching knee drop again to the sternum of Barnes.
Riley pauses to flex for his trainers as Barnes is sucking wind and trying to get to his feet. Riley pulls Barnes up, slings him over his shoulder and delivers a devastating powerslam. He covers, but doesn't grab a leg, and Barnes kicks out after a 2 count.
Frustrated Riley pulls up Barnes' head and delivers a rapid series of punches to his forehead before being forced to release by Buddy Lane.
Riley gets to his feet and Lane is in his face, giving Barnes some breathing time. Finally Riley gets around Lane, and picks up Barnes, scooping him onto his shoulder. But Barnes counters by slipping down the back of Riley, and then running him into the ropes. He bounces Riley off the ropes and deliver a belly-to-back suplex, bridges, and applies the pin. Buddy Lane counts 1..2and Riley manages to kick out.
Barnes goes right for the attack but walks into a Riley boot to the midsection. Then Riley grabs a hold of Barnes' head and buries him into the mat with a DDT. Riley spends a couple of seconds on the mat smirking at the crowd.
Riley whips Barnes into the corner, and follows him in with a punishing shoulderblock. His hands on the ropes he backs his shoulders up and rams Barnes again with his shoulder to the gut. Now its all Riley as he takes Barnes out of the corner with a vertical suplex..pausing at the top for about a five count to show off his strength. Riley continued his earlier attacks by going to the midsection with a gutbuster, and another series of shoulderblocks in the corner. Riley went for the pin but Barnes kicked out at 2.
In a desperate move Barnes grabbed the tights of Riley and threw him out of the ring. Instead of following he waited and rested until Riley climbed back in at an 8 count. Barnes played possum and caught Riley climbing into the ring and nailed him with a knee to the ribs. He dragged him back into the ring and drove him around the ring with a series of European uppercuts. With his man stunned Barnes climbed the top rope and was going to deliver a top-rope bulldog but Riley caught him. "Total Destruction" brought Barnes down to the mat with a punishing bodyslam. He then delivered a vicious headbutt to the "lower" abdomen of Barnes.
As Barnes sucked wind, Riley delivered a hard kick to Barnes' ass to humiliate him. Standing Barnes up he nailed him with a German Suplex. Scooping him up again, he pressed him over his head, then lowered him, and finished him off with a tombstone piledriver.
[Steve Riley over Kurt Barnes by pinfall after a tombstone piledriver at 5:23]

[Commercial Break]


<<< cue "Till it Sleeps" by Metallica >>>
Jim Davies is in the ring with "The Spinebusters" Bryan Caruthers and Jerry Orth

Davies] Ladies and Gentlemen, RCW wrestling gives to you, the tag team champions The Spinebusters!!!

The fans boo and jeer with unrepentant zeal. Chants of "you **** goats" rain down from the crowd.

Orth] Well thank-you very much Twin Cities..it's always your pleasure to have us here live and in person. Now before I give the mic over to your hometown hero Mr. Caruthers, I want to address a couple of the tag team pretenders here in River City. First of all, the Amazing Malenkos. The name makes you sound like a circus act guys but not the flying trapeze..maybe a couple of trained chimps or a pair of hypnotists that put everyone to sleep. You guys spout off about being the # 1 contenders well that's fine with us because if you are the best middle America has to challenge us, it's going to be a holiday from here till Christmas. We'll beat your asses the same way we beat The Excrements..those pieces of crap..Ace Darling and Devon Storm. From what I've heard Devon Storm is now looking for work outside of the territory..we beat him so bad. Ace would too, but the court order says he has to stay in Minnesota.
You got anything to say to these Minnesota Morons, Mr. Caruthers?

Caruthers] Yessssss, finally the man who put the Saint in Saint Paul, the Twin Cities killer, is back in town baby..so light it up, the marquee should say..welcome to the greatest tag team in the history of tag teams..The Spinebusters, Bryan Caruthers and Jerry Orth, so take that baby. And you're right there brother Jerry, we'll defend these tag belts against the Malenkos, against flying Excrement, and against all comers until the end of the year without even breaking a sweat. In fact what we should really be training for is a shot at the PWA or WWA tag team champions.cause you know its true, we're the greatest tag team in the history of tag teams.

<<< cue "Choke" by Kittie >>>
Two returnees to RCW appear and walk to the ring.
They enter the ring and one of them indicates to Caruthers to hand him the mic.

Caruthers] Who the hell are you two and how did you get through security?

He tosses the mic to them.

Devine] I'm "Hotshot" Johnny Devine, cause I'm going to hotshot right to the top of the middle American ladder and I'm taking along my partner here, the Pistol, Greg Pawluk. Now you jokers seem to think you should only defend your titles against the likes of the Malenkos, but theres a few other teams in the back that you seem to be ignoring like us. So, instead of just handing out the tag title shots why don't you make us earn them..make the best team win.

He tosses the mic back to Caruthers, who calmly hands it to Orth. Orth goes nose to nose with Devine.

Orth] Now listen up punks, cause your stay in an RCW ring is almost up. Give me one good reason why you deserve even a shot at a shot at this gold around my waist?
Devine] We're the former Stampede North American Tag Team champions damn it, and my partner over there is the grandson of Stu Hart.

Orth breaks away from Devine and goes nose to nose with Pawluk. 

Orth] Is that true son?
Pawluk] Yes it's true
Orth] Well damn it son you must mean you're the great, great, great, great grandson of that old fart. And who the hell cares, its only Canada, but I'll tell you what..you did give me one good idea.

Orth backs up and walks around the ring thinking.

Orth] Okay, yeah, we shouldn't just defend these titles against any team. So, right now we will hold a ladder match, an invitational tag team ladder match, with a contract for a title shot to be hung above the ring. If you're really any good you should have no problem winning. Now get the hell out of our ring.

Studio interview:
The Amazing Malenko's say they are going to beat The Spinebusters in Brandon on the 16th of September, and then demand a shot at the tag titles.

[commercial break]


Ladder Match - Invitational - for a contract to wrestle for the tag team championships

<<< cue "Burning Heart" by Survivor" >>>
Al Collins and Gung-Ho Joe Blum run to the ring.

<<< cue "The Kids Ain't Allright" by Offspring >>>
The Extremists: Ace Darling and Devon Storm run to the ring

<<< cue "Choke" by Kittie >>>
Young Guns: Johnny Devine and Greg Pawluk run to the ring

<<< cue "Ice 9" by Joe Satriani >>>
The Amazing Malenko's: Joe & Stan Malenko make their way slowly to the ring each of them carrying with them a steel ladder.

These types of matches are extremely hard to call so just the highlights will be touched on.
Collins and Blum seemed to be the dominant team in this match with their superior brawling skills and their double tough attitude. It seemed like it was always taking two teams co-operating to stop Collins and Blum from climbing the ladder and retrieving the contract. The Extremists and Johnny Devine were the only ones taking high risk spots and dives. None of that tactic seemed to pay off much, nor did the ground attack of the Malenkos and Greg Pawluk. Collins was on his way up the ladder with Blum beating back all those trying to stop him, when The Spinebusters hit the ring with their title belts. They nailed Blum in the head with the belts and then pushed over the ladder sending Collins bouncing off the top rope. They were immediately attacked by the Extremists which pretty much left the Young Guns as the lone team attempting to climb the ladder.
But from the crowd appeared a couple of painted "juggalos" for lack of a better comparison. Some fans recognized them instantly from their previous RCW days, Wiked Klown and Shaggy, the IBZ. It didn't take long for the IBZ to set themselves up as heels as they opened a pair of fire extinguishers spraying the Young Guns in the face, and then spraying a downed Collins and Blum as well.
Shaggy scampered up the ladder and grabbed the contract.
As Shaggy and Klown celebrated they were cheered on by The Spinebusters!! It was a set-up!
Then Orth stepped forward and reached out his hand as if expecting Shaggy to hand him the contract. Instead Shaggy and Klown slid through the legs of the Spinebusters, out of the ring ,and through the crowd still holding onto the contract!
Back inside the ring The Spinebusters looked pissed off, but the Malenko's now recovered and attacked the champs from behind driving them out of the ring.
[Tag Team Ladder Invitational with the winner to get a shot at the tag titles. Won by The IBZ - Wiked Klown & Shaggy in 7:31]


In-ring promo;
<<< "Nookie" by Limp Bizkit >>>
The fans boo the arrogant little snot who comes to the ring dressed in Armani.
Derek St. Holmes ESQ - Derek says that in two short years he has gone from a fresh rookie to one of RCW's premiere attractions. He offers to share not only his wrestling expertise, but also his business cunning with any of the other RCW talent who wish to have better representation. He announces that henceforth he will also be a sports entertainment agent. He looks forward to signing his first clients.

Studio promo;
Menele is sitting in an orange arena floor seat, his head hung back staring at the ceiling. His feet are immersed in a large bucket of ice.
Menele] The heavens tell me..they taunt me..with the knowledge that I will be journeying to Brandon ,Canada, on September 16th 2001, where I will take on a worm who calls himself the Outlaw..Sammy Jo Simon.a man with 3 names, one boys name..two girls names..and no last name. What kind of freak is that? The last time middle America witnessed my whirlwind of destruction and disease it was under the guidance of Brujah..well that name no longer has meaning for me..nor do the words guidance or control. Brandon will see me for the first time on the 16th, and then will never be the same. I am going to eat Simon alive,no not figuratively..literally.i will disembowel him in Canada, and go through customs with one hand still on his entrails. I can guarantee you one thing Brandon, put your money on Sammy Jo to pick up the win, cause eventually some point during the blood letting the officials will try and stop me.cause I won't stop on my own, and Brujah is not around to stop me, so who will stop me Brandon? Who?..you?

[commercial break]

<<< cue "Rest in Peace" by Extreme >>>
Sinister Stan Baker and Jesse Hennig comes to the ring to an outpouring of jeers from the crowd.

<<< cue "Ain't Going Down Till the Sun Comes Up" by Garth Brooks >>>
Sam Holiday and Al Hardaman charge the ring both wearing their singles gold belts.


Main event tag match
Sam Holiday & Al Hardaman v Stan Baker & Jesse Hennig

Holiday wants Baker to start things off but he gets Hennig instead. Hennig immediately goes for a eye gouge but Holiday blocks it catching Hennig's wrist and turns it into a wristlock. He slowly lowers Hennig's hand to the mat, as if to stomp on it, but instead comes down with a knee right to the back of the neck of Hennig. It's all Holiday early on as he whips Hennig into the corner and then catches him coming out with a big lariat. He repeats this combination in each of the other corners of the ring. Hennig slides out of the ring to try and recover.
Stan Baker comes over and goes for a clothesline on Holiday, who ducks and then Baker runs right into a punch from Al Hardaman. All four men brawl outside the ring briefly before Holiday rolls Hennig back into the ring.
Holiday applies a surfboard and has Hennig screaming in pain. Instead of going for the pin or more punishment, Holiday throws Hennig into his corner and dares Baker to make the tag. Baker signals that he wants Hardaman, and grudgingly Holiday tags in Hardaman.
Hardaman goes to lock up with Baker and receives a knee to the gut. Baker follows up with some axhandles to drive Hardaman to the mat. Baker makes the attempt to turn Hardaman over for some mounted punches and Hardaman deftly slips a leg up driving it into Baker's crotch.
The referee Wayne Hart admonishes Hardaman who drags himself to his feet.
Baker charges Hardaman, but the wily TV champ ducks away and Baker goes flying between the second and third ropes to the concrete floor below. Holiday comes over and rolls Baker back into the ring.
Hardaman delivers a series of elbowsmashes to Baker. Hardaman though underestimates his opponent by climbing to the top turnbuckle, and when he comes off with a fistdrop Baker rolls out of the way.
Baker tags in Hennig who immediately goes to work on Hardaman with a series of stomps. Hennig continues the punishment with a Northern lights suplex and then a rolling necksnap. Hennig though makes the mistake of taunting Holiday, and getting too close, as Holiday is able to thrust out with a jab that catches Hennig flush in the chin. As Wayne Hart is distracted warning Holiday, Hennig backs up in a daze right into Hardaman who scoops him up and delivers a Death Valley Driver. He goes for the pin but Baker is already in the ring and drops an elbow across the back of Hardaman. Wayne Hart doesn't see a thing.
Hennig tags in Baker, but Hardaman also manages to tag in Holiday. Baker attempts to beg off but Holiday comes at him with a brawling style of punches, kicks, and lariats. He sets him up for the top rope legdrop, but Hennig runs over and tosses Holiday off the top rope. Both men are down as Wayne Hart counts to 7, before Baker manages to tag out to Hennig.
Hennig attempts to ground Holiday with a series of stomps followed by a reverse chinlock. But Holiday begins to mount a comeback with some attempts to elbow Hennig in the ribs, before ramming him backward into the turnbuckle. Hennig though doesn't let go and climbs to the second turnbuckle. Changing his hand position Hennig tries to bulldog Holiday from the second turnbuckle, but Holiday reaches back, grabs Hennig and powerslams him to the mat. 
When both men get to their feet they resort to punches, a contest easily won by Holiday. Baker runs into the ring but is cut-off by Hardaman who throws him out of the ring.
Holiday scoops up Hennig and delivers a cradle piledriver close to the corner. As Hardaman and Baker brawl outside the ring Holiday climbs to the top rope and comes off with the Holiday legdrop, and Wayne Hart couts..1..2..3
[Winners by pinfall are Sam Holiday & Al Hardaman when Holiday pinned Hennig after the Holiday legdrop at 6:35]

Joe Aiello] What a great match for our champions Holiday and Hardaman..as they celebrate.... for Jason Sensation and Cyrus....

<<< cue "The Bitch is Back" by Elton John >>>

Aiello] What the hell is this? Who is..

Jason] That's Madusa at the top of the ramp, but who are those two guys with her?

Cyrus] That's two guys by the names of Sean O'Haire and Shane Helms..but who cares..it's Madusa..would you look at the size of those ta-ta's

Aiello] They're running down to the ring and Holiday and Hardaway are ready for them.we're out of time folks but our tape machines are rolling and we'll show you what happens next Saturday on RCW RAGE. Thanks for watching.

FADE TO BLACK



River City Wrestling #884
September 16, 2001
Brandon, Manitoba

RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Sam Holiday (c) defeated  Stan Baker by pinfall after a top rope legdrop at 20:11

Diamond Dallas Page (/w Kimberly Page) defeated Jesse Hennig by pinfall after a Diamond cutter at 9:45

RCW Tag Team Title Match - Two Out of Three Falls
Spinebusters and Malenkos battled to a draw 1 fall to 1 30:00
 
Bourbon Street Brawl
Lord Zoltan defeated Lash LeRoux by 10 count after hitting him with a bottle at 9:18

Kurt Barnes defeated Derek St. Holmes by pinfall after a moonsault at 7:47

Sean O'Haire & Shane Helms (/w Madusa) defeated Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine by pinfall when O'Haire pinned Pawluk after hitting him with a steel chair at 10:22

Raymond Bingham defeated Paul Diamond by pinfall after a Northern lights suplex at 7:21

Menele defeated Outlaw Sammy Jo Simon by pinfall after a T-Bone suplex at 5:56

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #885
September 22, 2001
Peoria, Illinois

RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

ed. Note. This version is a re-cap of the Illinois broadcast geared at the September 24th show at Springfield. Some local content may vary from station to station. 

Opening segment;
Cameras still rolling from last week after Sam Holiday and Al Hardamann had vanquished the duo of Stan Baker and Jesse Hennig. Then the arena was surprised when Madusa made an appearance with her two new young charges, Shane Helms and Sean O'Haire. She leads them into the ring where Holiday and Hardamann wait wearily and on guard.
Madusa calls the champs yesterday's news, and she's here to bring the future of pro wrestling, the Graduates. Hardamann leers at Madusa and says its obvious where these guys had been schooled, but offered to take them now to the school of hard knocks. The Graduates answered the call by pouncing on the champs. Madusa was the difference in this brawl as she low blow'd Holiday, and then nailed Hardamann with a missile dropkick.
The Graduates posed in the ring over the fallen champions.

[commercial break]

<<< cue "People are Strange" by the Doors >>>
Coming in at 5'11, 222 pounds from New Orleans, Louisiana, LORD ZOLTAN !!!

And his opponent
<<< cue "Pardon Me" by Incubus >>>
Coming in at 5'11, 221 pounds from New Orleans, Louisiana, The Rajun' Cajun' LASH LEROUX !!!

Zoltan offers a handshake at start the match against his opponent from the same hometown, only to cheap shot him with a kick to the gut. Zoltan immediately goes to work with a very intense offense which includes series of stomps, series of chops, a vicious looking German suplex, and then tosses his opponent to the floor. Zoltan sets up a table but referee Buddy Lane blocks Zoltan's attempt to use it. LeRoux fires back with a series of punches, dropkicks, and then a clothesline which sends Zoltan over the guardrail and into the crowd. Buddy Lane forces LeRoux to return to the ring which gives Zoltan enough time to recover and to bring out a pair of brass knuckles.
Back inside LeRoux goes to work on Zoltan but is greeted by a shot to the skull with the knux. Referee Buddy Lane sees it and calls for the disqualification.
But Zoltan continues his assault using the brass knuckles to grind open the head of LeRoux. We see LeRoux begin to bleed as we go to commercial.
[Winner by disqualification Lash LeRoux after being hit with brass knuckles by Zoltan at 3:52]


[Commercial Break]

DDP Interview
<<< cue "Smells like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana >>
The fans come to their feet as the anthem of Diamond Dallas Page hits. The veteran of the ring wars comes down to the ring with a smile, and his wife Kimberley. He holds the ropes open for Kimberley and then enters the ring and does his familiar spins in the ring which end in the sign for the Diamond Cutter.

DDP] Hello River City!! You know jack I may be just a boy from Jersey but we have a lot in common with the heartland. One, we're tough as nails. Two, we don't go out without a fight. And three, we have a code of honour that only our friends and family can understand. Yeah, I've had enough of the political backstabbers in places like Atlanta, and Los Angeles, and even St. Louis. I came here to RCW to wrestle, to learn, and to win. And I brought my good luck charm Kimberley with me. Now, you got some good wrestlers here in the heartland, including guys I admire like Holiday, Hardamann, and the Malenkos, as well as guys I can't wait to test in the ring like Baker, Hennig, and Riley. So, RCW get ready cause I've come to the Heartland so you too can feel the "BANG".


Jason Sensastion promo for upcoming Springfield IL House show on September 24th
Sam Holiday defends his heavyweight title against Sinister Stan Baker
The Spinebusters defend their titles against The Extremists
The Patriot takes on Kamala the Ugandan Giant
Steve Corino meets Jesse Hennig
Max Pain battles Dirty Don Spartan
The IBZ, Al Collins & Joe Blum, and Young Guns meet in a 3-way dance
The Graduates Sean O'Haire & Shane Helms battle against Kevin Matthews & Raymond Bingham
J.W. Ousley takes on Alex Rider

Studio Interview] The Patriot is interviewed about his strategy when taking on Kamala in Springfield. Patriot says he will use his wrestling and mat skills to ground Kamala, and let the big man get winded trying to throw him off.

[commercial break]


<<< cue "Nookie" by Limp Bizkit >>>
The fans howl in displeasure as the egomaniac known as Derek St. Holmes ESQ, struts to the ring.

St.Holmes has a mic and reminds the audience that he is now not just the best sports entertainer in the business, but also the hottest sports entertainment agent in the business. After much deliberation St.Holmes says he finally decided on a selection for his first client. He calls out possibly RCW's brightest prospect Raymond Bingham. He offers his services to Bingham as an agent. Bingham attempts to be tactful by saying that he already has an agent. St.Holmes won't let him off the hook though and keeps on pestering him and grabbing onto him until Bingham can't take any more. Bingham snatches the mic away and tells St. Holmes that he sucks as a wrestler, probably sucked worse as a lawyer, and if possible may suck even more as an agent.
Surprisingly St. Holmes keeps his calm, and tells Bingham that he needs him as his agent, and he does not suck as a wrestler. In fact, St.Holmes challenges Bingham to a match next week. If St.Holmes wins then Bingham has to become his client. Bingham agrees, but adds the stipulation that if HE wins then he gets to pick any RCW wrestler and St.Holmes will have to offer to represent him, for free. St.Holmes reluctantly agrees.


<<<cue "Turn the Page" by Metallica >>>
Fans cheer as Marcus Schultz, 5'11 231, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma comes to the ring wearing his signature dark blue singlet, matching boots and kneepad. He is all business as he steps through the ropes.

<<< cue "Aces High" by Iron Maiden >>>
Cheers turn to boos as Ed "Hammer" Harris comes to the ring. Ed hails from Bemidgi, North Dakota and is larger than Schultz at 6'1 245 pounds. He too is all business as he steps in the ring.

The two lock-up in a collar elbow hook-up before the bell even rings. Soon the square off turns into a brawl which Harris wins with a punch to the gut followed by a quick Samoan drop. Harris controls the first minute of the match but makes the mistake of giving Schultz some breathing room by whipping him into the ropes. Harris ducks down for a back body drop and Schultz counters by rolling off the side of Harris.
Schultz brings Harris down with a legsweep and then applies a front chancery. Harris tries to fight back but Schultz is too good on the mat, and soon Harris is devastated by a T-bone suplex. It's all Schultz now who demonstrates his ability to turn a cobra clutch into a suplex when Harris refuses to submit. Changing gears Schultz goes to work on immobilizing Harris with spinning toe-holds and then uses the corner turnbuckle as a weapon wrapping Harris' leg around it. Schultz applies his leglock submission to get the victory.
[Winner by submission Marcus Schultz when Harris submitted to the leglock submission at 5:34]

[Commercial Break]


IBZ
Taped interview from what appears to be someone's basement. The IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy are sitting on a couch watching a Marilynn Manson video. They seem pretty whacked out. Between otherwise incoherent statements about the establishment, Sam Holiday, Hulk Hogan, and Al Gore, they manage to express their intentions. Yes they were approached by "those old goat**ckers" to steal the contract for the tag match. But they "ain't no white boys' ho's" and the Spinebusters are a bunch of "old *** losers". They say they want their title shot, and this backwash hick promotion ain't going to stop them.
Wiked Klown ends the interview by announcing that he is the great grandson of Lou Thesz, so don't underestimate his wrestling ability, and then he and Shaggy enjoy a good laugh.


<<< cue "Come America" by Amen >>>
The fans get a surprise when the king of old school Steve Corino comes to the ring with new music. Corino is dressed in jeans, a t-shirt, and cowboy boots.

Corino grabs a mic and thanks the fans for welcoming him back with open arms, and to Larkin for signing him. He says that RCW is where he wants to be because it is old school at the finest.

<<< cue "Rest in Peace" by Extreme >>>
Sinister Stan Baker walks quickly to the ring and interrupts Corino. Baker is dressed to wrestle in black tights and his wrists and fingers are taped.

Baker walks into the ring and snatches the mic away from a smirking Steve Corino.
Baker says he is sick and tired of one nobody after another coming out and wasting TV time tonight. He calls Corino a nobody again, and then refers to himself as the nephew of the great Ox Baker.

Corino responds by grabbing the mic and says I don't know who your uncle is, boy, but I know you're one ugly muthe**cking son of a bitch. This sets off Baker who levels Corino with a punch. Baker grabs him by the head and begins to pummel him on the mat.

Head of officials Wayne Hart comes out and breaks them up, only to have Corino tell him to ring the bell. Baker agrees, so Hart steps in to officiate it and we have a match.

The match is an unscientific brawl which Wayne Hart soon loses total control over. Hart throws the match out but the men continue to brawl. It comes to a crashing halt when Baker delivers 3 bonecrunching chair shots to the head of Steve Corino, and then scoops him up and gorilla press slams him over the top-rope and crashing through a table which they had set up earlier in the match.
Corino lies in a waste of broken wood and blood as Baker celebrates.

FADE TO BLACK

Dark Matches prior to the event
Steve Corino defeated Max Pain by pinfall
Diamond Dallas Page defeated Alex Rider by pinfall
Raymond Bingham defeated Derek St. Holmes, Esq by countout
Stan Baker defeated J.J. Extreme by pinfall

Dark Match Following the event
Hardcore Rules: Stan Baker defeated Steve Corino by pinfall




River City Wrestling #886
September 24, 2001
Springfield, Illinois

House Show

Main Event - RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Sam Holiday (c) defeated Sinister Stan Baker by pinfall after a rolling crucifix at 15:08

RCW Tag Team Title Match
The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers (c) defeated The Extremists: Ace Darling & Devon Storm by pinfall when Orth pinned Darling after a spiked piledriver at 16:30

The Patriot defeated Kamala the Ugandan Giant by disqualification for using a steel chair at 8:01

Steve Corino defeated Jesse Hennig by pinfall after a tornado DDT at 10:43

Max Pain defeated Dirty Don Spartan by pinfall after a Death Valley Driver at 6:09
 
The IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy defated Al Collins & Joe Blum and Young Guns: Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine in a 3-way dance by pinfall when Klown pinned Pawluk after a moonsault at 8:47

The Graduates Sean O'Haire & Shane Helms (/w Madusa) defeated Kevin Matthews & Raymond Bingham by pinfall when O'Haire pinned Bingham after a fireman's carry facebuster at 9:40
**a well timed trip by Madusa was the difference in the bout.  

J.W. Ousley and Alex Rider battled to a double countout at 6:15
 

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #887
September 29, 2001
Chicago, IL

RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

[ed. note. This recap is done for the Chicago/Gary area, to promote the show in Gary on Oct. 1st. Some content may vary from station to station.]


<<< cue "The Bitch is Back" by Elton John >>>
At a combined weight of 453 pounds, accompanied by Madusa, The Graduates - Sean O'Haire and Shane Helms.

<<< cue "Ain't Going Down 'till the Sun Comes Up" by Garth Brooks >>> 
At a combined weight of 537 pounds, the RCW Heavyweight Champion Sam Holiday and the RCW TV Champion Al Hardamann

Sam Holiday & Al Hardamann v The Graduates (Sean O'Haire and Shane Helms /w Madusa)
**The show opens with a big time match which follows on their confrontation from last week's show.
Holiday and Hardamann are all business and take the action to the two youngsters who really don't stand much of a chance. However, Madusa does her best to interfere. At one point Madusa tries to pull Holiday off the apron. Holiday tries to pull his leg away and inadvertently kicks Madusa hard across the face. With Holiday distracted attending to the fallen Madusa, the Graduates temporarily turn the tables. Helms nails the Vertebreaker on Hardamann (a bit of revenge perhaps on the man who used the move a couple of weeks back). O'Haire climbs to the top to deliver the Seanton bomb, but by now Holiday has recovered. Holiday slams himself into the ropes from outside the ring, with enough velocity to cause O'Haire to crotch himself. O'Haire is the legal man and by the time he has tagged in Helms, Hardamann gets up and tags in Holiday. Holiday quickly turns the tide with a series of lariats. He delivers the cradle piledriver and has Helms in position for the Holiday legdrop...when Stan Baker and Jesse Hennig hit the ring and take Holiday down. It's a four on two beating until Steve Corino shows up with a chair to clear the ring.
[Sam Holiday and Al Hardamann win by disqualification at 7:37 due to outside interference]


[commercial break]

<<< cue "Star Spangled Banner" by Jimi Hendrix >>>
In Ring Interview:
Joe Aiello is interviewing the Patriot when Kamala enters the ring with a hammer. Kamala tries to sneak attack the Patriot but Patriot hears him coming and doesn't back down. However, with the help of the hammer, Kamala gets the better of the Patriot, smashing his right knee repeatedly. He then turns his attention to the back of the Patriot landing several shots with the hammer to the lower back before RCW officials swarm the ring to separate Kamala from his prey.

We are reminded from last week's program about the stipulations for the next match. If Derek St. Holmes beats Raymond Bingham, then St. Holmes becomes the new agent for Bingham. However, if Bingham wins the match then St. Holmes will be forced to offer to represent for free whichever wrestler Bingham chooses.

<<< cue "Nookie" by Limp Bizkit >>>
Coming in at 6'2 232 lbs, hailing from Chicago, Illinois, the self proclaimed greatest sports entertainment agent in the world...Derek St. Holmes, Esquire

<<< cue "Denial" by Sevendust >>>
And his opponent coming in at 6'2 235 lbs, hailing from Tampa, Florida...Raymond Bingham

Raymond Bingham v Derek St. Holmes, ESQ
It's all Bingham to start as the young lion goes right to work on the legs of Holmes. He punishes him with spinning toe holds, leglocks, a kneebreaker, and then a figure-four which Holmes barely escapes. The tide of the match turns when Bingham goes for the brainbuster, but takes too long to set it up and Holmes counters with a knee to the groin, followed by a vertical suplex. St. Holmes maintains the advantage for a couple of minutes with mostly illegal tactics before he purposefully shoves Bingham into the ref.
With the ref knocked out St. Holmes goes for a chain under the ring which he wraps around his fist. Bingham blocks the first attempt, but the second punch gets through and levels Bingham. Holmes goes over to wake up the ref Jurgen Hermann, only to get the surprise of his life when he is yanked by his feet from the ring. In the shock of the night the Spinebusters Jerry Orth and Bryan Caruthers have come out to help Bingham? They take turns punching Holmes before Caruthers nails him with a spinebuster on the floor. They roll Holmes back into the ring. Hermann recovers before either wrestler, and begins his count. Holmes is on his feet first but when he stumbles over to try and pin Bingham, he is surprised again. This time Bingham reaches up and takes Holmes down to the mat where he applies the ankle lock sumbission. Holmes quickly taps out.
The Spinebusters are long gone by now, and both Holmes and Bingham are left trying to sort out what just happened.
[Raymond Bingham wins by submission at 8:52 when Holmes taps out to the ankle lock submission]


[commercial break]

<<< cue "Burning Heart" by Survivor >>>
In-ring Promo:
"Gung-ho" Joe Blum wheels his partner Al Collins to the ring in a wheelchair. Collins gets into the ring with the help of a pair of crutches.
Blum and Collins proceed to parody themselves showing clips of their younger wrestling days which they claim to be from the 40's. Blum even makes fun of Collins' comb over hair style.
Then the tag partners snap out of the comedy bit and get serious, shouting at the Spinebusters not to underestimate the power of experience and superior training. Blum and Collins say that once the IBZ have had their tag shot tonight, then all the top tag teams will have received a title shot, except for one; Collins and Blum. They warn the Spinebusters and IBZ to give them a title shot the easy way, or be forced to cough it up the hard way.


<<< cue "Flee" by Kindred >>>
introducing at 6'0, 255 pounds, from parts unknown, Menele.

<<< cue "Bad Religion" by Godsmack >>>
and his opponent coming in at 5'11, 227 pounds, from Edwardsville, Illinois, the Battlecat...Kurt Barnes !!!

