River City Wrestling

[jacklarkin]

Breaking/Kayfabe:
Yet another restart. Some of the roster comes from River City and some comes from Great Plains Wrestling, while others have been signed as free agents.

All 3 titles were quietly vacated. Heavyweight champion Nick Mercury did not return. Steve Riley the TV champion did return but the title changed back to the Heritage title and no mention of that change was made. The Tag Titles held by Mike Enos and Bryan Caruthers who did not return (although I think Caruthers returns later) were also quietly declared vacant.

Despite the defections, we also had the return of two former RCW stalwarts, Sam Holiday and Vendetta. These two are amongst the most popular wrestlers ever in RCW.

And of course this was the start of the RCW career of two future hall of famers; Asp Evergreen and Eddie Chavez.

Asp was based "loosely" on TNM community member Brandon Eversoll/Xavier Flair.
Chavez was based "loosely" on TNM community member Flipyside KST.
The two together had a dynamic like Napoleon Dynamite and Pedro, but could also be channeling Beavis/Butthead, Wayne/Garth, Bill/Ted, take your pick.

John Manfried was "very loosely" based on TNM community member John Manard (but also Mankind).
There was also another TNM community member who wrestled in the indys, Joey Guttermouth. I think he was also "Shane Stevens" but not 100% sure at this point.


The following is a short history of the Great Plains Wrestling titles.

Great Plains Wrestling (Independent) (2001-2002)
Promoters: Jesse Barr

Great Plains Heavyweight Title
Ron Simmons (Feb 19/2001; Billings, Montana)
Den Graves (Dec 20/2001; Cheyenne, Wyoming)
Chrome (Jan 28/2002; Pocatello, Idaho)
Boss Strickland (Spt 26/2002; Billings, Montana)

Great Plains Tag Team Titles
Asp Evergreen & Eddie Chavez (Feb 22/2001: Pocatello, Idaho)
Insane Clown Posse: Violent J & Shaggy (Apr 10/2001: Boise, Idaho)
Jack Voight & Den Scaramann (Aug 7/2001: Boise, Idaho)
Asp Evergreen & Eddie Chavez (Dec 20/2001: Cheyenne, Wyoming)
Den Graves & Den Scaramann (Mar 26/2002: Laramie, Wyoming)
Union Jack & Gabriel Argos (Jul 18/2002: Butte, Montana)

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #943
Saturday Morning Squash
taped Grand Forks, North Dakota
Air Date: February 1st, 2003

Announce Crew: Joe Aiello (play by play), Linley Tolbert (Color Commentary), and President Jack Larkin (guest 3rd wheel).

Mr. Wrestling defeated Kenny Omega by submission with the crossface chickenwing. 3:31

Via e-mail President Larkin is asked;
What is your opinion on the WWA-NWA merger?
Larkins response was that it was a sad day to see the WWA brand name disappear. Despite PWAs claims to keeping the lineage alive he feels that PWA is by no means an alliance of any sort. He says that it seems that PWA wants to have an alliance of promoters and writers working for PWA instead of as independents. This way they control all the talent and can use whichever talents they want for the top shows. Larkin admits to suggesting to Fredrickson that he sue and remove the current PWA owners and step back into the role. A step back would be preferable to the current set-up. Regardless of how many shows they claim to be able to run, having over 200 wrestlers on the roster does a grave injustice to smaller feds. Larkin closes by admitting to being WWA in his heart and soul, but is still happy at the prospects of joining the NWA fraternity.
Ed. Note] These comments were taped before recent changes to the WWA-NWA alliance restricting the use of talent.

Sugarbear Baker defeated Eddie Chavez by pinfall after a top-rope splash at 4:34

Via e-mail Larkin is asked;
What is your opinion on the balance between Sports Entertainment and real wrestling?
Larkin says the bottom line is you have to market your product properly to the audience you are aiming for. He admits that his in-ring approach and old school angles may not have the potential for as high of ratings as the sensationalism you see in some other feds. However, its audience base is more stable, and less likely to take big hits due to competition and economic setbacks, and should go up and down based more on the product itself then these exterior factors.

Tony Gold defeated Will Damon after a backflip cradle at 7:01

Backstage:
Asp Evergreen is having a conversation with Eddie Chavez, Shane Stevens, and John Schoffner. He tells them that they are all being held down by the office, and that they really have to make their own breaks in this business. Stevens laughs at him and asks if being squashed by Vendetta is considered a break. Chavez tells Stevens to shut-up, that at least Evergreen made it onto the "A" show. Stevens walks away shaking his head. They ask Schoffner what he thinks, and he responds by pulling out a quarter and telling them hes going to call his Dad and ask his advice.

Via live audience question, Larkin is asked;
How have you fared financially during the recent economic downturns, and do you have any tips on how to make money this year?
Larkin says that he lost a lot of money initially, but grew wise early enough to make it all back by using shorts. He suggests staying in the market, but not to listen to the hands-off approach suggested by many brokers. The key to making money this year is having the right information about the right stocks. It is going to be a professionals market. As far as the wrestling market is concerned, well there is a saying that pretty much covers the economics of wrestling. The way to make a small fortune in pro wrestling, is to start with a large fortune. He says they are budgeted to lose around $800,000 this year.

Shane Madison and Shane Stevens battled to a no-contest at 3:34.
[Asp Evergreen entered the ring and laid both men out with chair shots]

Fade to Black

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #944
February 5th, 2003
Brookings, South Dakota
Frost Arena, South Dakota State University
Attendence: 2,955


Opening segment:
A tape is played of a statement made by President Jack Larkin. Here are the hi-lights.
A lot has happened in the world of wrestling since last Rage just one week ago. In that time the working rules of the NWA and WWA have changed drastically. The end fall out is a great chance for RCW to add to the talent pool. These additions while not causing RCW to have to release any talent for the time being, none the less, require a departure from planned matches and bookings in the near future, and the long term future. Things will be a bit chaotic over the next little while in RCW. This week you will see the arrival of the man I was talking to on the phone last week the infamous "Vicious" Manny Silva. Rumors of Silva's wrong doings are greatly exaggerated. He has never actually decapitated or killed another opponent in the ring. But as was done by the Seven Tigers Fighting Organization in Asia where Silva has been competing, the RCW has made it clear to Silva that the decapitator move that made him infamous is illegal, and the use of that move would not be tolerated here in RCW. Furthermore, to make certain that Mr. Silva follows through on his commitments to RCW, a performance bond of $25,000 has been demanded by RCW, and has been delivered by Mr. Silva's lawyer. Also appearing tonight will be some former stars of RCW that have recently been signed, "Total Destruction" Steve Riley, and Menele.
Finally, it is true that Sam Holiday, Stan Baker, The Patriot, and Raymond Bingham have been re-signed to appear in RCW. However, due to time constraints they will not appear until next week's Rage. They will not have a shot at entering into the Eight Ball scramble at Alive, as the integrity of the qualifying match-ups will remain intact, despite all the late signings of talent to RCW.
Enjoy the show.

[commercial break]


Our opening match of the night will see the winner advance to the Eight ball scramble at Alive for the RCW Heavyweight Championship.

Opening Bout
"The Green Dragon" Jason Pharo (6'3 270 lbs., West Creek, NJ)
V
Dr. John Manfried (6'2 275 lbs., Ft. Worth TX)

Two men with a good deal of size squared off in this match, but except that both are very attack orientated they couldn't be any more dissimilar. Pharo comes from a martial arts background and prefers submission moves. Manfried has no amateur sports background. He was reputed to have been a medical doctor and uses his knowledge of the anatomy as a weapon in the ring. Manfried also has a screw loose and is a tenacious brawler.
Pharo gave it a good effort keeping the big man off guard with some armbars and surprise pinning combinations. But Manfried survived everything thrown at him. Referee Jimmy Appleseed was bumped out of the ring, and when given the chance Manfried went into one of the many pockets he has on the cargo pants he wears to the ring. From his pocket he pulled out a roll of coins and nailed Pharo with a punch. The New Jersey native went down in a heap. Referee Appleseed crawled into the ring and questioned Manfried about the coins, who just pointed to the heavens to explain their appearance. Manfried made the mistake of trying to pick up all the coins and by the time he went over to pin Pharo, he got surprised with a rollup. Manfried kicked out at 2, and immediately delivered a kick to the groin on Pharo which Appleseed was shielded from due to poor positioning. Manfried then delivered a Russian legsweep and followed it up by calling for and delivering the Big Leg Drop. He tossed Pharo into the corner and delivered a series of chops before nailing Pharo with a double underhook piledriver. He went for the pin, but pulled Pharo up at the two count. With Pharo lying face down Manfried drove a knee into his spine and applied the Manfried claw to his armpit. Pharo screeched in pain and immediately tapped out with his other arm.
[Dr. John Manfried defeated Jason Pharo by submission with the Manfried Claw at 9:48]

Backstage:
Interviewer Deane Moore is with the Great Canadians (Vincent Regliatti / Eric Scott)
Moore] Gentlemen, as fate would have it, after your comments last week about driving Stan Baker from River City, he has been signed to a free agent deal to come to the RCW. Comments? Concerns?
Regliatti] And why would we be concerned? Just because he is a 300 lb psychopath with our names on the top of his hit list?
Scott] Moore, I hope you're not having too much fun with this. I would hate to have to beat that smirk off your face. I don't care if Baker, or anyone else comes back to the RCW. We are tag team specialists, and quite frankly we're not concerned with the singles division, and I don't see any reason for Stan Baker to concern himself with us.

At that moment Sugarbear Baker walks by the hallway.

Scott] Hey Baker!
SbB turns around and just stares at the Great Canadians.
Scott] Have you heard the news? Stan Baker is coming back to RCW. I can't help but notice that you two share the same last name. Are you two brothers?
The Great Canadians have a good laugh at the expense of SbB.
Regs] Look buddy if I was you I would consider changing your name. My good buddy Stan ain't going to like you sharing the same last name. He might have to rip that 'fro right off your head.
Baker just screws up his face and turns and walks away, fuming.
Scott] See Moore, does it look like we're afraid?

[commercial break]


Public Address Announcer] Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome back "Total Destruction" Steve Riley !!!
<<< cue "We Will Rock You" by Queen >>>
The fans boo and jeer Riley as he strolls to the ring. He is escorted to the ring by 4 local strippers, a lawyer, an accountant, and two trainers. He enters the ring alone though and waves his entourage to the backstage area.
Already in the ring was Armand Rougeau Jr., and the winner of this match will get a spot in the Eight Ball Scramble at Alive. The announce team are pretty certain that Riley will emerge the victor in this match.

Bout #2
Steve Riley (6'5 280 lbs., Denver, Colorado)
V
Armand Rougeau Jr. (6'1 214 lbs., Montreal, Quebec)

Squash. Rougeau can't get his high powered aerial attack off the ground. Riley is just too big and strong. Two spinebuster slams, and a powerbomb is all it took.
[Steve Riley defeated Armand Rougeau Jr. by pinfall after a powerbomb at 3:03]

Post-Match:
Riley grabs a mic and calls out Larkin. He talks about how last time he had to play second fiddle to that glam boy Nick Mercury, and the aging whore Kimberly. He was sick of wrestling puny guys like Rougeau and Steve Corino, and wanted some real competition. He also wanted to be reimbursed by Larkin for the time he missed while he was rehabbing his knee, and Larkin was off somewhere investing in Bermuda.
Despite his words President Larkin does not make an appearance.

<<< cue "Dirty Deeds" by AC/DC >>>
From the crowd, behind Riley, Vendetta appears and slips into the ring. The tall, dark man from Haiti is wearing black sweatpants and an orange Amnesty International Shirt. His hair is done up as usual in dreadlocks with green, orange, and white beads.
He catches Riley by surprise from behind with a bulldog. He then delivers a piledriver for good measure much to the pleasure of the crowd. He pulls out a small vial and dips two fingers into the vial. Then he traces a "V" on Riley's forehead in blood from the vial before leaving back into the crowd.

[commercial break]


<<< cue "Burning Heart" by Survivor >>>
The crowd erupted when "comb-over" Al Collins ran down to the ring flipping his hair to one side, and right behind him was his tag partner of the last 2 years "Gung-Ho" Joe Blum in full commando gear.

Bout #3
Shane Madison & Will Damon ( 440 lbs. combined)
V
Al Collins & Joe Blum (500 lbs. Combined)

The love fest didn't have long to live though as Madison and Damon left the ring and attacked Collins and Blum outside. Madison used Blum's shirt to choke him while Damon lowered the guard rail over the throat of Collins.
Referee Buddy Lane couldn't disqualify the tandem because the match hadn't started yet, and they refused to let go. Finally Lane went into the ring and started to count to 10, declaring that if he reached 10 it would be a no contest.
Madison and Damon happy with their handiwork took the match into the ring. They dominated both men for the first 5 minutes of the match. However Blum got a comeback rolling using a series of forearm shots with his back on the ropes. He then managed a tag to Collins who gave both opponents a succession of bodyslams. Collins gave Damon a double-stomp, and then executed a painful looking stump puller. Next up was an airplane spin into a slam, and this caused Madison to enter the ring. But Blum cut Madison off and sent him out of the ring. Collins delivered a well measured elbowdrop to the chest of Damon from the second turnbuckle and picked up the win.
[Al Collins & Joe Blum defeated Shane Madison & Will Damon by pinfall when Collins pinned Damon after a 2nd rope elbowdrop at 10:08]

During the preceding match, the announcers told us that at Alive there would be 4 teams entered into a mini-tournament for the vacant RCW Tag Team Titles. Those 4 teams are to be the two we were just watching, as well as the two we saw compete last week, The Great Canadians, and the Young Guns. A random draw will be held at Alive to determine the semi-final pairings.

[commercial break]


Next up we have the second match in Bracket B, in the round robin tournament to determine who will meet at Alive for the Heritage Title.
Vic Gate enters this match with a win already under his belt after defeating Kitnitsov last week. If he can beat Mr. Wrestling then he wins the bracket.

Bout #4
Mr. Wrestling (6'1 232 lbs. Atlanta, GA)
V
Vic Gate (6'1 235 lbs., St. Louis, MO)

This was a classic mat wrestling match-up, except that Mr. Wrestling is really fond of taking shortcuts, such as poke to the eye, choking on sleeperholds, putting his feet on the ropes for extra leverage, and holding the tights. Finally Gate became so upset that he resorted to going toe to toe with Mr. Wrestling. After exchanging a few punches Gate blocked a right cross, floated under the arm, and then took Mr. Wrestling down with a textbook armbar. He would have got the submission but they were too close to the ropes and Mr. Wrestling managed to hold on.
The masked grappler rolled out of the ring and then grabbed Gate by the foot and dragged him out. The two started to brawl around ringside when suddenly Gregor Kitnitsov ran down from the locker rooms and made this a 3-way brawl. Mr. Wrestling and Kitnitsov seemed to work in concerted effort to keep Gate from getting back into the ring. They were counted out.
[Vic Gate and Mr. Wrestling battled to a double countout at 14:35]

[commercial break]


Backstage:
Deane Moore is followed by a cameraman. They are approaching Cael Sanderson and newcomer to RCW Rulon Gardner. These two are world class amateur wrestlers both recently turned pro. They are shaking hands as Moore approaches for the interview.
But before he can get to them they are blindsided by Boss Strickland who is sporting a tire iron. Strickland lays into both athletes several times, leaving them lying in a heap.
Strickland grabs Moore by the throat and says next time you want to interview a world class Greco-roman wrestler you come see me first. He waits for Moore to nod his understanding before walking away.

Our next match is another which will see the winner get a spot in the Eight Ball Scramble at Alive.


<<< cue "Flee" by Kindred >>>
The madman of River City, the nightmare that Brujah created, Menele is thoroughly boo'd by the crowd as he makes a return to RCW.

Bout #5
Menele (6'0 255 lbs. Parts unknown)
V
Sugarbear Baker (6'3 330 lbs. The Bronx)

Baker looks exceptionally nervous and it manifests itself in spending extra time patting down his 'fro. But it doesn't stop him from grabbing the mic and giving a holla out to his fans.

Baker] Hey yo, South Dakota, say hi-lo to the jell-o. I'm the bro with the 'fro, and you just gots to know....

Whatever he was going to say next was lost as Menele attacked him from behind dropping him to his knees with a kick to the back of the knee. He then slapped on the cobra clutch and we were inches away from having a real quick ending to this match.
Menele managed to get the big man over with a belly-to-back suplex, as well as hit a devastating DDT. But Baker kept battling back. He nailed Menele with a series of headbutts to counter another suplex attempt and then locked on a big bearhug. Menele fought his way out but was soon on the receiving end of a flying hip attack. Menele was reeling and in big trouble. But Baker made the mistake of going to the top turnbuckle and took too much time. Menele caught him with a punch to the gut, then climbed up top where he took Baker down with a superplex that shook even the people in the cheap seats. This one was over.
[Menele defeated Sugarbear Baker by pinfall after a superplex at 7:43]

Backstage:
Asp Evergreen leads a cameraman down the hallway telling him to hurry. He was going to talk to Larkin again about all the bullshit conditioning drills that Ken Jurgan was making the Butte students do every day. Evergreen isn't watching where he is going, watching the camera man instead, and as he barges into the office he walks smack into the chest of Dr. John Manfried. The camera scans Larkin who is sitting in his chair behind a desk looking as white as a ghost. Manfried pushes Evergreen out of the way, and is about to leave when he hears the youngster call him mental. He turns around with a wicked smile on his face and then sticks his hand into Asp's mouth surprising him with a mandible claw. He turns it into a chokeslam taking Evergreen down hard on a catering table on the other side of the office. Asp lays there, food all around, and Manfried seems puzzled that the table didn't break. The camera pans to Larkin who seems to be regaining some color in his face. Suddenly referee and overall hard body babe Melissa Coates pops up from behind Larkin's desk. President Larkin looks at her and says "I need better security". The camera pans to Manfried as he looks under the table and examines it when suddenly there is a rush of movement and Manfried is nailed in the back with the camera. The camera hits the ground and all we see are feet, and we hear several shots being laced in. Asps voice rings out, "Chavez lets get the hell out of here", and apparently the two take off.

[commercial break]


Next up we have the much anticipated premiere of "Vicious" Manny Silva. The veteran jaws with the fans on the way to the ring and then tries to intimidate referee Jurgen Hermann. Much to his surprise though he is attacked from behind by his opponent Moses Luke who apparently had seen enough.

Bout #6
Manny Silva (6'2 259 lbs., Oahu, Hawaii )
V
Moses Luke (6'2 310 lbs., Seattle, Washington)


Silva is reminiscent in size, strength, and style to such brawlers as Manny Fernandez and Ivan Koloff. He is rugged, dirty, and strong. Luke is a much younger, big but green brawler, who patterns himself after Rhino.
After an initial flourish Luke gets winded and as soon as he slows down his attack Silva is able to turn the tables, apparently having played a bit of rope-a-dope. Silva chops Luke right across the throat and after that the youngster seems more concerned with how he will get his next breath then he is defending himself against Silva.
Because of the size of his opponent Silva has to modify his attack slightly, going more towards kneedrops, elbows, and submissions, and not DVDs, Gorilla Press Slams, etc.
None the less Silva uses a neck snap to set up the camel clutch and gets the submission.
[Manny Silva defeats Moses Luke by submission with the camel clutch at 6:57]

Taped Segment:
In front of a stately looking townhouse in Chicago, Derek St. Holmes, ESQ has a message for RCW's fans. He is returning to River City, but will not be coming back alone. In his last stint with the WWA he managed The Spinebusters to RCW Tag Team titles. Now he will be doing the same with his new tag team. He promises it won't be pretty.

[commercial break]


Our Main Event match for the evening is the second match in Bracket A of the Heritage championship round robin. It features two very scientific mat wrestlers with international pedigrees, Gabriel Argos and Union Jack. Argos has his back to the wall in this match because he already lost to Den Graves. He needs a win to stay alive.

Main Event
Gabriel Argos ( 6'2 252 lbs. Cyprus)
V
Union Jack ( 5'10 234 lbs. Liverpool)

The two began the match with a handshake.
Argos started off using his size and height for a leverage advantage in lock ups with UJ. The Brit then took Argos off his feet to the mat to take away the advantage. The two then traded roll-up moves, and attempted key-locks, before UJ managed to put Argos in an arm scissors. Argos got to the ropes and both men got to their feet.
Argos rocked Jack with a forearm smash that changed the tone of the match in a hurry, to more adversarial.
Den Graves, the 3rd member of the bracket, came down to do special commentary at this point in the match.
Argos pressed his advantage with a legsweep facelsam, snap suplex, and then a surfboard. UJ managed to rock his way out of the submission, roll up Argos, and then roll through and put on the Texas Cloverleaf. Argos quickly scrambled to the ropes and got the break.
UJ didnt even let him get to his feet before he slapped on an armbreaker and dragged Argos to the middle of the ring. He took Argos to the mat and worked the armbar. Finally Jack managed to get a break by rolling out of the move, and after a kick to the gut he delivered the Doctor Bomb on UJ and got a 2 count.
The match continued to go back and forth until Union Jack went for a flying crucifix but Argos stood his ground and countered with a Samoan drop. Two snap suplexes were followed up by his atomic drop finisher sending UJ to the buckle, and then rolling him up into a pinning combination on the rebound.
[Gabriel Argos pinned Union Jack after the Atomic Drop at 9:23]

Post-Match:
The two men had a bit of a stare down with Den Graves following the match, inviting him into the ring. Ultimately Graves just did a little taunting and left the invitation unanswered.

Backstage:
A camera is in the office of President Jack Larkin. We see that Silva has Larkin by the collar and is threatening to pound on him.
Silva] You better start feeding me some real competition Larkin and not these wet behind the ears pipsqueaks.
Larkin] I thought I was doing you a favor.
Silva] Next time I want a favor from you Larkin I'll beat it out of you, like I did your girlfriend over there.

The camera pans to Melissa Coates sprawled out on the floor of the office, not moving.

Larkin] Let me go.
Silva] Or what Larkin?

At that moment Chrome comes busting into the office and grabs Silva, throwing him against the wall. He presses Silva against the wall, holding him there while he looks around the room.

Chrome] You're the big tough bully huh? Calls himself Vicious. You don't look so tough to me.
Silva] Wait until Alive, when I get my hands on you, the only thing left Alive will be your misfortunate legacy as my second in-ring kill.
Chrome] Big brillo pad on your head, so much back hair you could braid it. You don't look Vicious to me Manuel, you look like a yappy Poodle. And at Alive I'm going to have you fixed. As for you Larkin, it would be too easy to say I told you so, so I'm not going to say that. But this is the last time I help you out Larkin unless you start to smarten up.

With that Chrome smashes Silva one more time into the wall and then leaves the office, retreating from Silva.

Larkin] Wait, Chrome, don't leave me here with him. Come back, oh dear God.

FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #945
Saturday Morning Squash
Air Date: February 8th, 2003

Announce crew: Joe Aiello (play-by-play), Linley Tolbert (color commentary), and Chrome (guest 3rd wheel)

Dave Mysterio beat Inbred Jed after a hurancanrana at 5:32

Via e-mail Chrome is asked:
What made you decide to return to North America from the orient?
Chrome's response is simple, he missed being home. At first its fun to live in the orient, like being a part-time wrestler and part-time tourist. But after a while, you want to settle down to a regular routine, and a regular life. You start thinking it would be nice to start a family and lay down roots. But you're not home, you're a stranger in a strange land. The money was right, but sometimes it's not all about the money.

Will Damon beat Chris Parys after the Players Drop (DDT) at 6:39
Dark note: *Parys is injured after the match and has to be helped to the back. It is believed that he may have a torn ACL *

Via e-mail Chrome is asked:
Who do you think is the best pure wrestler in RCW?
Chrome starts off by saying that he may just be the worst. As for the best, it's hard to say. Cael Sanderson or Rulon Gardner would be the best in the purest sense of wrestling, but they haven't proven it on a professional level, where it's a different game. Boss Strickland is pretty damn good, but for his money Chrome says he would take Gabriel Argos, Union Jack, or Vic Gate. After a few more seconds of thought he finally says definitively that it's got to be Vic Gate. The man knows how to hook you, and stretch you.