Battlecat Kurt Barnes v Menele
This match starts interestingly enough as the men trade moves, each taking turns nailing a German Suplex, a spear, a camel clutch, and a swinging neckbreaker. Barnes is a bit better of a technician but Menele shows that with his strength advantage he can hold his own. Then Menele gets out of hand, with a chop to the throat, thumb to the eye, and fishooks the corner of Barnes' mouth. Menele then throws Barnes to the outside of the ring. He tosses Barnes into the guardrail and then the ringsteps. Referee Buddy Lane calls for the DQ, but Menele refuses to stop the punishment. When Lane tries to step in the way he is greeted by a powerslam. Menele goes on a rampage, and not even the combined efforts of Sammy Jo Simon, J.J. Extreme, and Alex Rider can stop the carnage. Finally there are just too many wrestlers and security guards in between Menele and Barnes so he leaves.
[Kurt Barnes wins by disqualification at 4:13]

[commercial break]


<<< cue "One Big Rush" by Joe Satriani >>>

Commisioner Jim Brunzell is in the ring, along with his assistant Jack Lanza. This marks Brunzell's first on-air appearance in his return as Commissioner, having taken over from Greg Gagne.
Brunzell is visibly upset and says that the bullcrap going on tonight will not be tolerated. We have had three matches so far tonight and none of them have been cleanly contested.
He warns all wrestlers in the dressing room to stay the hell away from the ring for tonight's main event.
He calls Menele the worst offender tonight, and a disgrace to wrestling. He fines him an undisclosed amount for attacking referee Buddy Lane. But on top of that he promises to "get" Menele where he lives. If he wants carnage then he's going to get carnage. On October 13th's edition of River City Rage, Menele has been signed to participate in a 3-way Hardcore dance. Brunzell apologizes to the RCW fans who usually are accustomed to fine mat wrestling, but calls it something that needs to be done.
One of Menele's opponents will be none other than BALLS MAHONEY!! However, the other opponent will be a big surprise for everyone.
Brunzell however is not done and next calls out Stan Baker to the ring. He chastises Baker for his interference tonight against Holiday and for his actions last week in the brawl against Steve Corino. Baker just stares at Brunzell defiantly. Brunzell then calls out Steve Corino. He tells Corino that while he may not have been the aggressor last week, his actions were still indecent. He gives the men the option of settling this in the ring at Gary on October 1st in a steel cage. Both men accept without hesitation.

Jason Sensation re-caps the line-up for the huge October 1st show in Gary, Indiana. 
*Steve Corino to take on Sinister Stan Baker in a steel cage.
*Sam Holiday to defend his RCW title against Jesse Hennig.
*Diamond Dallas Page and Al Hardamann join forces to take on the Graduates - Sean O'Haire and Shane Helms.
*The Spinebusters defend their Tag Team titles in a best 2 out of 3 falls match against The Amazing Malenkos.
*The Patriot gets a chance for revenge against Kamala the Ugandan Giant
*Balls Mahoney makes his official return to RCW in what should be a bloody confrontation with Menele.
*In another potential bloodletting, Dirty Don Spartan and Max Pain lock it up one more time.
*In a battle between two fan favorite tag teams, The Extremists (Ace Darling/Devon Storm) do battle with the Young Guns (Greg Pawluk/Johnny Devine).
*J.J. Extreme does battle with Alex Rider.

[commercial break]


MAIN EVENT
for the RCW Tag Team Titles
The Spinebusters (Bryan Caruthers and Jerry Orth) (c)
v
The IBZ (Wiked Klown and Shaggy)
[match joined in progress]
When we join this match the Spinebusters are in control, but we are told that the IBZ had controlled much of the early going with some "original shenanighans".
Caruthers is kicking away at a downed Wiked Klown in the corner of the ring. He biels him out to the middle of the ring. Klown tries to crawl to Shaggy but Caruthers catches him with a full-nelson pulling him to his feet. After a few seconds of punishment Caruthers turns it into a devastating full-nelson suplex. Orth is tagged in and drops a series of elbows to the back of Klown. Klown lay in the ring, face down, spasms in his left arm the only signs of life.
Orth then grabs him by the head and yells "don't cross the Spinebusters..now go tell your friend", and he tosses Klown into Shaggy's corner. Shaggy tags in and very hesitantly enters the ring. Orth tries to lock up Shaggy only to watch his opponent deftly slide between his legs. Shaggy heads out of the ring and proceeds to be chased around the ring by both Spinebusters. Shaggy gets into the centre of the ring with the Spinebusters and referee Wayne Hart far behind.
As Orth enters the ring he is surprised by a FIREBALL thrown by Wiked Klown. Caruthers in his surprise goes to help out his partner and is immediately under siege from both members of IBZ. After some double teaming which is broken up by Wayne Hart, they throw Caruthers out of the ring.
Wiked Klown hoists Orth, whose hands are still over his face, onto his shoulders while Shaggy climbs to the top rope. Shaggy beats the five count being administered by Wayne Hart and lands an elevated splash, ending up sitting on Orth in a pinning position. But by now Caruthers has recovered and is on the apron entering the ring. Wayne Hart gets to his feet, instead of counting, and goes to cut-off Caruthers.
From the back suddenly appears Raymond Bingham, sliding under the bottom rope with a steel chair. He proceeds to nail Shaggy in the back with the chair, and then Klown off the apron with a chair shot to the head. Hart sees nothing as he was tied up with Caruthers.
Bingham rolls out of the ring and heads to the back, being jeered by the fans who once cheered him.
Back inside the ring, Orth recovers first and drapes an arm over the knocked out Shaggy for the pin.
[The Spinebusters win by pinfall when Orth pins Shaggy following outside interference 4:37 televised, approximately 12:00 overall.]

The announcers want an explanation from young Raymond Bingham, and remind us of Jim Brunzell's edict that no one better dare interfere in the main event.

FADE TO BLACK


Dark Matches Before the Event
The Patriot defeated Kamala for disqualification for use of a foreign object (steel chair)
Stan Baker defeated Kevin Matthews by pinfall
Steve Corino defeated Alex Rider by pinfall
Joe Blum & Al Collins defeated Sammy Jo Simon & JJ Extreme by pinfall




River City Wrestling #888
October 1, 2001
Gary, Indiana

House Show Report and News Update

An Exhausted Sam Holiday loses by countout!!

While the main event tonight in Gary was a bloody steel cage match between Steve Corino and Stan Baker, it was the Sam Holiday vs. Jesse Hennig match that really has people talking.

It was the semi-main event match, and it appered to be a bit of a mismatch with RCW legend and champion Sam Holiday taking on mid-carder Jesse Hennig. To make things even worse for Hennig, his buddy Stan Baker was busy getting ready for his important main event match, and the Graduates had already been battered and bruised earlier in the night by Hardamann and DDP. So outside interference would not be a factor tonight.
As the match progressed it was pretty clear that Holiday was superior. However, through a mix of cheating and last moment kick-outs Hennig survived past 20 minutes still alive and kicking. Holiday was pressing the action though and tried to finish off Hennig with a cross body block. Hennig ducked under and Holiday glanced off of Hennig and sailed right over the ropes to the floor below.
Ring side observers said that Holiday did not seem to land too hard, but when he tried to get to his feet he looked plain exhausted. Inside the ring Hennig took the opportunity to catch his breath and recover, never dreaming I'm sure of what was about to happen.
With his hands on the bottom rope Holiday tried to pull himself into the ring, but to no avail. He was too tired, and Wayne Hart counted to 10.
Jesse Hennig was awarded the match by countout. A huge upset. Sure, Holiday held onto the championship but you wouldn't have known it from Hennig's celebration.
After the match several internet rag reporters tried to get an interview with the usually obliging Sam Holiday. The champ rebuked all attempts to get him to comment and left the arena in a hurry.

The Main Event might have been anti-climatic except the two men fought a terrific war. In the end Sinister Stan Baker was just too much for the much smaller Steve Corino. Baker won the match by ref stoppage due to blood loss after nearly 20 minutes in the steel cage.

The remainder of the card went as follows;
*Diamond Dallas Page and Al Hardamann joined forces and defeated the Graduates - Sean O'Haire and Shane Helms, despite the outside interference by Madusa. Hardamann pinned Helms after hitting him with the Vertebreaker. Post match Hardamann humiliated Madusa with an across the knee spanking.
*The Spinebusters continued their war of attrition against the Amazing Malenkos. In a 2 out of 3 falls title defense, Joe Malenko pinned Bryan Caruthers after a swinging neckbreaker in quick fashion after only about 2 minutes. After that The Spinebusters really became vicious. However, neither team could muster up another fall victory before time ran out at 30 minutes. Officially the match ends as a draw.
*The Patriot entered into his match against Kamala still favouring his back and knee. Kamala used that to his advantage and wore the Patriot down. Kamala won by pinfall after a big splash about 8 minutes into the match.
*Balls Mahoney made his official return to RCW but his match against Menele was ruled a no-decision when it was thrown out due to both mens refusal to stop brawling outside the ring.
*Dirty Don Spartan got a popular win over Max Pain following a piledriver after about 10 minutes.
*In a battle between two fan favorite tag teams, The Extremists (Ace Darling/Devon Storm) defeated the Young Guns (Greg Pawluk/Johnny Devine) after 15 high flying minutes. Devon Storm pinned Johnny Devine.
*J.J. Extreme won easily over Alex Rider after a moonsault in about 6 minutes.

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #889
October 6, 2001
Winnipeg, Manitoba

RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

Ed. Note] This show was edited for the Oct 8th house show in Brandon. As such it may contain some local content that varies from other channels.

<<<cue "One Big Rush" by Joe Satriani >>>
Commissioner Jim Brunzell and his assistant Jack Lanza are in the ring to begin the show. Brunzell says that he is very upset at Raymond Bingham for his actions last week interfering in the main event after Brunzell had specifically warned all talent not to interfere. Brunzell says that later in the hour Bingham will have a chance to explain his actions and then any discipline that needs to be taken by the office will be handed out. Brunzell then updates the fans as to the improbable loss by Sam Holiday to Jesse Hennig on October 1st in Gary by countout. Brunzell says that he hasn't heard from Holiday since, and his phone calls have been ignored. Holiday is scheduled to appear in Brandon on Monday. He says Holiday has always been the consummate professional and he isn't worried about him no-showing any events. However, if he does than he may have to forfeit the RCW title.

<<<cue "Wild Thing" by the Troggs >>>
RCW Television champion Al Hardamann comes to the ring, interrupting Brunzell. He looks pissed off and swipes the mic from the Commish's hand. Hardamann rails against Brunzell. He says that Sam Holiday has been the heart and soul of this promotion for the last 2 years when the promotion was dying a slow death. Furthermore, he was the workhorse. Now what does he get in return? He gets threats and disloyalty. Brunzell looks dumbfounded, and Hardamann just tosses his mic to the mat and shakes his head in disgust.

<<<cue "Driver's Seat" by Sniff 'n the Tears>>>
Jesse Hennig comes to ringside with a mic. He of course brags about his win over Holiday and now claims to be the #1 contender. He claims to have put Holiday out to pasture, and once that old man is stripped of the belt it should go to him. But since Holiday is too chicken to face him tonight he suggests that Hardamann put the Television title on the line instead. Hardamann agrees, and the match is set for tonight's main event.


[commercial break]

<<< cue "Burning Heart" by Survivor>>>
Coming to the ring at a combined weight of 500 pounds, the team of Al Collins and "Gung Ho" Joe Blum !!!
The fans cheer as the veterans make their way to the ring, hi-fives to the fans as they pass.

<<< cue "Choke" by Kittie >>>
And their opponents, at a combined weight of 405 pounds, Pistol Greg Pawluk, Hotshot Johnny Devine, the Young Guns !!
The fans give the Young Guns a mixed reaction as the youngsters run to the ring.

Collins starts the match against Pawluk. Since Pawluk keeps the match clean Collins seems determined to do likewise, but mat wrestling isn't his strength so the much smaller Pawluk grabs the advantage early with some takedowns and armlocks. Collins roars back with some elbows and then goes for a swinging neckbreaker, but it's deftly countered by Pawluk into a DDT. Pawluk tags out to Devine who continues to press the advantage with a series of dropkicks and a ropeflip moonsault. But Devine makes the mistake of using some punches and kicks on Collins, which opens the door for the bigger man to fire back. Collins unleashes his usual plethora of punches on Devine followed by an inverted atomic drop, which sets up a big clothesline. Collins covers but only gets a 2 count. Devine attacks the knees of Collins with kicks to make enough of a comeback to tag in Pawluk. Collins tags in Blum.
Pawluk hits Blum with a clothesline, but it's shrugged off. Blum fires right back with a clothesline of his own knocking Pawluk down. Blum applies a couple of submission holds including a sequence in an abdominal stretch. Pawluk escapes only to have Blum take him down with a big bodyslam and then a rake of the boot across the forehead. Blum whips a stunned Pawluk into the corner and proceeds to set him up in the tree of whoa. Blum gets down on his stomach and talks trash to Pawluk until referee Marty Stevens can help Pawluk down. Blum then applies the maggot killer on Pawluk (a lying down full-nelson and then scrapes the face of Pawluk across the mat). This is too much for Devine to take who tries to intercede but is cut off by Collins. Devine leaves the ring so the ref then escorts Collins out. Devine though quickly returns to the ring with a steel chair and smashes Blum across the back. Stevens though sees it in time and calls for the bell.
After the match Collins attacks Devine, wrestling the chair from him and then gives him two solid chair shots. Collins then picks up Pawluk and fires him out of the ring.
[Winners by disqualification Al Collins and Joe Blum when Devine was disqualified for using a chair on Blum at 6:26]

[commercial break]

<<< cue "People Are Strange" by the Doors >>>
In ring interview with Lord Zoltan; Zoltan rips into Lash LeRoux calling him the disgrace of New Orleans. He claims that not all Cajuns and N'orleans are a bunch of inbred, backward hicks like Lash LeRoux. Furthermore he calls him a Johnny come lately who has no business in RCW where Zoltan has ruled the roost for so many years. He tells Lash he wants to settle it once and for all in a New Orleans street fight.


<<< cue "Slide It In" by Whitesnake >>>
This next contest is scheduled for one fall, it has a 20-minute time limit. Introducing first coming in at 5'10 and 234 pounds, from Thunder Bay Ontario, "Venom" Paul Diamond
The fans boo Diamond.

<<< cue "Big Balls" by AC/DC >>>
And his opponent coming in at 6'2 361 pounds, hailing from Nutley, New Jersey, the man with the biggest balls of them all Balls Mahoney !!!
The fans cheer loudly for Balls.

Balls quickly degenerates this match into a brawl, which spills to the outside of the ring. Diamond gets a hold of a chair and hammers Balls 3 times over the head. Balls is down on the ground and the ref calls for the bell, disqualifying Diamond. While Diamond argues with the ref Jurgen Hermann, Balls recovers and takes the chair and nails Diamond over the back. Hermann tries to get in the way but is shoved aside by Balls, who then starts to hit Diamond with the chair repeatedly. Hermann calls for the bell again and reverses his decision declaring this match a no-contest. Hermann throws up his hands in disgust and just walks away while Balls and Diamond continue to brawl. Suddenly MENELE joins the fray with a chair of his own and nails Balls. He then delivers a release German Suplex on Balls right onto the open steel chair!
Menele leaves the scene as RCW officials arrive to break it up.
[Declared a no-contest after 2:18]

Studio Interview:
A close up of the face of "Total Destruction" Steve Riley can be seen as he stands only inches from the camera. He declares himself the hottest commodity in pro wrestling. He says the promoters were looking for the next Goldberg instead they found the next Goldberg, Flair, Thesz, and The Sheik all rolled into one extremely marketable package. He says the havoc that he reeked with Kurt Barnes in September was just the beginning. Barnes, Schultz, Page, Hardamann, Holiday; it doesn't matter he says, he'll knock them all out one at a time. He tells Brandon to get ready for the 8th as he plans to give Barnes a little tour of Canada's universal health care system.

[commercial break]

The Black Demon is already in the ring and awaits his opponent.

<<< cue "Turn the Page" by Metallica >>>
This next match is scheduled for one fall, already in the ring from parts unknown, at 5'11 235 pounds the Black Demon. And his opponent, making his way to the ring, hailing from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, coming in at 5'11 and 231 pounds, Marcus Schultz !!!
The fans cheer Schultz who looks and acts all business in his dark blue singlet.

This is an obvious mismatch as Schultz puts on a mat wrestling clinic showing off his trademark moves like the T-bone suplex, cobra clutch suplex, tombstone piledriver, and uses the leg lock submission to get the quick win.
[Winner by submission at 3:34 Marcus Schultz with the leg lock submission]

<<< cue "Denial" by Sevendust >>>
The fans mostly boo Raymond Bingham as he comes to the ring, although a good percentage of them still cheer him. He doesn't even look at them as he slowly walks to the ring with purpose.
Bingham calls out Derek St. Holmes.

<<< cue "Nookie" by Limp Bizkit >>>
The fans absolutely jeer and boo as the arrogant Derek St. Holmes, ESQ comes to the ring.

Bingham reminds Holmes that since he beat his ass last week that he gets to name the first client that St.Holmes will have to offer to take on as a client.
He says that he thought of sticking St.Holmes with a real raw prospect like the Black Demon or perhaps Jake Milliman. Then he thought of having him represent a psycho like Menele or Kamala to see what might happen. Then he thought,

<<< cue "One Big Rush" by Joe Satriani >>>
Commissioner Jim Brunzell and his assistant Jack Lanza make their way to the ring.
Brunzell asks Bingham to explain his actions last week interfering in the main event after all the talent had been told to stay the hell away. Bingham tells Brunzell that if he bothered to take his head out of his ass and watch the tape; at that Jack Lanza steps forward and gets in the face of Bingham, but Brunzell peels him off. Bingham says that everyone knows that Wiked Klown threw a fireball into the face of Jerry Orth. He was just doing what the inept officials of the promotion failed to due, and make it an even playing field.
Brunzell responds by asking him to deny that it had anything to do with the Spinebusters helping him win earlier in the night. Bingham just smiles. He says that he was watching the match closely from the ramp because he wanted to know what the Spinebusters were up to. When he saw what happened he just acted out of impulse. He says that the Spinebusters may be the devil but at least they are the devil that he knows, coming from RCW not the freak'n circus. The fans begin to cheer Bingham a little more.

<<< cue "Till it Sleeps" Metallica >>>
The crowd jeers as the RCW Tag Team Champions, the Spinebusters: Jerry Orth and Bryan Caruthers stroll to the ring. Orth stops to grab a sign from a fan that says "'Busters fear Fredrickson" and tear it in half.
Inside the now crowded ring Orth and Caruthers take the mic from Bingham. Orth says he is sick of being in the back hearing other people talk about the Spinebusters when they could hear it from the legends themselves. Orth thanks Bingham for his help last week and extends his hand. But Bingham just shakes his head and says "consider us even, now leave me the hell alone from here on in." Orth says, that he and Caruthers have been doing a lot of thinking and they realize that while they are the best tag team EVER in pro wrestling, that they simply don't have the time and desire to step up and take the singles belts too. So, they decided that they needed a promising young superstar to train, teach, and mold into the next great, correction, the first great RCW champion. Orth says he has seen the future and the future is named Raymond Bingham. He tells Bingham to step forward and embrace his dark side. Bingham nods his head, and asks Orth if he really wants a protege. Orth confirms what he said earlier. Bingham thinks about it a second and then says, sure no problem, meet your third wheel, your agent, Derek St. Holmes. Holmes is having a conniption in the far corner of the ring. Orth looks at Bingham like he could kill him, and Caruthers corners St. Holmes. Orth joins his partner and asks him what he thinks of this worm. Caruthers steps forward and smells St. Holmes before saying "you're scared boy, very scared, but at least you're not stupid". Caruthers tells Bingham that he just made a bad mistake. He says you can continue to play the fairy for the head office, as they hold you down so that you don't get well known and jump ship before they get their pound of flesh. Now you can watch your mistake as you continue to get held down while we take this worm, St.Holmes, who isn't half the wrestler you are, to the top. He offers his hand to St. Holmes who takes it to shake, but Caruthers slams a foot into his gut instead, and then DDT's him into the mat. He towers over St.Holmes and declares that "lesson learned".
The Spinebusters leave the ring.

Jim Brunzell grabs the mic and tells Bingham to hold on a minute before he leaves. He says that he hasn't been punished yet for his interference last week. He tells Bingham that he is fined $1,000 and will have to face the Spinebusters in a handicap match next week. Bingham tries to get in the face of Brunzell but Lanza separates the two.

[commercial break]


<<<cue "Driver's Seat" by Sniff 'n the Tears>>>
This next match is our MAIN EVENT of the evening and is for the RCW Television Championship.
Introducing first, hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, coming in at 6'1 and 245 pounds, Jesse Hennig!!!
The fans boo the brash Hennig.

<<< cue "Wild Thing" by the Troggs >>>
And his opponent the current RCW Television champion, from Tampa Florida, coming in at 5'11 and 235 pounds ,"Wild Thing" Al Hardamann!!!
The fans cheer their long time hero.

Hardamann goes right for Hennig before the bell even rings but Hennig grabs the upper hand with an eye gouge. Hardamann was still wearing his belt and Hennig undid it, dropping it to the mat and then delivering a brainbuster. He was attempting to do the move on the belt but referee Wayne Hart managed to kick the belt out of the way before Hardamann landed. The first few minutes were all Hennig with a pair of Northern lights suplexes each held for a two count. Hennig also tried to wear down Hardamann with a reverse chinlock as well as a bow and arrow submission. Hardamann made a comeback that started when Hennig tried to out brawl Wild Thing. Hardamann poured on the offense with more then just brawls though, nailing a reverse Russian legsweep followed by a camel clutch. The champ then used three consecutive drop toe hold takedowns into a half Boston, but each time Hennig managed to get to the ropes for the break. Hardamann nailed Hennig with a DVD but only got a two count. He then climbed to the top rope signaling for an an elbowdrop, but Hennig rolled out of the way. Hennig immediately tried to go for a sharpshooter but Hardamann managed to kick Hennig off, and right through the ropes. Hardamann went to go through the ropes to follow but Wayne Hart grabbed a hold of him and tried to keep him in the ring. This allowed Hennig to cold-cock Hardamann right to the head, before grabbing him and pulling him out of the ring. However, when the champ spilled out the ref Wayne Hart fell to the floor as well, knocking himself out.
Hennig signaled to the back and out came Madusa, Shane Helms and Sean O'Haire. They tripled teamed Hardamann for a few seconds before Helms nailed him with a vertebreaker on the floor.
<<< cue "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana >>>
The crowd erupted as Diamond Dallas Page ran to the action followed closely behind by his wife Kimberly. DDP delivered a quick diamond cutter to Helms. O'Haire grabbed DDP and tried to throw him into the ring post. But DDP blocked it and then threw O'Haire into the ringsteps. DDP then climbed onto the apron and jumped behind a stunned O'Haire and delivered another diamond cutter. But when he turned around he was waffled in the head by Hennig using the TV belt. However, in turn he was clotheslined from behind by Al Hardamann. Hardamann crawled back into the ring after rolling Hennig in. Hardamann went for the pin but there was no ref to count. Hart was slowly recovering and slid back into the ring. Hardamann grabbed Hennig and delivered a vertebreaker and got the 1-2-3.
[Winner by pinfall and still the RCW TV Champion, Al Hardamann after a Vertebreaker at 10:05]

Post-Match:
Helms and O'Haire recovered and joined Hennig in a triple team first of Hardamann and then of DDP. In each case they used the TV title to open up the foreheads of their victims. Then Madusa surprised Kimberly from behind slamming her head into the ring apron and then dropkicking her. She rolled her into the ring and grabbed a chair. She reared back to hit Kimberly as she begged for mercy and held her hands in front of her face. Madusa seemed to reconsider and opened up the chair and sat down. Helms and O'Haire then grabbed Kimberly by the hair and pulled her on top of Madusa's knees. Madusa then began to deliver a spanking to Kimberly. Security hit the ring, the announcers rail against what they are seeing and scream where the hell is Sam Holiday when you need him, as we,

FADE TO BLACK



River City Wrestling #890
October 8, 2001
Brandon, Manitoba

Main Event - RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Jesse Hennig defeated Sam Holiday (C) by disqualification for outside interference (Al Hardamann) 
**Hennig used brass knux and would probably have won the bout if not for Hardamann interfering.

Graduates: Sean O'Haire & Shane Helms (/w Madusa) defeated Al Hardamann & Diamond Dallas Page (/w Kimberly) by pinfall when O'Haire pinned Hardamann after a Seanton bomb
**Madusa created a distraction attacking Kimberly and when DDP left the ring it created a 2 on 1.

Raymond Bingham defeated Derek St. Holmes by pinfall after a Northern lights suplex

Balls Mahoney and Menele battled to a no-contest

Al Collins & Joe Blum defeated Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine by submission when Blum submitted Devine to the cobra clutch

Marcus Schultz defeated "Venom" Paul Diamond by submission to the leglock 

Kevin Matthews defeated Alex Rider by pinfall after a to the knees powerbomb 

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #891
October 13, 2001
Lansing, Michigan

RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

This week's show opens with our first match.

<<< cue "Rocket Queen" by Guns 'n Roses >>>
This match is scheduled for one fall with a time limit of 15 minutes. Introducing first, coming in at 6'5 and 281 pounds, hailing from Staten Island, New York, Kevin Matthews !!!
The fans give Matthews some mild cheers.

<<< cue "We Will Rock You" by Queen >>>
And his opponent led to the ring by his entourage, hailing from Denver, Colorado, coming in at 6'5" and 270 pounds, the instrument of total destruction, Steve Riley!!!
The fans great Steve with an outpouring of negative sentiment.
Riley strides confidently to the ring, wearing a white robe overtop his hunter green trunks, his hands on the shoulders of his trainers.

This is a mismatch as it only takes Riley about a minute before he uses his awesome power to ground Matthews with a running powerslam. He has Matthews on the verge of submission with an armbreaker but breaks the hold so he can dish out some more punishment. Riley demonstrates his agility with a Frankensteiner executed out of the corner and gets the 3 count, or would have but he lifts his opponent after the 2 count. Referee Buddy Lane admonishes Riley, who then follows up with a Gorilla Press slam, and then a release German Suplex. However, Riley re-applies the armbreaker to make Matthews tap out in a matter of seconds.
[Winner by submission Steve Riley with an armbreaker at 4:53]


[commercial break]


<<< cue "Denial" by Sevendust >>>
This next match is a handi-cap match. Introducing first coming in at 6'2" 235 lbs. From Tampa, Florida, Raymond Bingham !!!
The fans give Raymond Bingham a mixed reaction. He doesn't even look at them as he slowly walks to the ring with purpose.

And his opponents
<<< cue "Till it Sleeps" by Metallica >>>
At a combined weight of 480 pounds, led to the ring by their new Sports Entertainment Agent, Derek St. Holmes, the current RCW Tag Team Champions, The Spinebusters, Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers!!!
The fans boo the trio unmercifully as a cup full of coke and ice smacks across the back of St.Holmes.

Bingham does remarkably well in the early stages of the match out wrestling Orth, and forcing him to tag in the better grappler Caruthers. Bingham is fortunate to have a fair and competent referee in Buddy Lane calling the match. Caruthers however gets Bingham in the wrong corner and it allows Orth to hold onto his feet and yank the youngster to the ground. Caruthers is all over him with stomps to the back and the neck.
Orth is tagged in and punishes Bingham with a running clothesline, a DDT, and a piledriver, getting a two count. Caruthers comes back in and goes to work with short-arm scissors which Bingham manages to break by getting to the ropes. Buddy Lane doesn't see it though when Derek St. Holmes waffles Bingham in the head with a tag title belt. Caruthers rolls up Bingham, uses the ropes for leverage and gets the 3 count.
[Winners by pinfall the Spinebusters when Caruthers pinned Bingham after some outside interference at 6:11]

Post-Match
The IBZ, Wiked Klown and Shaggy appear, jumping the railing. They attack Derek St. Holmes, double teaming him. The Spinebusters see their agent getting attacked, but just grab their belts and head to the back.
After they are done leaving St.Holmes wrecked outside the ring the IBZ enter the ring and attempt to attack a recovering Raymond Bingham, who is bleeding from the forehead shot with the title belt. Bingham though takes it right to the two "clowns" and drives them both from the ring.


[commercial break]

<<< cue "One Big Rush" by Joe Satriani >>>
Commissioner Jim Brunzell comes to the ring. He says the next match will be the 3-way hardcore match between Balls Mahoney, Menele, and the promised surprise opponent. Brunzell informs the crowd that the surprise was supposed to be former IPW star "Streetfighter" Terry Sugury. However, Sugury has not been in contact with the RCW office since he signed his contract over a month ago. He did not arrive here tonight either. So, Sugury has been suspended indefinitely, and if he tries to wrestle anywhere else he will be sued by President Larkin and RCW wrestling. In the mean time he has been replaced on the 3-way Hardcore match tonight.

<<< cue "Big Balls" by AC/DC >>>
Our first fighter comes in at 6'2 361 pounds, hailing from Nutley, New Jersey, the man with the biggest balls of them all, Balls Mahoney !!!
The fans cheer loudly for Balls.

<<< cue "Flee" by Kindred >>>
His opponent comes in at 6'0 and 255 pounds, hailing from parts unknown, Menele !!!
The fans really give it to the most insane man in middle America.

Balls and Menele don't wait for their third dance partner, or the bell, or the ref. They start their fight on the ring apron, before tumbling to the floor. Balls uses the metal guardrail as a weapon slamming and choking Menele with it. Menele is wearing the proverbial crimson mask, and his arm is also ripped open. However, the former disciple of Brujah roars back with a takeover suplex which smashes Balls into a wall. Both stumble gamely to their feet and begin to exchange punches.

I AM IRONMAN!
<<< cue "Ironman" by Black Sabbath >>>
The fans are on their feet as the third member of this match is Road Warrior Animal who runs to the ring.
Animal poses in the ring to the cheers of the crowd. Menele and Balls continue to brawl outside the ring.
Animal finally leaves the ring and grabs a hubcap which he uses to brain both his opponents.
Animal drags Menele to the ring where he is suddenly joined by tag team partner Hawk. They execute the doomsday device on Menele as Balls just watches from outside the ring.
Referee Marty Stevens throws the match out.
[Match is declared a no-contest after about 5 minutes of action]

The announce team of Joe Aiello, Cyrus, and Jason Sensation inform us that the Road Warriors have not been seen in a few months after losing a long and bloody feud to the Spinebusters. As the Road Warriors pose in the ring for the fans, Cyrus informs us that this is probably just the Roadies way of saying goodbye to their faithful fans, and does not mark their return to an RCW ring.

[commercial break]


Re-cap of the "spanking incident" from last week.

MAIN EVENT
Six-Man Texas Tornado Match - Anything Goes
Diamond Dallas Page & Al Hardamann & Steve Corino
V
Jesse Hennig & Sean O'Haire & Shane Helms
This match is joined in progress and Madusa and Kimberly have both been forced to stay in their respective corners with an assigned security guard to maintain that stipulation.
Shane Helms does not do well in this type of brawl. In fact at one point he crawled over to where Madusa stood and held onto her leg, before being pulled off by Hardamann. Later Helms basically tried to escape through the crowd and Hardamann gave chase. DDP and Hennig fought mostly on the outside of the ring, near the entrance with an assortment of weapons. But given all the action happening, referee Wayne Hart mostly stayed inside the ring with Steve Corino (who got busted open - surprise, surprise) and Sean O'Haire. O'Haire looked like he was about to finish off Corino with the Seanton bomb but DDP had recovered enough to chairshot him from behind to give Corino the advantage. Before Corino could do much damage however Shane Helms re-appeared alone, with no sigh of Hardamann anywhere. With the sides tipped 3 against 2, it was only a matter of minutes before Helms nailed Corino with the Vertebreaker, followed by the Superkick for good measure. Then O'Haire finished him off with the Seanton bomb.
[Winners by pinfall Hennig/O'Haire/Helms when O'Haire pinned Corino after the Seanton bomb in 14:40 with 5:24 televised]

Post-Match the heels celebrated inside the ring taunting their victims and Kimberly who was being protected by the security guard. Then from behind Stan Baker appeared knocking the security guard out with a shot to the back of the head. Baker grabbed Kimberly and brought her into the ring. Kimberly was on her knees begging for mercy and being menaced as the show went off the air, with the announcers wondering what they would do to her, where the heck Al Hardamann went to, and when Sam Holiday would finally come back to TV.