Chrome beat Stoen Cold Chalupa after the Chrome Driver at 2:40

Chrome is asked by an audience member:
Why are you afraid of Manny Silva?
The question comes out of the blue and ruins a cordial affair. Chrome goes ballistic and security has to restrain him from jumping the rail to get at the fan who has on a "You Feel My Pain" Manny Silva t-shirt. He's joined by his buddy who is wearing a "When All About you Others are Losing their Head" Manny Silva shirt. The two taunt Chrome as he is restrained. Suddenly, Silva appears from the crowd and floats a brass knux assisted punch over the security and knocks an unsuspecting Chrome out cold.

Shane Stevens over Asp Evergreen by countout at 5:45 after Evergreen wrecked himself with a missed head tope.
Post-Match:
Eddie Chavez appears in street clothes and uses a belt wrapped around his fist to start nailing Stevens with punches. Evergreen is still laid out on the floor. Finally, shooter John Schoffner comes out of the dressing room and makes the save.

Fade to Black

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #946
February 12, 2003
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Holiday Park Arena
Attendence: 1,025

<<< cue "Ain't Going Down 'till the Sun Comes Up" Garth Brooks >>>
The fans are on their feet to open the show when former RCW Heavyweight champion Sam Holiday runs to the ring. He is wearing a black RCW t-shirt, blue jeans, and snake skin boots. He slides under the bottom rope, rolls to the middle of the ring, and then on his knees lifts his arms in salute to the fans who cheer him on. After a good 30 seconds of applause he finally grabs the mic and jumps to his feet.

Holiday] Good gosh, it's great to be back in the heart of America!

The fans eat it up.

Holiday] I've been invited back tonight by my good ol' pal from Canada, Jack Larkin to usher in a new era in RCW. Y'all look like your ready for some Holiday!


<<< cue "Rest in Peace" Extreme >>>
The fans give "Sinister" Stan Baker a mixed reaction as he comes down to the ring. He snatches the mic out of Holiday's hand.
Baker] You're not the only one invited back Holiday. But as usual you're the only one who can't stay out of the limelight past the opening montage. I have a lot to say about you Holiday, and even more about those punk Great Canadians, Scott and Regliatti. But, as of right now there is something more pressing. That is Jack Larkin is not here tonight.

The fans boo, and Holiday gives him a puzzled shrug of his shoulders.

Baker] That's right, I just got word from one of his henchmen that after last week's run in with Manny Silva, Larkin will not be back until he can get proper security in place.


<<< cue "Won't Be Fooled Again" by The Who>>>
From the back appears Vice-President Dale Kuentz.

Kuentz] Gentlemen. It's true that Mr. Larkin couldn't make it tonight. And yes its true that it's due to a lack of security. However, the actual specifics are that he is right now interviewing candidates for a head security job. Also, I do have the pleasure tonight of leading a very special mass contract signing right there in that ring tonight. You two guys, Raymond Bingham, The Patriot, Lash LeRoux, and Allen Funk will all be signing on the bottom line tonight.

The fans cheer.

Bingham's presence though will be a formality as he has already signed his contract and will wrestle tonight before the contract signing. Gentlemen, we will adjourn until later tonight.

Opening Bout
Winner is entered into the Eight Ball Scramble at Alive
Chrome (6'9 328 lbs. Black Hills, SD)
V
Lord Valmont (6'0 250 lbs. South of France) (/w Sherry Valmont)
Chrome out powers Lord Valmont right off the start. Valmont manages to sneak in an eye gouge but when he goes for a second Chrome blocks it with a wristlock takedown. Valmont bails out early and Chrome goes right after him. Valmont's wife and valet Sherry Valmont gets squashed between the two wrestlers. Chrome re-enters the ring but Valmont bails, to the backstage area with his wife.
[Chrome defeats Lord Valmont by countout at 3:56]

Post -Match:
Chrome looks disgusted at the behaviour of Lord Valmont as he walks up the ramp after the match. Suddenly he is attacked by a charging "Vicious" Manny Silva from the back. Silva knocks Chrome down and then puts a noose around his neck and starts to drag him down to the ring. He sits Chrome on the ring apron and then goes into the ring. Once inside he loops the rope over the top rope and then kicks Chrome off the apron. Yanking on the rope draped over the top rope Silva is pulling Chrome up so the noose is choking him. He's trying to hang him. RCW officials though swarm the ring and after a few intense seconds manage to get him to release the rope.

Bout #2
The winner of this match gets the last spot in the Eight Ball Scramble
Raymond Bingham (6'2 235lbs., Tampa, FL)
V
Hombre Muerto Recorre (6'2 262 lbs. Mexicali)
Bingham comes down to the ring with his 2001 PWI Rookie of the Year Trophy. He gets on the mic and starts to insult the fans, establishing himself firmly as the villian tonight.
HMR pours on the offense but makes a mistake going for a moonsault which Bingham rolls away from. He then rolls up the deadman from Mexico, holding onto a handful of tights.
[Raymond Bingham defeats Hombre Muerto Recorre by pinfall after a roll-up assisted by a handful of tights at 8:20]


The 8 competitors for the Eight-Ball scramble at Alive to crown the RCW Heavyweight championship are now set;
Raymond Bingham, Chrome, Boss Strickland, Dr John Manfried, Manny Silva, Menele, Vendetta, Steve Riley.

4 teams will be competing in a mini-tournament at Alive for the vacant RCW Tag Team titles. Those teams are;
Eric Scott/Vincent Regliatti; Will Damon/Shane Madison; Joe Blum/Al Collins; Greg Pawluk/Johnny Devine


The next match was to shake the participants up a little by having them cross over in a tag match between teams.

Bout #3
Eric Scott & Will Damon
v
Joe Blum & Johnny Devine
This match was filled with confusion and explosion of egos. In the end it took a mistake by Johnny Devine to walk into a double "rock bottom" by Scott & Damon to end the match.
[Eric Scott & Will Damon defeated Joe Blum & Johnny Devine by pinfall after a doubleteam forward lifting slam at 10:11]

Post-Match:
During the match Derek St. Holmes, Esq had come down to do commentary on the match. However, all he could talk about was his mystery team, claiming they were former World Tag Champions. He promised that they would be at Alive to make their mark.

The next match was set up last week when Boss Strickland viciously attacked both Rulon Gardner and Cael Sanderson with a tire iron. This also marks Gardner's first match in RCW.


Bout #4
Boss Strickland (6'3 256 lbs. St. Cloud, Minnesota)
V
Rulon Gardner (6'2 262 lbs. Afton, Wyoming)
Gardner did quite well against Strickland as would be expected on the ground and in the middle of the ring. But like in his match against Cael Sanderson, Strickland used the corners, ropes, and outside the ring to his advantage (and often illegally) as a seasoned pro wrestler. Still not enough though to get the win Strickland tried to take advantage of a ref bump by bringing a steel chair into the ring. However, Cael Sanderson charged into the ring and grabbed the chair away from Strickland. Referee Jurgen Hermann gained consciousness long enough to see Sanderson standing there with the chair. Strickland did a face flop, to feign being hit and Hermann called for the bell.
[Boss Strickland beat Rulon Gardner by disqualification for outside interference at 12:38]


The next match was the final match in Bracket A of the round robin to determine the two combatants for the Heritage title at Alive. Den Graves is 1-0, Gabriel Argos is 1-0, and finally Union Jack is 0-1. Graves just needs a draw or a win to clinch his spot at Alive.

Bout #5
Den Graves (6'3 260 lbs. Wiggan School of England, via Potsdam, Germany)
V
Union Jack (5'10 234 lbs. Liverpool, England)
Before the match can start Graves has a microphone. He asks UJ why his country is playing lap dog to the U.S. over the Iraq situation. He accuses England of selling out to the Imperialistic views of the U.S. Graves says it only means they will invade you last. UJ does his best to just ignore Graves. But by the time the match starts it begins immediately with fisticuffs. Striking is not UJ's forte, and Graves presses his proficiency in such tactics. Once he has the advantage he slows the match down looking for a submission. UJ though floats out of an armbar attempt and locks Graves in a full-nelson. He nails him with a full-nelson slam and then follows up with a double underhook suplex for the win. This was a great match, and almost 17 minutes long.
[Union Jack beats Den Graves by pinfall after a double underhook suplex in 16:49]

Post-Match:
Vice-President Dale Kuentz has to come down to the ring where Union Jack and Den Graves have been joined by Gabriel Argos. All 3 men appear to be arguing over who won the bracket. Kuentz though declares it a 3-way tie as all men are 1-1. He sets a special Triple Threat match next Wednesday Rage to decide who gets to go to Alive.

The next match was the final match in the other bracket, Bracket B. Vic Gate is 1-0-1, while Mr. Wrestling is 0-0-1, and Gregor Kitnitsov is 0-1.
So basically Mr. Wrestling with a win would set up a tie between him and Vic Gate for the win in Bracket B. Kitnitsov is mathematically eliminated.

Earlier in the night we saw what appeared to be a friendly talk between Mr. Wrestling and Gregor Kitntisov. They were laughing and Kitnitsov was pretending to get hurt and get pinned.

In response to those fears, head of officials, Buddy Lane has designated a special guest referee to keep this match in-hand.


Bout #6
Special guest referee Vic Gate
Mr. Wrestling (6'1 232 lbs., Atlanta, GA)
V
Gregor Kitnitsov (5'10 225 lbs. the former U.S.S.R.) (w/ Sammy Yip)
The match started with Mr. Wrestling and Kitnitsov going through the motions, and Kitnitsov trying to take the fall. Gate though would have nothing of it and refused to do the count. He then went on to demonstrate the proper way to apply a German suplex on Gregor Kitntisov instead of the "fake" one being done by Mr. Wrestling. He then repeated the move on Mr. Wrestling. When both men got to their feet Gate tried to have them lock-up again but they attacked Gate instead. They double teamed Gate until he was saved by Union Jack and Gabriel Argos. After he recovered Vic Gate called for a no-contest decision.
[Gregor Kitnitsov & Mr. Wrestling battled to a no-contest at 7:03]

Post-Match:
Vic Gate wins Bracket B with a record of 1-1, while Mr. Wrestling finishes at 0-0-2, and Kitnitsov finishes at 0-1-1.


Contract Signing
In the ring with Vice-Presidents Dale Kuentz and Selita Segal are;
Sam Holiday, Stan Baker, The Patriot, Raymond Bingham, Lash LeRoux, and Allen Funk.

Much to everyone's surprise President Jack Larkin joins the festivities via television. On his command Kuentz puts out contracts on a table for LeRoux, Funk, and Bingham to sign. They all do so, and are now contracted wrestlers in RCW.

Then contracts are put out for the 3 veterans who are about to sign them when Holiday suddenly turns the table over and throws his pen to the mat. He picks up his contract and looks at it, and then does the same to one of the others. Baker and Patriot look on bewildered. Finally when Holiday speaks he asks Larkin what the hell is going on, as these are all contracts to be road agents.

Baker and Patriot look shocked until Holiday shows them the contracts and then they begin to boil over as well.

Larkin says that the 3 of them are over the hill, that wrestling has passed them by. However, tradition is important to RCW and he wants all 3 of them around to help with the company and the new stars.

Holiday says he's far from done, and if he can't wrestle here in RCW he'll wrestle somewhere else.

Larkin gets mad at the ungrateful attitudes of Holiday, Baker, and Patriot as all 3 appear ready to walk. So, he tells them that he will prove they are past their best before date. At Alive the 3 of them will team up against the 3 youngsters they see in the ring in a Six-Man tag. If they can win then they will get proper wrestler contracts, but if they lose then they will have to sign the road agent contracts. They agree. Bingham and Funk have a good laugh at the 3 veterans before departing, but LeRoux looks apologetic as he shakes hands with all 3 in turn.


Tonight's main event features two of our premier attractions, and two guys who will be part of the Eight Ball Scramble at Alive. This match was predicated by Vendetta attacking Steve Riley last week after Riley was calling out Larkin.

Main Event
"Total Destruction" Steve Riley (6'5 280 lbs. Denver, CO) (/w entourage)
V
Vendetta (6'4 261 lbs. Port-au-Prince, Haiti)
This was one of those matches filled with too much intensity and hatred to be retained by the squared circle. These two fought all over ringside, and head referee Buddy Lane gave both men a lot of leeway in using the ringsteps, guardrail, chairs, and tables. This was the most vicious match in the short return so far of RCW. Both men were bloodied when they squared off in the middle of the ring, exhausted, at the 12 minute mark. Vendetta took over with a clothesline, and then a springboard back elbow. He tried for a piledriver but was flipped over by Riley. Steve Riley then poured it on with a bodyslam, kneedrop, and then a series of mounted punches. Vendetta tried to fight back after Riley grabbed him by the dreadlocks, but Riley's hair is cut too short to get a hold. Riley nailed a belly-to-back suplex. He waited for Vendetta to get to his feet and then charged with a spear. Vendetta though managed to leap/somersault over top of a charging Riley. The heel bounced head first off the second turnbuckle and stumbled backward. Vendetta was waiting and locked in a modified STF. Riley's arm reached out for the ropes, trying to grab them as they were only inches away. After several attempts he appeared to tap out.
[Vendetta defeated Steve Riley by submission with the STF at 13:37]

Post-Match:
Steve Riley complained vigorously to Buddy Lane that he hadn't tapped out, that he had just been reaching for the ropes. Lane would hear none of it and left his decision to stand.


FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

ed note: realized that I had not posted the award results from 2001 & 2002. I have put them in bold below.

History
While for the most part the annual (and decade) awards have been recognized and celebrated by River City Wrestling, from the onset they are done by a quasi-independent organization. The awards committee first began as a collaboration between the wrestlers and a small RCW fan club. This committee would actually morph into the Hall of Fame committee, and the awards committee would become a subset of that group. The awards group is much larger and transient in nature than the more elite Hall of Fame committee. 
In 2001 & 2002 the awards were not recognized on television, or any official RCW channel, as owner Jack Larkin struggled to define the new RCW and how the legacy fit into that vision. However, the committee continued to operate and post online and through other fan driven forums the results.
In 2002 the award committee did not consider the RingLords events as part of RCW, as its exact relationship was still murky.

Wrestler of the Year:

1980: The Destroyer

1981: The Destroyer

1982: The Destroyer

1983: Chris Lyon

1984: Chris Lyon

1985: Jim Brunzell

1986: Bob Backlund

1987: Steve Disalvo

1988: Vendetta

1989: Davey Boy Smith

1990: Steve Disalvo

1991: Larry Cameron

1992: Baron von Raschke

1993: Manny Silva

1994: Ben Bassarab

1995: Stan Lane

1996: Greg Valentine

1997: Manny Silva

1998: Vendetta

1999: Bobby Duncum Jr 

2000: Sam Holiday

2001: Sam Holiday

2002: Nick Mercury 

Wrestler of the Decade 1980's: The Destroyer

Wrestler of the Decade 1990's: Vendetta



Woman of the Year:

1995: Pamela Principal

1996: Emma Bezzlerr

1997: Barbie Wired

1998: Nikki Kixxx

1999: Mistress Gloom

2000: TrummerFrauen

2001: Madusa Micelli

2002: April Hunter

Woman of the Decade 1980's: Tawney England

Woman of the Decade 1990's: Madusa Micelli
 


Tag Team of the Year:

1980: Vegas Brothers: Kenny Deeler & A.J. Dice

1981: Roughnecks: Stan Rodgers & Russel Riggs

1982: Mike Valiant & Chris Lyon

1983: Angelo Mosca & Bobby Duncum

1984: Keith & Bret Hart

1985: Masked Superstar & Super Destroyer

1986: The Longriders: Wild Bill & Scott Irwin

1987: The Longriders: Wild Bill & Scott Irwin

1988: Top Guns: Ricky Rice & Derrick Dukes

1989: The Bruise Brothers: Larry Picone & Dave Koorajian

1990: Ben Bassarab & Biff Wellington

1991: Destruction Crew: Mike Enos & Wayne Bloom

1992: Bob Orton Jr. & Mike Lozansky

1993: Super Destroyers 2000 & 2001

1994: Robbie Royce & Dan Kroffat

1995: Destruction Crew: Mike Enos & Wayne Bloom

1996: Wolfgang Haessler & Untermenschen

1997: The Extremists: Ace Darling & Devon Storm

1998: Sexton Hardcastle & Christian Cage

1999: The Extremists: Ace Darling & Devon Storm

2000: The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers

2001: The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers

2002: Bryan Caruthers & Mike Enos

Tag Team of the Decade 1980's: The Longriders: Wild Bill Irwin & Scott Hogg Irwin

Tag Team of the Decade 1990's: The Destruction Crew: Wayne Bloom & Mike Enos
 


Manager/Valet of the Year:

1981: Shiek Fal-Had

1982: Shiek Fal-Had

1983: Tawney England

1984: Miss Hartel

1985: Miss Hartel

1986: Lisa Caress

1987: Madusa Micelli

1988: Bob Orton Jr

1989: Bob Orton Jr

1990: Nick Bockwinkel

1991: Nick Bockwinkel

1992: Nick Bockwinkel

1993: Nick Bockwinkel

1994: Jon Paul Demans

1995: Cory Everson

1996: Nick Bockwinkel

1997: Oshean

1998: Mercedes

1999: Mistress Gloom

2000: Lord Zoltan

2001: Madusa Micelli

2002: Madusa Micelli

Manager/Valet of the Decade 1980's: Bob Orton Jr

Manager/Valet of the Decade 1990's: Nick Bockwinkel
 

Rookie of the Year:

1980: Chris Lyon

1981: Jeannie Rahib

1982: Tawney England

1983: Rob Flett & Neil Sutherland

1984: Robbie Royce

*1985: n/a

1986: Shawn Cummings

1987: Mike Lozansky

1988: Troy Galveston


*1985 saw Tod Hestrerey originally declared the Rookie of the Year. However after subsequent events it became known he was the Destroyer and not a rookie so he was stripped of that honor. With no obvious second place finisher the award was not handed out.

**2001 saw Raymond Bingham named as Rookier of the Year by PWI magazine.


Feud of the Year

1980: Destroyer versus Dean Jarrett & Moose Morowski

1981: Destroyer versus Chris Lyon

1982: Destroyer versus Clarke Roenick

1983: Chris Lyon versus Mike Valiant

1984: Angelo Mosca versus Bobby Duncum

1985: Jim Brunzell versus David Schultz

1986: Bob Backlund versus David Schultz

1987: Vendetta versus Steve Disalvo

1988: Rogue versus Nick Mercury

1989: Ben Bassarab versus Ricky Rice

1990: Ben Bassarab & Biff Wellington versus Texas Hangmen: Psycho & Killer

1991: Toni Adams versus Jeannie Adams

1992: Vendetta versus Rogue

1993: Baron von Raschke versus Nick Bockwinkel

1994: Jim Brunzell versus Greg Valentine

1995: Ben Bassarab versus Jesse Hennig

1996: Greg Valentine versus Stan Lane

1997: Bobby Duncum Jr versus Kevin Northcutt

1998: Nikki Kixxx versus Runaway Jane

1999: The Alliance vs The Family

2000: Vampiro vs Nick Mercury

2001: Diamond Dallas Page & Kimberly vs Al Hardamann

2002: Steve Corino vs Jesse Hennig

Feud of the Decade (1980's): The Destroyer vs Chris Lyon

Feud of the Decade (1990's): Jim Brunzell vs Nick Bockwinkel

Match of the Year

1980: Jan 5th RCW #1
Finals for the New River City Wrestling Heavyweight Championship.
The Destroyer defeated Mike Valiant when he countered a piledriver with a sunset flip then arched back and made the pinfall holding Valiants legs. 28:27
[The Destroyer wins the RCW Heavyweight Championship]

1981: March 28th: RCW #29
CAGE MATCH RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Chris Lyons (ch) v The Mummy (/w Shiek Fal-Had)
The Mummy wins via submission at 16:16.
[The Mummy won the RCW Heavyweight Championship]

1982: Oct 24th: RCW #80
RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Chris Lyon defeated The Destroyer by pinfall with a bridging pin at 32:46
[Chris Lyon wins the RCW Heavyweight Title]

1983: August 27th : RCW # 113
#1 Contenders Match - No time Limit
Ray Stevens defeated Dyanmite Kid by stoppage due to excessive blood loss at 48:24

1984: July 25th: RCW #154 (Wrestling Summit 2)
Former World Champions Collide
Harley Race defeated Bob Backlund by countout at 31:22

1985: Dec 19th: RCW #220 (6th Anniversary Show)
Fabulous Ones: Stan Lane & Steve Keirn defeated Masked Superstar & Super Destroyer by pinfall to win the RCW tag team titles at 33:53

1986: Jul 26th: RCW #246 (Wrestling Summit 3)
Former World Champions Collide
Bob Backlund defeated Bruno Sammartino by pinfall at 23:50

1987: Dec 17th: RCW #313 (8th Anniversary Show)
Cage Match for the RCW Heavyweight Title
Vendetta defeated Steve Disalvo to retain his title at 31:18

1988: Dec 16th: RCW #358 (9th Anniversary Show)
NWA Tag Team Title Match - 2 out of 3 falls
British Bulldogs defeated Road Warriors 2 falls to 1, but Road Warriors retain the world titles at 22:29

1989: Dec 14th: RCW #406 (10th Anniversary Show)
Ricky Steamboat defeated Don Muraco by pinfall at 28:03

1990: Feb 24th: RCW #413
#1 Contenders Match
Davey Boy Smith defeated Ricky Steamboat by pinfall after a running powerslam at 17:40 (thanks to outside interference by Pat Brady).

1991: April 6: RCW #463

Best 2 out of 3 Falls

Paul Orndorff defeated Don Muraco in an extra fall 2-1-1 at 23:55

1992: February 29: RCW #490

Jerry Lynn and Ben Bassarab batted to a time limit draw 25:00

1993: December 4: RCW #535 (14th Anniversary Show)
Stan Lane defeated Harley Tragger by pinfall after a diving elbowdrop at 25:20 to win the RCW Heavyweight Title

1994: April 23: RCW # 543
Best 2 out of 3 Falls
Midnight Express: Stan Lane & Dennis Condrey defeated Killer Bees: Jim Brunzell & Brian Blair 2 falls to 1

1995: Dec 9. #593 (16th Anniversary Show)
Thrillseekers defeated African Bulldogs by pinfall when Jericho pinned Pariah after he was put through a table at 24:15

1996: May 18: RCW #609
Best 2 out of 3 Falls
Greg Valentine defeated Lewis O'Day (the TV champion) 2 falls to 1 to retain the RCW Heavyweight Title

1997: Dec 13: RCW #708 (18th Anniversary Show)
Triangle Match - Television Title
Hysteria defeated Joe E. Legend (champion) and Ben Bassarab by pinfall when Hysteria pinned Legend after a standing moonsault at 16:28

1998: Dec 5: RCW #770 (19th Anniversary Show)
RCW Heavyweight Championship Match
Vendetta (champion) defeated Gary Goodridge by pinfall after an inverted DDT at 29:50

1999: Sep 12: RCW #810 (IronMan 99) 
RCW Heavyweight Championship Match
Bobby Duncum Jr (champion) defeated Steve Corino by pinfall after a chairshot to the throat at 28:48

2000: Dec 9: RCW #860 (21st Anniversary Show)
El Dandy & Silver King defeated Team Extreme: Kit Carson & Khris Germany by pinfall when Dandy pinned Germany after La Dandina rollup at 19:40

2001: Oct 27: RCW #895
The Amazing Malenkos (Joe & Stan Malenko) beat the Spinebusters: Bryan Caruthers & Jerry Orth by pinfall when Stan Malenko pinned Bryan Caruthers with a roll-up at 24:52
[The Amazing Malenkos win the RCW Tag Team titles]

2002: Feb 9: RCW #916
Al Hardamann defeated Sam Holiday by submission to the anklelock at 23:12 
[Al Hardamann wins the RCW Heavyweight Championship]

Match of the Decade 1980's: 1989: Ricky Steamboat defeated Don Muraco by pinfall at 28:03;  Dec 14th: RCW #406 (10th Anniversary Show)

Match of the Decade 1990's: 1995: Thrillseekers: Chris Jericho & Lance Storm defeated African Bulldogs: Pariah & Temple by pinfall when Jericho pinned Pariah after he was put through a table at 24:!5; Dec 9th; RCW #593 (16th Anniversary Show)

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #947
February 19, 2003
Butte. Montana
Civic Center
Attendence: 2,902





Opening segment:
Jack Larkin returns via electronic feed, behind his locked office door. He challenges "Vicious" Manny Silva who trashed his office and gave him a beating two weeks ago to a match tonight - against his new head of security. In fact he told Silva he was taking the match, as per their contract, or he would surrender the appearance bond he posted.