FADE TO BLACK


Official RCW Ratings - as of October 13, 2001

1) Sam Holiday (RCW Heavyweight Champion)
2) "Wild Thing "Al Hardamann (RCW Television Champion)
3) "Sinister" Stan Baker
4) Diamond Dallas Page (/w Kimberly)
5) Jesse Hennig
6) "Total Destruction" Steve Riley
7) Bryan Caruthers (RCW Tag Team Champion) (/w Derek St. Holmes)
8) Steve Corino
9) Raymond Bingham
10) Marcus Schultz
11) Jerry Orth (RCW Tag Team Champion) (/w Derek St. Holmes)
12) Menele
13) Shane Helms (/w Madusa)
14) Sean O'Haire (/w Madusa)
15) Kamala the Ugandan Giant
16) Joe Malenko
17) Balls Mahoney
18) The Patriot
19) Stan Malenko
20) Al Collins

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #892
October 14, 2001
Grand Rapids, Michigan

House Show

Main Event
RCW Television Title Match
Al Hardamann and Stan Baker battled to a 20-minute time limit draw
[Al Hardamann retained the RCW Television Title]
**Sam Holiday no-showed Heavyweight title defence against Baker

Diamond Dallas Page (/w Kimberly) defeated Jesse Hennig by pinfall after a Diamond Cutter

RCW Tag Team Title Match
The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers (C) defeated Joe & Stan Malenko by countout 

RCW Television Title Match
Al Hardamann (C) defeated Max Pain by pinfall after a flying elbowdrop

The Graduates: Sean O'Haire & Shane Helms (/w Madusa) defeated Al Collins & Joe Blum by pinfall when Helms pinned Blum after a vertebreaker

Menele defeated Balls Mahoney by pinfall after a T-bone suplex

Steve Riley defeated Marcus Schultz by submission to an armbreaker

Raymond Bingham defeated Black Demon by pinfall after a Northern Lights suplex



River City Wrestling #893
October 15, 2001
Flint, Michigan

House Show

Main Event - RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Sam Holiday (C) defeated Stan Baker by pinfall after a top rope legdrop 

RCW Tag Team Title Match
The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers (C) battled Joe & Stan Malenko to a 30-minute time limit draw

Triangle Match
Diamond Dallas Page (/w Kimberly) defeated Max Pain and Jesse Hennig by pinfall when Page pinned Hennig after a Diamond Cutter

The Graduates: Sean O'Haire & Shane Helms (/w Madusa) defeated Al Collins & Joe Blum by pinfall when O'Haire pinned Blum after a Seanton bomb

Menele and Balls Mahoney battled to a double countout

Steve Riley defeated Marcus Schultz by submission to an armbreaker

Raymond Bingham defeated Alex Rider by pinfall after a Northern lights suplex




River City Wrestling #894
October 20, 2001
Saginaw, Michigan

RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

The show begins from the end of last week's show, with the tape machines running.
Inside the ring Stan Baker has Kimberly in a full nelson and Madusa is taunting her with a strap, and giving her a few slaps across the face. Diamond Dallas Page has recovered and is fighting like crazy to get into the ring but is being fended off by Hennig and Helms. Steve Corino has also recovered now but is clocked with a chair shot from Sean O'Haire as he tries to enter the ring. From the crowd emerges a bloodied Al Hardamann, who manages to slip into the ring before the pack is onto him. However, this allows DDP to also enter the ring and now the heels flee the ring and head through the crowd. DDP tends to a distraught Kimberly while Steve Corino and Al Hardamann stand guard, both wearing crimson masks.

[commercial break]


The announce team of Joe Aiello, Cyrus, and Jason Sensation remind us of the epic feud occurring between the Spinebusters and the Malenkos in arenas all across the territory. They tell us of 30-minute draws, and double countouts. Neither team seeming to get the upper hand. Cyrus reminds us that the Spinebusters just managed to get through a mega feud with the legendary Road Warriors. It was the victory in that feud that really has catapulted the Spinebusters into stardom. Jason then informs us that the Road Warriors' appearance last week was in fact just a way to say goodbye. They are moving on. Getting back to the Spinebusters and Malenkos feud, Joe says that it can't be ignored any longer. So, in recognition of the feud RCW has put together a hi-light package including some of the "hand-held" video footage taken at this past house shows.

<<< cue "Nothing Else Matters (Elevator Version)" by Metallica >>>
A solid 10 minutes of hi-lights of the Spinebusters against the Malenkos.

[commercial break]


<<< cue "Psychotron" by Megadeth>>>
Ladies and gentlemen, this next match is one fall scheduled for 15 minutes. Coming to the ring hailing from the darkness of Uganda, coming in at 6'7 360 pounds, the Ugandan headhunter, Kamala !!!
The fans boo this long time fiend.

And his opponent,
<<< cue "Outlaw" by the Cult >>>
Coming in at 5'11 and 231 pounds, hailing from Beaumont Texas, the Outlaw, Sammy Jo Simon !!!
Simon gets a polite cheer from the crowd.

Simon is all over Kamala at the beginning of the match, his hand speed and jabs catching the monster by surprise. He backs Kamala to the ropes, but then the big man lashes out and grabs Simon with both hands to the throat. Simon though stomps twice on Kamals's bare feet to get the break and then whips him across the ring. Simon delivers a flying dropkick, but he is the only one who falls down. When he stands up Kamala is waiting for him with a scoop slam. Kamala beats his chest and then whips Simon into the corner and follows in with an avalanche. Kamala climbs to the second turnbuckle and comes off with a splash onto a prone Simon, and then pins him.
[Winner by pinfall Kamala after a splash from the second turnbuckle at 2:47]

Post-Match; Kamala climbs to the top turnbuckle and appears as if he is going to splash down on Simon. However, The Patriot appears, sliding into the ring and punches Kamala in the gut a few times and then tosses him into the ring. The Patriot and Simon then vacate the premises.

[commercial break]


When we return a match is already in progress. The announce team informs us that this is a tag team triple threat match. One member of each of the 3 teams can be in the ring at once, and you can only tag out to your own partner. First fall wins.
The three teams are;
Young Guns (Greg Pawluk/Johnny Devine) v the IBZ (Shaggy/Wiked Klown) v Al Collins/Joe Blum
The main story here is the devious tactics of IBZ, including the use of a fire extinguisher into Devine's face, and Collins and Blum's ability to brawl. On the other hand Pawluk seems to have no desire or ability to brawl or cheat and often goes for submission holds and is then creamed by the 3rd participant. The end of the match comes when Collins nails Devine (still recovering from the fire extinguisher in the eyes) with an inverted atomic drop, and then takes him down with a big clothesline. However, before the clothesline could hit Devine had swung out blindly and nailed ref Jurgen Hermann. Collins nailed Devine with the clothesline, and then as he got to his feet Shaggy nailed Collins with a sitdown faceslam. A groggy Hermann counted the pin despite the fact that Wiked Klown was helping his partner by lying across the legs of Collins. Blum could not make the save in time, and Pawluk just looked on from the apron in frustration.
[Winners of the match by pinfall the IBZ when Shaggy (and Wiked Klown) pinned Collins after a sitdown faceslam at 13:41 with 5:05 televised]

Post-Match: Devine argues with his partner Pawluk. Then when they are done arguing they walk right into a brawl with Collins and Blum who route the younger and smaller tag team out of the ring.

[commercial break]


Studio Interview:
Joe Aiello is interviewing Commissioner Jim Brunzell regarding the status of Sam Holiday. Brunzell says that on October 14th in Grand Rapids, Sam Holiday no-showed his scheduled title defense against Stan Baker. This is the first time that Brunzell knows of that Holiday has no-showed a title defense. That night Al Hardamann had already beat a very game Max Pain to defend his TV title. When Holiday no-showed the fans were very upset, so Hardamann offered to wrestle Baker. Baker accepted but made Hardamann put the TV title on the line. Hardamann barely escaped with the title when the match ended a 20-minute draw.
Brunzell called Holiday the next day to make sure he was in Flint for that night's card, or he would be stripped of his title. Holiday explained that he had been taking extra pain medicine and had fallen asleep. He promised it wouldn't happen again. That next night in Flint, Holiday put on a good show pinning Stan Baker after about 13 minutes. 
Sam Holiday still refuses to speak in public about his health.

[commercial break]

<<< cue "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana >>>
Diamond Dallas Page comes out accompanied by Al Hardamann. He calls Baker a jerk for what he did to Kimberly, and a "tough guy" for picking on a woman. He challenges him to try a real man, like DDP. If he likes straps so much, let's tie ourselves together with a strap and have a good old fashioned strap match. Hardamann then suggests that he be handcuffed to Jesse Hennig to make sure he doesn't interfere in the match. The Graduates will be banned from ringside.

<<< cue "Rest in Peace" by Extreme >>>
Sinister Stan Baker and Jesse Hennig come out to the walkway. They seem to be enjoying a good laugh. Baker says its nice that DDP can make up this fantasy world he's living in, and suggests that he go back to never, never land where he originated from.

DDP just points behind Baker. When Baker and Hennig turn around they see Commissioner Jim Brunzell, Jack Lanza, Wayne Hart, Steve Corino, Marcus Schultz, and Dirty Don Spartan standing behind them. Brunzell says the match is "stipulated by the office" and instructs Wayne Hart to "get it on".

The group prod Baker to the ring, and get Hennig handcuffed to Hardamann near the announce table. The strap is attached to Baker but he doesn't wait for it to be attached to DDP as he attacks right away. With the use of the strap he takes the early advantage, whipping DDP down to his knees. DDP makes a comeback with a lowblow and then shows his strength with a fireman's carry into a slam. He gets a 2 count. He tries to untie the strap from Baker, but it takes too long and Baker thumbs DDP to the throat. Baker now uses the strap to try and choke out DDP. DDP though manages to toss Baker outside the ring. The two brawl outside the ring, with DDP picking up a wrench to even the odds against the strap. Baker flees back inside the ring and catches DDP coming in with a kick, and then a sidewalk slam. Baker forgets the strap and goes to work on DDP with his power, including a Canadian backbreaker, and a hangman to wear DDP down. Baker goes for the heartpunch but DDP blocks it, twists the arm of Baker into a hammerlock. From there DDP turns it into an inverted DDT. DDP stands up and gives the "BANG" sign to the crowd.
Suddenly Madusa appears at ringside, and taunts DDP who falls for the distraction. Outside the ring Hennig tried to attack Hardamann, but the "Wild Thing" was not surprised and took control of Hennig. Hardamann took Hennig and gave him a piledriver through the announce table.
Inside Baker tried to pearl harbor DDP from behind but the veteran moved out of the way and Baker collided with Madusa. DDP then gave Baker the Diamond cutter. Instead of going for the pin DDP left the ring and dragged Madusa into the ring. He tossed Madusa into the corner, and when she came out he gave her a diamond cutter too. DDP then went for the pin on Baker, but he had recovered too much and kicked out at two. We have to go to a commercial break due to the length of this match.

[commercial break]

DDP v Stan Baker continues.
Baker is in control and pummeling DDP. He has the strap off his wrist and uses it to hang DDP over the top rope. Wayne Hart threatens Baker with a DQ, and actually goes outside the ring to the apron and holds up DDP's feet to take the pressure off his hanging neck. Baker makes the mistake of going for a gorilla press slam, and taking too long posing with DDP above his shoulders, as DDP rolls off Baker and takes him down with a diamond cutter and gets a pretty quick 3 count from Wayne Hart.
[Winner by pinfall Diamond Dallas Page after a Diamond Cutter at 12:23 with 9:30 televised]

DDP and Al Hardamann stand tall as we,

FADE TO BLACK


Dark Matches Before RAGE
RCW Television Title Match: Al Hardamann (C) defeated Jesse Hennig by pinfall after a vertebreaker
The Patriot defeated Kevin Matthews by pinfall after a diving shoulderblock
Steve Riley and Steve Corino battled to a double countout
J.J. Extreme defeated Alex Rider by pinfall after a missile dropkick

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #895
October 27, 2001
St. Paul, Minnesota

RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

Opening Segment
We get a clip from backstage 2 weeks ago. Following the big 6-man tag match.
DDP confronts a still bloody Al Hardamann. He demands to know where the hell he went to, and why Shane Helms returned so much sooner than Al. Hardamann tells DDP to back off. He says he's sorry about what happened to Kimberly but that he had been jumped backstage by Stan Baker who threw him into a wall, busting his head open and knocking him out. DDP still seems skeptical which pisses off Hardamann. Al goes into the "I've been through the RCW trenches for years" routine, and "that around here we don't stab each other in the back". He tells DDP that if he has any doubts about it then they can get it on for the television title. DDP says that might be a good idea, just name the time and place and I'll be there. DDP storms off leaving Hardamann shaking his head.

[commercial break]

On tonight's show we have only one match, another instalment of the epic feud between the Spinebusters and the Malenkos. A new wrinkle in this feud is the champions have a new manager, Derek St. Holmes, ESQ their new sports entertainment agent who they agreed to hire after he lost a bet with Raymond Bingham and Bingham had turned down a partnership offer from the Busters. 

River City Wrestling Tag Team Title Match
The Spinebusters; (Jerry Orth and Bryan Caruthers) w/ Derek St. Holmes (champions)
V
The Amazing Malenkos (Joe and Stan Malenko)

The Malenkos dominate the early going by isolating Caruthers and work over his legs. They keep him down on the mat and on their half of the ring. Caruthers is never in any big trouble because they refuse to take him to the middle of the ring, so he usually manages to get to the ropes for a break. Finally he uses a few well-timed and placed kicks to get out of the corner and tag in Orth. However, Joe takes Orth down with a nice Mexican hiptoss and goes right to work on Orth's arm and shoulder. They maintain the same strategy they did with Caruthers on Orth, just a different body area. Orth however does not have the poise of Caruthers and looks a lot more desperate to get a break. Finally he grabs the ref, Wayne Hart, by the waistband and pulls him into Joe Malenko. All 3 men are down in the ring as we go to commercial.

[commercial break]

Spinebusters v Malenkos (continued)
All four men are brawling in the ring, with Wayne Hart still down. A couple of times Hart is on the verge of recovery when he gets knocked down again by one of the four men. Finally fellow ref Buddy Lane comes down to the ring and drags Wayne Hart to the floor so he can recover. Inside the ring the Spinebusters are out brawling the Malenkos. Caruthers hoists Joe up in the air and Orth practically decapitates him with a clothesline off the top turnbuckle. They then follow up with a double hotshot on Stan Malenko. By now Wayne Hart is recovered and clears Caruthers from the ring. It's the legal men Orth and Joe back in the ring. Orth pours on the offense in an attempt to get the pin. A spinebuster almost does the job but Joe drapes his foot over the bottom rope. A frustrated Orth tags in Caruthers.
The IBZ come down to ringside as we go to commercial.

[commercial break]

Studio segment.
Sam Holiday's taped statement that he promised last week.
"Hello RCW fans. I am sure that you are all sick of this soap opera regarding my status, as I'm sure as hell sick of it. Way back on October 1st in Gary, I lost by countout to Jesse Hennig. While Jesse is a competent wrestler it's a match I never dreamed that I would lose. Since that time I feel that I have redeemed myself by winning some big matches. However, questions still surround my health status. Many have speculated everything from a change in my temperament to terminal disease. Well the truth is nothing like that at all. I've been champion so long now, for so long I've been saying that to be the man, you have to be a man, and stand on your own two feet. I have yet to meet the man who can take this title from me. And frankly I have become a bit bored and frustrated with RCW. It kind of feels like I'm just waiting for someone to beat me, so I can move on. Unfortunately what I have done is try and make up for a lack of quality opponents by taking on a large quantity of challengers. This has tired my body out and will one day allow some unworthy opponent to get lucky and beat me for the title. I have talked it over with Mr. Larkin and he has agreed to lessen my workload somewhat. He has also promised me that he is working hard to increase the profile of RCW wrestling and to bring in some stiff competition. To all my loyal fans that have come out in the last month and been disappointed with the effort I have put forth I can only apologize. But to all those guys in the locker room, guys like Al Hardamann, Diamond Dallas Page, and Steve Corino, you just can't expect me to step up and come charging to the rescue anymore. I just can't do it anymore like I used to. One day someone will finally beat me for this title. My job is to make sure that whoever that man is, that he is worthy of the gold. Thank-you"

[commercial break]

Spinebusters v Malenkos (conclusion)
The IBZ attack Derek St. Holmes outside the ring. This provides enough of a distraction to Caruthers that it allows Joe Malenko to fight back and get the tag in to cousin Stan. Stan is a house of fire taking down both Caruthers and Orth. He puts Caruthers into a Texas Cloverleaf but is hammered by Jerry Orth using the tag team belt; a move not seen by Wayne Hart whose attention was distracted by what was occurring outside the ring. Raymond Bingham showed up and unexpectedly went to work on the IBZ knocking them off of St. Holmes. He fought both clowns back to the dressing room. Inside the ring, Caruthers recovered and went for the pin but Stan Malenko managed to kick out at 2, despite being busted wide open with the title belt.
Caruthers pours on the punishment as we hear the house speakers announce 2 minutes remaining in the match. Stan ducks away from a spear attempt by Caruthers, who them carries forward and spears Wayne Hart, who is down for the second time in the match. Again, all four men brawl inside the ring. Derek St. Holmes has recovered enough and gets into the ring with the title belt. He attempts to hammer Stan with the belt, but he ducks and it hits Orth instead. Joe Malenko dropkicks Caruthers out of the ring and then throws St.Holmes over the top rope. He revives Wayne Hart, who in a daze lays down a very slow 1, 2, 3 count as Stan Malenko pins Orth.

Post-Match
We have new tag team champions. The Malenkos are celebrating inside the ring while Caruthers and Orth are going ballistic arguing with Hart. Suddenly Wayne Hart leaves the ring, goes to the announce table and has a short conversation with the timekeeper. The public address announcer then announces that Jerry Orth was not the legal man in the ring, and therefore could not be pinned. The referee of record Wayne Hart is reversing his decision and asking that the match continue with 1:28 on the clock.

The match continues between the Spinebusters and the Malenkos, with the legal men Bryan Caruthers and Stan Malenko. Stan goes right to work on Caruthers with a couple of kicks, a clothesline, and a German suplex. Caruthers tries to escape the ring, but Malenko pulls him back in with a belly to back suplex, getting a 2 count. Stan then puts on the Texas Cloverleaf, but Joe yells at him about the time. So Stan, lets go of the move and then rolls up Caruthers into a pin, and Wayne Hart puts down the 1, 2, 3, and this time we indeed have new Tag Team Champions of Middle America, the Amazing Malenkos.
[The Amazing Malenkos beat the Spinebusters by pinfall at 24:52 (with 8 seconds remaining) when Stan Malenko pinned Bryan Caruthers with a roll-up]
[The Amazing Malenkos win the RCW Tag Team titles]

Post-Match
Derek St Holmes is in the ring having a conniption arguing with Wayne Hart.
The Malenkos celebrate as we prepare to end the show when suddenly we hear,

<<< cue "Freebird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd >>>

The announce team wonders out loud what the hell that could mean, are the Freebirds here in RCW?

FADE TO BLACK


Dark Matches before RAGE
Diamond Dallas Page & Al Hardamann (/w Kimberly) defeated The Graduates: Sean O'Haire & Shane Helms (/w Madusa) by pinfall when Page pinned Helms after the Diamond Cutter
Al Collins & Joe Blum defeated Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine by disqualification when Devine was DQ'd for using a steel chair
Steve Corino defeated Jesse Hennig by pinfall after an inside cradle
The Patriot defeated Kamala the Ugandan Headhunter by countout
"Venom" Paul Diamond defeated Sammy Jo Simon by pinfall after a superkick
Steve Riley defeated Menele and Balls Mahoney in a triangle match when he pinned Mahoney after a spear 
The IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy defeated The Extremists: Ace Darling & Devon Storm by pinfall when Klown pinned Darling after a stuffed piledriver
Raymond Bingham defeated J.J. Extreme by pinfall after a Northern lights suplex



River City Wrestling #896
October 29, 2001
Duluth, Minnesota

House Show

Main Event
Diamond Dallas Page & Al Hardamann (/w Kimberly) defeated The Graduates: Sean O'Haire & Shane Helms (/w Madusa) by pinfall when Page pinned Helms after the Diamond Cutter

Six-Man Tag Match
Freebirds: Buddy McElroy, Terry Hendrix and Van Hammer defeated Al Collins, Joe Blum, and Dirty Don Spartan when Van Hammer pinned Collins after a cobra clutch slam 

Balls Mahoney defeated Menele by pinfall after a Michinoku Driver II

Raymond Bingham defeated Derek St. Holmes by pinfall after a Northern lights suplex

Steve Corino defeated Ed "the Hammer" Harris by pinfall after a piledriver

Handi-Cap Match
"Total Destruction" Steve Riley defeated BattleKat Kurt Barnes & Sammy Jo Simon by pinfall when he pinned Simon after a diving clothesline

"Venom" Paul Diamond defeated Devon Storm by pinfall after a superkick

Ace Darling defeated Alex Rider by pinfall after a missile dropkick


Breaking kayfabe: 
I was part of the WWA at the time, a unifying body that used a unique blend of real and created wrestlers with their own long history. So the Freebirds were their own version. The other Freebirds, the originals, the history remained, this was just a newer version with none of the members being the originals of Buddy Roberts, Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy.

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #897
November 3, 2001
Fargo, North Dakota

RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

Conclusion from last week after the show went off the air;
<<<cue "Freebird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd >>>
Inside the ring, Bryan Caruthers and Jerry Orth stand absolutely stunned. The fans are going nuts as the camera shakes from their applause. The Malenkos holding their newly won tag belts are a bit slower to acknowledge what is occurring, but they now stand dumbfounded at ringside. The fans are on their feet reigning down a mix of cheers and boos. Buddy McElroy, Terry Hendrix, and Van Hammer make their way to the ring. They pause to confront the Malenkos and offer to shake their hands. Reluctantly the Malenkos oblige and shake. The Freebirds then enter the ring acknowledging for the first time the cheers of the crowd. Caruthers and Orth are still standing like a deer caught in the headlights. Surprisingly the Freebirds offer their hands to shake as well to the Spinebusters who accept, and then as if broken from their trance leave the ring. Both the Malenkos and the Spinebusters wait outside the ring, the controversial championship change and their epic feud temporarily forgotten.
Hendrix has the mic.
"Twin Citiiiesss...riverrrr, city, wrasslin..., take notice my brothers, that the Freebirds, the only, yes, the ONLY, true tradition in tag team wrestling, have come to your town, today. Safe to say, but your lives will never again be the same, no more lonely Saturday nights ladies, no more doldrums watching the wheat grow, waiting for the snowfall. The Freebirds are here to dominate the way that only a Southern gent can dominate a Yankee wife. We thought it only fair to come out today and make our presence known, but that is the last break we will be giving out in this territory - unless its a broken bone. The tag titles will be ours, the TV titles will be ours, and that pantywaist Sam Holiday can bet his ragged old ass that the man to beat him for the heavyweight championship will be none less than Buddy McElroy. Tell 'em Buddy"
The fans have now turned on the Freebirds and drown out Buddy's opening comments in jeers.
"Lissteenn up, hicks. I am quite simply the most underrated star in pro wrestling today. And why am I underrated do you ask? 'cause I ain't no promoter's bitch. We ain't here for a long time, just a good time. You brought us in to boost up the ratings, to boost up the live crowds, and we'll do that, and when we run over all the competition here, which should take maybe 3 months, we will be gone - just like that - with 40 pounds of your championship gold. 'cause the Freebirds are the ONLY tag team tradition in wrestling."

[commercial break]


The announce crew remind us that footage was from last week as the cameras kept rolling after the Malenkos captured the tag belts from the Spinebusters.

Tag Team Match:
The IBZ (Shaggy and Wiked Klown) over The Extremists (Ace Darling and Devon Storm) after Shaggy and Wiked Klown double teamed Ace Darling with the "Boink the Clown". Shaggy pinned Darling at 5:54.

[commercial break]


Post-Match:
The IBZ refused to leave the ring and cut a promo dissing Raymond Bingham after their run in last week. Bingham comes out and with the help of the Extremists lay a beating on the IBZ. The beating ends when Derek St. Holmes comes out with Ed "the Hammer" Harris, challenging Bingham to a match.

Challenge Match:
Raymond Bingham over Ed "The Hammer" Harris (/w Derek St. Holmes, Esq) by pinfall with the Brainbuster after 2:59.
Bingham sent a message to St.Holmes and the Spinebusters about just how good he is, by toying with Harris before putting him away with his secondary finisher. Then he challenges St.Holmes to do better.

Al Hardamann cuts a promo calling tonight the time and place for DDP to learn about loyalty, and the way things are done in middle America. DDP accepts the challenge and the match is tonight.

[commercial break]


Tag Team Match
The Graduates: Sean O'Haire and Shane Helms (/w Madusa) over "Battlekat" Kurt Barnes and Sammy Jo Simon by pinfall when O'Haire pinned Barnes after the Seanton bomb at 12:02 (5:34 televised).
After the match Sean O'Haire held Barnes over his knee so Madusa could spank Barnes.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
Commissioner Jim Brunzell gave a tape recorded statement regarding the tag team titles. First off Brunzell confirmed that the referees in RCW have final say in their matches and their calls can not be overturned in cases of judgement. Wayne Hart was completely correct in the first ruling when he counted the 3 count but upon discovering that the legal man was not the man pinned reversed his decision. It was the right call. However, when Wayne Hart, who is the head referee, decided to put "time back on the clock" for the stoppage, he made a grave error. Nowhere in the rules of RCW wrestling does it allow for any time out. The official time must be kept running after the bell has sounded. And as such, time had run out when the match resumed. Brunzell is stepping in and reversing the decision made by Hart and giving the titles back to the Spinebusters!
Furthermore, there appears to be no resolution in sight for this great feud. Therefore, the Malenkos will not be granted anymore tag title shots until the year end Anniversary show "Revelations/End of Days". At that supercard the Malenkos will take on the Spinebusters (or whoever are tag champions) in a steel cage match where a decision must be rendered by pinfall or submission. The referee for that match will again be Wayne Hart. Until that match the Spinebusters will continue to defend their titles against other deserving teams.
THE SPINEBUSTERS HAVE BEEN GIVEN THEIR TAG TEAM TITLES BACK!!!

[commercial break]


<<< cue "Smells like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana >>>
The fans greet Diamond Dallas Page and Kimberly with a mixture of cheers and boos.

<<< cue "Wild Thing" by the Troggs >>>
The fans greet TV Champion Al Hardamann with a standing ovation.

Main Event:
RCW TV Title Defense
Al Hardamann (champion) v Diamond Dallas Page (/w Kimberly)
Despite the hard feelings between the two fan favorites they shake hands to begin the match. Collar elbow hook-up and Hardamann goes right to plan B with a kick to the gut of DDP. Hardamann goes to work on the back of DDP with forearms, bow and arrow, and a backbreaker. He even tries to put on a sharpshooter but is kicked off by DDP. Now DDP turns the tables with a series of kicks that forces Al back into the corner. A series of shoulder drives into the corner by DDP before he biels him out into the middle of the ring. DDP goes to work with an armbar, and a standing wristlock. Hardamann gets to the ropes and then the two spill out to the floor. Hardamann gets the better of the brawl on the floor and sends DDP crashing into the barricade. Back inside the ring Hardamann goes for a Vertebreaker but DDP deftly slips out of the hold, spins Hardamann around and plants him with a DDT. After a two count DDP waits and sets up a Diamond Cutter but Hardamann blocks it and then takes DDP down to the mat in a crossface. DDP is in agony but refuses to give up and after over a minute in the move gets to the ropes. While referee Marty Stevens is distracted checking on DDP to see if he still wants to continue, Kimberly jumps on the apron and blasts Hardamann in the face with her cosemetic case. The case must have had something heavier than eye shadow however, as Hardamann stumbled to his knees in pain. When he got up a confused looking DDP delivered the Diamond Cutter, and Stevens laid down the 1, 2, 3.!!!
NEW RIVER CITY WRESTLING TV CHAMPION, DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE.
[Diamond Dallas Page defeated Al Hardamann by pinfall after a Diamond Cutter in 6:23]
[Diamond Dallas Page wins the RCW TV Championship]

DDP celebrates with Kimberly, who looks very smug as Hardamann freaks out. He tries to get to Kimberly but is stopped momentarily by Stevens. DDP turns around and sees Hardamann trying to get through the ref to Kimberly and so he kicks Hardamann in the gut. Then he delivers a powerbomb, and he takes Kimberly and the TV championship and leaves the ring.
This will be DDP's first TV title reign in RCW, and the 50th in that title lineage. It ends Hardamann's first TV title reign which lasted an impressive 11 months (even if it included the two month shut down) after taking the belt from Stan Baker.

FADE TO BLACK

Dark Matches Before Rage
RCW Heavyweight Title Match: Sam Holiday (c) defeated Jesse Hennig by pinfall after a top rope legdrop
Steve Corino defeated Stan Baker by countout
Menele defeated Dirty Don Spartan by pinfall after a T-bone suplex
Six-Man Tag Match Freebirds: Buddy McElroy, Terry Hendrix and Van Hammer defeated Al Collins, Joe Blum, and Balls Mahoney when McElroy submitted Blum in the figure four
Derek St. Holmes, Esq defeated Alex Rider by pinfall after a slingshot suplex



River City Wrestling #898
November 4, 2001
Grand Forks, North Dakota

House Show

Main Event - RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Sam Holiday (C) defeated Jesse Hennig by pinfall after a top rope legdrop

RCW Tag Team Title Match
The Spinebusters (C) defeated IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy by pinfall when Caruthers pinned Shaggy after a spinebuster slam

Steve Corino and Stan Baker battled to a double countout

Balls Mahoney defeated Menele by pinfall after a sitout spinebuster

Joe & Stan Malenko defeated The Extremists: Ace Darling & Devon Storm by pinfall when Stan pinned Darling after a springboard back elbow

Six-Man Tag Match Freebirds: Buddy McElroy, Terry Hendrix and Van Hammer defeated Al Collins, Joe Blum, and Dirty Don Spartan when McElroy submitted Blum in the figure four

Kevin Matthews defeated J.J. Extreme by pinfall after a to the knees powerbomb

Derek St. Holmes defeated Alex Rider by pinfall after a diving clothesline

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #899
November 10, 2001
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada


RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

<<< cue "Burning Heart" by Survivor >>>
"Gung-Ho" Joe Blum runs to the ring and salutes the crowd who cheer him.
Blum has a mic and says that there are a couple of little recruits running around the back calling themselves the Young Guns who are a little too big for their britches. He says his partner Al Collins (the crowd cheers "Al, AL, Al") can't be here tonight so he's challenging either Young Gun to a fight.

<<< cue "Choke" by Kittie >>>
Greg Pawluk and Johnny Devine come out from the back. Devine appears to be trying to talk Pawluk into taking the match. Pawluk doesn't look too impressed with his tag partner but finally enters the ring.

Singles Match
"Gung Ho" Joe Blum over "Pistol" Greg Pawluk by pinfall after the "Gut Check Time" (military press into a gutbuster) in 8:16.
Devine mostly played cheerleader in the match but also tried to pass Pawluk a pair of brass knuckles, which Pawluk did not take. Then Devine interfered one time from the ring apron but received a forearm shot from Blum as a reward.

Post-Match
Devine entered the ring with a chair to try and smash Blum from behind. But Blum turned around in time and kicked Devine in the gut. Blum picked up the chair and nailed Devine levelling him. Blum turned around but Pawluk was already leaving the ring, throwing his arms up in disgust. Blum watched him walk away and then went to work on Devine with several more kicks, kicking him right out of the ring.

[commercial break]


TAPED SEGMENT
We have a tape from earlier tonight before the show. The scene is the parking lot and a cameraman is running out with the camera following a group of security guards. When the camera stabilizes we see Lord Zoltan and Lash LeRoux trading the last few punches in a parking lot brawl. Zoltan has LeRoux on the hood of a car as the security pull him off. LeRoux gets in one last shot before security grab a hold of him too. Assistant commissioner Jack Lanza arrives on the scene and gets between the two wrestlers. Lanza calls the fight bullshit and tells each man he is suspended without pay until "Revelations/End of Days" when they'll settle this once and for all. He says since they both like brawling in the streets so much it will be a "Bourbon Street brawl". Zoltan ends the segment by suggesting that LeRoux isn't from N'orleans but rather from Shreveport. Lanza tells him to shut his hole and security ushers each man away.