Larkin also says he hasn't forgotten, or forgiven, Chrome for leaving him to the mercy of Silva. So tonight, Chrome is booked in a triple threat match against two other of his opponents for the 8-ball scramble; Dr. John Manfried and Menele. He reminds us that both those guys are certifiable.

Finally tonight, RCW is proud to present a contract to a remarkable athlete. Tenacious Z may have only one leg, but he has the heart of two men. The new "Z" man will be on hand tonight.



The first match tonight is a warm-up for the big six-man tag match at Alive.

Opening Bout
Sam Holiday & The Patriot (w/ Stan Baker) 553 lbs. cominbed
V
Allen Funk & Lash LeRoux (/w Raymond Bingham) 472 lbs. combined
LeRoux got into open clashes with his six-man tag partners Bingham and Funk, trying to stop them from cheating. In the end it was LeRoux's getting into fisticuffs with Bingham outside the ring that allowed the Patriot to hit the Patriot Missile and get the win.
[Holiday & Patriot beat Funk & Leroux when Patriot pinned Funk after the Patriot Missile at 7:14]


Bout #2
Menele (6'0 255 lbs., parts unknown)
V
Dr. John Manfried (6'2 275 lbs., Ft. Worth, Texas)
V
Chrome (6'9 328 lbs. Black Hills, South Dakota)
If this match was supposed to punish Chrome it didn't turn out that way. Much bigger then the other men, Chrome used his big boot and long reach to keep his opponents off balance, and staggering. He showed a lot of patience not going for the pin too early while the 3rd man was still strong enough to stop the pin. Finally Manfried and Menele combined their attacks somewhat to counter Chrome. But when they went for a double chairshot Chrome ducked out of the way and the two villains nailed each other with the steel chairs instead. Chrome then gave each man a chokeslam before devastating Menele with the Chrome Driver from the top rope.
[Chrome defeats Dr. John Manfried and Menele in a triple threat match when he pinned Menele after the Chrome Driver at 10:39]


Bout #3
Damien Demento (6'2 288 lbs. the Outer Reaches of your mind) defeats Armand Rougeau Jr. (6'1 214 lbs. Montreal, Quebec) at 6:33 after the Demento kneedrop.


Backstage:
VP Dale Kuentz looking uncomfortable walks up to Lash LeRoux. He tells him that he has a message from President Larkin. LeRoux is not to screw up the six-man tag match at Alive with his false sense of allegiances. If he screws it up for the President his life will be miserable here in RCW. Kuentz apologizes to Leroux and then walks away.


The next match is like last week where we mix up the tag partners that will be competing in the 4-team mini tournament at Alive for the tag team titles. Tonight we have the other 4 participants that did not compete in the match last week.

Bout #4
Vincent Regliatti & Shane Madison (combined wt of 456 lbs.)
V
Al Collins & Greg Pawluk (combined wt of 463 lbs.)
This match goes heavily in the favour of Al Collins and Greg Pawluk with each man being very proficient. They really have Shane Madison in a world of trouble when suddenly from the crowd emerges the Insane Clown Posse, guided by Derek St. Holmes. So this is the "World Championship" team that St. Holmes has been touting for the last couple of weeks?
The ICP open up fire extinguishers to blind everyone in the ring before laying out Collins, Pawluk, and Regliatti, with X-factors and bulldogs. Strangely enough, whether by design or mistake they leave Shane Madison alone.
[No contest at 8:31]

Post-Match:
As the mayhem subsides and tag partners come out to help each other out, Sinister Stan Baker makes a surprise appearance on the ramp with a lead pipe. He proceeds to use that lead pipe on the knees of Eric Scott and Vincent Regliatti, The Great Canadians. He tells them as they lay prone to keep their mouths shut next time.

Contract signing:
Vice-Presidents Dale Kuentz and Selita Segal come to the ring and introduce the one-legged wonder, Tenacious Z, to a huge applause by the crowd.

Not only does he sign a contract but Kuentz annouces that Z will premiere in RCW at "Alive".

This news brings out Asp Evergreen from the back in street clothes. Evergreen says this is a bunch of crap. He and guys like Chavez have been busting their butts in Butte, and this Johnny hop lately gets a PPV shot? Z looks a little pissed off at Evergreen but is holding his tongue. Finally, Evergreen gives Z a push, and the newcomer retaliates with a standing dropkick!

But when he regains his footing he is attacked from behind by Eddie Chavez who has climbed under the ropes. The 2 on 1 beatdown is on, and Z never has a chance.


Backstage:
After a commercial break we go backstage where Tenacious Z has got a hold of Deane Moore and Dale Kuentz. He asks Kuentz if an opponent has been named yet for his match at Alive. After Kuentz says there isn't one yet, Z asks him for Asp Evergreen. Kuentz gets a big smile on his face and says that Larkin will like that very much.


Videotape:
Earlier today RCW cameras were on hand in a local gymnasium where amateur greats Rulon Gardner and Cael Sanderson got down on the mats for a little amateur exhibition match.

"Freestyle amateur wrestling match"
Rulon Gardner v Cael Sanderson
Sanderson is no match for Gardner simply based on weight alone, but he gives it a good effort. After about 2 minutes of sparring Gardner is leading 4-0 when suddenly Boss Strickland shows up and starts berating both men for not inviting him to this exhibition.
Gardner invites Strickland to take Sanderson's place and he agrees.

"Freestyle amateur wrestling match"
Rulon Gardner v Boss Strickland
After about 30 seconds Gardner has been unable to take Strickland down, but the Boss has failed to mount any offence. After a break, when they cinch up again the Boss snakes out a right fist and nails a sucker punch to the head of Gardner. He follows up with a knee to the gut, a kick to the groin, and then sets up a double underhook, but is tackled by Sanderson before he can do any more damage.

Sanderson and Strickland are rolling around on the ground exchanging punches and have to be broken up by several of the on-looking wrestlers.


The next match came about as a result of a 3-way tie in their bracket to see who would go on to Alive to battle for the Heritage title.

Bout #5
Triple Threat Match
Union Jack (5'10 234 lbs., Liverpool, England)
V
Den Graves (6'3 260 lbs. Wiggan School of England, by way of Potsdam, Germany)
V
Gabriel Argos (6'2 252 lbs. Cyprus)
Graves was at a big disadvantage in this match as his past actions have made him the target for both Argos and UJ. In fact the only time Argos or UJ attacked each other was to break up pin attempts on Graves or when the German was obviously out of it.
That all changed quickly after an inadvertent ref bumb by Union Jack. As the Englishman tried to revive referee Melissa Coates behind his back Den Scarraman appeared from the crowd, grabbed a chair and blindsided Argos who was battling Graves. Scarraman was last seen in 2002 buried in the PWA roster. Next he nailed Union Jack in the back with the chair. Graves revived the ref and locked the STF onto a limp Union Jack.
[Den Graves defeated Union Jack and Gabriel Argos in a triple threat match after Graves made Union Jack submit to the STF at 16:29 after outside interference]

Post-Match Interview Backstage:
Den Graves welcomes his friend Den Scarraman (who also hails from Germany) into RCW. Graves said he felt he needed some backup. They call their alliance "Den of Thieves" and remind Argos and Union Jack that there is no honour amongst thieves.


Jack Larkin makes his way to the ring. He says he wants everyone to welcome to RCW his new head of security...formerly known as Farrooq...but originally, and better known as RON SIMMONS !!!
The fans pop for this major announcement and cheer as Simmons reaches the ring.
Simmons takes the mic from Larkin. He says he doesn't always agree with Larkin's calls, but he does believe that there needs to be order amongst the workers, in the backstage area, and in the office. He is here to maintain that order.


Main Event:
"Vicious" Manny Silva (6'2 259 lbs., Oahu, Hawaii)
V
Ron Simmons (6'2 260 lbs. Perry, Georgia)
Simmons controlled early with a series of flying shoulderblocks, but Silva bounced back a double ax-handle chop and followed up with a well executed wheelbarrow suplex. That really showed Silva's power. This match went back and forth and the fans really got under Silva's skin chanting "poodle, poodle" making him grab his hair and yell at the ref Buddy Lane to make them stop. After a while Silva wasted even more time by going out of the ring and getting into the face of Larkin. This was a mistake though as Simmons scored with a double ax-handle off the ring apron. He then tossed Silva around the ringside area drawing blood from the Hawaiian's forehead.
Both men were eventually counted out.
[Double countout at 10:48]

Post-Match:
They refused to quit however and fought over to the announce table. Silva got battered but managed to grab a hold of the ring bell and swing around clocking Simmons who dropped like a stone. Silva tried to go after Larkin with the ringbell but suddenly Chrome ran down from the back and nailed Silva in the back. Chrome continued to pound on Silva for a few seconds when just as suddenly Steve Riley appeared in street clothes and brandishing a pair of brass knuckles. He tried to coldcock Chrome but his punch was blocked. The two big men continued to trade punches as Silva and Simmons were regaining their feet. As the four men scramble into the ring and went toe-to-toe, they were joined by a charging Vendetta!! All 5 of these 8-ball challenge finalists now slugged it out in the middle of the ring, and as we came to a close it looked like Vendetta was getting the best of everyone.

FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

"Ten pounds of gold, eight men, one match concept. Who will remain Alive?"

River City Wrestling #948
Saturday, February 22nd 2003


7:00pm CST

Live, only on PPV


from






Eight-Ball Scramble for the vacant

RCW Heavyweight Championship

Chrome, Vendetta, Boss Strickland, Manny Silva,

Steve Riley, Raymond Bingham, Dr. John Manfried, Menele

As the men were being introduced and entered the ring they couldn't wait for the bell to ring and began to fight it out before everyone had entered. The rest of the field quickly ran down from the locker room and got right into it as head referee Buddy Lane just threw up his arms and let them go to it.

Chrome and Silva locked horns right away and went out of the ring. Silva threw Chrome into the crowd and the two began to hammer it out in the midst of the fans.

Vendetta also had a target in mind as he went right after Steve Riley and punished him with several splashes and headbutts in the corner. Only an inadvertent move with Dr. John Manfried whipping Menele into the back of Vendetta gave Riley a chance to survive.

Boss Strickland managed in the middle of the melee to hit a frog splash on Raymond Bingham as Manfried held Bingham's feet down. Manfried and Menele watched as Strickland pinned Bingham.

**Raymond Bingham eliminated by Boss Strickland at 5:34

Using the elimination as a breather Buddy Lane and Jurgen Hermann managed to restore order. They had Strickland and Menele lock up in the ring and managed to get Manfried, Riley, and Vendetta to take up position around the ring apron. However, Chrome and Silva continued to battle into the crowd. Hermann was sent by Lane to get them to the apron but he was ineffectual as usual, getting accidentally bumped and knocked out.

Back inside the ring Strickland tagged in Riley, and then Vendetta tagged himself in off the back of Menele. The chaotic monster Menele though didn't take kindly to the tag and nailed Vendetta from behind with a double ax-handle. This gave Riley the advantage. For the next few minutes Riley dominated Vendetta but couldn't put him away. Manfried and Menele called out for the tag but Riley refused. Soon Vendetta made a comeback, punching his way to his feet and then smashing Riley into the corner. A series of headbutts, a biel out of the corner, and then a pair of running clotheslines. In total Vendetta and Riley took up the last 8 minutes of the 10 minute period with neither one being able to put the other away, and neither one willing to make a tag.

The horn blasted for the scramble period and all hell broke loose. Manfried, Menele, and Riley all triple teamed Vendetta but somehow the man from Haiti managed to survive without being eliminated. In the meantime Boss Strickland had a seat at ringside and watched the action. Hermann was back to his feet now and trying to get Chrome and Silva, both who were now busted open, to return to the ring. The horn blasted to end the 3 minute scramble period.

The next one-on-one period commenced with the same two who ended the last one, Vendetta and Riley. However, as they fought Buddy Lane began to apply a 20 count, telling Chrome and Silva over the house mic that if they failed to heed the count they would be eliminated. Both men grudgingly made it back to the apron.

In the meantime inside the ring this time Riley was willing to make several tags in and out with Manfried and Menele. However, Manfried went for his Manfried Claw too early and Vendetta took him down with a nasty looking chokeslam that bounced Manfried's head off the mat. Lane counted the 1, 2, 3.

**Dr. John Manfried eliminated by Vendetta at 21:55

About a minute and a half later the horn blew and the next scramble period began. Of course Chrome and Silva went right at it, and this time Strickland could not hide from Menele. Vendetta and Riely took their feud out of the ring, and Vendetta dived down out of the way of a spear causing Riley to crash head first under the ring apron. Vendetta grabbed a chair and when Riley finally managed to emerge from under the ring he nailed him with a running chairshot and then pinned him.

**Steve Riley eliminated by Vendetta at 26:02

When the next one-on-one period began it started with Vendetta and Menele. The period was 5 minutes long and saw a couple of quick eliminations. Manny Silva managed to catch Boss Strickland on the rebound after receiving a punch in the corner by Vendetta, and nailed him with a full-nelson slam to get the pin.

**Boss Strickland eliminated by Manny Silva at 28:47

Then after a few successive tags Menele and Silva double teamed Chrome with a stuff piledriver. Menele picked up the pin.

**Chrome eliminated by Menele at 31:18

When the horn blew to start the next 3 minute scramble period at 31:34 there were 3 more men remaining in the match; Vendetta, Silva, and Menele.

Silva and Menele double teamed Vendetta. They went for a double stuff piledriver, but Vendetta managed to kick hard enough to throw Menele off balance, causing all 3 men to crash into a heap. The horn sounded to start the next 5 minute one-on-one period at 34:34.

Vendetta punished Menele for almost the whole 5 minutes. Silva tried to interfere but Buddy Lane and Jurgen Hermann worked as a team to keep him out of the fray. However, with about one minute left in the period, both refs were tied up trying to once again keep Silva out of the ring. From the back ran down previously eliminated Steve Riley who caught Vendetta from behind with a vicious spear in the back. Menele managed to tag in Silva, and seconds after the horn blew to start the scramble period Silva nailed Vendetta with his finisher, a front layout superplex.

**Vendetta eliminated by Manny Silva at 39:50

Menele was a real cinderella story making it into the final two and went right after Silva. He took the match outside the ring where he nailed Silva with the ringbell and tried to choke him out with the television cable. Silva though lying on his back while being choked out, snaked his fingers out under the ring and managed to pull out a steel chair which he jabbed into the back of Menele. He then nailed the former RCW protege with 3 successive blasts of the chair to the head, before clotheslining him to the ground. Belly-to-back suplex, and then he rolled Menele back into the ring. He took him to the top and brought him back down with a front layout superplex.

**Menele eliminated by Manny Silva at 42:58

["Vicious" Manny Silva won the 8-Ball Scramble]
["Vicious" Manny Silva won the RCW Heavyweight Championship]

Best 2 of 3 Falls Match

For the vacant RCW Heritage Championship



Vic Gate

v

Den Graves

The first fall showed that both these men are well trained in mat wrestling and submission moves and counters. Graves played it rough but surprisingly clean. However, right after the ring announcer said there were 20 minutes expired he seemed to take the action up a notch, using a hidden string of tape to choke Gate repeatedly behind the ref's back. The crowd moaned when Graves managed to lock Gate into an Angled Reverse Figure-Four leglock. Gate tried to rock his way out of the hold but that just caused too much pain. Finally he managed to inch his way to the ropes and get the break. It took a full 5 count though by ref Jimmy Appleseed before Graves would break the move.

The rest of the fall you could see that Gate was hurting, but Graves seemed content to go after his head now, punishing him with punches and headlocks. When he finally went back for the leg's and shot in, Graves managed to counter with a front facelock, and turn it into a hangman. Finally he released the hold with a neckbreaker. Three consecutive German suplexes and then a roll up and Gate had the first fall.

**Vic Gate wins the first fall by pinfall after a German Suplex at 31:07


The match broke down into fisticuffs and brawling in the second fall. It went in and out of the ring. Finally Graves battered Gate into the ringsteps and tried to get into the ring to beat the count. But Gate managed to hold onto one leg of Graves and cause a double countout.

**2nd fall ends in a double countout at 39:10


This posed an interesting question. What would happen if the 3rd fall went to Graves? For that matter color commentator Linley Tolbert claimed that the match should be over, that 3 falls had expired and that it was 2-1 for Gate. But since the title can not change hands on a DCO it should be held up? Amidst all the confusion, referee Jimmy Appleseed called for the bell and started what he deemed to be the 3rd fall.

Both men seemed pretty tired by now, and the match slowed down quite a bit. The younger man Graves took over with a series of wear down holds, and some high impact suplexes and powerbombs. However, Gate is an extremely tough man to pin who knows how to stay close to the ropes.

Graves went for an Indian deathlock but Gate reached across and grabbed ahold of Grave's kneepad. He pulled him forward and then rolled him up, but only got a 2 count. Gate was on fire with a belly-to-belly, a couple of dropkicks, and then nailed a crucifix into a cradle to get the pin.

As Gate was finishing off Graves, Den Scarraman appeared from the back and was making his way to the ring. However, he was chased from behind and clipped by Union Jack who made sure that Scarraman did not interfere in the match.

**Vic Gate wins the 3rd fall by pinfall at 49:42 after a flying crucifix.

[Vic Gate wins the vacant RCW Heritage championship]

Mini-tournament, 4 Teams

for the vacant RCW Tag Team Championships



Great Canadians: Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti

Will Damon & Shane Madison

Al Collins & Joe Blum

Young Guns: Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine

Well, that is the way the PPV was advertised but a change occurred. Earlier in the night Derek St. Holmes Esq, came to the ring and called out V.P. Dale Kuentz. He presented the VP with a signed contract from Will Damon & Shane Madison signing over their spot in the tournament tonight for $2,000 in cash, to the Insane Clown Posse. Kuentz wasn't happy about it, but Al Collins & Joe Blum came to the ring to confront Holmes. They told Kuentz they had no problem wrestling ICP tonight and would enjoy beating their clown asses after their sneak attack on Rage. Speaking of sneak attacks, at this moment, the ICP hit the ring with their fire extinguishers, but Collins and Blum anticipated it and got in punches before the ICP could react. Blum and Collins drove the clowns from the ring, and Holmes had to do a head tope out of the ring onto the floor to escape.


Semi-Final #1

Insane Clown Posse v Al Collins & Joe Blum

The ICP were no match for the veterans. Everything they tried back fired as the good guys anticipated everything. In the end Blum battered Violent J and Holmes outside the ring as Collins nailed Shaggy with the big boot to get the pin.

[Al Collins & Joe Blum beat ICP when Collins pinned Shaggy 2 Dope after the big boot at 6:52]


Semi-Final #2

Vincent Regliatti & Eric Scott v Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine

Hard fought match, went back and forth. Both teams lost their temper a lot. Both Regs and Scott had their knees wrapped heavily thanks to the attack last week by Stan Baker. Scott really shined through as the tough veteran as this match went along. Devine was in a world of trouble, and Pawluk tried to help him out, but referee Jurgen Hermann escorted Pawluk out of the ring. While he was doing that the Great Canadians nailed a double brainbuster and then Scott picked up the pin.

[The Great Canadians defeated The Young Guns by pinfall when Scott pinned Devine after a double brainbuster at 6:06].

Post-Match: Devine really tore a strip into Pawluk for distracting the ref and allowing him to be double teamed.


Finals

Vincent Regliatti & Eric Scott v Al Collins & Joe Blum

This was just like old times in RCW as these 4 men renewed acquaintances. Collins & Blum controlled early but the villains managed to escape several pin attempts by the illegal man entering and breaking up the pinfall. There was a major skirmish with all 4 men going at it, and Collins pinned Scott after a big boot. However, Melissa Coates upon protest by the Great Canadians reversed her decision, as Collins was not the legal man. As Collins and Blum protested the Great Canadians used the distraction to don brass knux and nail their opponents from behind. Scott nailed the Northern Spike (brainbuster) on Collins and picked up the tainted victory.

[The Great Canadians beat Al Collins & Joe Blum by pinfall when Scott pinned Collins after the Northern Spike brainbuster at 9:01]

[The Great Canadians, Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti won the vacant RCW Tag Team Championships]

Six-Man Tag Match

The veterans need to win the match to earn contracts with RCW

"the veterans" Sam Holiday, Stan Baker, The Patriot

V

"the youngsters" Raymond Bingham, Lash LeRoux, Allen Funk

Quite frankly, the old timers just had too much game for the youngsters, and too much at stake - a career full of pride. Bingham and Allen Funk did all they could to cheat to win, but LeRoux played it straight. In the end, rather then LeRoux costing his team the win as Larkin threatened would happen, Bingham and Funk grew so frustrated with LeRoux's unwillingness to cheat that they turned on him during a six-man skirmish. The only problem was that LeRoux was the legal man in the ring at the time. When it was all sorted out Stan Baker nailed the heartpunch and pinned LeRoux.

[Sam Holiday, Stan Baker, and The Patriot beat Raymond Bingham, Lash LeRoux, and Allen Funk when Baker pinned LeRoux after the heartpunch at 8:17]

[Holiday, Baker, and the Patriot all get active wrestling contracts with RCW]

12-Man Battle Royal

Winner to receive NWA World Title Shot

Order of elimination

xx Hombre Muerto Recorre (by Jason Pharo) 1:34

xx Lord Valmont (eliminated self) 2:44

xx Gregor Kitnitsov (by Damien Demento) 3:01

xx Moses Luke (by Ron Simmons) 3:55

xx Cael Sanderson (by Mr. Wrestling) 4:03

xx Mr. Wrestling by (Rulon Gardner) 4:24

xx Jason Pharo & Damien Demento (double elim) 5:15

xx Gabriel Argos (by Union Jack & Gardner) 6:33

xx Union Jack (by Ron Simmons) 7:59

xx Rulon Gardner (by Ron Simmons) 12:05


Winner: Ron Simmons

[Ron Simmons wins the right to challenge for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at Cyberwar]

Special Attraction

Tenacious Z

v

Asp Evergreen

The first match of the night started off with Asp Evergreen coming to the ring with his friend Eddie Chavez. Asp had a sling on his arm, and said he couldn't wrestle tonight due to his injury. The crowd jeered Asp, and Tenacious Z grabbed the mic and asked Asp why he could wrestle with only one leg, but Asp couldn't wrestle with one injured arm?

Evergeen thought about it for a minute, seemingly taken aback by the question, before responding to Z, "but you're used to being a cripple. Being a gimp is new to me. I could wrestle but I would need a doctor's clearance first. But I tell you what. Since the fans have come to see you wrestle, they obviously like watching minorities wrestle, let's give them a suitable replacement. My buddy Eddie here is from a minority too, he'll fight you."

Z was pissed off but wanted to fight someone so he agreed.


The match between Z and Chavez went on for about 8 minutes and it was high paced excitement with both men holding their own. Then just as Z was pressing his advantage Asp Evergreen returned to the ring. He had some papers with him and entered the ring.

Referee Melissa Coates called for the bell and seemingly DQ'd Chavez.

Evergreen though got on the mic and said that due to Z's insistence he has gone out and got doctor's clearance which he presents to Coates. Coates gets a mic and confirms the clearance (Asp isn't wearing a sling anymore) but says that the match has already finished, that Z is the winner by DQ.

[Tenacious Z beats Eddie Chavez by disqualification due to outside interference at 8:27]



<<< cue "Nookie" by Limp Bizkit >>>

From the back, carrying a briefcase comes Derek St. Holmes, ESQ, better known as the new manger of ICP. He opens the briefcase and pulls out a contract. He says this is a valid contract between Evergreen and Z for a match tonight. He says that the contract has not been fulfilled and needs to be carried out. Z agrees but is then coldcocked from behind by Chavez.