<<< cue "Aces High" by Iron Maiden >>>
Ed "the Hammer" Harris is boo'd as he makes his way to the ring.

<<< cue "Nookie" by Limp Bizkit >>>
The fans automatically become big Harris fans as they stand and try and spit on Derek St. Holmes, Esquire who makes his way carefully to the ring.

St.Holmes has a mic and promises the fans that he will beat this trash quicker than the 3 minutes it took Raymond Bingham to beat him last week.

Challenge Match
Derek St. Holmes over Ed Harris by pinfall after outside interference in 4:12 
Harris actually held his own against St. Holmes until the Spinebusters came out to interfere. Orth distracted inept official Jurgen Hermann and Caruthers actually entered the ring and delivered a spinebuster to Harris who was then pinned by Holmes.
Raymond Bingham had come out at the 3 minute mark pointing to his watch and taunting St. Holmes. However, Bingham didn't try and do anything to stop the outside interference as he had already left for backstage.

[commercial break]


<<< cue "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana >>>
The fans greet Diamond Dallas Page, the new TV champion, and his wife Kimberly with a mixture of cheers and boos. DDP comes to the ring in street clothes to give a statement.
DDP says that he watched the tape of his tainted title win last week, and then talked it over with his wife. He says that he feels very bad about the way it went down, but isn't prepared to just give the title back to Hardamann. However, he says that if Hardamann wants a rematch then he has one next week. May the best man win. DDP says that his wife just got caught up in all the excitement of last week's match and got in over her head. She has promised not to do it again and is very sorry for her actions. She has been under a lot of stress this past month with all the bullshit that Madusa and her cohorts have put her through. He says that the Graduates time to pay is near.

Main Event
Joined in progress
Steve Corino v Jesse Hennig
We see the opening five minutes as the two wrestlers feel each other out. Corino has the upper hand as we cut to commercial.

[commercial break]

Steve Corino v Jesse Hennig (conclusion)
We pick up the match at the 15 minute mark, with the public address announcer indicating that there are 5 minutes remaining in the match. Both men are bloodied and looking like they are on their last legs. Corino is pounding on Hennig and knocks him down. He tries to set up a table but referee Buddy Lane will have nothing of the sort. That delay allows Hennig to fish out brass knuckles and he uses them to nail Corino in the back of the head. After a long delay as he recovers, Hennig goes for the pin but only gets a 2 count.
Hennig pours on the offense now with a bulldog, necksnap, and a dropkick right to the bloodied forehead of a kneeling Corino, which smears blood across Buddy Lane's pants. Hennig goes for the pin but Corino grabs the bottom strand to get the break. Hennig sends Corino to the ropes and goes for a clothesline, but Corino ducks it, grabs a crucifix into a roll-up for the 1, 2, 3.
[Steve Corino over Jesse Hennig by pinfall after a crucifix at 17:47] (approx. 8:00 televised)]

FADE TO BLACK

Dark Matches from Before RAGE:
RCW Television Title Match: Diamond Dallas Page (C) (/w Kimberly) defeated Stan Baker by pinfall after a Diamond Cutter
Freebirds: Buddy McElroy & Terry Hendrix defeated The IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy by disqualification for use of a foreign object
Lash LeRoux and Lord Zoltan battled to a no-contest (which spilled into the parking lot)
Johnny Devine defeated Outlaw Sammy Jo Simon by pinfall after a Hot Shot
Van Hammer defeated Dirty Dan Spartan by pinfall after a powerbomb 
Raymond Bingham defeated Black Demon by pinfall after a Northern Lights Suplex



River City Wrestling #900
November 12, 2001
Brandon, Manitoba, Canada

House Show

Main Event
RCW Television Title Match
Diamond Dallas Page (C) (/w Kimberly) defeated Stan Baker by pinfall after a Diamond Cutter

Steve Corino defeated Jesse Hennig by pinfall after a cradle piledriver

Freebirds: Buddy McElroy & Terry Hendrix defeated The IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy by submission when McElroy submitted Shaggy to the figure-four

Hardcore Match: Lash LeRoux defeated Lord Zoltan by 10-Count after putting him through a table

Triangle Match: Raymond Bingham defeated Ed "the Hammer" Harris and Derek St. Holmes by pinfall when he pinned Harris after a Northern lights suplex

Van Hammer defeated Dirty Dan Spartan by pinfall after a powerbomb

Joe Blum defeated Johny Devine by countout

Greg Pawluk defeated Alex Rider by pinfall after a superplex

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #901
November 17, 2001
LaCrosse, Wisconsin

RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

<<< cue "We Will Rock You" by Queen >>>
The fans boo as "Total Destruction" Steve Riley makes his way to the ring with his entourage of trainers, valets, agents, and lawyers. Riley enters the ring alone and has a mic.
Riley reminds the crowd that later tonight, the main event will see DDP defend his newly won TV title against Al Hardamann. Riley says it should be an easy win for DDP against an old broken ex-champ, especially one that can be beat by a whack with a purse! So, Riley challenges DDP, telling him to take on a real opponent, an opponent that couldn't get a title shot under the old regime because both Hardamann and Holiday were always ducking him; Total Destruction Steve Riley. Finally, Riley tells DDP that either he will get his title shot or he will come and get it the hard way.

[commercial break]


Hardcore Match - joined in progress
Balls Mahoney and Max Pain are beating the hell out of each other with chairs, tables, cookie sheets, and thumbtacks. Ref Buddy Lane looks totally disgusted and after being shoved aside several times by both men just backs into a corner and watches the match continue. Eventually Mahoney grabs the advantage by ramming the edge of a chair into the knees of Pain who falls to the mat. Mahoney then stomps Pain's hand onto some thumbtacks. Pain is on his feet stumbling around the ring in agony as blood trickles from his hands. Pain stumbles towards Buddy Lane and Mahoney grabs a handful of his hair from behind. Stopped dead in his tracks Pain lashes out with a boot and catches ref Buddy Lane right in the gut. Lane is doubled up in agony, as Mahoney DDT's Pain and covers him, but there is no ref to count. Mahoney gets frustrated and tries to get Lane up to his feet. Lane is pissed off and pushes Mahoney, who then punches Lane. Lane hits the mat, and then rolls out of the ring, throwing his hands up in disgust and walks to the back.
As Mahoney is trying to figure out what just happened Pain wakes up and chair shots Mahoney to the back of the head. Mahoney is out cold and Pain poses in the ring.
[No Decision - 3:34 televised]

Promo for the big December 22nd show, 22nd Anniversary Show "Revelations/End of Days".


[commercial break]

<<< cue "Burning Heart" by Survivor >>>
The fans cheer as Al Collins comes to the ring in his customary red tights and kneepads. He looks pumped up for this match and angrily brushes his hair aside when the comb over falls into his face. Collins has a mic, and says that he wishes he could have been here last week to see his partner Joe Blum kick the ass of Greg Pawluk. But since he missed it he thought he might give some receipts of his own. Collins calls out "Hotshot" Johnny Devine.

<<< cue "Choke" by Kittie >>>
The fans mostly boo as Hotshot Johnny Devine comes to the ring being followed by his tag partner Greg Pawluk. Referee Marty Stevens tries to get Pawluk to leave the ring area. Pawluk turns to go, but Devine pleads with him to stay. However, Stevens is persistent and Pawluk heads to the back. Al Collins jumps Pawluk from behind and the bell is rung to start the match.

Devine has no concentration in this match as he really seems frazzled. At one point he actually does grab the advantage but wastes it by standing on the bottom rope and trying to signal Pawluk to return to ringside.
Collins seizes the advantage back with a belly to back suplex, and gets a 2 count. The fans are going nuts chanting "Al, Al, Al" as Collins delivers the inverted atomic drop, and then follows it up by nailing Devine to the mat with a flying clothesline. Collins signals to the fans and then scoops up Devine into an airplane spin, into a samoan drop, and gets the pinfall.
[Winner by pinfall Al Collins after the "Al-Train" airplane spin into a Samoan drop at 4:55]

Post-Match
Greg Pawluk returns to the ring to tend to Devine. He and Collins have a bit of a stare down but no punches are thrown and Collins leaves the ring with his hands held high. Pawluk is picking his partner up to his feet, when Devine suddenly drops Pawluk with a DDT! Then he spits on him and walks away!

Promo for a house show in Detroit tomorrow night!

[commercial break]


Our next match is scheduled for one fall with a time limit of 15 minutes. Already in the ring weighing in at 235lbs, and hailing from parts unknown, The Black Demon!!! The fans give the Demon some polite heckling.

And his opponent,
<<< cue "Star Spangled Banner" by Jimi Hendrix >>>
coming in at 6'4" and 251 pounds, hailing from Columbia, South Carolina, an American hero, The Patriot!!!

An unusual sight to see two masked wrestlers facing off in today's day and age. But as the fans pondered that scenario, the Patriot went right to work with some kicks, chops, forearms, and a pair of belly to belly suplexes. The Patriot then delivered the Uncle Slam, and the match was over in a hurry.
[Winner by pinfall The Patriot after the Uncle Slam at 1:35]

Post-Match
As Patriot celebrates with the fans around ringside, Kamala lumbers to the ringside area. Patriot seems him coming and runs right at him. The two clash but Kamala comes out on top of the punchfest. The Black Demon gets involved by actually trying to help the Patriot but Kamala just tosses the Black Demon into the ringpost, head first. Kamala continues to attack the Patriot, and slams him down onto the floor. He then climbs the ringsteps and onto the apron to prepare to splash down onto a helpless Patriot.
Suddenly from the back appears Marcus Schultz who enters the ring and gets the attention of Kamala. The Ugandan giant enters the ring and is attacked by Schultz, but he too can't match up to the strength of Kamala who takes Schultz down with a power slam. Kamala just kind of lies on top of Schultz for a minute taunting the crowd. Then Kamala gets up and leaves the ringside area slapping his stomach all the way as security arrives.
The Patriot is on his feet and goes to help Schultz. The two are heading to the back when they suddenly remember the Black Demon. They go over to help him and as they pull him up his mask is dripping blood from the eyeholes and the forehead of the mask is soaked in blood.

[commercial break]


When we return from commercial a camera crew is backstage filming as the state doctor tends to a hurt Black Demon. Marcus Schultz and the Patriot look on, discussing revenge against Kamala and concern for the Black Demon. The doctor pulls out scissors and cuts the mask off the Black Demon. We don't recognize his face, but we do see one nasty cut on his forehead. The doctor pronounces that he will need stitches.

<<< cue "Wild Thing" By the Troggs >>>
The fans cheer as Al Hardamann comes to the ring, looking naked without his TV title. He appears hesitant and upset. Inside the ring he bounces off the ring ropes waiting for DDP.

<<< cue "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana >>>
The fans greet the new TV champion with a mixture of cheers and boos. His lovely wife Kimberly accompanies Diamond Dallas Page to the ring.
Hardamann points a finger at Kimberly telling her to stay put, and this gets DDP started so he goes right after Hardamann.

Main Event - RCW TV Title Match
This match seesaws back and forth, with neither man grabbing a big advantage. It is a pier-6 brawl. At one point Hardamann has DDP going with 6 consecutive hiptosses, but when he goes for a DVD Page slips away and plants him with a bulldog. Page finally has an advantage to follow up on, but when he goes for the Diamond Cutter Hardamann blocks it, and then takes DDP down with a nasty looking German suplex. DDP is out cold, and it looks like he may have landed on his neck. Kimberly jumps up to the apron but before she can enter the ring both referee Wayne Hart and Al Hardamann are telling her to get down. Kimberly exchanges heated words with Hardamann before jumping off the apron. Suddenly DDP is behind Hardamann and rolls him up for a quick 3 count.
[Winner by pinfall Diamond Dallas Page with an inside cradle at 8:15]
[Diamond Dallas Page retains the RCW Television title]

DDP rolls out of the ring to celebrate with his wife, the title held high over his head. The fans boo him a little more and it seems to bother him a little as he asks Kimberly why they are booing him. She consoles him and they head to the back. Meantime inside the ring Al Hardamann is banging his fists into the mat in frustration. Al gets to his feet and is complaining to Wayne Hart about a fast count.

FADE TO BLACK


Dark Matches Before Rage
Sinister Stan Baker defeated Raymond Bingham by pinfall after a heartpunch
Steve Corino defeated Jesse Hennig by pinfall after a cradle piledriver
"Total Destruction" Steve Riley defeated Marcus Schultz by pinfall after a brainbuster
Joe Blum defeated Greg Pawluk by pinfall after the gutcheck
Handi-Cap Match: Kamala defeated Black Demon and Alex Rider by pinfall when he pinned Black Demon after a splash




River City Wrestling #902
November 18, 2001
Detroit, Michigan

Main Event - RCW Television Title Match
Diamond Dallas Page (/w Kimberly) defeated Al Hardamann by pinfall after a Diamond Cutter

Six-Man Tag Match
Freebirds: Buddy McElroy, Terry Hendrix, and Van Hammer defeated Extremists: Ace Darling, Devon Storm, & J.J. Extreme by pinfall when Van Hammer pinned Extreme after a powerbomb

Sinister Stan Baker defeated Raymond Bingham by pinfall after a heartpunch

Madusa Micelli defeated Luna Vachon by pinfall after a German suplex
**special feature match for the important Detroit card, so a return of women's wrestling to RCW

Steve Corino defeated Jesse Hennig by pinfall after a cradle piledriver

The Graduates: Sean O'Haire & Shane Helms (/w Madusa) defeated The IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy pinfall when Helms pinned Klown after a vertebreaker

Al Collins & Joe Blum defeated Greg Pawluk & Alex Rider by pinfall when Collins pinned Rider after a running legdrop

"Total Destruction" Steve Riley defeated Marcus Schultz by pinfall after a brainbuster

Kurt Barnes defeated Sammy Jo Simon by pinfall after a moonsault

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #903
November 24, 2001
St. Paul, Minnesota

RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

TODAY, the whole future of WWA River City changes. TODAY, we will have hi-lights of the press conference that changed the face of the World Wrestling Alliance.

December 22nd, St.Paul, Minnesota, the 22nd Anniversary Show "End of Days/revelations", when the games finally come to an end. Who will be left standing? Who will lie in ruins?

<<< cue "Freebird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd >>>
Ladies and gentlemen, this match is a tag team match scheduled for 20 minutes. Already in the ring, at a combined weight of 486 pounds, Alex Rider and Jake "Milkman" Milliman !!! the fans give polite applause for these two men being thrown to the lions.

And their opponents, hailing from Badstreet, Atlanta G-A, Buddy McElroy, Terry Hendrix, and Van Hammer, the Freebirds!!!
The fans reign down jeers and taunts, which have no effect on the 'birds. A few beer cups and programs also reign down from the crowd something not seen in RCW wrestling since the Road Warriors-Spinebusters feud. The public address announcer has to remind fans not to throw things - for safety's sake.

A ring hand has to come out to sweep off the mat.

[commercial break]


When we return the match has already started with the Freebirds having jumped Rider and Milliman. Van Hammer takes on a position outside the ring, so apparently it will be McElroy and Hendrix wrestling. This match is short but painful, as the 'birds take turns torturing their opponents. Finally McElroy uses a sidewalk slam to finish off Milliman.
[Winners by pinfall The Freebirds: Buddy McElroy and Terry Hendrix when McElroy pinned Milliman after a sidewalk slam at 4:26]

Freebird music begins to play again but McElroy has a mic and has the house music cut off. He says that this was no competition for them and they demand some real men come down and fight.
After a minute or so of taunting the music kicks in,

<<< cue "The Kids Ain't Allright" by the Offspring >>>
The fans cheer as Ace Darling and Devon Storm rush the ring and attack the Freebirds. This time all 3 of the Freebirds stay in the ring, and with the odds stacked in their favour they turn the tables and begin to pound away at the Extremists. They have a table set up and are ready to put Darling through it.

<<< cue "Hair of the Dog" by Nazareth >>>
The fans go nuts as Dirty Don Spartan runs to the ring to help out the Extremists. He punches out Hendrix and then Van Hammer, but is subdued from behind by a shot to the head from McElroy. McElroy then puts Spartan into a full nelson and Hendrix recovers to start landing some punches to the gut of Spartan. McElroy then nails Spartan with a full-nelson slam. Hendrix sets up the table in the corner of the ring, and McElroy leans Spartan up against the table. Then Van Hammer takes 3 steps forward and spears Spartan through the table. The Freebirds flip off the fans as they leave the ring.

[commercial break]


<<< cue "Turn the Page" by Metallica >>>
Ladies and Gentlemen: this match is scheduled for one fall, and has a 20-minute time limit. Introducing first, hailing from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, coming in at 5'11 and 231 pounds, he is Marcus Schultz !!!
The fans cheer as Marcus Schultz makes his way to the ring looking very intense.

And his opponent,
<<< cue "Flee" by Kindred >>>
hailing from parts unknown, coming in at 6'0 and 255 pounds, he is Menele!!!
The fans really boo this sick man, who just smiles a little sadistic smile in response.

Menele comes right at Schultz but is surprised by a legwhip, and then Schultz floats up and applies a chinlock from the side of Menele. However the power of Menele allows him to get to his feet and shove Schultz towards the ropes, however Schultz hangs on tight and surprises Menele again by taking him back down to the mat. Schultz continues to work until he is abruptly nailed with a side suplex, and Menele gets a two count. Schultz attempts to reapply his move but Menele is quicker and takes Schultz down in the middle of the mat with a crossface chickenwing. Schultz battles to get to the ropes for almost two agonizing minutes, before Menele lets go of the hold. Menele pulls Schultz back into the centre of the ring and attempts to grab his legs but Schultz reaches up, grabs Menele by the arm and pulls him into a roll-up for a 2 count. Both men get to their feet and exchange punches. The fans are incredibly loud and into this match. Schultz can't outpunch Menele though and does the wise thing by going low for a double leg takedown. He then turns Menele over for a Boston Crab but they are too close to the ropes. With the hold broken Menele goes outside the ring for a breather, but Schultz follows him right out. The two brawl before Menele gets the upper hand and whips Schultz into the guardrail. Menele then splashes Schultz onto the rail. Back inside the ring and Schultz is in big trouble. Menele pours on the offense with a belly-to-belly suplex, a brainbuster and a series of savate kicks. Menele then nails a swinging neckbreaker but amazingly Schultz drapes a foot over the bottom rope. Menele drops an elbow and tries again in the center of the ring, but again only gets a 2 count. Then Menele climbs to the top turnbuckle and signals for a high-risk alternative finisher, the top-rope moonsault. However, when he lands Schultz has slid out of the way and Menele is now wrecked. Schultz is on his feet first at the count of 6. Now Schultz goes to work with a tombstone piledriver and a cobra clutch suplex but only gets a 2 count. A running bulldog also only yields a 2 count for Schultz. Changing strategies Schultz puts Menele in a cobra clutch submission hold. Referee Marty Stevens is checking on Menele when suddenly the Black Demon enters the ring and nails Schultz in the back with a chair. Schultz is down so the Black Demon nails him again.
[No contest after 9:54]

Black Demon has a mic as he stands over the fallen Marcus Schultz. He blames Schultz and the Patriot for allowing his face to be seen on national television last week. "That's why I wear the mask, damn-it, so my identity can remain a secret". He hits Schultz again with a chair. Security tries to enter the ring but Menele chases them off. But then Menele comes from behind Black Demon, turns him around and takes him down with a spinebuster. Menele then drags the Black Demon to his feet and nails a piledriver. The sadistic man drags the demon into the corner and climbs to the top turnbuckle. This time Menele nails the top-rope moonsault, but on the Black Demon. Menele then rips off the mask of the knocked out Black Demon, and again we see his face, and the announcers again say they still don't recognize him.

[commercial break]


Studio Interview/Statement:
Commissioner Jim Brunzell gives a statement from behind a desk. He calls what happened last week in the hardcore match between Balls Mahoney and Max Pain a real disgrace to RCW wrestling. All 3 parties, including referee Buddy Lane acted improperly. Brunzell says that he has held meetings with all 3 involved, plus head of officials Wayne Hart. Brunzell sends a message to all wrestlers that officials are off limits in River City. Fines and suspensions unparalleled in wrestling history will be handed out for abuse of officials from this day forward. Secondly, the amount of hardcore matches in RCW is limited already but will be further limited in the future; it is not the normal way of doing business in the territory and should be used only to settle feuds. Finally, referees will also be held accountable for their actions and professionalism. As for the fallout from the incident, Brunzell announces that all 3 involved have been fined an undisclosed amount by the league office. No suspensions will be handed out this time.

<<< cue "Rest in Peace" by Extreme>>>
The fans boo as the team of "Sinister" Stan Baker and "Outlaw" Jesse Hennig make their way to the ring.

<<< cue "Ain't Going Down till the Sun Comes Up" by Garth Brooks >>>
The fans are on their feet cheering as Sam Holiday and Diamond Dallas Page make their way to the ring together for this next match. Kimberly follows her husband to the ring. The fans cheers are assuredly for icon Sam Holiday and not for Diamond Dallas Page who has come under fire lately for his matches with Al Hardamann.

Main Event
Tag Team Match - 20 minute Time Limit
Well, the participants can't wait to get things started and so they start brawling before the ring bell can sound and before DDP and Holiday can take off their shirts. It shakes down to be Holiday against Hennig and Holiday takes control. The Heavyweight champ is on fire, letting out a lot of built up anger on the face of Jesse Hennig. Referee Marty Stevens actually has to warn Holiday a couple of times to back off. Finally Holiday tags out to DDP, who gets a mixed reaction from the crowd. DDP continues to pour on the damage but when he goes to finish the match with a Diamond Cutter, Stan Baker runs in and clobbers him from behind. Both DDP and Hennig crawl to their respective corners and make the tag. Holiday gets his punches off first and backs Baker to the ropes, but Baker lashes out with a thumb to the eye of Holiday, and then takes him down to the mat with a double leg takedown, before reversing the motion into a slingshot and sending Holiday out of the ring head first. Outside the ring Baker goes to work throwing Holiday into the guardrail, ringsteps, and ringpost. He breaks the count twice by rolling himself back into the ring, only to roll back out and punish Holiday some more. When he sets Holiday up for a piledriver outside the ring after baring the concrete, DDP tries to come to his aid. However, Hennig surprises him with a clothesline and knocks him down. But before Baker can deliver the piledriver to an already busted open Holiday, Al Hardamann appears from the back and takes Baker down with a clothesline of his own. Hardamann goes to work on Baker with punches and kicks before delivering a vertebreaker. Now the Graduates, Sean O'Haire and Shane Helms run out from the back to join the brawl as the ref disqualifies Holiday and DDP for the outside interference.
[Winners by disqualification Stan Baker and Jesse Hennig when Al Hardamann interfered at 5:05]

Post-Match:
Although being out numbered 4 to 3 including a busted open Sam Holiday, the good guys formed a ring with their backs together and quite handily fended off the Graduates, Baker, and Hennig. But what DDP couldn't see was Madusa sneak around and attack Kimberly, throwing her into the ringsteps and then driving her through a table with a double underhook piledriver.
In the meantime, the bad guys fled and left the trio of Hardamann, DDP, and Holiday standing back to back. There was some inadvertent bumping between Hardamann and DDP, which would have escalated except Holiday, put a stop to it. Hardamann offered his hand to shake DDP but DDP just ignored him when he realized that he couldn't find Kimberly. So he brushed by Hardamann to go look for her which didn't sit well with the Wild Thing. Hardamann went after DDP giving him a little poke in the back, to which DDP twirled around quickly and took Hardamann down by surprise with a Diamond Cutter !!!
DDP ran around the ring and found Kimberly lying on a broken table, while Sam Holiday looking bewildered took care of his friend Al Hardamann.

[commercial break]

Hi-Lights of Press Conference held last night at 100 Adelaide St., Jack Larkin's main office in Toronto.
Those sitting at the head table were Jack Larkin, Bret Hart, Bruce Hart, Bob Holliday, Trevor Suffield and April Hunter.
The biggest announcement was that Mr. Larkin had been officially given the charter by WWA President John Fredrickson to promote exclusively in Canada, in addition to the Mid-West.
Larkin said that he was proud to promote in his homeland and to expand the territory.
A tentative TV deal has been signed with Global television in Canada, and those markets where stations pick up the program will be the markets where we will present shows in 2002. There is no plan to revamp the remainder of the 2001 schedule.
Bret Hart has come on board both as an investor and with an office job. It is likely that both Bret and his brother Bruce will take on a big role in helping to roll out the Canadian expansion in conjunction with Canadian agent Bob Holliday.
Neither Bret nor Bruce has any intention of stepping back into the ring as active wrestlers.
The name of the fed may yet be changed to one name that reflects the territory, but as of today it will still be known simply as WWA River City Wrestling. Mr. Larkin nixes any suggestions for a name of the "Can-Am" variety.
A separate belt for the Canadian territory is being discussed, with possibly renaming the TV title into the American title as well. 
In other territory news, some big announcements were made for the December 22nd year-end show in St.Paul, titled "Revelations/End of Days". The big news is that WWA World Champion Rob van Dam, as well as WWA World Tag Team Champions "The Blood Brothers" Scarlett Birmingham & Julian Lemoine will be coming to the event to defend their titles. Their opponents will be named shortly.
In response to questions posed by reporters;
Larkin confirms rumors that he has entered into talks with New Japan about using a couple of their "shootfighters" at "Revelations/End of Days". And also invites Juventud Guerrera (the World Welterweight Champion) to "put up" if he's available to compete at the card.
Larkin also confirms that an overhaul of the roster come January is very possible. He says the creative team wanted to see a roster reduced in quantity, but increased in quality. However, with the expansion to Canada that may not be as easy as before. It was also confirmed that several new talents were coming to the territory very soon; those new talents signed are;
Samoa Joe, Curt Hennig, Mike Enos and E11even.
Trevor Suffield (RCW's Head of Creative and Head of Television) confirms that the negotiations with Global include the discussion of moving to a weekly 2-hour show instead of the current 1-hr format. Under that scenario it would still be taped and edited. 
Larkin laughed when asked about the presence of his assistant April Hunter. He laughed it off as being executive privileges and probably a misuse of company funds.

FADE TO BLACK


Dark Matches Before RAGE
Van Hammer defeated Dirty Don Spartan by pinfall after a powerbomb
The Graduates: Sean O'Haire & Shane Helms (/w Madusa) defeated The Extremists: Ace Darling & Devon Storm by pinfall when Helms pinned Storm after a vertebreaker
Al Hardamann defeated Johnny Devine by pinfall after a diving elbowdrop
Madusa defeated April Hunter by pinfall after a German suplex (and a handful of tights)
J.J. Extreme defeated Black Demon by disqualification for use of a foreign object




River City Wrestling #904
November 25, 2001
Rochester, Minnesota

House Show

Main Event - RCW Television Title Match
Diamond Dallas Page (C) (/w Kimberly) defeated Al Hardamann by pinfall after a Diamond Cutter

RCW Tag Team Title Match
The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers (C) (/w Derek St. Holmes) defeated The Extremists: Ace Darling & Devon Storm by pinfall when Orth pinned Darling after a top rope kneedrop

Six-Man Tag Match
The Freebirds: Buddy McElroy, Terry Hendrix and Van Hammer defeated Dirty Don Spartan, Balls Mahoney and J.J.Extreme by pinfall when Hendrix pinned Extreme after a stuffed piledriver

Triangle Match
Madusa defeated April Hunter and Luna Vachon by pinfall when she pinned Vachon after a German suplex

The IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy defeated Greg Pawluk & Alex Rider by pinfall when Klown pinned Rider after a doomsday device

Menele defeated Marcus Schultz by pinfall after a T-Bone suplex

Raymond Bingham defeated Derek St. Holmes by pinfall after a superplex

Jake Milliman defeated Black Demon by disqualification for abuse of official

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #905
December 1, 2001
Fridley, Minnesota

RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

Today's show opens with a special promo for Dec 22nd's 22nd Anniversary Spectacular "Revelations/End of Days". See it live in St.Paul, or watch RCW RAGE in the weeks following to see most of the action.
Just announced;
WWA World Heavyweight Champion Rob van Dam will defend his title against an opponent to be determined on TV on Dec 8th. Stan Baker and Sam Holiday will meet to determine who will get that shot at RVD.
WWA World Tag Team Champions The Blood Brothers will defend their titles against opponents to be determined on TV today. The Spinebusters will meet the Malenkos for that title shot.
Also already signed;
A six-man tag match with The Freebirds facing the Extremists and Don Spartan.
And;
Lord Zoltan takes on Lash LeRoux in a Bourbon Street Brawl.
Many more matches will be signed for this 4-hour wrestling spectacular.

<<< cue "Freebird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd >>>
The fans boo as Buddy McElroy makes his way down to the ring in his Southern rebel insignia tights and boots. He is accompanied by Terry Hendrix and Van Hammer.

<<< cue "Hair of the Dog" by Nazareth >>>
The fans cheer the loveable brawler Dirty Don Spartan as he makes his way to the ring backed up by the Extremists Ace Darling and Devon Storm.

[commercial break]


When we return from commercial referee Buddy Lane has kicked all the onlookers back to the dressing room, as McElroy and Spartan lock up in a test of strength. McElroy wins the first one sending Spartan back a few feet to the turnbuckle. The second lock up though results in Spartan gaining the advantage in the test of strength and then stomping on McElroy's hands. Spartan takes it to McElroy as the brawl spills outside. McElroy grabs a fans coke and throws it in the eyes of Spartan to turn the momentum. He then sets up a table outside the ring but has to go back inside the ring to break the count before he could use it. When he goes back outside the ring Spartan is rested and catches McElroy with a forearm uppercut. Having stunned his opponent Spartan takes McElroy up with a release German suplex and sends him crashing through the table. Buddy Lane calls for the bell as both men have been counted out.
[Double Countout 3:48]

Spartan continues to punish McElroy after the match until the Freebirds arrive and double team Spartan. The Extremists arrive but now its 3 healthy 'birds against the 2 smaller men, and the 'birds knock them both out. McElroy sets up Spartan on another table and sends him crashing through with a piledriver.
Spartan is not moving.

[commercial break]


Spartan is still not moving as we come back from break and the paramedics are immobilizing his neck, getting ready to transfer him to a stretcher.

In the meantime we cut to a studio interview;
The Patriot is seething. He says that Kamala is not as stupid as he looks, that he allows people to think he's stupid so he can get away with that crap. Well, its time for this feud to end one way or another. The Patriot challenges Kamala to a last man standing match at "Revelations/End of Days". He says that if he can't beat Kamala that he will give up his mask, because he won't deserve to wear the stars and stripes.

[cut to commercial]


Ladies and Gentlemen, this match is scheduled for a 15-minute time limit. Introducing first, already in the ring from parts unknown, weighing in at 235 lbs. The Black Demon!!!
Some fans boo but the crowd is pretty silent.

And his opponent,
<<< cue "Denial" by Sevendust >>>
The fans cheer for the hottest young prospect in Mid-America.
Hailing from Tampa Florida, coming in at 6'2" and 235 pounds, Raymond Bingham !!!

Collar elbow hook-up to start and the Demon surprises Bingham with a knee to the gut. He grabs an armbar before smashing his knee into the gut of Bingham again. Demon follows up with a big knee-lift, which sends Bingham off his feet, and onto his ass. Bingham is dazed as Demon unleashes a flurry of mounted punches on Bingham. Referee Jurgen Hermann counts to 5, but instead of calling for the dq, he just re-starts the count. Demon lifts up Bingham, delivers a bodyslam and then an elbowdrop. He goes for the pin but only gets a 2 count. Demon lifts Bingham to his feet but hesitates, unsure how to press the advantage. He goes to whip Bingham into the ropes, but its reversed, and Bingham catches him coming off the ropes with a flying drop kick right to the chin! It's all Bingham now with a series of savate kicks followed by a spinning leg lariat.
Suddenly, Derek St. Holmes appears at ringside, and it distracts Bingham. But the PWI Rookie of the Year candidate surprises St.Holmes by throwing himself between the ropes and taking St.Holmes down with a head tope. Bingham tries to re-enter the ring but the Demon is there to meet him. Bingham blocks a punch and then leaps into the ring beside St. Holmes. Again Bingham blocks a punch ,and delivers a few punches of his own. Bingham suddenly nails Demon with his "No Way Out" finisher, a Northern Lights Suplex into a pin, and gets the 3 count.
[Winner by pinfall Raymond Bingham after a Northern Lights Suplex at 5:03]

Studio Interview:
Al Collins and "Gung-Ho" Joe Blum say that they have managed to get Greg Pawluk and Johnny Devine to turn on each other as all cowards eventually do. However, they want a chance to finish off the young punks, so they challenge them to a tag match at "Revelations/End of Days".

[Commercial Break]


Backstage:
The cameras caught a confrontation between Marcus Schultz and the Black Demon. The two were passing each other in the hallway and started to jaw at each other. The Demon threw a punch that Schultz blocked and then he threw one of his own knocking the Demon out. Schultz then proceeded to rip the mask off of the Black Demon again. As he left, Schultz told the Demon that maybe without a mask he could actually concentrate on wrestling and make a name for himself.

<<< cue "Ice #9" by Joe Satriani >>>
The fans cheer as Joe and Stan Malenko make their way calmly to the ring.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this match is scheduled for one fall with a time limit of 30 minutes. It is NOT for the RCW Tag Team Titles. However, the winner of this match will get to meet the WWA World Tag Team Champions at "Revelations/End of Days".
Introducing first, in the ring, weighing in at a combined weight of 445 pounds, Joe and Stan, the Amazing Malenkos !!!

<<< cue "Till it Sleeps" by Metallica >>>
The fans boo unmercifully as the Spinebusters are accompanied to the ring by Derek St. Holmes, their sports entertainment agent.
And their opponents, the current RCW tag team champions, at a combined weight of 480 pounds, accompanied by their sports entertainment agent Derek St. Holmes, they are Bryan Caruthers and Jerry Orth, the Spinebusters!!!
Your referee for this match-up is the head of officials Wayne Hart.

Hart pats down both teams before the bell sounds.
This match starts off much different then their normal conservative, tag strategy orientated matches of late. In this match both teams start at a tremendous pace with the first 5 minutes a high paced chain-wrestling match. Plenty of armdrags, dropkicks, and spinebusters to go around. Finally the match settles down after Caruthers grabs the advantage delivering a hotshot to Joe Malenko.

[commercial break]


The match resumes after the commercial break with Jerry Orth having been tagged in and pressing the advantage against Joe Malenko. Orth really punishes him with a series of 3 short arm clotheslines, a DDT, and then a piledriver. However, Joe kicks out after a two count. Caruthers is tagged in and immediately hits Joe with another piledriver but surprisingly Stan Malenko comes into the ring to break up the pin. As Hart leads Stan out of the ring the Spinebusters double team Joe with a double-team DDT. Hart takes a few seconds to get back into the action, and as a result Joe kicks out at 2.
Caruthers puts Joe in a hammerlock submission, which Joe manages to survive by getting to the ropes after about 30 seconds of pain. Caruthers punishes Joe in the corner before setting him up for a hanging vertical suplex. However, Caruthers waits too long in the suplex and Joe uses his fist like a hammer to punch Caruthers right in the crotch. Caruthers lets go and Joe drops like a rock landing on a winded Caruthers. This time its Orth who has to enter the ring to break the pinfall. After Hart has escorted Orth out of the ring both men inside are trying to crawl to their respective corners.
Joe is going to make his tag first so Caruthers reverses field and tries to stop him. But Joe tags in Stan and Caruthers walks right into an armdrag takedown by Stan Malenko who then follows up with a release German Suplex. Orth has re-entered the ring but Stan takes him down with a kick to the gut and a spinning DDT. However, Caruthers has recovered now and rocks Stan with a clothesline. Joe tries to enter the ring but Wayne Hart escorts him out which allows Caruthers to strike with a lowblow and then a chop to the throat.
Caruthers now punishes Stan with a belly-to-belly suplex, a piledriver, and then his finisher the Spinebuster. Derek St. Holmes reaches into the ring and holds down the feet of Stan Malenko, and Wayne Hart does not see it counting 1, 2, 3 !!!
[Winners by pinfall the Spinebusters: Bryan Caruthers and Jerry Orth at 14:23 when Caruthers pinned Stan Malenko after a spinebuster with help from some outside interference]

Post-Match:
The Spinebusters and Derek St. Holmes celebrate their victory. Suddenly from the crowd emerges Raymond Bingham who slides under the ropes and into the ring. He goes right to work on St.Holmes, while the Malenkos square off with the Spinebusters. The heels are being soundly thrashed when suddenly the Graduates; Sean O'Haire and Shane Helms run into the ring and go after the Malenkos too.
The heels are routing the faces when the IBZ appear and enter the ring with chairs. They start to whack people left and right, being indiscriminate about who they are hitting. They clear the ring, and the fans give them a mixture of cheers and boos as they unfold their chairs and have a seat. The rest of the wrestlers have regrouped into two separate factions outside the ring.

FADE TO BLACK

Dark Matches Before RAGE
Freebirds: Terry Hendrix & Van Hammer defeated The Extremists: Ace Darling & Devon Storm by pinfall when Hendrix pinned Darling after a spiked piledriver
Madusa defeated April Hunter by pinfall after a German suplex
Marcus Schultz defeated Derek St. Holmes by pinfall after a brainbuster
Sean O'Haire (/w Madusa) defeated Greg Pawluk by pinfall after the Seanton bomb (and outside interference from Madusa)
Shane Helms (/w Madusa) defeated Johnny Devine by countout
The IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy defeated Alex Rider & J.J. Extreme by pinfall when Klown pinned Rider after a double team clothesline/electric chair drop



River City Wrestling #906
December 3, 2001
Madison, Wisconsin

House Show

Main Event - RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Sam Holiday (C) defeated Kamala the Ugandan Giant by pinfall after the top rope legdrop

RCW Tag Team Title Match
The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers (C) defeated The Extremists: Ace Darling & Devon Storm by pinfall when Caruthers pinned Darling after a spinebuster slam

Freebirds: Terry Hendrix & Van Hammer defeated Al Collins & Joe Blum by pinfall when Henrix pinned Blum after a diving fistdrop

Joe & Stan Malenko defeated The IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy by submission when Joe submitted Klown in the Texas cloverleaf

Madusa defeated April Hunter by pinfall after a superplex

Buddy McElroy and Balls Mahoney battled to a double countout

Sean O'Haire (/w Madusa) defeated Greg Pawluk by pinfall after the Seanton bomb (and outside interference from Madusa)

Shane Helms (/w Madusa) defeated Johnny Devine by pinfall after a vertebreaker

J.J. Extreme defeated Sammy Jo Simon by pinfall after a missile dropkick

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #907
December 8, 2001
Duluth, Minnesota

RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

Today's show opens with our first match. The competitors are already in the ring and locking up.

Steve Corino v Shane Helms (/w Madusa)
This is 2 matches in one. The first half has Helms control the action with some high-flying moves. But Corino manages to avoid the Vertebreaker long enough to mount a comeback after he ducked away from a superkick. The second half of the match saw Corino take over mostly with brawling tactics. Corino used a swinging neckbreaker and then a top turnbuckle flying elbowdrop (ala Randy Savage) to finish off his opponent. Jesse Hennig and Sean O'Haire had come down to ringside to try and interfere but they were attacked by the Malenkos (looking for a little payback after last week).
[Winner by pinfall Steve Corino at 6:52 after a flying elbowdrop]

Post-Match:
While the Malenkos really took it to the Graduates, Jesse Hennig took advantage of a weakened Corino to bust him open with a cowbell. The Malenkos had to save Corino from further damage, which allowed the Graduates to make their escape.

[commercial break]


Backstage tape;
Greg Pawluk and Johnny Devine are having an argument in the hallway. Devine keeps telling the cameraman to go away but Pawluk is more interested in settling things with his "estranged" tag team partner. Pawluk wants to know if Devine can put their recent problems behind them for one more match to take on Collins and Blum. Devine says no problem, he'll hold up his end of the bargain. Then Devine starts into a tangent on Collins and Blum's tactics, but he's cut off by Pawluk who tells Devine to look in the mirror for the real problem. Devine responds "whatever", and says that after that match they are going their separate ways; no more "Young Guns".

<<< cue "Nookie" by Limp Bizkit >>>
The fans boo unmercifully as Derek St. Holmes, ESQ makes his way down to the ring.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this next match is scheduled for one fall with a time limit of 20 minutes.
At this point Derek St. Holmes grabs the mic away from the ring announcer. He says that last week Raymond Bingham won his match over the Black Demon in 5 minutes and 3 seconds. So he instructs the timekeeper to make this a 5-minute match. The Black Demon, who is already in the ring but not wearing a mask, tries to protest but St. Holmes tells him he's not important and then punches him in the head with the microphone. The ref calls for the bell and the match starts.

It's all St. Holmes to start as he tries to take the wind from the Black Demon with some shots to the gut and ribs. He then delivers two consecutive rib-breakers, and goes for the pin, but only gets a 1 count. St. Holmes then attacks with his usual combo of moves, a snap-mare take down, knee to the back, and then a baseball slide kick to the ribs. He goes for the pin again, but only gets a 1 count. St. Holmes switches gears and puts on a Canadian backbreaker. But after a few seconds of not getting the submission he seems to get frustrated and drops the Black Demon.
Raymond Bingham comes out now to watch the action, which distracts St. Holmes. He takes too much time, and when he goes for a flying cross body block 'demon ducks out of the way and St. Holmes bounces out of the ring. Bingham picks him up and tosses him back into the ring.
The Black Demon goes to work with a pair of hiptosses, and then goes for a hotshot which misses the mark and St. Holmes bounces his chest off the top rope and collides heavily with the Black Demon on the way back. The two tumble to the mat and St.Holmes almost gets the 3 count. Now St. Holmes pulls up the stunned 'demon and gives him an inverted DDT drop, and then pins him cleanly.
[Winner by pinfall Derek St. Holmes ESQ at 4:10]

Post-Match:
St.Holmes celebrates in the ring like he just won the World Title or something.

[commercial break]


<<< cue "Wild Thing" by The Troggs >>>
The fans cheer like crazy when former TV champion Al Hardamann makes his way to the ring. He is wearing a Creed t-shirt and jeans, clearly not in his wrestling attire.
Hardamann starts to rant about DDP and the way that he and his no good wife Kimberly conspired to cheat him out of his title. He says the fans already know the truth, and have turned on DDP, and its about time the locker room started to scorn this guy too.

<<< cue "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana >>>
The fans meet Diamond Dallas Page with a mixture of cheers and boos. DDP is alone and in a hurry to get to the ring, wearing the TV title. He slides in under the ropes and then goes nose to nose with Hardamann. DDP refuses to say anything, he just glares at Al. Al has to ask DDP several times to justify the actions of him and his wife before DDP finally grabs the mic from Hardamann.
DDP says that he doesn't need to justify his actions or those of his wife. He says its dog eat dog, and if Al can't take it anymore he should hang them up. The two start shoving each other.

<<< cue "Ain't Going Down 'till the Sun Comes Up" by Garth Brooks >>>
The fans are on their feet cheering and clapping for the River City Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, Sam Holiday who runs to the ring.
Holiday gets between the two wrestlers keeping them at arm's length from each other. Holiday grabs a mic and tells both of them to chill out. He says that he doesn't want to take sides, and RCW needs the both of them to be fighting the likes of Steve Riley, Jesse Hennig, and Stan Baker, and not each other. But this won't be taken care of until it is settled once and for all. So, he asks DDP if he will put up his TV title one more time against Al Hardamann at "Revelations/End of Days". DDP agrees and both men grudgingly leave the ring going their separate ways.

The announcers inform us that in addition to that DDP-Hardamann encounter, three more matches have been signed for "Revelations/End of Days" out of the turmoil earlier in the show.
Jesse Hennig will meet Steve Corino in a Hardcore Match.
The Malenkos will tangle with The Graduates.
Raymond Bingham will take on Derek St. Holmes.

Special Promo/Announcement;
In an interview taped earlier Commissioner Jim Brunzell announces that WWA River City Wrestling has been able to reach an agreement which will see two of the finest shootfighters in the world today compete in a Shootfight Spectacular at "Revelations/End of Days". The two combatants in the first ever RCW competition will be Mark "the Hammer" Coleman and "The Predator" Don Frye. Both men have been training part-time for this match for the past month as negotiations had been conducted. The two men compete together in WWA New Japan as part of the K1-Club. But for one night only they put their friendships aside to do battle one more time.

[commercial break]


Backstage footage:
When we come back there is footage of a commotion in the backstage area. DDP is standing over his wife Kimberly. He's shouting at the camera that Madusa and the Graduates attacked his wife again, while he was in the ring, and spanked her. He says he's going to mow down Al Hardamann to get him the hell out of the way, and then he's coming for Sean O'Haire and Shane Helms.

<<< cue "Rest in Peace" by Extreme >>>
The fans boo and chant "yeast, yeast, yeast" as Sinister Stan Baker makes his way to the ring with a smug look on his face.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this match is scheduled for one fall, and has NO time limit. It is NOT for the RCW Heavyweight Championship, but the winner will receive the right to face Rob Van Dam for the WWA WORLD Heavyweight championship on December 22nd at "Revelations/End of Days".
Introducing first, hailing from Kansas City, Kansas, coming in at 6'2" and 300 pounds, he is the Sinister one, Stan Baker !!!

<<< cue "Ain't Going Down 'till the Sun Comes Up" by Garth Brooks >>>
The fans are on their feet applauding as the current Mid-American champion Sam Holiday charges to the ring. He steps between the ropes and then salutes the fans by raising his arms over his head.
And his opponent, hailing from Odessa, Texas, coming in at 6'9 and 302 pounds, he is YOUR RCW Heavyweight champion, Sam Holiday !!!

The bell has barely sounded and Baker uses referee Wayne Hart as a shield to come around and sucker punch Sam Holiday. Holiday drops to one knee and Baker takes advantage with a knee to the back. Holiday cringes in pain, and Baker follows up with a big kick to the face of Holiday. The Sinister one picks Holiday to his feet and bounces him off the ring ropes, catching him with a punch to the kidney area on the rebound. Turning him around he goes for the suplex, but Holiday manages to get a foot around to block it. Baker tosses Holiday into the corner and charges in with an elbow, which Holiday ducks away from and then comes right back with a flurry of punches. Holiday biels Baker out of the corner to the center of the ring. Holiday is on fire and follows up with a rare dropkick catching Baker in the sternum and driving him out of the ring.

[commercial break]

When we return from commercial we are told that the match had spilled to the outside where Holiday had pressed his advantage. However, when Holiday re-entered the ring he was surprised by a recovered Stan Baker who delivers a big kick to the gut, and follows up with a vertical suplex. Baker tries for a quick pin but only gets a 1 count. Baker continues to press his advantage and gets a nearfall after a sidewalk slam. Then he nails his finisher the Heart Punch, and looks to have won, but somehow Holiday manages to drape a foot over the bottom rope. Baker argues with Wayne Hart which allows Holiday to recover enough to trade some punches and kicks with Baker. The brawl ends quickly when Holiday rocks Baker out of his boots with his quick lariat. The champ follows up with a hanging vertical suplex, no easy feat with someone as big as Baker. Holiday covers but only gets a 1 count.
Holiday works over the back before locking on a standing surfboard submission. Baker manages to rock his way out of it to the ropes. Holiday is in control though and after another quick lariat he pulls out a new move, a sharpshooter! The fans are going nuts as Wayne Hart checks to see if Baker will submit.
Jesse Hennig runs down to ringside but is caught from behind by Al Hardamann and Steve Corino. When the Graduates try to interfere they are taken down by a charging DDP who emerges from the crowd.
Back inside Baker amazingly reaches the ropes and gets the break. Wayne Hart is distracted trying to get security to ringside to take care of the brawling wrestlers. He misses a backward kick to the groin by Baker which leaves Holiday doubled-up. Baker leaves the ring and returns with brass knuckles. He waffles Holiday with the knux and goes for the pin. Wayne Hart though is still distracted and by the time he gets over to count Holiday manages to kick out at the count of 2.
Baker can't believe it so he goes for the heart punch, but its blocked by Holiday. The champ turns it into a hammerlock takedown and applies the pressure. In the meanwhile outside the ring security has cleared all the wrestlers away from ringside and now surround the ring. Baker manages to get to the ropes and break the hold. He tries to leave the ring but security gets in the way and Holiday catches him outside the ring.
Holiday pounds his head into the guardrail before tossing him back into the ring.
Back inside the ring Holiday nails a cradle piledriver which is the set-up for the big Holiday leg drop finisher. Holiday covers and gets the 3 count.
[Winner by pinfall Sam Holiday at 14:22 (with 11:52 televised) after the Holiday leg drop]
[Sam Holiday gets the title shot at WWA World Champion Rob van Dam]

Promo for the 22nd Anniversary Spectacular: "Revelations/End of Days"
4-hour spectacular
11 matches already signed
Rob van Dam (ch) v Sam Holiday (WWA World Title Match)
Diamond Dallas Page (ch) v Al Hardamann (RCW TV Title)
Blood Brothers (ch) v Caruthers/Orth (WWA World Tag Titles)
Freebirds v Extremists/Spartan - Six Man Tag Match
Patriot v Kamala (Last Man Standing)
Steve Corino v Jesse Hennig (Hardcore)
Al Collins & "Gung Ho" Joe Blum v Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine
Mark Coleman v Don Frye (Shootfight)
Raymond Bingham v Derek St. Holmes
Amazing Malenkos v The Graduates
Lord Zoltan v Lash LeRoux (Bourbon Street Brawl)

FADE TO BLACK


Dark Matches Before RAGE
RCW TV Title Match: Diamond Dallas Page (C) (/w Kimberly) defeated Jesse Hennig by pinfall after a Diamond Cutter
Sean O'Haire (/w Madusa) defeated Greg Pawluk by pinfall after the Seanton bomb
Joe & Stan Malenko defeated The IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy by pinfall when Stan pinned Shaggy after a superplex
April Hunter defeated Luna Vachon by pinfall after a moonsault press
Al Hardamann defeated Johnny Devine by pinfall after a diving elbowdrop
Raymond Bingham defeated Sammy Jo Simon by pinfall after a Northern lights suplex



River City Wrestling #908
December 9, 2001
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

House Show

Main Event - RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Sam Holiday (C) defeated Stan Baker by pinfall after a brainbuster

RCW Television Title Match
Diamond Dallas Page (C) (/w Kimberly) defeated Al Hardamann by countout

The Graduates: Sean O'Haire & Shane Helms (/w Madusa) defeated Steve Corino & Balls Mahoney by disqualification for use of a foreign object

Joe & Stan Malenko defeated The IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy by submission when Joe submitted Klown in the Texas cloverleaf

April Hunter defeated Luna Vachon by pinfall after a moonsault press

Raymond Bingham & Marcus Schultz defeated Derek St. Holmes & Black Demon by pinfall when Bingham pinned Demon after a Northern lights suplex

Jesse Hennig defeated Greg Pawluk by pinfall after a running necksnap

Johnny Devine defeated J.J. Extreme by pinfall after a hotshot

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #909
December 15, 2001
Rochester, Minnesota

RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

<<< cue "We Will Rock You" by Queen >>>
The fans boo as "Total Destruction" Steve Riley makes his way to the ring. He is accompanied by his entourage, a couple of trainers, his agent, his brother-in-law, a lawyer, and a couple of groupies in tight leather pants. Riley has a mic.
Riley says that the biggest RCW show is just around the corner, next week, and he doesn't have a date for the prom. Both DDP and Hardamann were too scared of him so they decided to dance with each other instead. And Holiday has ducked him from day one. Well, he says it doesn't matter. He'll take the night off and come January he'll be the #1 contender for all the belts.
Suddenly Sinister Stan Baker slides into the ring from behind Riley. He waffles a couple members of the entourage in the head to clear a path, and then he nails a surprised Riley in the head just as he turned around. Baker is all over Riley with a series of mounted punches. A few members of the entourage try and pull Baker off but they are too puny to have any effect. Baker picks up Riley and bodyslams him to the mat.
Security is flooding the ring now so Baker just turns and leaves, but not before giving a sidewalk slam to the brother-in-law.
The fans give Baker a mixture of cheers and boos, probably the first time he has ever heard cheers in River City.
Baker is outside the ring now and has a mic.
Baker tells Riley that he is a big talker, but he's never beat anyone with any jam here in the heartland. He wants to be the #1 contender then he'll have to go through Stan Baker first. So, Baker tells Riley to show up at "Revelations/End of Days" and we'll dance.

[commercial break]


<<< cue "Turn the Page" by Metallica >>>
Ladies and gentlemen, this match is scheduled for one fall and has a 15-minute time limit. Introducing first already in the ring, weighing in at 188 pounds, hailing from Gary, Indiana, J.W. Ousley!!!
The fans don't really care.
And his opponent, making his way to the ring, hailing from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, coming in at 5'11 and 231 pounds, he is Marcus Schultz !!!

This is a basic squash match with Schultz practicing his repertoire of moves including a running bulldog, tombstone piledriver, fallaway slam, and a cobra clutch.
[Winner by submission Marcus Schultz at 3:26 when Ousley submitted to the cobra clutch]

Post-Match
As Schultz is leaving the Black Demon (without a mask) attacks him. The 'demon sends Schultz head first into the ringsteps, and then into the guardrail. He uses the guardrail to choke Schultz. Finally, Black Demon whacks Schultz in the head with the ringbell before leaving. Schultz is busted wide open.

[commercial break]


<<< cue "The Bitch is Back" by Elton John >>>
The Graduates Sean O'Haire and Shane Helms come to the ring led by their manager Madusa. Both of the graduates have chairs and are ready to protect Madusa. She has a mic and starts right in on DDP and Kimberly. She calls their "relationship" an American nightmare. They pretend to be this loving couple when in reality they both sleep around, with the boys in the back; yes, both of them. Madusa says its about time someone exposes Kimberly for the [bleep] that she is and gives her [bleep] a good spanking. So, come "Revelations/End of Days" if Kimberly is anywhere near the arena Madusa vows to find her, and spank her bare [bleep].

<<< cue "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana >>>
The fans pop, but are a bit surprised when they see Kimberly come out alone with a mic. She stops a good distance from the ring. The Graduates are keeping a wary eye all around them looking out for DDP.
Kimberly says that not only will she be at her man's side in his match at "Revelations/End of Days" but she will do so knowing that earlier in the show she whipped the [bleep] of the queen [bleep] old scag who likes to [bleep] men half her age, and half her breast size.
Madusa tries to leave the ring but she is held back by the Graduates.
That's all the opening that DDP needs as he emerges from the crowd and slides into the ring. He spins Helms around and gives him a DIAMOND CUTTER. Then he tries the same thing with O'Haire, but O'Haire is too quick and catches DDP with a jab to the knees using the chair. Madusa then nails DDP with a lowblow, and O'Haire fells him with a chairshot to the head.
Kimberly has entered the ring now, and takes Madusa down from behind with a handful of hair. She mounts Madusa and repeatedly pounds her head into the mat. O'Haire is about to clock Kimberly from behind when AL Hardamann suddenly shows up. O'Haire looks a bit confused, which allows Hardamann to dropkick his feet out from under him. Hardamann grabs the chair and tries to nail O'Haire but he rolls out of the ring first. All the Graduates are vacating the premises. Hardamann then dumps the chair and also leaves the ring while Kimberly tries to revive DDP.

[commercial break]


<<< cue "The Kids Ain't Allright" by the Offspring >>>
Ladies and gentlemen this next match is scheduled for one fall with a 15-minute time limit. Introducing first, making his way to the ring, hailing from Pacific Palisades, California, coming in at 6'2 and 213 pounds, one half of the Extremists, Devon Storm!!!
The crowd gives Storm a mild amount of applause.

And his opponent,
<<< cue "Freebird" by Lynard Skynard>>>
Hailing from Badstreet Atlanta G-A, and coming in at 6'7 and 324 pounds, a member of the Freebirds, Van Hammer !!!
The fans boo Van Hammer with unrepentant zeal.

Storm keeps Van Hammer off balance with a variety of speedy attacks. He uses the ringropes to his advantage with a handspring elbow, and a ropeflip moonsault. He also ducks in and out of the ring to confuse and irritate Van Hammer. However, after Van Hammer reversed a suplex attempt he took over. Taking the match to outside the ring Van Hammer outbrawled Storm and set him up on a table. Van Hammer attempted to put Storm through the table with an elbowdrop off the ring apron, but Storm moved out of the way and Van Hammer went crashing through the table. Storm managed to limp back into the ring.
[Winner by countout Devon Storm at 6:55]

Post-Match:
You just knew that the other Freebirds would show up in a hurry and they did. Terry Hendrix and Buddy McElroy got to the ring only seconds ahead of Ace Darling and Don Spartan (wearing a neckbrace from a previous Freebird attack). Out muscled with Spartan's injury, it didn't take the 'birds too long to take control of the situation. They set up another table and McElroy put Storm through the table with a piledriver, with a little help from Hendrix jumping off the apron to make it a stuffed piledriver. Storm wasn't moving as security cleared the area.

[commercial break]


Backstage interviews;
Madusa: Says she is so happy that Kimberly has accepted her challenge for "Revelations/End of Days", and says the two will get it on in a strap match. The winner will have to strap the "bottom" of the loser in all 4 corners of the ring (instead of touching the turnbuckles).
Marcus Schultz: His head is wrapped in a blood soaked dressing. He says that if the Black Demon wants to make a name for himself by attacking him, fine. But now it's going to be payback time at "Revelations/End of Days".
Jim Brunzell: Announces that the championship committee has decided that the winner of the Stan Baker v Steve Riley match at "Revelations/End of Days" will indeed be the #1 contender for the TV title.

<<< cue "Pain" by Nashville Pussy >>>
The fans boo Max Pain as he walks to the ring with a baseball bat. He grabs a mic and he tells Jim Brunzell that he can [bleep] off. Hardcore ain't going to stop, not here in middle America, not in Canada, and not in the Antarctica. It's a man's world he says, no longer a pair of skinny high flyers in matching tights. He dares anyone from the back to,

<<< cue "Big Balls" by AC/DC >>>
Max doesn't even get a chance to finish his dare when the music of Balls Mahoney hits. Balls is cheered by the wild crowd as he makes his way around the ringside area with a chair before entering the ring. He takes the mic away from Pain as the two have a glare-down.
Balls says that Pain don't know Hardcore except in his family movies, which is enough to get Pain to swing his baseball bat at Balls, which is partially blocked by the chair.
Suddenly Menele appears ringside and slides into the ring. It generates to a 3-man all out brawl, which Menele seems to be getting the best of when security floods the ring. It takes a few minutes for security to get the wrestlers apart and several security guards are tossed out of the ring or attacked first.

<<< cue "One Big Rush" by Joe Satriani >>>
Commissioner Jim Brunzell and his assistant Jack Lanza make their way to the ring. Brunzell says he is so sick of the tactics of all 3 men. He asks them if they want to tear each other limb from limb? They all say they do. Brunzell compliments Balls on his fine amateur wrestling background, and tells Menele that no one in wrestling today does a better suplex then him. Finally he tells Pain that Brad Rheinghans and Buddy Lane always rave about his skill in training matches. So, Brunzell says that the 3 of them will meet in a triangle match at "Revelations/End of Days" but it will be under "Gentleman rules". He tells them no pushing the envelope, no hardcore. If they are disqualified then they will be fired from RCW. There is no room for talent that can't actually wrestle a good match. The 3 men are very upset with the match that was made.

[commercial break]

Video Package:
Rob van Dam and the Blood Brothers highlight package to promote their title WWA World Title defences at "Revelations/End of Days".

Complete rundown for next week's big card in St.Paul, MN "Revelations/End of Days"
4-hour spectacular
Rob van Dam v Sam Holiday (WWA World Title)
DDP v Al Hardamann (RCW TV Title)
Blood Brothers v Caruthers/Orth (WWA World Tag Titles)
Steve Riley v Stan Baker (#1 contender match for TV title)
Six-Man Tag: Freebirds v Extremists/Spartan
Patriot v Kamala (Last Man Standing)
Steve Corino v Jesse Hennig (Hardcore)
Collins/Blum v Pawluk/Devine
Mark Coleman v Don Frye (Shootfight Spectacular)
Raymond Bingham v Derek St. Holmes
Kimberly v Madusa (Strap Match)
Marcus Schultz v Black Demon
Menele v Balls Mahoney v Max Pain (Gentlemen rules)
Malenkos v Graduates
Lord Zoltan v Lash LeRoux (Bourbon Street Brawl)

FADE TO BLACK

Dark Matches Before RAGE
Freebirds: Buddy McElroy & Terry Hendrix defeated Ace Darling & J.J. Extreme by submission when McElroy submitted Extreme in a figure-four
RCW Television Title Match: Diamond Dallas Page (/w Kimbelry) defeated Stan Baker by pinfall after a Diamond Cutter
The Graduates: Sean O'Haire & Shane Helms (/w Madusa) defeated Al Collins & Joe Blum by pinfall when O'Haire pinned Collins after the Seanton bomb
"Total Destruction" Steve Riley and Al Hardamann battled to a no-contest
Madusa defeated April Hunter by pinfall after a superplex
Menele defeated Sammy Jo Simon by pinfall after a T-bone suplex
Kevin Matthews defeated Black Demon by pinfall after a to the knees powerbomb

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #910
22nd Anniversary Show
Revelations/End of Days
December 22, 2001
St. Paul, Minnesota

The card was advertised as a 4-hour wrestling spectacular. Although I feel that the card lived up to being "spectacular", it ran overtime, going 5 hours including intermissions.

Here are the match results and brief commentary starting with the opening match.

Opening Bout
Lord Zoltan v Lash LeRoux (Bourbon Street Brawl)
This match was not done live, but rather was actually held on Bourbon Street the night before. It was shown on the JumboTrons. The fight went through a voodoo shop where Lord Zoltan poked a pin into the ribs of LeRoux. When LeRoux yelped in pain Zoltan said "I'll be damned if this shit doesn't actually work!"
The fight also saw LeRoux throw Zoltan over the counter of a take-out Hurricane bar smashing into a frozen cocktail machine. Finally LeRoux launched himself off a railing with a type of springboard guillotine legdrop and pinned Zoltan on Bourbon street.
[Lash LeRoux wins via pinfall after a springboard guilltine legdrop at 8:09]


Bout #2
Amazing Malenkos (Joe and Stan) v Graduates (Shane Helms & Sean O'Haire) with Madusa
A very fast paced match. The Graduates surprised their opponents when Helms held off Joe long enough for O'Haire to nail the Seanton bomb on Stan and pick up the win.
[The Graduates win via pinfall when O'Haire pinned Stan after a Seanton bomb at 7:41]

Post-Match
The first big shock of the night when after the match Sean O'Haire turned on his partner Shane Helms even though they had won the match. O'Haire pulverized Helms with a neckbreaker followed by stomping him senseless in the corner of the ring. Madusa looked as shocked as anyone else. O'Haire grabbed a mic and said that the Graduates were over. He said that in January a true hero will be coming to RCW to lead the promised few out of the darkness and into the bright light.