Coates calls for the bell to start the match. Z is a game competitor but the deck is stacked against him with already having wrestled 8 minutes, and having been attacked from behind. He tries to make comebacks but Evergreen just keeps punishing him. With Z on his back after a brainbuster, Evergeen humiliates him by feigning trying to put on a figure-four on the one legged wrestler. Instead he stomps on his lower midsection. After an elbowdrop he climbs to the top rope and comes off with his twisting moonsault finisher.

[Asp Evergreen beats Tenacious Z by pinfall after a twisting moonsault at 5:22]

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #949
March 5, 2003
Boise, Idaho

Bronco Gym

Attendance: 1,223 (sold out)


Den of Thieves opens the show (Den Graves & Den Scarraman). They rile up the crowd by saying at Alive they performed in front of a crowd that wore shirts saying "IDAHO". At least the women in this state KNOW what they are, Ho's. But tonight we look out at the crowd and see a bunch of ugly chicks wearing shirts that say "boys" (BOISE). You look like a bunch of cross dressing guys, so maybe it's possible, who knows?

Onto business, the D of T complain that they were robbed of the Heritage title at Alive. When the second fall ended in a double countout that should have ended the match. No third fall should have happened. They say they have sent in a formal written protest to NWA offices. In the meantime they issue a challenge to Vic Gate to put up his title and set the record clear.

Vic Gate appears to a huge ovation from the crowd, wearing the Heritage title around his waist. He says if Graves wants to be taken to school by Daddy one more time, then buckle up baby. But Graves demurs, and says that this time Scarraman will be getting the title shot. Vic Gates accepts the match for later tonight.


Opening Bout
Lash LeRoux vs Allen Funk

Lash LeRoux comes to the ring along with referee Buddy Lane. LeRoux says that he did not cost his team the match at Alive, so Larkin's threats to make his life miserable don't mean a damn thing. However, he's pissed off that he was punked by Bingham and Funk during the match, and that resulted in him being pinned. He challenges Bingham, Funk, or both to come out and fight. Allen Funk emerges to take the challenge. LeRoux controls most of the bout. 
Lash LeRoux beat Allen Funk by pinfall after a wheelbarrow driver at 7:28



Backstage:
Will Damon and Shane Madison are talking with V.P. Dale Kuentz. Kuentz is very upset that they sold their shot at the tag titles at Alive for $2,000 to ICP.
Damon and Madison say they never agreed to anything, sure didn't receive even a penny, and spent the entire PPV locked in a dressing room. They say they want their revenge on ICP. Kuentz says to give him a couple of days to confirm their story and if it holds up they will get their match against ICP on Saturday Squash. Also, if it holds up he says he will fine ICP the $2,000 and hand it over to Damon & Madison.

Gregor Kitnitsov & his mouthpiece Sammy Yip come to the ring waving the North Korean and old USSR flags. Yip lays into America warning them that if they enter into wars with Iraq and North Korea they will be joining the likes of Israel, Northern Ireland, and Croatia in a time of eternal war and vigilance. There will be no turning back. He thanks the people of France, Germany, and Russia for their support. At this point Kitnitsov grabs the mic. He laughs at America saying even their attempts to put in CIA run puppet gangsters in control of mother Russia has not turned out the way they wanted it. Just like their creation of Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq wars. He says America has no one to blame but themselves...

<<< cue "Star Spangled Banner" by Jimi Hendrix >>>

The crowd goes nuts when the Patriot answers the call to action. Carrying a HUGE American flag he makes his way to the ring. Yip has to restrain Kitnitsov in the corner. Sammy Yip carefully tossed the mic to a very angry looking Patriot.
Patriot catches the mic, and after a few false starts to find his words says "Hell boys I didn't come down here to talk with you, I came to kick your ass".

With that it's on and Kitnitsov and Patriot go at it. Security soon floods the ring to separate the two. Official Buddy Lane is in the ring with a mic and says to clear the ring, after a short commercial break these two can settle their differences in the ring.

Bout #2
The Patriot and Gregor Kitntisov battle to a double countout at 10:42.


In-ring interview:
Deane Moore calls to the ring Asp Evergreen. The youngster comes out accompanied by his friend Eddie Chavez. They defend their actions at Alive as being on the up and up. Moore questions the validity of Evergreen being able to go out on a moment's notice and within minutes return with doctor's clearance. Asp thinks about it for a moment and then declares that what he meant by not having doctor's clearance was that he had forgotten it in his gym bag, not that he didn't have it all together.
From the back comes Tenacious Z to the ring. Chavez and Evergreen make a big show of trying to hold open the ropes for the youngster to come into the ring. Instead Z uses the top rope to vault up and over the top strand and into the ring. He gets the mic.
Z challenges both of them to a tag match with his new partner, Shane Stevens, who comes to the ring. Evergreeen is pissed off at Stevens saying he has turned his back on the hard working boys of Butte, and teamed up with this guy who has had everything handed to him on a silver platter just because he's missing a limb.
Evergreen accepts the challenge for a tag match on Saturday Squash but says that Chavez will get the night off, and that the newest member of their little group will be unveiled as his tag partner.


Bout #3
Cael Sanderson & Rulon Gardner vs Boss Strickland & Mr. Wrestling

The next match continued the feud between Boss Strickland and RCW's two legit amateur stars Cael Sanderson and Rulon Gardner. In this tag match Mr. Wrestling steps forward to be Strickland's partner. Mr. Wrestling addresses Sanderson and Gardner and takes exception to their claims of freestyle greatness. It is he, that is known as Mr. Wrestling, and for good reason.
What could have been an excellent show of wrestling skill turned into a messy brawl, that saw all 4 men in the ring more often than not. At that frantic pace it didn't take long until Strickland and Mr. Wrestling were able to incapacitate Cael Sanderson with a shot into the ringpost. Two on one Gardner didn't have a chance and the duo finished him off with a version of the doomsday device.
Boss Strickland & Mr. Wrestling beat Cael Sanderson & Rulon Gardner by pinfall when Strickland pinned Gardner after the doomsday device at 5:36.


Backstage:
A very nervous looking Sugarbear Baker roams a hallway. Finally he sees Sinister Stan Baker emerge from the bathroom and calls out to him. SbB welcomes Stan Baker to RCW and says he just wants to clear the air regarding the use of the name Baker. He says he meant no disrespect to Stan or the Ox at all, and that it was all Larkin's idea. SbB says Larkin wanted to model a wrestler after the bear on his favourite cereal, Sugar Crisps. In fact he says Larkin wanted to call him Sugar Crisps Baker. Finally, Stan just holds up a hand for silence. He puts a hand on the shoulder of SbB and says its okay. He understands. Then Stan says that despite the gimmick SbB still hasn't been getting much time on TV, and the arrival of all these new stars like himself hasn't helped. He offers SbB a match tonight on Rage to get him some air time.
SbB looks very pleased and accepts.


Bout #4
Damien Demento vs Derek St. Holmes, Esq.

Derek St. Holmes, ESQ comes out in his wrestling gear looking very displeased. He says he has been forced into a match tonight against a mad man just because he did his duty to his clients at Alive. He is being punished because he lived up to his Hypocrite Oath.
Damien Demento beat Derek St. Holmes by pinfall after the Demento knee-drop at 5:14.

Post-Match:
ICP hits the ring and while Violent J distracts Demento, Shaggy 2 Dope nails him in the back of the head with a fire extinguisher.


Bout #5
Non-title Tag Team Match
The Great Canadians (Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti) (champions) beat Mentello & Peregryne when Regliatti pinned Peregryne after a Northern Lights Suplex at 11:35.
-This was a tremendous match-up. Scott a brawler, and Regliatti a mat wrestler, matched up well with the high-flying duo of masked youngsters from the Butte school. The match really showcased Mentello & Peregryne's athletic ability in their Rage debut.


Office:
Manny Silva, with the RCW Heavyweight title around his waist, forcefully enters the office of President Larkin, where he is meeting with his head of security Ron Simmons.
Silva says that as RCW champion he should be getting the title shot at Cyberwar against NWA World Champion Texas Lightning. Larkin just scoffs at him standing up and says that if Silva had what it took to be a real champion then he would start by getting that belt off his shoulder and around his waist where it belongs. That's why they make it as a belt nimrod.
Silva takes it off his shoulder but instead of putting it around his waist he lashes out nailing Simmons in the side of the head. He then tries to leap across the table at Larkin but Simmons manages to grab an ankle and pull the champ down. The two men wrestle around the ground until security shows up to break them apart.

Bout #6
Sinister Stan Baker vs Sugarbear Baker

Sugarbear Baker comes out for his match. He grabs a mic and interrupts the ring announcer. He says that upon reflection he has decided to change his name back to his original in-ring name, Brickwall Bradley.
Sinister Stan Baker comes out and the two shake hands before locking it up for their match. Bradley is a game competitor but Baker has just too much raw power for Bradley to compete with. In a relatively clean affair Baker asserts himself with a powerbomb, and then the heartpunch to get the win.
Sinister Stan Baker beat Brickwall Bradley by pinfall after the heartpunch at 7:59.

Post-Match:
Baker suddenly turned on Bradley and locked him in a camel clutch, refusing to let go. From the back finally came Sam Holiday. These two were enemies in mid-America for years. They seem to have finally buried the hatchet, but now Holiday had to drag Baker off of Bradley. Baker then turned on Holiday with a lowblow, a verical suplex, and then lined him up and nailed him with the heartpunch. Baker left the ring with Holiday and Bradley down and out.


In-ring:
<<< cue "We Will Rock You" by Queen >>>
"Total Destruction" Steve Riley comes out with his usual entourage of lawyers, agents, accountants, trainers, and girlfriends. In total he has 8 people with him today. In a very crowded ring Riley proclaims his pure hatred for the Haitian Voodoo prince, Vendetta. He says that Vendetta has got in his way of the gold for the last time. Riley's lawyer produces a contract, which already bears Riley's signature as well as the signature of President Larkin. The contract is for a CAGE MATCH at Cyberwar between Riley and Vendetta.
Vendetta answers the call by coming to the ring. He menaces the entourage to make room, then takes the pen and signs the contract. He tells Riley that his nickname Total Destruction will become a self-fulfilled prophecy at Cyberwar.


Main Event:
RCW Heritage Championship Match
Vic Gate (c)
v
Den Scarraman

Scarrman is not the technician that his partner Den Graves is, and no where near the level of Vic Gate. So this match turned into a brawl started by Scarraman. Graves risked DQ by interfering when the action spilled to the outside. Back inside the ring Scarraman really risked DQ by refusing to break a choke hold, and then firing off some eye gouges. Finally any pretense to a wrestling match broke down as Den Graves entered the ring with a chair and smashed it over the back of Vic Gate who unable to see was trying to pull him self up on the ropes.
[Vic Gate beat Den Scarraman by disqualification after outside interference by Den Graves at 6:15]
[Vic Gate retains the RCW Heritage Title]

Post-Match:
Union Jack and Gabriel Argos came out of the dressing room to the rescue of Vic Gate as they hammered Den of Thieves out of the ring.

FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

RCW Heavyweight Title History

1. The Destroyer
Jan 5/80: defeated Mike Valiant at RCW #1 in a tournament final.

2. Chris Lyon
Jan 24/81: defeated The Mummy in tournament final at RCW #26.
The Destroyer was stripped of his title after not being able to
defend the title for 30 days due to injury.