Bout #3
Menele v Balls Mahoney v Max Pain (Gentlemen rules)
This match was a festival of powermoves, with Wayne Hart getting right in the way of any attempt to throw a closed fist, use a choke, etc. Sure, some stuff went on when Hart was distracted (most notably Balls Mahoney using the edge of a chair to lowblow Max Pain from underneath his legs). There was also the part where Mahoney was digging under the ring for a foreign object and Menele came from behind and smashed him across the ass with that same steel chair. But for the most part these 3 men showed why they are underrated as grapplers. The end came when Menele climbed to the top turnbuckle. Balls whipped Pain into the ropes, causing the ropes to shake and Menele to crotch himself. Then Balls caught Pain coming off the ropes with a powerslam and got the 3 count.
[Balls Mahoney wins via pinfall when he pinned Pain after a powerslam at 12:35]

Post-Match:
Max Pain and Menele double teamed together and laid a severe beating on Balls Mahoney. Security couldn't get them off of Balls, it took a clearing of the "faces" dressing room to finally end the beating.


Bout #4
Marcus Schultz v Marcus Schultz(?)
A very bizarre moment when the expected match between Schultz and the Black Demon began with the theme music "Turn the Page". However, instead of it being the Metallica version it was the more subdued original by Bob Segar. And instead of getting Marcus Schultz the fans got the man who had been unmasked as the Black Demon. The ring announcer reluctantly introduced him as "Marcus Schultz". When the original Marcus Schultz came out to his music he was irate. Schultz went right after the former Black Demon and soon enough was suplexing him all over the ring. Schultz slapped on the cobra clutch and suplexed his opponent. However, referee Marty Stevens called for the bell signaling that his opponent had submitted while in the cobra clutch.
[Marcus Schultz (the original) wins via submission with the cobra clutch at 5:28]


Pre-Match:
Kimberly comes out and tells DDP in the back that he is not to interfere. This is something she must do on her own. If she loses, so be it, at least she made a stand. She repeated that under no circumstances is DDP to come help her in the match.

Bout #5
Kimberly v Madusa (Strap Match - Winner must spank opponent in each of the 4 corners of the ring)
Madusa is just too much of a warrior for Kimberly to even have a decent shot in this match. But Madusa takes it too far brutalizing and humiliating Kimberly instead of going for the win. Kimberly is half-naked, with welts beginning to form from being strapped on the back, on the legs, and on the arms. DDP comes down to ringside and is yelling at Madusa to stop, but he does not interfere. Finally, Al Hardamann appears from the back sliding into the ring. He throws Madusa out of the ring and the referee Buddy Lane calls for the bell.
[Madusa wins via disqualification after Al Hardamann interfered on behalf of Kimberly at 6:42]

Post-Match:
Hardamann rolls out of the ring as DDP enters the ring to see to his wife. Hardamann and DDP just kind of stare at each other from a distance.


Bout #6
Raymond Bingham v Derek St. Holmes
Bingham simply outclassed St.Holmes. The only offence St.Holmes got in was from blatant cheating that quickly wore on the nerves of referee Shiela Bloom. Bingham though prevailed locking on a figure-four.
The Spinebusters came out but much to the shock of the crowd they stayed out of the action, just watching.
St.Holmes looked at them, but they never budged. Finally St. Holmes tapped out.
[Raymond Bingham wins via submission with the figure-four at 7:26]

Post-Match
After Bingham left the Spinebusters entered the ring and beat down their sports agent St. Holmes until security came in and made them stop.


Bout #7
Mark Coleman v Don Frye (Shootfight Spectacular)
Wrestling ring - ropes provide a break.
No time limit - no rounds
No kicking a downed opponent, no eyegouges or bites.
Frye did his best to stay on his feet in this match. Coleman lost his first couple of advantages when Frye managed to get to the ropes for a break. Frye was growing tired and tried for an untimely escape which allowed Coleman to turn Frye and put on a rear naked choke. Frye tapped out.
[Mark Coleman won via tap-out with a rear naked choke at 10:32]

Post-Match
Bret Hart came out to present Mark Coleman with a trophy as the 1st annual RCW Shootfight Spectacular winner. Coleman and Frye shook hands and embraced following the match.


Bout #8
Al Collins & "Gung Ho" Joe Blum v "Young Guns" Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine
Pawluk & Devine are excellent wrestlers but their lack of size hurt them as they were unable to put away their bigger and much more experienced opponents. For the most part the Young Guns put their animosity behind them and worked as a fluid tag team. However, at a crucial moment after Devine had finally turned the tables after a few minutes of punishment by Blum, Devine elected to stay in the ring instead of making a tag out to Pawluk. Blum took back the advantage with a double leg takedown and Devine never got in another rally. Collins finished off Devine with his Air-Al airplane spin into a slam. Pawluk made no attempt to make the save.
[Collins & Blum win via pinfall when Collins pinned Devine after the Air-Al at 11:27]

Post-Match:
Collins and Blum celebrated while Devine was knocked out. Pawluk left the ring alone. However, he never made it to the back, electing instead to grab a chair and return to the ring. Pawluk proceeded to smash the chair over Collins' head, and then did the same to Blum. He helped a very surprised looking Devine to his feet and helped him to the back amidst the fans boos.


Bout #9
Hardcore Rules: Steve Corino v Jesse Hennig 
Corino of course wore his crimson mask proudly in this match. He also showed that he was much more hardcore than Hennig and controlled most of the match. The fans though went ballistic when Curt Hennig made his debut in RCW, suddenly showing up unannounced to ringside, helping his brother win the match by attacking Corino from behind. Jesse ended the match with a Northern lights suplex.
[Jesse Hennig wins via pinfall after a Northern lights suplex and outside interference by Curt Hennig at 9:21]


Bout #10
Last Man Standing: Patriot v Kamala 
A bloodfest that ended when the Patriot jumped off the top ringpost to the floor, putting Kamala through a table with a splash. During the match the Patriot got busted open causing him to remove his mask so he could see. He had to wrestle the remainder of the match without his mask.
[The Patriot wins Last Man Standing when Kamala could not answer the 10-count at 18:03]


Bout #11
Six-Man Tag Match
Freebirds: Buddy McElroy, Terry Hendrix & Van Hammer v Extremists: Ace Darling & Devon Storm & "Dirty" Don Spartan
The Extremists and Don Spartan are no match for the terror machine known as the Freebirds. Spartan and Storm came into the match sporting injured necks of which the 'birds took full advantage. Whenever the 'birds would get into trouble they would just tag in Buddy McElroy and the dominating big man would take over the match. The finish came when McElroy and Hendrix delivered a stuff piledriver on Spartan.
[Freebirds win via pinfall when Hendrix pinned Spartan after a stuffed piledriver at 8:58]

Post-Match:
Don Spartan was removed from the ring in a stretcher. His neck appears to be injured again.


Bout #12
#1 Contender Match for the TV Title
Steve Riley v Stan Baker 
There was a bit of the handing of the torch in this match tonight between two "mega-heels" in RCW. Baker started strong, but his raw strength was no match for Riley's conditioning and power. Riley got stronger as the match wore on and Baker became more desperate. Finally, seeing a loss as inevitable Baker left the ring and returned to the ring with the ringbell. Referee Marty Stevens was ready to DQ Baker, but Riley struck out with a dragon screw to take Baker down to the mat. Riley mounted Baker and unleashed a flurry of punches to Baker's head. Baker's fingers reached out desperately for the ringbell but to no avail. Riley seized the extended arm and put Baker into an armbreaker submission. Baker tapped out after only a few seconds.
[Steve Riley wins via submission to an armbreaker at 11:54]
[Steve Riley is the new #1 contender to the TV title]


Bout #13
WWA World Tag Team Title Match
Blood Brothers: Scarlett Birmingham and Julian LeMonie (champions) v Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers
Scarlett Birmingham and Julian LeMonie came out at the start of the match and ran their mouths off about the lack of talent in RCW wrestling, calling it PWA's bitch. This firmly set up the hated Spinebusters (Bryan Caruthers and Jerry Orth) as the fan favorites for the match. This match went back and forth with both teams showing excellent tag team tactics. The end came rather unceremoniously when Caruthers was holding Birmingham and Orth decided to go for a spear. Caruthers didn't move out of the way, but Birmingham did and Orth collided right into the mid-section of Caruthers. LeMonie came into the ring and threw Caruthers out, allowing them to double team Orth. They delivered a double-team brainbuster and got the pin.
[Blood Brothers win via pinfall when Birmingham pinned Orth after a double team brainbuster at 13:18]
[Blood Brothers retain the WWA World Tag Team Titles]

Post-Match:
The Blood Brothers overstayed their welcome with a celebration. The Spinebusters regrouped and entered the ring taking it right to the World Champs. They cleared the champs out of the ring. The tag titles had been left behind. Caruthers and Orth imitated wiping their asses with the belts before throwing them over the top rope at the champs.


Semi-Main Event
For the River City Wrestling TV Title 
Diamond Dallas Page (champion) v Al Hardamann
These two men eyed each other carefully as the match began, but as soon as they laid hands on each other they went into full brawl mode. After a few intense minutes of brawling Hardamann took over and began to work on the shoulder and ribs of DDP. After about 10 minutes of constant punishment everyone in the arena seemed ready for Al to regain his title. But Al made the mistake of going to the top rope for his moonsault, and DDP rolled out of the way. Now it was DDP's turn to punish Hardamann. After about 5 minutes working over the back DDP slapped on a Boston crab. As Hardamann worked his way slowly to the ropes Kimberly came down to ringside looking very bruised from her earlier strap match with Madusa. Al got to the ropes and made the break and the two tussled. An errant soda pop container hit the ring distracting referee Buddy Lane. Lane turned his back to kick the cup and ice out of the ring. While his back was turned Kimberly jumped up on the apron and swung the chair. DDP pulled Hardamann in the way and Kimberly blasted Al in the head. There were looks of uncertainty on the faces of DDP and Kimberly as to what just happened. DDP covered Hardamann and got the pin as the fans heckled and booed.
[Diamond Dallas Page wins by pinfall after outside interference at 20:40]
[Diamond Dallas Page retains the RCW TV Title]

Post-Match
DDP and Kimberly just kind of eyed each other after the match. They left up the ramp together, but a few feet apart, not looking at each other.


In-ring segment:
President Larkin, Bret Hart, Bruce Hart, April Hunter, Jim Brunzell, and Jack Lanza enter the ring.
Larkin re-caps the expansion of RCW into Canada for the 2002 campaign. Larkin announces that the TV title will be re-named the RCW American Heavyweight Championship, and a new belt would be created to parallel the American belt to be called the RCW Canadian Heavyweight Championship. Interestingly enough, with the exception of renaming the TV belt, most of this segment was booed by the crowd.


MAIN EVENT
FOR THE WWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Rob van Dam (champion) v Sam Holiday
While RVD controlled much of this match Sam Holiday definitely had his share of chances. With the fans solidly behind local champion Holiday, and with the stiff challenge that he presented RVD, it seemed to spur on the "rulebreaking" side of RVD a little bit. The World Champion seemed to want to take this match outside the ring and hardcore an awful lot. The end came when RVD was on the apron, tossed a chair to Sam Holiday who was on the floor, and then delivered a Van Daminator off the ring apron. Both men were shaken up, but it was the ankle of Holiday not his head that was the deciding factor. Holiday twisted his ankle, an old injury from October 1st that he suffered against Jesse Hennig. A groggy RVD managed to make it back into the ring before the 10 count. Holiday managed to get to the ring apron but when he tried to climb back in the ring his ankle betrayed him and he tumbled to the ground.
[Rob van Dam wins by countout at 22:24]
[Rob van Dam retains the WWA World Heavyweight Championship]


Houselights On


Breaking Kayfabe:
That's it for another year of River City Wrestling. In some ways it marked a return of top quality production and a bigger, more interesting roster. On the other hand the best laid plans of mice and men...usually these big expansion plans fall apart. See ya next year!!

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #911
January 8, 2002
St. Paul, Minnesota

House Show

Main Event - RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Sam Holiday (C) defeated Stan Baker by pinfall after a superplex

RCW Tag Team Title Match
The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers defeated the IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy by pinfall when Caruthers pinned Klown after a spinebuster slam

Hardcore Match: Al Collins & Joe Blum defeated Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine by pinfall when Collins pinned Devine after a Samoan drop onto a steel chair

Steve Corino & Al Hardamann defeated Curt & Jesse Hennig by countout

Steve Riley defeated Raymond Bingham by pinfall after a brainbuster

Kamala the Ugandan Giant defeated Marcus Schultz by pinfall after a splash

Kevin Matthews defeated Ace Darling by pinfall after a to the knees powerbomb

Devon Storm defeated J.J. Extreme by pinfall after a slingshot front layout suplex

Samoa Joe defeated J.W. Ousley by pinfalll after a sitout side powerslam




River City Wrestling #912
January 12, 2002
Green Bay, Wisconsin

RCW RAGE - Special 2 Hour Episode

Montage set to Back in Black by AC/DC..
From Revelations/End of Days - Lash LeRoux nails Lord Zoltan with a springboard guillotine legdrop on Bourbon street - Sean OHaire turns on Shane Helms and pulverizes him after they had beaten the Malenkos, and as Madusa looks on in shock - Balls Mahoney pins Max Pain to win the Gentlemens rules 3-way, only to get beaten down by Menele and Pain - the Black Demon comes out as Marcus Schultz and loses to Marcus Schultz - Madusa brutalizes Kimberly in a strap match, and the save is made by Al Hardamann, not DDP - Derek St. Holmes is beaten down by his clients the Spinebusters after he had lost his match to Raymond Bingham - Mark Coleman makes Don Frye tap out, and is presented with a trophy by Bret Hart - Greg Pawluk does the unlikely as he returns to the ring and nails Collins and Blum with chair shots helping out his former tag partner Johnny Devine - Curt Hennig makes his surprise premiere in RCW helping his brother Jesse beat Steve Corino - Patriot stands in the ring, mask off, bloodied but victorious over Kamala - Don Spartan is removed by stretcher from the arena after being brutalized by the Freebirds - Steve Riley makes Stan Baker tap out to become the #1 contender to the TV title - Jerry Orth is double teamed by the Blood Brothers and then pinned - Kimberly blasts Al Hardamann over the head with a chair (by accident?), DDP pins Hardamann to retain the TV title, and DDP and Kimberly share an uneasy stare - Larkin announces the change from the TV title to the American title and the creation of the Canadian title - Sam Holiday twists his ankle and is unable to make it back into the ring before the 10 count is administered, RVD celebrates

Joe Aiello, Cyrus, and Jason Sensation inform us of what we can anticipate today. And of course we are 2 HOURS LONG today.
An Update on Sam Holidays condition - Raymond Bingham is presented with a trophy for being named the PWI 2001 Rookie of the year - a statement from Madusa - and a whole lot of payback including our main event pitting Curt Hennig in his first match against Steve Corino.

[commercial break]


<<< cue "Wait and Bleed" by Slipknot >>>
The IBZ make an appearance (unscheduled according to the announce crew). They appear on the announce table surrounded by fans, with a mic in their hands and a clipboard.

Wiked Klown: hee..hee..okay here we go
Shaggy: Welcome to a new year worms, our year..now here are the booking notes from the back. Lets see, oh, Al HARDman is going to *bleep* *bleep* that old *bleep* DDP like he was the last sheep in Minnesota, and then we have Man-dusa going to wipe the *bleep* from her face and get off her knees long enough to cut a lame ass promo
Wiked Klown: hee..hee, and then..oh, oh, this is good..ah I cant read
Shaggy: ah man, this sucks like that girl in American Pie who made him *bleep* in a beer cup instead of her mouth, the *bleep*. It says here that the Spineless wonders will defend their tag titles against those worthless old *bleep* Collins and little boy Blue cause he needed the money.
Wiked Klown: hee..hee..look a picture
Shaggy: its the new RCW emblem you *bleep*, see those words?

Suddenly from behind them appears a man dressed in jeans and a black RCW T-shirt. His face is covered with a black mask and he brandishes a hockey stick. He is around 6 feet tall with an athletic build. He jumps up on the announce table and shoves Wiked Klown off, sending him crashing into the railing. Then he headbutts Shaggy and hits him with the hockey stick. He leaps off the table and nails Wiked Klown in the head with the stick. The masked man climbs back onto the table and gives Shaggy a double underhook powerbomb right on the table, breaking it in half.
All 3 men are down on the ground, the table is shattered and the announce team has lost audio.

Studio Segment:
Joe Aiello: Wrestling fans, as you probably know, tomorrow at WWA's Winter Riot the match to end all matches will take place. NWA World Champion Barry Windham, perhaps the greatest grappler of our time, will take on WWA World Champion Rob van Dam for the greatest prize in our industry. The right to be called the Undisputed World Champion. I've asked our champion for his view on this match and to make a prediction.

Sam Holiday: Well, let me tell you, those are two tough hombres. Not just physically tough but mentally tough..neither man likes to lose, well thats an understatement. I just fought RVD and can tell you just how tough he is. Mr. Windham, well I have very little respect for Windham and his career long shenanighans..but he's a tough customer, I'll grant him that. Somehow I see this match going a long, long time. Pack a lunch if you're going to Winter Riot, or a midnight snack. But Mr. Windham is just too damn devious. I gots to gots to go with the experience of Mr. Windham. He should win the belt, but at his age I wonder how long he can hold it?

[commercial break]


<<< cue "Right Now" by Van Halen >>>
The fans give a moderate amount of applause as Samoa Joe comes to the ring. Joe is new to RCW, just arriving. He is somewhat known to the fans from his days in PWA.

<<< cue "Psychotron" by MegaDeth >>>
The fans boo as Kamala enters the ring.

Kamala wastes no time as he attacks Joe from behind before the bell rings. Kamala just devastates Joe pounding on him from behind and squashing him in the corner. He uncovers the bottom turnbuckle and is about to stomp Joe's face into it when he is grabbed by referee Marty Stevens. Kamala clobbers Stevens sending him to the mat. Kamala goes back to beating on a defenceless Joe until more officials come in to break it up.
[This match is declared a no-contest as it never officially got under way.]

[cut to commercial]


Young Kevin Matthews is already in the ring, waiting his opponent.

<<< cue "We Will Rock You" by Queen >>>
The fans jeer as "Total Destruction" Steve Riley comes to the ring accompanied by his entourage. Riley takes the ring mic and makes sure that everyone in the audience remembers that he is the official #1 contender for the newly named American title held by DDP. He also shows disdain for having to waste his time with a punk like Matthews.

Kevin Matthews v Steve Riley
Riley is simply too powerful for Matthews and makes very short work of him. However, he does try out a few moves including a fallaway slam, a torture rack, a double underhook backbreaker, and makes him submit to an armbar.
[Winner by submission at 5:46 Steve Riley when he made Matthews submit to an armbar]

Post-Match: Riley continues to pound on Matthews and demands that DDP come out from the back (even though DDP is not in the building and he knows it). Finally, the crowd is shocked when Stan Baker comes running down to the ring and delivers a nasty kick to the forehead of Riley busting him wide open. A very nasty cut indeed!

[cut to commercial]


<<< cue "One Big Rush" by Joe Satriani >>>
Commissioner Jim Brunzell, Assistant Commissioner Jack Lanza, and Assistant to the President April Hunter come to the ring. Hunter is carrying a large gold trophy.

Brunzell (he's gushing with enthusiasm): We at RCW are so proud of Raymond Bingham. He listened to all the naysayers last year who told him wrestling in River City was dead, that it was an old boys network, and he should take the first offer to jump ship that comes along. He listened to them, and he ignored them! And today he is recognized as the brightest star to come into wrestling in 2001. A great honour for both Mr. Bingham and for RCW! Put your hands together for your newest superstar Raymond Bingham !!!!

The crowd comes to their feet.
<<< cue "Denial" by Sevendust >>>
Raymond Bingham comes down to the ring. He is wearing a blue Foo-Fighters t-shirt, and black jeans over top snake skin boots. He waves to the crowd as he walks to the ring. Inside he shakes hands with Brunzell and Lanza and surprises Hunter with a kiss on her cheek which causes her to blush.

Brunzell: Without further adieu, Mr. Bingham, congratulations on being named the PWI 2001 Rookie of the Year !

Bingham takes the trophy from Brunzell and holds it up high with one hand for photos. He then holds it against his hip, admiring it, and takes the mic from Brunzell.

Bingham: Thank you, middle America, thank-you PWI, and thank you Mr. Brunzell. Yes, what you said Mr. Brunzell is too true. I listened to the advice, and listened to the offers, and instead stayed put. Like the Spinebusters who told me that I would be booked into the ground and needed them to take me to the top. Like Mr. Dusek who said that I would have to start at the bottom of the PWA but he had a place for me when I was ready to jump. But instead I stayed put. And at Revelations/End of Days, the capping moment of a rookie of the year campaign, I beat the hell out of Derek St. Holmes!
The crowd cheers.
Derek St. Holmes. Who the hell is he? Who has he beaten? No one. I hardly even worked up a sweat. While others received shots at titles, or #1 contenderships, I received a match against a nobody. That was my reward. Oh, and this too. Geez, heres an original idea, an in-ring presentation of a trophy.
[The crowd is stunned as Bingham turns to face Brunzell.]
Thanks for setting me up bub. I guess you couldn't take the fact that I was getting some national attention, so you thought you would set me up for someone to come down here and smash this trophy over my head. Well it ain't going to happen bub.
Bingham drops the mic, and swiftly grabs the trophy in both hands and smashes it over the head of Brunzell. He then delivers a swift kick to the lower mid-section of Lanza and takes him down with a DDT. April Hunter wisely rolls out of the ring.
Bingham picks up the mic. He delivers a few more kicks to the prone bodies of Brunzell and Lanza before continuing his tirade.
How stupid do you think I am? Ha? I'm not going to sit by idly while you screw me over on title shots and big matches. And I'm not going to jump ship yet either, you'd like that too much. I'm going to stick around long enough to retire old fossils like Sam gimp Holiday, Al Hardly-a-man, and Dipsh*t Dragqueen Page. Then when I have your belts around my waist I will take the first crop duster out of this god-forsaken territory.
With that Bingham picks up his broken, mangled trophy, raises it above his head, and then leaves the ring.

[commercial break]


<<< cue "The Bitch is Back" by Elton John >>>

Madusa comes to the ring dressed in silver stretch shorts and matching brassiere. Her bra is losing the battle against holding all that enhanced talent inside.
She has a mic.

Madusa: Its no secret that I like boys, like Shane Helms, and like Sean OHaire. That is why I founded the Graduates. I liked to be in control, of young men. Well that all went straight to hell at Revelations/End of Days. Didn't it? Now Shane Helms has headed back to parts unknown and frankly Sean OHaire cant be found even if I wanted to look for him.
So what's a girl to do?
Suddenly the masked figure with the RCW t-shirt and hockey stick is back, and slides into the ring.

Madusa (backing up looking alarmed): Look fella, I don't know who you are but you're not really my type.

The masked man continues to advance towards Madusa until she strikes out with a punch. He blocks it, twists her arm around and puts her into a hammerlock. He whispers something into her ear and then shoves her across the ring into the turnbuckle. She falls to the mat as he takes his stick and leaves the ring. She just sits there with a surprised look on her face.


<<< cue "Turn the Page" by Metallica >>>
The crowd cheers as Marcus Schultz walks with purpose to the ring for his match.

<<< cue "Freebird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd >>>
The fans are on their feet booing and jeering as the Freebirds make their way to the ring. Buddy McElroy and Van Hammer are dressed in street clothes while Terry Hendrix is ready to wrestle. Referee Buddy Lane sends the other two Freebirds back to the dressing room.

Marcus Schultz v Terry Hendrix
Hendrix's confidence seems to go right out the window when his friends leave. He immediately goes to the defence and Schultz goes to the offence. Schultz takes him down to the mat with a single leg, and turns it into a half-Boston, but Hendrix grabs the ropes. Hendrix plays chicken making Schultz chase him around the ring. Back inside Hendrix catches him coming back in the ring with a knee the head. Hendrix's offence is limited and he makes the mistake of going to a side headlock. After a few seconds of the fans chanting boring Hendrix picks up Schultz and gets to their feet. Schultz then unceremoniously dumps Hendrix backwards with a suplex and gets a quick 3 count.
[Winner by pinfall at 4:54 Marcus Schultz after a belly to back suplex]

Post-Match: The Freebirds come back to the ring and attack Schultz. McElroy has removed his cowboy boot and is nailing Schultz in the head with it as he is held by Hammer. From the back comes Troy Black the former Black Demon and former Marcus Schultz. He has a chair but his swing at Hammer is blocked and the Freebirds lay a beating on him too. Finally the birds leave the ring with Schultz and Black laying in a heap.

[cut to commercial]


<<< cue "Surrender" by Cheap Trick >>>
The fans give J.J. Extreme a mixed reaction as he runs to the ring.

<<< cue "The Kids Aren't All Right" by Offspring >>>
The fans cheer Devon Storm as he comes to the ring. The announce crew inform us that Storm and Darlings tag team is on hiatus for awhile as both pursue singles careers.

J.J. Extreme v Devon Storm
A high-flying athletic contest. Match ended when Storm did an over the top rope tope and nailed Extreme. Both men collided heavily into the guardrail. Referee Buddy Lane went to check on them and then quickly counted the 10 count. He was already calling for paramedics before even finishing the count.
[Double countout at 12:35]

[cut to commercial break]


We get footage after the break of Extreme making it back to his feet. However, Storm was carried off on a stretcher with his neck immobilized.

Joe Aiello is shown in a taped segment backstage. He gives us an update on Sam Holiday. Sam's ankle and knee were still bothering him even after the weeks off following Revelations/End of Days. He fulfilled his obligation to defend the belt on January 8th in St. Paul, winning a hard fought match against Stan Baker. However, under doctors advice he is going to rest it again, and may not defend his title until the 30-day limit.

Match joined with both men already fighting in the aisle.
Menele v Kurt Barnes
Menele devastates Barnes with his power and viciousness. However, he refuses to go for the win so Balls Mahoney comes to his rescue. But it's a trap as Max Pain sneak attacks Balls before he can get to the ring. Menele and Pain work over Balls before security comes to break it up.
[No contest at 7:08]

[commercial break]


<<< cue "2001: A Space Odyssey" by the Chicago Royal Philharmonic Orchestra >>>

Curt Hennig comes to the ring, with a big cocky smile on his face, chewing his gum, towel over his shoulder. He is dressed to wrestle in black, and is accompanied to the ring by his brother Jesse Hennig. He has a mic. The crowd is giving him a mixture of cheers and boos.
Curt Hennig: All right, Wisconsin. Welcome home your mid-Western legend. A big shout out to the Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura. Hey Jess? Whats with all those head bobs and the shakes man? Did my old man slap you around a little too hard in the 70s?

<<< cue "I am the Bull God" by Kid Rock >>>
The fans cheer as Steve Corino comes out to his new music interrupting Curt Hennig.  Corino talks in a mic as he walks to the ring.
Corino: Hennig you're just like your brother all talk and no go. It took two of you to screw me over at Revelations/End of Days, but tonight I'm ready for your tricks.
Corino slides under the bottom rope and is immediately attacked by Curt Hennig.

Main Event
Steve Corino v Curt Hennig (/w Jesse Hennig)
Curt controls the early going after his initial attack. He uses a combination of brawling kicks and punches with high impact wrestling moves like a German suplex and a jumping neck snap. He doesn't go for a pin instead electing to throw Corino out of the ring. Outside Hennig tries to bust Corino open with the ringbell, but referee Wayne Hart wont have any of that and gets in the way. This gives Corino his first chance for sustained offence. Corino biel throws Hennig off the ring announce table, clear over top of the guardrail, right into the first row. Hart gets both back into the ring. The match degenerates into a brawl but after Corino gets a near fall with a cradle piledriver, Jesse Hennig hits the ring. It's two on one and Wayne Hart calls for the bell.
[Winner by disqualification Steve Corino over Curt Hennig at 7:17 after outside interference by Jesse Hennig]

Post-Match:
Al Snow appears from out of the crowd! He's dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and goes right after the Hennigs. He has two cowbells and he smashes both Hennigs over the head before tossing one to Corino. They clean house busting open both brothers, and standing tall together in the centre of the ring.

Joe Aiello: Where the hell did Al Snow come from?
Cyrus: Isnt it obvious smeebs for brains? He got out of the looney bin and looked up his old cell mate Steve Corino.
Aiello: I guess this is what Corino meant when he said he was ready for their dirty tricks!
Jason Sensation (doing the voice of Tony Schiavone): This has got to be the greatest surprise in the history of surprises, but folks we're OUT OF TIME!

FADE TO BLACK

Dark Matches Before RAGE
The Freebirds:Buddy McElroy & Van Hammer defeated the IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy by pinfall when Van Hammer pinned Shaggy after a powerslam
Raymond Bingham defeated Max Pain by pinfall after a Northern lights suplex
Madusa defeated April Hunter by pinfall after a superplex
Jesse Hennig defeated Ace Darling by pinfall after a running necksnap
Balls Mahoney defeated Troy Black by pinfall after a Michinoku Driver II

Main Event - Dark Match After RAGE
RCW Tag Team Title Match
The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers (C) defeated Al Collins & Joe Blum by pinfall when Orth pinned Blum after a top rope kneedrop

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #913
January 19, 2002
Marquette, Wisconsin


The show opens as interviewer Jim Davies corners Madusa walking in the backstage area.
Davies asks Madusa what the mystery man with the hockey stick said to her last week that shocked her so much, and if she has any idea who it is. She refuses to comment, except to say that it is a really big deal, a huge deal that will change RCW forever. The ramifications go way beyond River City. Davies asks her if she knows who the man is, to which Madusa gets miffed and rams Davies head first into the concrete wall.

The announcers inform us that our main event for tonights one-hour program will be a special tag match with Stan Baker and a mystery partner to take on Steve Riley and a mystery partner.

<<<cue "One Big Rush" by Joe Satriani>>>
Commish Jim Brunzell comes to the ring accompanied by Jack Lanza and April Hunter. Brunzell is still sporting a bandaged head from the attack by Raymond Bingham with his PWI rookie of the year trophy.
Brunzell tells Bingham he cant get away with that crap here in the RCW. He's talked it over with President Larkin who agrees. He tells Bingham that if he wants his release then he can have it outright. But if he wants to stay in RCW than his next match is going to be against non-other than himself (Commish Jim Brunzell) in an old fashioned Coal Miners Glove match. He wants his answer before the end of the show.

<<< cue "Wait and Bleed" by Slipknot>>>
The IBZ come out, interrupting Brunzell. Wiked Klown is pulling Shaggy in a little red wagon. Unfortunately Shaggy has a mic. He starts into a tirade, which is just one long censored beep on TV. But the live audience is reigning down boos on him when he is finished.
Brunzell responds by calling them a couple of jokes.
Shaggy, climbing out of the wagon now just outside the ring, takes offense to that remark (actually he says he resembles that remark). He then says that he is the grandson of the great Mr. Wrestling II.
Brunzell looks amused and feigns surprise, asking Shaggy if thats Walker or Woods. Shaggy looks confused and then says Walker, Johnny Walker.
Wiked Klown grabs the mic and not to be outdone says he is the son of Villano IV, the great luchabean wrestler.
Again Brunzell looks amused and then says since they are such accomplished wrestlers they should have no trouble taking on their opponents tonight. As punishment for their inane actions last week, their opponents are guys that Brunzell doesnt like either, the Freebirds.
The place goes nuts.

[cut to commercial]


Special Texas Tornado Tag Team Match: No Disqualification
Menele & Max Pain v Balls Mahoney & Kurt Barnes
Menele and Pain seem to concentrate on isolating Barnes and treating him like the weaker link. After a while the strategy works and then they turn their attention to double teaming Mahoney. Barnes however recovers and delivers a missile dropkick from the top turnbuckle to outside the ring on Menele, sending him crashing into the guardrail. Mahoney then nails Pain with a release German suplex outside the ring. Barnes goes back into the ring and after Mahoney nails a second suplex, Barnes comes off the top again with a crazy swanton bomb. Mahoney has to make the cover because Barnes is in too much pain.
[Winners by pinfall Mahoney and Barnes at 7:08 when Mahoney pinned Pain after Barnes nailed Pain with a swanton bomb]

Post-Match:
Mahoney cut a promo complimenting Barnes on the size of his balls and says he's okay.

Still shots of Barry Windham defeating Rob van Dam to become the undisputed World Heavyweight Champion at Winter Riot.
[photos courtesy of PWA]


<<< cue "The Kids Aren't Allright" by the Offspring >>>
Devon Storm comes to the ring. He thanks the fans for their concern last week but just came out to assure the fans that he is all right. He says the doctors have checked him out and it was just a stinger. Hell be back wrestling after just a few days off.

<<< cue "Surrender" by Cheap Trick>>>
The fans give J.J. Extreme a mixed reaction as he comes to the ring.
He offers his hand to Storm, and they shake. Extreme apologizes to Storm for his part in the accident, but Storm just shakes his head and says it happens. Extreme says that when Storm is ready he'd love to have another chance to thrill the fans with some more high-flying action. Storm agrees.

<<< cue "Till it Sleeps" by Metallica>>>
The tag team champions the Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers come to the ring. They are wearing their tag team belts and seem to be sharing a good laugh at the expense of Storm and Extreme.
Caruthers makes some innuendoes about them being really good buddies in the back.
Storm and Extreme get upset and leave the ring to attack the Spinebusters and end up routing them to the back.

[cut to commercial break]


The IBZ (Wiked Klown & Shaggy) v The Freebirds (Van Hammer & Buddy McElroy)
The third Freebird Terry Hendrix takes a seat and watches the match at the announce table. For once he doesn't have to interfere because the IBZ is no match for the birds.
[Winners by pinfall at 6:58 the Freebirds when Van Hammer pinned Shaggy after delivering a Hotshot with McElroys help from the ring apron]

Post-Match:
The Freebirds sarcastically thank Brunzell for throwing them a warm up match, but warn that the days of the Spinebusters being the champs in these parts is waning.

[cut to commercial break]


<<< cue "Ain't Going Down Till the Sun Comes Up" by Garth Brooks>>>
The fans come to their feet as their long time champion Sam Holiday strides to the ring. He is limping on one leg quite noticeably. He has a mic and thanks the fans for all their support. He says that he needs a bit of a rest but promises to defend his title again soon, and he will not forfeit the belt ever. He would rather work hurt then give up. He says that there is one man in middle America that has been shortchanged his shot at the gold in the last 18 months. That man is his best friend in wrestling, Al Hardamann. He calls Al out to the ring.

<<< cue "Wild Thing" by the Troggs>>>
The fans come to their feet again and cheer for FORMER TV champion Al Hardamann. Al is all business, as usual, as he strides to the ring. Inside he shakes Holidays hand.
Holiday still has the mic and again repeats that Hardamann has been shortchanged over the last 18 months. Hardamann just shrugs, but Holiday says no really you have. So, Holiday announces that as soon as he is able to return to action his first title defense will be against Hardamann.
The crowd cheers this announcement.

Hardamann takes the mic from Holiday. Al thanks Holiday for the kind words, his friendship, and the title shot. Al then looks directly at the wobbly ankle of Holiday and asks Holiday if the title shot is because he thinks he will lay off the bad wheel.
Holiday shakes his head no, and says he knows him too well. Hardamann, says that after their match he will know him even better. They shake hands and Hardamann prepares to leave the ring, but

<<< cue "One Big Rush" by Joe Satriani>>>
Jim Brunzell makes his way to the ring again. He stands in the middle of the ring and takes the mic. He tells Holiday to take all the recovery time he needs, but he needs to hand his title belt over to Brunzell right now. Hardamann looks pissed and goes nose to nose with Brunzell, but Holiday plays the peacekeeper and peels the two apart. In the commotion the mic was dropped and is picked up by Hardamann.
Al rips into Brunzell again for not respecting all that Holiday has done for wrestling in RCW.
Again Holiday plays peacekeeper pulling the two apart. Holiday has the mic and asks Brunzell if he really wants the belt. By now the fans are going absolutely nuts booing Brunzell, and debris starts to hit the ring. Holiday stops on the mic and tells the fans not to throw anything. After they have calmed down a bit he asks Brunzell the question again. Brunzell confirms that he wants Holiday to hand over the belt RIGHT NOW.
Holiday says sure, over my dead body, is the only way you'll take this belt off of me.

<<< cue "The Best" by Tina Turner>>>
Brunzell just smiles and looks to the rafters. After a few seconds the camera manages to capture a title belt lowering on a cable from the rafters.
Brunzell steps forward with the mic and tells Holiday to hand over the River City Wrestling Heavyweight title because it is being retired, and to take his brand new 10 lbs. of gold, the brand new WWA River City Wrestling Title belt.
Holiday is awe struck, and you can tell he is trying to fight back the tears. The belt finally stops its decent, the music has stopped, no one is talking, and the arena noise has reduced to a dull roar.
Holiday steps forward and removes the belt from the clip and then after a quick inspection holds it over his head and poses. He removes his old belt, kisses it one more time, and hands it to Brunzell. Brunzell, Hardamann, and the fans are applauding as Holiday straps the new belt around his waist,

<<< cue "Till it Sleeps" by Metallica>>>
The fans boo as The Spinebusters interrupt the little ceremony. They stroll down to ringside wearing their tag title belts. They stop outside the ring and have a mic.
Brunzell asks them what the hell they want.
Orth responds you mean besides brand new RCW Gold title belts?. How about a little respect then? Orth then accuses Holiday and Hardamann of running a sham here to protect Holiday from facing real competition before his 30 day limit runs out.

Suddenly from the crowd emerges Raymond Bingham with a two-foot long piece of piping. He slides into the ring from behind, using the distraction of the Spinebusters. Bingham catches Holiday with a nasty pipe shot right to his bad ankle. Holiday drops like a rock. Hardamann spins and catches Bingham with a kick causing him to drop the pipe. But now the Spinebusters have entered the ring and added to the fray first taking out Brunzell. Hardamann though backs himself into a corner and the tough s.o.b takes on both Spinebusters. Bingham recovers the pipe and is trying to attack a fallen Holiday. The champ does all he can to kick at Bingham to protect his ankle, but in return he takes several pipe shots to the knee and thigh. Finally Brunzell tackles Bingham from behind and starts peppering him with mounted punches. Then Derek St. Holmes comes running from the back and enters the ring with a steel chair. The fans aren't sure of his allegiances, but since he had been punked out by the Spinebusters after losing to Bingham at Revelations/End of Days, the crowd is expecting him to use the chair against them. However, they are surprised as he clocks Brunzell over the back with the chair instead. He then gives the chair to Orth and it is the turning point as they manage to grab the advantage against Hardamann.
The Spinebusters, Bingham, and St. Holmes continue to lay the boots to Brunzell, Holiday and Hardamann until security breaks them off.
Outside the ring Bingham has a mic. He tells Brunzell that he can take that as his acceptance for a coal miners glove match.

[cut to commercial break]


Main Event
Tag Match double mystery partner
Stan Baker announces his mystery partner, none other than American Champion Diamond Dallas Page !!! DDP comes down to the ring with Kimberly. He grabs a mic and tells Baker he doesn't trust him but for tonight only they can be partners.

Steve Riley comes down to the ring. For the first time ever in his career in RCW his entourage does not accompany him to the ring. He comes out alone to his opening theme "We Will Rock You". He then announces his mystery tag team partner, but then says he doesn't know what this guys name is, he just met him in the back.
The fans boo after a few moments of confusion as the mystery man from last week with the hockey stick walks down the ramp. He is again wearing a black wrestling mask, and a black t-shirt, this time a Pete Jackson in the Matrix t-shirt, black jeans, and cowboy boots. He is also brandishing a hockey stick.

Referee Buddy Lane doesn't seem to know what to do about the situation and referee Wayne Hart, Assistant Commish Jack Lanza, assistant to the President April Hunter, and four security guards come down to the ring. They are trying to sort it out, and the problem is that Wayne Hart says the mystery man is not under contract to RCW so he cant wrestle. We don't even know if he has a wrestling license or can wrestle. Lanza says that Hart is right, but that should be Brunzell's call but he is still recovering from the earlier attack. Lanza goes nose to nose with the mystery man and says can you wrestle boy?. The response is swift and vicious with a kick to the gut, and then a double underhook powerbomb. The ring degenerates into chaos.

[commercial break]


When we return from commercial the match has evidently been sanctioned because it has already started. In addition to referee Buddy Lane inside the ring we have head of officials Wayne Hart and April Hunter still hanging out around ringside.
Baker grabs the advantage against Riley, and DDP pushes that advantage because the mystery man refuses to tag in from Riley. The only time the mystery man becomes involved is to deliver a double axhandle from behind when DDP is setting up Riley for the Diamond Cutter.
Madusa comes from the back, and snatches the hockey stick away from Wayne Hart who was holding it while watching the match. Madusa catches Hart by surprise and lays him out with a DDT. Hunter goes after Madusa but walks right into a superkick. Madusa then hands the hockey stick to the mystery man who enters the ring and nails DDP with the stick from behind. He tries to do the same thing to Baker but Baker blocks the stick and then headbutts the mystery man. Baker goes to work on both the mystery man and Riley. The fans are now firmly behind the man who they despised so much last year during his feud with Holiday. Baker appears to be winning the battle and has control of the hockey stick when a large black man enters the ring from behind. Its Justice Steel, a wrestler under contract in WWA/PWA but whom we haven't seen in over 6 months. Steel looks to have added about 20 pounds of bulk since last seen and he's looking big and mean. He grabs Baker from behind and nails him with a full nelson into a slam. Next he shows off his strength by chokeslamming the big man Baker right onto the hockey stick.
[Winners by disqualification are Diamond Dallas Page and Stan Baker when the mystery man is DQd for using a foreign object at 5:49]

Post-Match
The Mystery man poses in the ring surrounded by Steve Riley, Madusa, and Justice Steel.
He teases pulling his mask off but doesn't actually do it.

FADE TO BLACK


Dark Matches Before RAGE
RCW Tag Team Title Match: The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers (C) defeated Al Collins & Joe Blum by pinfall when Orth pinned Collins after the top rope kneedrop
Madusa defeated April Hunter by pinfall after a superkick
Raymond Bingham defeated J.J. Extreme by pinfall after a Northern lights suplex
Samoa Joe defeated Derek St. Holmes by pinfall after a sitout side powerslam
Terry Hendrix defeated Sammy Jo Simon by pinfall after a front facelock drop

Dark Match After RAGE
Al Hardamann defeated Justice Steel by disqualification for abuse of official

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #914
January 26, 2002
Chicago, Illinois


<<< cue "One Big Rush" by Joe Satriani>>>
The show opens with Commissioner Jim Brunzell heading to the ring, looking pissed off and wearing his wrestling trunks and boots, and a T-shirt that says, "I'm the Boss". He grabs a mic and tells the pumped up Chicago crowd that he wants to have the coal miners glove match against Raymond Bingham right now.

<<< cue "Denial" by Sevendust>>>
Raymond Bingham comes out wearing a "PWI Rookie of the Year" t-shirt and a big smirk on his face.
The Coal miners glove is hung from a pole attached to the corner post. If it is retrieved it can be used, but the match must still end by normal means. It is NOT a no-dq match, the glove is the only "legal" foreign object.

Coal Miners Glove Match
Jim Brunzell v Raymond Bingham
Brunzell is a game competitor but Bingham is just too sneaky for Brunzell using low-blows and eye gouges to constantly take away any advantage that Brunzell gained. Bingham really worked over Brunzell when he applied the figure-four leglock around the ringpost. This is a new move for him and one that did not endear him to the crowd. Bingham was in control of the match and didn't appear to need any help, but the "mystery man" showed up again and with the ref distracted climbed the pole and pulled down the glove. Brunzell grabbed an advantage with an atomic drop but when he went to climb up the pole, the glove was gone. In the meantime the mystery man slipped Bingham the glove. Brunzell turned around right into a shot from the metal glove and was knocked out cold.
[Winner by pinfall Raymond Bingham at 6:33 after punching Brunzell with the Coal Miners Glove]

[commercial break]


<<< cue "Turn the Page" by Metallica>>>
Marcus Schultz comes to the ring dressed in a blue singlet and boots. He looks even more focused than usual, and immediately calls out Troy Black.

<<< cue "Turn the Page" by Bob Seger>>>
Troy Black comes hesitantly to the ring. Schultz tells him that he doesn't want his help, doesn't need his help, and if he ever interferes in his affairs again retribution would be swift. And stop using my music, adds Schultz. Black says he was just trying to help out, and that it was the Freebirds who punked him out so be angry at them. Schultz says he will get even with the 'birds eventually but he repeats to Black to stay the hell away from him.


<<<cue "Mama Said Knock You Out" by LL Cool J>>>
Samoa Joe gets a modest pop from the crowd as he makes his way to the ring for his rematch against Kamala.

<<<cue "Psychotron" by MegaDeth>>>
Kamala is boo'd lavishly by the Chi-town fans. He doesn't seem to care and goes right after Joe.

Re-Match
Samoa Joe v Kamala
Kamala goes right after Joe, and still holds his ceremonial shield, which Joe kicks to stop the giant's forward momentum. Joe is ready for Kamala's dirty tricks this time and grabs the early advantage. However, he lets it degenerate into a brawl, which spills outside the ring. Joe is no match for Kamala in a brawl so the tide is turned. Kamala gets a two count after a big splash, and then another 2 count after an avalanche.
But Joe makes a comeback concentrating on wrestling instead of brawling. Joe really takes it to the veteran who gets a really dopey look on his face after a series of solid right hands to the head.
Joe finishes the match with a spinning DDT followed by a jumping spinning enzuigiri.
[Winner by pinfall Samoa Joe after a jumping spinning enzuigiri at 5:13]

Studio Interview:
The Patriot (who we haven't seen in the ring since Revelations/End of Days where he beat Kamala).
Patriot tells all his loyal fans not to worry, that he will be returning to the ring and has a match signed to wrestle on the TV taping in February in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

[cut to commercial]


Studio Interview:
"Total Destruction" Steve Riley says he's sick of Diamond Dallas Page ducking him. He is the official #1 contender for the American title and if DDP doesn't give it up soon, he's going to force the issue. Then he tells Sam Holiday to retire now, because once he has the American belt, he's going after the RCW Heavyweight title. Oh, and after that will be Mr. Windham's titles.


<<<cue "The Kids Aren't Allright" by Offspring>>>
The fans cheer as Devon Storm and J.J. Extreme come to the ring to Storm's music. Tonight they have the shot of a lifetime, a shot to win the tag belts in their first ever tag match together.

<<<cue "Till it Sleeps" by Metallica>>>
The fans go absolutely nuts booing the Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers who come out with their agent Derek St. Holmes. Jerry Orth has a mic and calls this match complete and utter bullsh*t, designed by Brunzell to piss them off. Orth also explains why Derek St Holmes has stuck with them despite the beating he received from them at "Revelations/End of Days", and that is because we make him money. Orth calls him a money whore. Then Orth introduces the newest member of the Spinebuster family.

<<<cue "Denial" by Sevendust>>>
The fans begin to throw stuff at Raymond Bingham as he comes to the ring, carrying his broken and twisted PWI Rookie of the Year Trophy. Bingham grabs a mic and tells the crowd that Sam Holiday is a cripple thanks to the pipe beating he gave him last week. And now Brunzell has gone to the hospital with a concussion from the shot with the coal miners glove tonight. Bingham says he is getting into training for the tournament, which will follow sometime in February when Holiday has to forfeit the belt.

Referee Marty Stevens will have none of this crap, and sends Bingham to the back. However, he allows Derek St. Holmes to remain since he has a managers license.

RCW Tag Team Title Match
The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers (C) (/w Derek St. Holmes) v Devon Storm/J.J. Extreme
After overcoming some early double team tactics by the Spinebusters, Storm and Extreme manage to work quite fluidly with each other. They use some quick tags and misdirection themselves to catch Caruthers off guard for several dropkicks to the chin. Storm and Extreme execute a dangerous looking inverted version of the 3D and are going for the pin. But before they can get the 3 count, the IBZ, Shaggy and Wiked Klown, come to ringside and pull referee Stevens out of the ring. Stevens calls for security to escort the IBZ to the back. Storm and Extreme take it one step further and deliver double head topes taking out the clowns. But back inside the ring the champions are recovering.

[commercial break]


The match resumes and a rested Caruthers plays possum and catches Extreme with a kick to the gut, a high knee, and a bulldog. He goes for the pin but only gets a 1 count. Caruthers and Orth take turns tagging in and weakening Extreme but cant seem to get the 3 count. Suddenly from the back emerges the Freebirds, Buddy McElroy, Terry Hendrix, and Van Hammer. They storm the ring and attack all four men. Security is needed to help break up this brawl. Incredibly after it is all sorted out Marty Stevens orders the match to continue, much to the displeasure of the Spinebusters. This turn of events seems to rattle Caruthers and soon Extreme has turned the tables with some kicks and a swinging neckbreaker. With Caruthers down on the mat, Extreme climbs to the top turnbuckle, but then so does Jerry Orth on the other side. This brings Storm into the ring to complain, but he is intercepted by referee Stevens, who is now distracted escorting him out of the ring. Extreme nails a flying elbowdrop and goes for the pin, except that Orth comes off the top turnbuckle with a double axhandle to the back of Extreme. Jerry Orth seems in pain but manages to roll Caruthers on top of Extreme for the win.
[Winners by pinfall the Spinebusters: Bryan Caruthers and Jerry Orth by pinfall at 8:42]

Post-Match:
Orth is holding his knee and has to be helped by Caruthers to the back. In fact they only make it half way up the ramp before Orth has to sit down. A stretcher comes out and the paramedics carry Orth to the back.

[commercial break]


Main Event
Curt & Jesse Hennig v Steve Corino & Al Snow
This match is Al Snow's first match in RCW. This is a very even match-up and no team grabs an advantage. Every time even a minor advantage is taken the weak link manages to make a tag. Curt Hennig finally takes the advantage over Corino and then nails the jumping neck snap on him. However, as Hennig gets off the mat he is victimized by a superkick from Al Snow. Jesse Hennig enters the fray and clocks Snow. All four men take the action outside the ring. Corino and Jesse Hennig brawl into the crowd as Snow busts Curt Hennig open with the ring bell. Referee Buddy Lane calls for the bell.
[Double Countout at 5:50]

<<<cue "Wild Thing" by the Troggs>>>
Al Hardamann gets a big ovation as he walks to the ring carrying a black wooden baseball bat. He grabs a mic. He enters the ring and shakes his bat at Snow and Hennig. He tells them they haven't been here long enough to share the ring with him right now, so you better leave before you get hurt. Snow seems pissed off and flips the bird to Al before leaving. Hennig just falls face first into the ground.
Hardamann says that there's been a goof running around the RCW wearing PWA shirts and making a general nuisance of himself. He calls him out.

<<< cue "Backbeat" an RCW original song>>>
The fans boo as Justice Steel comes to the ringside. He doesn't say anything but just stands there staring at Hardamann and his bat.
Hardamann says that he brought a friend, tapping his bat in his hand, and suggests to Steel that he bring his friend to even things out.

<<<cue "The Bitch is Back" by Elton John>>>
The fans boo as Madusa comes out and stands at Steel's side.
Hardamann just laughs even more and tells Steel that he should get himself a friend with a set of balls, not silicone implants, "and I'm not talking about your lips sweetheart".
His barbs don't seem to faze Steel and Madusa who just stare at him. Finally as Hardamann challenges them by opening the ropes for them they walk to the ring.

Suddenly from behind, Sean O'Haire rolls into the ring, and he's wearing a black "Bad Attitude International" t-shirt and jeans. The announce crew quickly surmise that this is not the mystery man as he is a good 5 or 6 inches too tall. But Hardamann seemed to be expecting the sneak attack and he catches O'Haire with the baseball bat to the gut. But Steel reaches under the ropes and pulls Hardamann out by the feet. He and Maudsa begin to beat on Hardamann. They are double-teaming him until Diamond Dallas Page runs out from the back to help out Hardamann. The fans weren't sure of his intentions so when he laces into Steel they go nuts. DDP knocks Steel to the ground, but it's actually Steel just ducking because O'Haire comes off the top turnbuckle with a cross body nailing DDP to the ground. They roll both Hardamann and DDP into the ring and out comes the mystery man in a black shirt that says "Bad Attitude International". There is still a little fight in DDP and Hardamann but it's four on two now and they are soon beaten back down. Then the crowd goes nuts as Stan Baker runs to the ring. However, he is over-run from behind by Steve Riley who begins to deliver a beatdown at ringside.
Back inside the ring the four attackers (Mystery man, O'Haire, Madusa, Steele) stand posing over their fallen prey. Then the mystery man grabs a mic.

"Hello Milwaukee".....the Chicago fans boo at the cheap heat. 
"This whole god forsaken town stinks like dead pigs and rotten bacon. And thats just the womans' lack of feminine hygiene. But what you really want to know is who the hell I am? Well middle America, and Canada, eh? Here I am, your HERO.welcome RCW to..your ASS belongs to me....

The mystery man pulls off his mask, and yes it is former RCW Heavyweight Champion Nick Mercury!!

The announce team is going crazy trying to figure out what this means. They seem pretty certain that Mercury is still under contract to PWA. They wonder why he is here in RCW, and how he has amassed such a following so quickly.

FADE TO BLACK

Dark Matches Before RAGE
American Heavyweight Title Match: Al Hardamann defeated Diamond Dallas Page (C) (/w Kimberly) by countout
Freebirds: Buddy McElroy & Terry Hendrix defeated IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy by submission when McElroy submitted Klown to the figure-four
Marcus Schultz defeated J.W. Ousley by pinfall after a dragon suplex
Derek St. Holmes defeated Sammy Jo Simon by pinfall after hitting his head into an exposed turnbuckle
Justice Steel defeated Troy Black by pinfall after a powerbomb

Dark Match After RAGE
"Total Destruction" Steve Riley and Stan Baker battled to a no-contest

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #915
February 2, 2002
St. Paul, Minnesota


On Tonight's show.
Our main event will be a return match between the Hennig Brothers and Steve Corino/Al Snow.
Also, we will play a videotape sent to the RCW offices by Nick Mercury, which states why he is here in RCW and who has sent him.

<<< cue "Turn the Page" by Bob Seger>>>
Troy Black comes out to a mixed reaction of boos and cheers, but overall a pretty dead reaction.
He hails from Kingston, Ontario, Canada and comes in at 5'11 and 235 pounds.

<<<cue "Freebird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd>>>
His opponent is the double tough Buddy McElroy formerly from Chattanooga, Tennessee but now hailing from Badstreet Atlanta G.A., and entering the ring at 6'4 and 289 pounds.

Black is no match for McElroy who just punishes the youngster. During the match the crowd begins chanting "We want Schultz, We want Schultz" which just made McElroy even madder and he took it out on Black. Finally McElroy began to taunt out at Schultz as well, daring him to come down to the ring.
But Schultz never came and the fans bood as McElroy clamped on the Asiatic spike and got the win.
[Winner by submission at 5:23 Buddy McElroy]

Post-Match:
McElroy punished Black some more after the match, and taunted Schultz who never came out.

Big Announcement:
Frank Dusek the President of the PWA has sent word that the WWA North American Champion Kai Hanson will be coming to Chicago on March 9th to defend his title on the RCW's stop on the Barry Windham farewell tour 2002. In addition, it has just been learned that WWA-CWA Americas Champion Cesar DeHoyos will also be wrestling on that big TV taping. It's shaping up to being a great night of wrestling.

[commercial break]


<<< cue "Wait and Bleed" by Slipknot >>>
The IBZ, Shaggy and Wiked Klown, come to the ring and are soundly jeered by the fans. Wiked Klown stops to rip up a fans sign that taunts him with "Wiked Klown phears phoniks".

<<< cue The "Kids Aren't Allright" by The Offspring >>>
The new duo of Devon Storm and J.J. Extreme come running out from the back. They are really pissed at IBZ ruining their chances of winning tag team gold last week with their interference.

IBZ are no match for Extreme-Storm, and take to running early. But outside the ring Klown catches Storm by opening up a fire extinguisher into his eyes. Long time inept official Jurgen Hermann of course is looking the wrong way. Then Hermann doesn't DQ the IBZ when they double team Extreme. They fail to get a 3 count but Storm still hasn't recovered from the chemicals in his eyes. Storm's former partner Ace Darling comes out to help Storm. But Storm is blinded and nails Darling with a right cross to the jaw. NOW Jurgen Hermann is distracted by the outside stuff, and doesn't see the drop toe hold on Extreme by Shaggy driving his face into an open steel chair. And he's still not looking when Wiked Klown uses the ring bell off the top turnbuckle onto a prone Extreme. Hermann turns around in time though to count the 3 count.
[Winners by pinfall the IBZ after using foreign objects at 4:45]

Studio Interview:
Jim Davies has the rough duty of interviewing the Spinebusters, Jerry Orth and Bryan Caruthers. Davies tells us that Orth injured his knee last week and will be out for a couple of months. This of course would seem to necessitate forfeiture of the tag titles.
Orth is livid calling it a conspiracy by RCW to strip them of the titles because nobody could beat them fair and square. That's why the RCW had them defend against those unknowns Storm & Extreme last week. Caruthers is a bit more under control, but through clinched teeth he says that RCW has NOT seen the last of the Spinebusters.

[commercial break]


Highlight package of the Al Collins & Joe Blum versus Johnny Devine & Greg Pawluk feud which has been raging ever since December of last year. 

<<< cue "Choke" by Kittie >>>
The fans boo as the Young Guns. Hotshot Johnny Devine and Pistol Greg Pawluk make their way to the ring.

<<< cue "Burning Heart" by Survivor >>>
The fans are on their feet as they cheer for two legends of the mat game. Al Collins comes out in his red trunks and boots. He brushes aside his comb over and the fans cheer him even louder. Joe Blum comes out to a similar reaction in his camouflage clothing.

Devine and Pawluk leave the ring and attack their opponents before the match can even begin. It turns into a four man brawl. Blum gets the better of Devine and is absolutely pummeling him in the crowd. In the meantime Pawluk is holding his own against Al Collins. Pawluk is showing off the product of all his training in Stu Hart's dungeon. Blum manages to drag Devine into the ring to get the action back inside.
This only lasts a few minutes before Pawluk has had enough and enters the ring with a chair. Collins blocks the chair shot though and then DDTs Pawluk on the chair busting him wide open. The referee Marty Stevens disqualifies the Young Guns for brining the chair in to the ring.
[Winners by disqualification Al Collins & Joe Blum at 3:03 after Greg Pawluk was dq'd for using a foreign object.]

Post-Match
A livid team of Collins and Blum throw out a challenge to Pawluk & Devine to meet them one more time in the ring whenever they want. The losing team will have to disband and no longer will they be allowed to tag team together.

[commercial break]


Preview Segment:
As promised by RCW Heavyweight Champion, Sam Holiday, the next shot at his title would be granted to Al Hardamann. That title defense will take place next Saturday here on RCW Rage. By defending it Holiday narrowly makes his 30-day window. But what kind of shape will his ankle be in after the severe attack by Raymond Bingham with the lead pipe? Hardamann can be a real animal when he smells blood, and he's a straight shooter. It's going to be a tough match for Holiday.

Main Event - Return Match:
Curt & Jesse Hennig v Al Snow & Steve Corino
Corino and Snow have the Hennigs either running or in trouble for much of this match. Jesse was isolated first, but when Curt got tagged in he didn't fare well either. Snow had the match won over Curt with the Snowplow, only to have Jesse break it up. This happened a second time, and then a third time. Finally referee Wayne Hart warned Jesse that next time it would cause a DQ. Corino was on the verge of ending the match, he was hoisting Curt up into a powerbomb or a piledriver, when he spent too long showboating and Curt back flipped him. As Corino staggered to his feet he reached for the ropes to steady himself and Jesse reached over the ropes, having had fished out a set of brass knux from his trunks, and nailed Corino in the head. Referee Wayne Hart only saw the punch, not the knux, and so he counted the subsequent pin.
[Winners by pinfall at 8:12 Curt & Jesse Hennig when Curt pinned Corino, after Jesse hit Corino with brass knux]

[commercial break]


Video Taped Statement from Nick Mercury 
Mercury says that he has come from the PWA where Frank Dusek tried to bury his career. He has been sent as a messiah, a hero to the people, by Brandon Myers the true Undisputed champion of wrestling. He has come to these back woods to establish that Bad Attitude is indeed International. Mercury says that Myers has given him only until the end of March to finish his assignment. Put together a Bad Attitude chapter that will win ALL the RCW titles. RCW is known as the Proving Grounds, and Mercury says this is the way that he will prove himself to Myers.

FADE TO BLACK


Dark Matches Before RAGE
American Heavyweight Title Match: Diamond Dallas Page (C) (/w Kimberly) defeated Al Hardamann by disqualification for use of a foreign object
"Total Destruction" Steve Riley and Stan Baker battled to a no-contest
Bryan Caruthers defeated Terry Hendrix by pinfall after a spinebuster slam
Van Hammer defeated Ace Darling by pinfall after a powerbomb
Marcus Schultz defeated J.W. Ousley by pinfall after a dragon suplex

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #916
February 9, 2002
Edmonton, Alberta


The show opens with a very rare appearance by President Jack Larkin.
Larkin welcomes Canada to WWA - River City Wrestling, and the great tradition of mat wrestling in Middle America.
[Breaking Kayfabe: This is kind of weird since River City Wrestling was founded in Winnipeg Canada, has spent most of its life in Canada, and has regularly promoted in Winnipeg, and occasionally farther afield. However, the entry into the WWA World Wrestling Alliance is new, and they are kind of separating themselves from past history.]
On a sombre note Larkin says that Commissioner Jim Brunzell suffered a concussion as a result of being hit with a coal miners glove. As much as he hates to kick a man while he is down, Larkin says that he has no alternative but to strip Brunzell of his powers effective immediately. The RCW is NOT about figure-heads and those in power stepping into the ring. All his executive know what the score is, but in the heat of passion Brunzell forgot this. Larkin says it is possible that Brunzell will once again be Commissioner one day; the door is not closed to one of the most important figures in our history and a RCW Hall of Famer.
In the meantime he has decided to appoint two separate commissioners, one for Canada, and one for the U.S.
The commissioner in Canada is going to be none other than, Bret Hart!!! [the fans go nuts at this announcement]. The U.S. commissioner will be announced on the Feb 23rd edition of RCW RAGE from St. Paul, Minnesota.


<<< cue "Hitman's Theme" by Moist >>>
Bret Hart comes out to a long ovation by the fans.

[Commercial break]


Back inside the ring is Bret Hart. He says there is a lot of housekeeping to be done tonight. You may want to get a pen and paper to try and keep track of all this. First off there will be a "BattleDraw" to determine a first RCW Canadian Heavyweight Champion next week. The RCW tag team belts were last defended on Jan 24th by the Spinebusters. It looks like Jerry Orth is too injured to defend his title. If as expected, the Spinebusters do not defend their belts in 30 days the titles will be stripped. A 4-team event would then be held on the March 7th RAGE [which will also be The Barry Windham 2002 Farewll Tour stop in RCW] to determine new tag champions. Also, at the February 23rd RAGE two Fatal 4-way matches will be held. Those matches will be to determine who will face Barry Windham for the Undisputed World Title, and who will get to face Kai Hanson for the WWA North American title on March 7th.
As for tonight we will have two tremendous matches. First of all Sam Holiday will defend his title against Al Hardamann. Also, Diamond Dallas Page will defend against Steve Riley.

<<< cue "Oh Canada" >>>
The fans cheer at the sudden playing of the national anthem, but inside the ring Bret Hart looks a tad bit confused. From the back suddenly appears Eric Scott!!!
He has a title belt around his waist.
Scott has a mic and introduces himself to the crowd as the FORGOTTEN but officially recognized WWA Canadian champion. That's not just of the RCW or mid-west, but of the entire World Wrestling Alliance. He says he was never beat for the title, and RCW has no right under WWA's official rules to issue a "Canadian Champion".
Hart looks a little confused about all this, and he openly admits to Scott that he forgot about that title. However, he also calls it an "inactive" title since no one is running shows in Canada except for RCW and the occasional PWA house show. He offers Scott a shot to be in the BattleDraw, but he must first win a preliminary match. At first Scott balks at this stipulation, but Hart goads him on by suggesting if he is such a damn hot wrestler he should have no problems. So, Scott agrees.

<<< cue "Oh Canada" >>>
Now the crowd is really confused, until a familiar face to RCW fans walks out from the back and stands beside Eric Scott. Scott and Hart both look surprised. This man is also wearing a gold belt around his waist. He is wearing a Ric Flair type sequined robe with "Playboy" embroidered on the back, and has sunglasses on. He re-introduces himself as Playboy Vincent Regliatti from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He says he is the official Canadian Heavyweight Champion of Ron Hutchinson's Apocalypse Wrestling Federation out of Toronto. He is also a former RCW Heavyweight champion, and of course the better half of the Great Canadians tag team with Eric Scott. Bret Hart says he's heard of that "low level indy fed", but so what? Regliatti asks Hart if he knows who owned that fed, which Hart does not. Regliatti says that it was founded as All-Pro Wrestling by Frank Larkin, who was Jack Larkin's father.
Jack owned it but sold it shortly before buying River City Wrestling. Again Hart asks him what the point is. Regliatti says that as long as he is around with this gold, then whomever RCW anoints as the Canadian champion will not be the UNDISPUTED Canadian champion.
Hart finally gets it and offers Regliatti the same deal he offered Scott. However, he says that both men must agree that in return for their shot at the gold, they must give up their current belts and their claims to those belts.
They both agree. Hart gets that "sh!t-eating" look on his face.


RCW Heavyweight Championship Title Match
Sam Holiday (c) v Al Hardamann
This was an excellent match between two old friends. Holiday controlled the first 10 minutes but just couldn't put Hardamann away. 

[commercial break]

We return from commercial and are told that we have skipped around 10 minutes of footage. Hardamann has taken over control of this match and Holiday is limping badly from his injured ankle. Holiday spent most of the match defending specifically his ankle. This allowed Hardamann easy access to other parts and had been systematically wearing down Holiday's back and ribs.
Raymond Bingham comes down to ringside and tries to distract Sam Holiday. Hardamann could have attacked Holiday from behind, but instead elects to stand side-by-side with Holiday and they jaw with Bingham until security removes him.
The match resumes and before long, Hardamann has Holiday in an excruciatingly painful Canadian backbreaker. Holiday refuses to submit. However, Hardamann then fakes putting the move back on and instead dips down with a single-leg takedown into an ankle lock submission. He catches Holiday off guard in the middle of the ring, and Holiday's injured ankle just can't take anymore. after about 15 seconds Holiday taps out!!!
An amazing era has come to an end in River City Wrestling history.
[Al Hardamann wins by submission when Sam Holiday submitted to the anklelock submission at 23:12 (13:33 televised)]
[Al Hardamann wins the RCW Heavyweight Championship]

Post-Match
Hardamann helped Holiday to his feet and they embrace. Holiday lifted Hardamann's arm into the air and helped referee Wayne Hart present Hardamann with the title. This will be Al Hardamann's first RCW Heavyweight title run, and ends Sam Holiday's historic first run which began way back on July 29, 2000 when he defeated Vampiro. An 18 month run, even with some breaks in RCW promoting, is an amazing streak in today's day and age.

[commercial break]


In ring promo:
Diamond Dallas Page cuts a promo before his title defense against Steve Riley.
He tells Bret Hart that's it bullsh!t that the American title is being defended in Canada. Although DDP is a "face" this remark earns him a loud round of boos from the crowd. Then he tells Kimberley that her interference as of late is not needed. He doesn't want any more accidents so he tells her to stay out of the action.

RCW American Title Match
Diamond Dallas Page (c) (/w Kimberly) v Steve Riley
The two go at it tooth and nail and spend the first 5 minutes in and out of the action.. Despite numerous chances to interfere Kimberly stays out of the fray. DDP goes for the Diamond Cutter but Riley pushes him off into the turnbuckle. He catches the rebounding champ with a belly-to-back suplex. DDP gets up only to be whipped into the corner and then speared. Next Riley sets up DDP in the corner and then takes him out of the corner with an awesome FRANKENSTEINER. In the middle of the ring Riley applies the tombstone piledriver and its elementary now. Riley worked a tremendous match. Wow, after a long period of stability in titles we have had a Heavyweight title change, now an American Title change, and it looks like we will have a tag team title change soon as well. DDP of course won this belt when it was still called the TV title from Al Hardamann on November 3. This ends his first title reign at about 3 months, and begins Steve Riley's first.
[Steve Riley wins by pinfall at 7:36 after a tombstone piledriver]
[Steve Riley wins the RCW American title]

Post-Match: Steve Riley's entourage fills the ring and helps him celebrate. Riley hoists and waves an American flag drawing more jeers from the crowd.

[commercial break]


The house lights dim and the fans face the entrance way waiting for the next RCW star to appear.

"Oh where have all the good men gone, and where are all the gods?"

The music from Bonnie Tyler's cheesy 80's hit "Holding Out For a Hero" plays, but the vocals and new lyrics are being supplied from someone else.

Nick Mercury appears singing on the ramp to a mixture of cheers and boos from the crowd. He is wearing his "Bad Attitude International" shirt.

"Where's old Hercules Hernandez, to fight the rising OZ"

Mercury slowly walks to the ring while singing.

"Where are all the white kinghts upon a firery steed,
you toss and you turn and you dream of what you need"

Mercury stands on the ring apron now, his back resting upon the ring ropes.

"You need your HERO"

Mercury throws his arms up in the air and pyro goes off from the rampway.

Mercury says that as a special treat tonight to all the rabid fans of Canada, he will take on a true legend of wrestling,
He says his opponent tonight will be none other than Jake the Snake!!!

The fans go nuts.

Until Jake "the Snake" Milliman walks onto the ramp. The fans boo but Milliman runs to the ring and lays right into Mercury. Referee Buddy Lane follows in a few seconds later.

Nick Mercury v Jake Milliman
Milliman catches Mercury by surprise but can't hold the advantage for long. Mercury nails two snap suplexes, follows up with a "Herosault" and then puts Milliman in the "Hero's Welcome" submission finisher (elevated Boston crab). Milliman taps out in only a few seconds.
[Nick Mercury wins by submission in 2:05 when Milliman submits to the Hero's Welcome]

Justice Steel, Madusa, Sean O'Haire, and Raymond Bingham come into the ring to join their leader Mercury and to congratulate him on his great victory. Mercury calls it the greatest victory tonight!
Mercury then welcomes Bad Attitude International RCW chapter's newest member, TOTAL DESTRUCTION STEVE RILEY!!!
The fans boo as the new American Champion makes his way to the ring. Mercury welcomes him to the group and they all congratulate him on his great victory tonight over DDP.
Riley has a mic and says that he joined BAI because he believes they will rule RCW, and then cross over to the bigger and better PWA. He says Mercury is headed back soon to the PWA and he intends to go with him. Riley then sends a message out to Kimberly that he thinks she is HOT. He invites her to come and join BAI, and show them all her bad side.
Madusa seems to take exception to this. She grabs a mic and tells Riley that there is only room for one biatch in BAI and that is her.
Mercury steps between Riley and Madusa and tells Madusa to look around her and notice how many guys there are here - guys with needs. He says that the least the American champion deserves is his own diva.
Mercury says it is too bad that they will have to wait until March to win the tag belts, but that's okay as long as they win them before the end of March when he has to return to the PWA with all the gold, and present them to Brandon Myers.

<<< cue "The Hitman's Theme" by Moist>>>
Bret Hart comes out to the ramp and then enters the ring. Steel tries to get into his face, but Hart just pushes him out of the way. O'Haire holds Steel back.
Hart takes the mic out of Mercury's hands. He says Mercury may think he has this all figured out, but it ain't that easy. BAI doesn't even have a qualified tag team yet. Hart says 4 teams will vie for the tag belts. The Freebirds are in, the Malenkos are in, and the winner of a match between Collins/Blum and the Young Guns will also be in. That leaves only one open spot left.
Mercury says that O'Haire and Steele will take on anyone to fill that spot, even those two "clowns" walking around. Mercury then winks and hands Hart a cheque.
Hart looks at it and then says it is a blank cheque signed by Brandon Myers and drawn on Bad Attitude International's U.S. account. Hart seems pretty pissed off and looks like he is going to deck someone. Mercury dares Hart to deck him, saying that will be the end of him as Canadian commissioner, as he will get the Jim Brunzell treatment.
Hart settles down, looks at the cheque and then smiles.
BAI clears a path and lets Hart pass out of the ring untouched.
He has that sh!teating smile on his face as he walks up the ramp.

FADE TO BLACK


Dark Matches Before RAGE
Justice Steel & Sean O'Haire defeated IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy by pinfall when Steel pinned Shaggy after a double underhook powerbomb
Madusa defeated Desiree Petersen by pinfall after a superkick
April Hunter defeated K.C. Houston by pinfall after a full nelson slam
Raymond Bingham defeated J.J. Extreme by pinfall after a Frankensteiner
Playboy Vincent Regliatti defeated Devon Storm by submission to the figure-four
Eric Scott defeated Sammy Jo Simon by pinfall after a cradle piledriver



Breaking Kayfabe
This show had a real WCW 1999-2000 feel to it, for better or worse. The worse is the final match of the night was a squash match as there was no good match to put as the dark match main event after the TV show ended. The Bad Attitude International was piggy backing on an angle being run in the WWA/PWA fed where Brandon Myers, a premiere singles heel, had a high flying faction. Sending Mercury (a minor player in their world) to RCW to start an international faction had a bit of a NWO Japan feel to it. It was a fun time to be part of the WWA/PWA/NWA world but unfortunately it would not last.

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #917
February 16, 2002
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Today's show opens with a match just starting.

Grudge Match:
Jesse Hennig and Steve Corino are banned from ringside.:
Curt Hennig v Al Snow
Instead of turning into a typical brawl of most grudge matches, this was a hellaciously paced match. It may have lasted only about 4 minutes but it was non-stop and brought the crowd to their feet.
A double bump (both wrestlers went for cross body blocks and collided) brought both men down mid-ring. They got to their feet hanging onto each other. Hennig set Snow up for the Hennig-plex, but it was blocked by Snow who then tried for the Snowplow. However, this was in turn blocked by Hennig, who rolled up Snow and grabbed a handful of trunks for the tainted victory.
[Curt Hennig wins by pinfall thanks to a handful of trunks at 4:25]

Post-Match:
Hennig celebrated a bit too long, and Snow got up and nailed him with a superkick which sent him to the floor. 

[commercial break]


<<< cue "Star Spangled Banner" by Jimi Hendrix>>>
The Patriot gets a mixed reaction from the partisan Canadian crowd.
Patriot gets on the mic and says that he had been promised a return to TV this week by Jim Brunzell. He complained that now with Bret Hart as Commissioner he was being buried just because Hart can't stand an openly patriotic American.

<<<cue "Hitman's Theme" by Moist >>>
The Canadian Commissioner Bret Hart comes out to the ring and gets a standing ovation.
He tells the Patriot it's not patriotism he can't stand, its just him personally. Hart says that the Patriot gimmick was first thought up by Jerry Lawler as a cartoon in the late 60's. Hart reminds us of Lawler's checkered past as far as his allegiances to the United States are concerned. He tells the Patriot that he is wearing a gimmick thought up by a traitor.
[Breaking Kayfabe: This was in regards to a WWA/PWA angle in this fictional universe where Lawler turned his back on the U.S.A. and joined a heel faction.]
Finally Hart says that the Patriot wants a match so bad, he can have a match. In fact he can wrestle in a 3-way dance with Playboy Vincent Regliatti (the Apocalypse Wrestling Canadian champion), and Eric Scott (the WWA Canadian Champion). Whomever of the 3 gets pinned or submits first will be out of the running for the new united Canadian Heavyweight championship. However, the remaining two wrestlers will both get spots in tonight's "BattleDraw" to determine the new Canadian champion.

<<< cue "Oh Canada" >>>
The fans cheer as Eric Scott and Playboy Vincent Regliatti come down to the ring.

3-Way Dance
The Patriot v Vincent Regliatti v Eric Scott
Two survivors enter "BattleDraw" later tonight
Regliatti is a mat based wrestler, and while he looks skilled it doesn't really hold up well in a 3-way dance. Scott is a brawler, and although he isn't all that big, he's a very dirty wrestler.
After about 5 minutes of back and forth action, Regliatti and Scott begin to double team the Patriot. It doesn't take them long to figure out that if they stick together they will both enter "BattleDraw". Regliatti pops the crowd when he puts the Patriot in the sharpshooter.
This brings Bret Hart back to the ring and he jumps up on the apron, not happy with Regs using his trademark move. Regliatti breaks the hold and comes over to jaw with Hart, which distracts referee Buddy Lane. Back inside Eric Scott brings in a chair and nails the Patriot with 3 consecutive chair shots. Hart leaps off the apron, and Lane applies the 3-count.
These actions brought a mixed reaction from the crowd.
[Eric Scott wins by pinfall over Vincent Regliatti and the Patriot, when Scott pins the Patriot after 3 illegal chair shots at 7:41]
[Eric Scott and Vincent Regliatti advance to BattleDraw]

[commercial break]


16-man BattleDraw for the RCW Canadian Heavyweight Championship

A new wrestler added every 60 seconds

Drawn #1 Eric Scott
Drawn #2 Stan Baker

-Scott looks downright afraid as Baker's name is drawn. However, he stands his ground with a couple well placed eye gouges and keeps the big man off balance.

Drawn #3 Paul Diamond

-Diamond joins Scott in double teaming Baker.

Drawn #4 "Mean" Mike Enos

-Enos begins by helping Diamond and Scott making it 3 on 1. But before Baker could be eliminated Scott takes a shot at Enos. Suddenly Diamond is on his own trying to subdue the big man.

Drawn #5 Steve Corino

-Corino evens the odds somewhat. This allows Baker to throw out Paul Diamond.

x Paul Diamond eliminated by Stan Baker

Drawn #6 Sean O'Haire

-O'Haire makes the mistake of coming to the ring with a BAI shirt on. He is immediately besieged by most of the wrestlers in the ring and eliminated.

x Sean O'Haire eliminated by (Scott, Enos, and Baker)

Baker then turns around and catches Eric Scott by surprise heaving him over the top rope.

x Eric Scott eliminated by Stan Baker

That leaves us with 3 men in the ring; Corino, Enos, and Baker.

Draw #7: Jesse Hennig

Hennig comes out and Corino goes right after him, leaving Enos to battle Baker.

The fight between Hennig and Corino is taken to the stands. Unlike the Royal Rumble, in the BattleDraw a 20-count is applied to wrestlers outside the ring.

Draw #8: Greg Pawluk

x Jesse Hennig & Steve Corino eliminated by double countout.

Pawluk seems to reach an uneasy alliance with Enos. Baker is just managing to hang on, he's getting tired and beaten down.

Draw #9 Vincent Regliatti

-Regliatti joins Pawluk and Enos in punishing Baker. Then Pawluk and Enos end up taking a poke at each other which leaves Regliatti unready to face Baker one on one. Baker heaves Regliatti over the top.

x Vincent Regliatti eliminated by Stan Baker

Draw #10 Menele

-The wind really comes out of the fans' sails and that of Baker when this psycho enters the ring. Almost immediately he goes right after Baker, and with some help they finally eliminate him.

x Stan Baker eliminated by (Menele, Enos, Pawluk)

-That leaves Menele, Mike Enos, Greg Pawluk left in the ring.

Draw #11 Samoa Joe

Joe is drawn next and rolling into the ring is like rolling into a nest of vipers. But the Samoan is strong with punches and kicks and is fresh, so me manages to hold them off.

Draw #12 Balls Mahoney

-The crowd goes nuts for Balls. Balls goes right after Menele as the two renew old acquaintances. Enos takes a breather and this allows Joe to get the upper hand and toss Pawluk.

x Greg Pawluk eliminated by Samoa Joe

Draw #13 Johnny Devine

Devine passes his tag partner Pawluk on the way to the ring. He ties it up with Joe right away. In the meantime, Mahoney has grabbed the advantage over Menele. Mahoney manages to finally toss Menele over the ropes, but he's surprised by a dropkick from behind from Enos and is eliminated as well.

x Menele eliminated by Balls Mahoney

x Balls Mahoney eliminated by Mike Enos

Draw #14 Max Pain

-Pain gets into the scuffle with Balls and Menele outside the ring and never makes it into the ring. He is counted out.

x Max Pain eliminated by countout.

Meanwhile inside the ring Joe delivers the side slam to Johnny Devine and then tosses him over the top rope.

x Johnny Devine eliminated by Samoa Joe

Joe and Mike Enos both decide to take a breather rather than attack each other. They are alone in the ring and get about 10 seconds rest before the next wrestler is called.

Draw #15 Marcus Schultz

Schultz is next. He enters the ring and we basically get a 3-way dance for 60 seconds, with no allegiances made. Enos has been in there a while now and appears to be the weakest link, but manages to survive the minute.

Draw #16 Raymond Bingham

The fans boo as Bingham comes down to the ring wearing a BAI t-shirt, and being accompanied by Nick Mercury who holds the twisted remains of the PWI Rookie of the Year trophy.

The refs send Mercury to the back.

So we are down to the final 4. Mike Enos, Samoa Joe, Marcus Schultz, and Raymond Bingham.

Enos and Joe square off, leaving Schultz and Bingham also squared off. With Bingham on the verge of eliminating Schultz, Joe grabs the advantage against Enos. Joe gets a chance to help Bingham eliminate Schultz and disappoints the fans by doing so.

x Marcus Schultz eliminated by (Bingham, Joe)

Enos now attacks Joe from behind. Bingham assumes that he and Enos are going to double team Joe, but Enos rocks Bingham by surprise with a spinebuster slam. But then Enos himself falls victim to a flurry of punches from Joe and then a tornado DDT. Joe tosses Enos out.

Enos was by far the man who lasted the longest in the BattleDraw tonight.

x Mike Enos eliminted by Samoa Joe

Bingham attacks Joe and presses the advantage. He fails to leverage Joe out of the ring, and then eats an elbow. Joe then grabs Bingham by the tights and sends him face first into the turnbuckle. Joe then catches Bingham with a hotshot, and then tosses him over the top rope.

x Raymond Bingham eliminated by Samoa Joe

[Samoa Joe wins the BattleDraw at 18:05]
[Samoa Joe wins the RCW Canadian Heavyweight Title]

<<< cue "Mama Said Knock You Out" by LL Cool J >>>
Samoa Joe's music plays as he celebrates his victory.

<<< cue "Hitman's Theme" by Moist >>>
Bret Hart comes to the ring and presents Samoa Joe with the WWA-RCW Canadian Heavyweight Championship belt formerly worn by Eric Scott.

Hart says that he has been in contact with the President of the WWA, John Fredrickson, and that he has been given the green light to award, and for RCW to book the WWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship.

As such Samoa Joe takes the belt and directly enters that titles lineage, last held by Eric Scott.

A 2002 Red Ford Thunderbird is driven down to near ringside. Hart takes out a set of keys and hands them to Samoa Joe. Hart says that as an added bonus he also wins this free car!!!

Hart snickers and then thanks Nick Mercury and Bad Attitude International for the blank cheque.

FADE TO BLACK


Dark Matches Before RAGE
Triangle Match: Stan Baker defeated Menele and Balls Mahoney by pinfall when he pinned Menele after a heartpunch
Steve Corino pinned Jesse Hennig by pinfall after a cradle piledriver
Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine defeated Paul Diamond & Mike Enos by pinfall when Devine pinned Diamond after a hotshot
Samoa Joe & Marcus Schultz defeated Sean O'Haire & Raymond Bingham by disqualification for use of a foreign object (by O'Haire)

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #918
February 23, 2002
St. Paul, MN


Opening Match:
Steve Corino v Jesse Hennig (Brass Knux Match)
Our show opens with a match. This feud has been going on since December, and Corino wants to put an end to it. He has accepted Hennig's call for a brass knuckles match. No pole is used in this match. The brass knuckles are put in the centre of the ring. They are the only legal foreign object allowed. Head referee Wayne Hart accepts the duties of this match to personally make sure all goes down fairly.

After a couple of initial lockups that ended in punch fests, Hennig is too eager to go for the knux. Corino catches him with a knee to the back of the head, driving Hennig's head down onto the knux. Corino takes control of the match and busts Hennig's head open outside the ring on the guardrail. Back inside the ring Corino has the knux and the blood is now flowing freely from the head of Hennig.

Curt Hennig comes out to the ring, but before he can interefere Al Snow comes out and suplexes Hennig on the floor. However this little distraction is enough for Jesse Hennig to catch Corino with a double chop to the throat. Hennig tosses Corino out of the ring. Jesse follows Corino to the floor and then pulls a set of brass knuckles out of his trunks (unseen by Wayne Hart). The two stand toe to toe and exchange punches with the two sets of brass knuckles, and both are knocked down. Wayne Hart applies a 10 count before calling for the bell.

[Jesse Hennig and Steve Corino battle to a double countout in a brass knuckles match at 6:23]

[commercial break]


Al Hardamann in-ring interview:
Jim Davies interviews new RCW Heavyweight Champion Al Hardamann. Al thanks Sam Holiday for being such a great champ and for giving him this opportunity. He gets no further into the interview when he is interrupted.

<<< cue "We Will Rock You" by Queen >>>

"Total Destruction" Steve Riley and Raymond Bingham come out onto the ramp. Riley is wearing his new RCW American Title. Riley tells Hardamann that the reason Holiday threw his match with Hardamann was so he wouldn't have to face "total destruction". Well, now Hardamann is in the way. He offers Hardamann the rest of the night to announce his retirement.

Hardamann has a mic and is about to respond when Nick Mercury, Sean O'Haire, and Madusa run in from the back as well. The 5 of them charge the ring simultaneously and catch Hardamann off-guard. They are like a wild pack of wolves as they lay the boots to Hardamann.

From the back comes Diamond Dallas Page and Stan Baker to help out Hardamann. They turn the tide and look to have it under control when Justice Steele comes into the ring from behind and tackles Baker to the ground. Now control returns to BAI and security swarm the ring to try and gain back some control.

[commercial break]


4 Way Match - Winner gets WWA North American Heavyweight Championship Match against Kai Hanson on March 7th at Barry Windham's Farewell Tour stop in Chicago.
Marcus Schultz v Raymond Bingham v Menele v Samoa Joe
[Raymond Bingham wins by pinfall when he pins Samoa Joe after a Northern Lights Suplex into a pin (No-Way-Out) at 23:15 (12:45 televised)]

[commercial break]


In-Ring Announcement:
Bret Hart comes to the ring for a major announcement. He is greeted with a mixed round of applause and jeers from the Minnesota crowd.

He says it's his pleasure to introduce the new commissioner for RCW's United States operations, someone he has known all his life, his brother Bruce Hart!!

The fans give Bruce a mixed reaction as well. However, Bruce takes the mic and promises the crowd that even though he is a Canadian, he will act in only the interests of the American crowd. He also warns Bret that they may become friendly adversaries because what is good for Canadian fans may not be good for American fans. Furthermore, he tells his brother he is not allowed to book American title matches from now on. Finally, Bruce announces a non-title match to be held in Chicago on the 7th between American Champion Steve Riley and Canadian Champion Samoa Joe; if Joe is willing to accept!

The fans cheer Bruce as he leaves the ring, while Bret looks a little surprised.

[commercial break]


Al Hardamann comes out to the ring with Diamond Dallas Page (with Kimberly) and Stan Baker. They call out Bad Attitude International who they challenge to a six-man tag match. Nick Mercury, Sean O'Haire, and Justice Steel accept the challenge and come out accompanied by Madusa.

<<< cue "One Big Rush" by Joe Satriani >>>

A very sexy April Hunter comes to the ring wearing a white tank top, silver trunks, and silver boots. She grabs the mic from Hardamann. She says she is sick and tired of Madusa running around here like a jezebel just because she is the only female physical force here in RCW. Hunter says that she knows she is not allowed to be both in the front office and a wrestler but given the choice, she can't stand it any longer, so she quits her front office job. She wants to make this a 4 on 4 tonight.

Madusa takes the mic and berates Hunter as a psycho-bitch, and asks her if Larkin ever reciprocated or if he just sat at his desk while she *bleep, bleep, bleep*. Hunter rocks Madusa with a right hand and then holds her by the hair and gives her an X-factor, and we're off.

8 person intergender tag match
Bad Attitude International: Nick Mercury, Sean O'Haire, Justice Steel, and Madusa
v
Al Hardamann, Diamond Dallas Page (with Kimberly), Stan Baker, and April Hunter

Hunter starts the match off strong punishing Madusa, but the wiley veteran backs Hunter into her team's corner and makes the tag. Hunter is no match for the overwhelming power of Justice Steel who toys with her for a couple of minutes without going for a pinfall. Hunter finally uses a lowblow and an eye gouge to get some space and make a tag out to Stan Baker. Baker is all over Steel in a slugfest. Baker takes total control of Steel until he is hit with a double axhandle from behind from Sean O'Haire. Steel powerbombs Baker, and then tags in O'Haire who goes for the Seanton Bomb, but Baker rolls out of the way. DDP is tagged in and he laces right into O'Haire. But when DDP goes for the diamond cutter he is attacked by Nick Mercury. The match then degenerates into an 8-man brawl.
Steve Riley comes out from the back and begins to talk to Kimberly. At first she seems a bit taken back, but he begins to show off his American title and she seems interested! This distracts DDP who comes over but is given 10lbs of gold to the head as a reward. Riley leaves the ringside area calling after Kimberly to follow him. She looks hesitant and finally takes care of her husband instead who has been busted wide open. Other battles outside the ring see Madusa in full control of April Hunter (thanks to a nicely timed spear from Justice Steel). Baker then takes Steel for a tour of the arena seating as he bashes him from one section to the next.
Back inside the ring Hardamann is trying to fend off the attack of Nick Mercury and his best buddy a steel chair. Finally Hardamann wrestles the chair away from Mercury, and is about to bash it over his head when O'Haire grabs him by the ankles from outside the ring and trips him face first into the mat (smashing his face into the chair as he fell). Mercury then delivered a legdrop onto the back of Hardaman's neck, followed by a Hereosault (again smashing Hardamann's face into the chair). The referee Marty Stevens let's all of this go because it was an impromptu match so he let both teams do whatever they wanted. Now he counts the pinfall.
[Winners by pinfall Bad Attitude International when Nick Mercury pinned Al Hardamann after a Herosault onto a chair at 10:10]

Post-Match
BAI celebrates in the ring, as they are joined by Steve Riley and Raymond Bingham. Again Riley calls out to Kimberly to join them, and before she can make up her mind Hardamann comes over and helps her aid DDP to his feet.

FADE TO BLACK

Dark Matches Before RAGE
Non-Title Match: Steve Riley defeated Ace Darling by pinfall after a brainbuster
Raymond Bingham defeated J.J. Extreme by pinfall after a Northern lights suplex
Curt Hennig defeated Al Snow by pinfall after a Perfect Plex
Mike Enos defeated J.W. Ousley by pinfall after a spinning crucifix toss
Al Collins & Joe Blum defeated IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy by disqualification for use of a foreign object

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #916
March 2, 2002
Milwaukee, Wisconsin


Show opens with a Video taped segment;
Frank Dusek of the PWA: Dusek says that as far as he is concerned Nick Mercury is under contract to PWA, not RCW. However, he says it's no big loss to PWA if Mercury has gone AWOL. Since Mercury is not fulfilling his obligations to the PWA his payroll cheques will be stopped until he returns. Dusek laughs, and says that if Bad Attitude International really is fronting Mercury than this should be no problem. If BAI can afford to bankroll Kevin Nash and Scott Hall surely they can afford to pay a curtain jerker like Mercury.

Special Stipulations Tag Team Match
Al Collins & Joe Blum v Young Guns: Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine
The winner of this match will go on to the 4-way dance on March 9th to crown new tag team champions. In addition, the losing team must break up as a tag team.
Joe Blum was isolated early by Pawluk and Devine who worked over his legs with a series of spinning toe holds and kneedrops to the back of the thigh. By the end of the punishment Blum could not stand up. Finally Blum reversed things by grabbing Devine by the tights and heaving him through the ropes to the floor below.

[commercial break]


Crawling over to his corner Blum made the tag to Collins. Al Collins was a house of fire off the hot tag and took it right to Pawluk, even pulling a German suplex out of his bag of tricks. Devine tried to re-enter the ring and attack Collins by surprise, but the veteran spun around just in time and took Devine down with a big boot to the face. However, the IBZ showed up at ringside and passed Pawluk a set of brass knuckles. When Collins turned around Pawluk Ko'd him. But somehow Collins kicked out at the 2 count! Devine regained his feet and helped Pawluk deliver a stuffed piledriver. Blum tried to help out but he could not get to his feet, and Shaggy made sure by pulling him off the apron for good measure. Pawluk covered Collins, and Wiked Klown had wrapped some clear packing tape around Collins feet to help make sure he couldn't kick out.
[Young Guns win by pinfall at 12:51 when Greg Pawluk pins Al Collins after a double team stuffed piledriver and some outside interference by the IBZ]

Post-Match: The Young Guns invite the IBZ into the ring to celebrate with them. However, the IBZ turn on the Young Guns opening a fire extinguisher into their faces and then laying the boots to them.

[commercial break]


Menele v Lash LeRoux
This match was a squash. Menele attacked Leroux at the opening bell and LeRoux managed to get in all of 2 offensive moves the entire match. Menele finished the match with a sequence of suplexes; belly-to-back, t-bone, snap, and finally a belly-to-belly off the top rope for the win.
[Winner by pinfall Menele when he pinned LeRoux after a belly-to-belly superplex at 4:42]

[commercial break]


Fatal 4-Way Match: Winner gets shot at Barry Windham on March 7th in Chicago.
Al Hardamann v Steve Riley v Dallas Page v Nick Mercury
This match started as 2 v 2 when Riley and Mercury (both members of BAI) teamed up. Hardamann and DDP realized that they would have to do likewise to survive. Outside the ring Madusa did her best to help out Mercury and Riley, which caused Kimberly to confront Madusa. This of course drew DDP out of the ring to help his wife who was getting demolished by Madusa. Back inside Mercury signalled to Riley to help him finish off Hardamann while they had the chance - but Riley left the ring instead and tried to get between Madusa and DDP. Hardamann took it right to Mercury inside the ring and had him set up for the vetebreaker when Justice Steel entered the ring (referee Marty Stevens was outside the ring at this point) and nailed Hardamann in the head with a chair. Mercury nailed a herosault and then pinned Hardamann to get the win.
[Winner by pinfall Nick Mercury when he pinned Al Hardamann after a Herosault at 8:11]

Post-Match: April Hunter came out to ringside and joined in the fray, attacking Madusa. She then ripped off Madusa's top causing her to have to cover up (wearing only a bra). Unable to defend herself with her hands Madusa fell prey to a DDT by April Hunter outside the ring. However, Steve Riley had just left DDP laying after smashing him headfirst into the guardrail, and then turned around and speared April Hunter.

FADE TO BLACK



Dark Matches Before RAGE
Jesse Hennig and Steve Corino battled to a no-contest
Justice Steel defeated Ace Darling by pinfall after a double underhook powerbomb
April Hunter defeated Tara** by pinfall after a moonsault press
Madusa defeated Candie** by pinfall after a superkick
Devon Storm & J.J. Extreme defeated The IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy pinfall when Extreme pinned Klown after a missile dropkick 

**premieres in RCW