3. The Mummy
Mar 28/81: defeated Chris Lyons in a cage match at RCW #29.

4. The Destroyer (2)
Aug 1/81: defeated the Mummy at RCW #36.

5. Chris Lyon (2)
Oct 24/82: defeated the Destroyer at RCW #80

6. The Destroyer (3)
Apr 30/83: defeated Chris Lyon at RCW #97.
Best 2 out of 3 falls

7. Chris Lyon (3)
July 9/83: defeated The Destroyer at RCW #106

8. Jim Brunzell
Sep 22/84: defeated Chris Lyon at RCW #162

9. David Schultz
Mar 23/85: defeated Jim Brunzell at RCW #184

10. Jim Brunzell (2)
Apr 20/85: defeated David Schultz at RCW #187
3 falls to 2, 30-minute Ironman Cage Match

11. Jerry Blackwell
June 30/85: defeated Jim Brunzell at RCW #196

12. Bob Backlund
Oct 5/85: defeated Jerry Blackwell at RCW #209

13. David Schultz (2)
Dec 19/85: defeated Bob Backlund at RCW #220

14. Bob Backlund (2)
Feb 15/86: defeated David Schultz at RCW #225

15. Steve Disalvo
Aug 23/86: defeated Bob Backlund at RCW #250

16. Vendetta
Oct 10/87: defeated Steve Disalvo at RCW #304

17. Don Muraco
Mar 18/89: defeated Vendetta at RCW #367

18. Dynamite Kid
Apr 15/89: defeated Don Muraco at RCW #371

19. Don Muraco (2)
May 27/89: defeated Dynamite Kid at RCW #377

20. Davey Boy Smith
Sep 2/89: defeated Don Muraco at RCW #391

21. Dynamite Kid (2)
Dec 14/89: defeated Davey Boy Smith by pinfall in a Coal Miners Glove match at RCW #406 (10th Anniversary Spectacular)

22. Paul Orndorff
May 26/90: defeated Dynamite Kid by pinfall at RCW #425
**vacated July 7th due to injury

23. Steve Disalvo (2)
Aug 4/90: defeated Don Muraco in tournament final at RCW #435

24. Ricky Steamboat
Dec 15/90: defeated Steve Disalvo at RCW #449 at (11th Anniversary Spectacular)

25. Larry Cameron
Mar 14/91: defeated Jerry Lynn at RCW #459 in tournament final
**Vacated by Steamboat due to injury

26. Paul Orndorff (2)
Sep 28/91: defeated Cameron by pinfall at RCW #480

27. Rogue
Feb 15/92: defeated Orndorff in a cage match at RCW #489

28. Vendetta (2)

Jun 20/92: defeated Rogue 2 falls to 0 in a best of 3 falls match at RCW #498

29. Dirty White Boy
Aug 15/92: defeated Vendetta by pinfall at RCW #502

30. Jerry Lynn
Dec 5/92: defeated Dirty White Boy 2 falls to 1 in a best of 3 falls match at RCW #510 (13th Anniversary Spectacular)

31. Manny Silva

Mar 27/93: defeated Jerry Lynn by pinfall at RCW #517

32. Harley Tragger
Sep 25/93: defeated Dirty White Boy in tournament final at RCW #530
**Manny Silva was stripped of the title and suspended for his actions

33. Stan Lane
Dec 4/93: defeated Harley Tragger by pinfall at RCW #535 (14th Anniversary Spectacular)

34. Jim Brunzell (3)
Apr 9/94: defeated Stan Lane by submission at RCW #542 in a steel cage match

35. Greg Valentine
Jun 4/94: defeated Jim Brunzell by referee's decision at RCW #546 

36. Harley Tragger (2)

Sep 24/94: defeated Greg Valentine by pinfall at RCW #554

37. Stan Lane (2)
Dec 3/94: defeated Harley Tragger by pinfall at RCW #559 (15th Anniversary Spectacular)

38. Jim Brunzell (4)
Oct 21/95: defeated Stan Lane by pinfall at RCW # 587
**Vacated title for retirement after Dec 9/95 title defence.

39. Greg Valentine (2)
Jan 20/96: defeated Waylon Mercy by pinfall at RCW #596
**tournament final for vacant title

40. Waylon Mercy
Jul 6/96: defeated Greg Valentine by pinfall at RCW #619

41. Stan Lane (3)
Sep 14/96: defeated Waylon Mercy by pinfall at RCW #634

42. Manny Silva (2)
Jul 19/97: defeated Stan Lane by pinfall at RCW #680

43. Vendetta (3)
Dec 13/97: defeated Manny Silva by pinfall at RCW #708 (18th Anniversary Spectacular)

44. Masa Chono
Feb 21/98: defeated Vendetta by pinfall at RCW #716

45. Vendetta (4)
Apr 4/98: defeated Masa Chono by pinfall at RCW #722
**Vendetta forfeited the title after his defence at the 19th Anniversary show, on Dec 5/98

46. Jody Christmas
Feb 11/99: defeated Steve Corino by pinfall at RCW #771
**4 man tournament for the vacant title

47. Steve Corino
Mar 26/99: defeated Jody Christmas by submission in a cage match at RCW #778 (RiverWars PPV)

48. Stan Baker
May 16/99: defeated Steve Corino by pinfall at RCW #788 (Return of the Vendetta PPV)

49. Vincent Regliatti
May 22/99: defeated Stan Baker by pinfall at RCW #789
**no-showed title defence May 26 in England. It was determined that due to a prior drug conviction that
Regliatti would not be able to freely travel to shows in the U.S. from Canada. Therefore, he was stripped of
the title on May 29/99

50. Vendetta II
June 20/99: defeated Stan Baker, Steve Corino, and Kutlu Warrior in a Fatal 4 Way match at RCW #795

51. Steve Corino (2)
July 18/99: defeated Vendetta II by pinfall at Locked & Loaded PPV, RCW #800

52. Bobby Duncum Jr
Aug 15/99: defeated Steve Corino by pinfall at Summer Sizzle PPV, RCW #805

53. Linley Tolbert
Dec 4/99: defeated Bobby Duncum Jr by pinfall at 20th Anniversary Show, RCW #816

54. Nick Mercury
Feb 5/00: defeated Linley Tolbert by pinfall at RCW #818

55. Vampiro
Apr 1/00: defeated Nick Mercury in a Last Blood match at RCW #826

56. Sam Holiday
Jul 29/00: defeated Vampiro 2 falls to 0 in a 30-minute iron man match at RCW #843

57. Al Hardamann
Feb 9/02: defeated Sam Holiday by pinfall at RCW #916

58. Nick Mercury (2)
Apr 27/02: defeated Al Hardamann by pinfall at RCW #920
**last defended Sep 14/2002 before RCW went black.
**when RCW returned in Jan 2003 after merging with GPW Nick Mercury did not return.
**title became vacant.

59. Manny Silva (3)
Feb 22/03: won 8-Ball Scramble last eliminating Menele at "Alive" RCW #948

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #950
March 8, 2003
Saturday Squash

Your hosts for Saturday Morning Squash, as always are Joe Aiello (play by play) and Linley Tolbert (color commentary). Today's special guest in the 3rd chair is none other than Asp Evergreen.

Jason Pharo beat Puta Masculina by submission to the cobra clutch at 8:32

Question for Asp Evergreen, submitted via e-mail;
Why do you continually stick your nose into business that doesn't concern you, instead of just spending your time in Butte getting better as a wrestler, cause you suck.

Asp is taken aback by "the question" and grabs Joe Aiello by the collar. He demands to know who sent in the question. Asp says its obviously not a question but just some pre-puberty wanker acting like he knows something. Finally Asp forces his way so he can see the computer screen, and the question is signed Dr. John Manfried!!


Boss Strickland beat Don Spartan by pinfall at 5:38 after the frog splash.

Question for Asp Evegreen via e-mail;
Asp, how would I go about breaking into the business as a manager?
Your friend Brandon.

Asp laughs (a little too loudly actually) before answering. He says this is obviously some pimple infested pencil neck geek. Kid, if you're not big enough of a man to step into the ring then don't become a manager just to hang around with the real athletes. It's pathetic. Go join the chess club, or mensa or something.

Next up we have an announcement from V.P. Dale Kuentz. He says that he has had it confirmed that it appears the story of Shane Madison and Will Damon is true. It appears that before the Alive PPV, the ICP and Derek St. Holmes locked Damon and Madiso into an empty dressing room where they stayed until after the PPV when custodial staff noticed the door had been kept closed with a crowbar. Kuentz says the match between the two teams will happen next and that he has fined ICP the $2,000 they say they paid Madison and Damon for the title shot, and will hand the money over to the pair as compensation.

Madison and Damon are no strangers to breaking the rules, but they are strangers to the absolute mayhem that the two clowns can unleash. Add to that the interference of Derek St. Holmes and they are easy pickings for ICP.

Insane Clown Posse beat Shane Madison & Will Damon by pinfall after outside interference by Derek St. Holmes at 7:44


Live Audience question for Asp Evergreen;
Some kid who looks to be around 12 years old has the mic. He is about to ask his question when he is blindsided by Inbred Jed, one of the other workers at Butte. Jed coldcocks the kid and then takes the mic. After the initial shock has worn off Asp enjoys a good laugh at the kid's expense.

Jed asks Asp Evergreen if he can join his new group with him Eddie Chavez, and the mystery wrestler. Asp says he'll have to think about it. He tells Jed that although he is a young, raw recruit, he thinks Jed has a lot of potential but he's just not sure yet about joining the group. Asp tells Jed he'll get back to him on that question.


Main Event:
Mystery Partner Match
Tenacious Z & Shane Stevens
v
Asp Evergreen & Steve Chamberlain

When Chamberlain comes down to the ring and is introduced no one can figure out why he was the mystery partner. Then it became clear as he showed off his prosthetic leg. He only has one leg like Z (his though is lost just above where the knee once was) and he wears a prosthetic whereas Z goes on one leg. Chamberlain is also a good size bigger than Z (about 40-50 pounds heavier).
The match itself was one big clusterfrig with Evergreen actually controlling and directing most of the match. In the end Eddie Chavez came out to distract the ref, Evergreen took out Stevens, and then Inbred Jed hit the ring and nailed Z with a side suplex. Then Chamberlain put Z in a half-Boston crab until he gave it up.
[Asp Evergreen & Steve Chamberlain beat Tenacious Z & Shane Stevens by submission when Z sumbitted to the half-boston crab by Chamberlain at 10:54]

FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #951
March 12, 2003
Wednesday Night Rage

Bismarck, North Dakota
Bismarck Civic Center
Attendence: 1,829


The show opens with someone knocking on the office door of President Larkin. He is beckoned to enter which he does. Larkin is sitting at his desk. On a couch elsewhere in the office is head of security Ron Simmons. The camera pans to the newcomer, and it's a young Asian man.

Young man] Mr. Larkin, hi, I'm Scott, we talked on the phone?
Larkin] Yes, Scott come on in, meet Ron Simmons.
Young man shaking Simmons hand] Its a pleasure sir to meet someone of your stature in the business.
Simmons] So, I've heard that you think you're tough enough to compete in RCW? Just because your some sort of reality TV star doesn't mean a damn thing inside that ring.
Young Man] I know sir.
Larkin] And thats why I've assigned you Ron Simmons to train young Scott here. You're going to make sure that he reaches his full potential.

Simmons gets a bit of a disgusted look on his face.

Young man] But Mr. Larkin, you'll have to find me a new trainer soon, because Mr. Ron is going to win the NWA World Title at Cyberwar, and then he'll be far too busy traveling to train me.

This brings a big smile onto the face of Simmons, who puts his arm around Scott.

Simmons] Lets go then Scott, I'll go around and introduce you to the guys.


Tonight we are having a 4-man mini-tournament to decide who will get the shot at the NWA TV title at Cyberwar.

Semi-Final #1
Boss Strickland (6'3 256 lbs., St. Cloud, MN)
V
Rulon Gardner (6'2 262 lbs. Afton, WY)

This is a re-match from Feb 12th Rage which saw Strickland win by DQ by fooling the ref into thinking Gardner had hit him with a chair. Cael Sanderson came down to the ring to second Gardner but after Strickland put up a fuss, referee Jimmy Appleseed sent the rookie to the back.
The match went back and forth, and for the first time Gardner looked like he might be able to solve the dirty tactics of Strickland. But just as he was pressing the advantage, down came Mr. Wrestling from the back. He distracted Gardner enough to allow Strickland to attack him from behind. With the Boss in charge once again Appleseed forced Mr. Wrestling to the back. Strickland pressed the advantage but on a release German suplex, the flying leg of Gardner caught Appleseed flush in the head. With the ref down and out, from the back again came Mr. Wrestling. Strickland held onto Gardner and ordered Mr. Wrestling to nail him with the chair. Mr. Wrestling wound up but brought the chair crashing down on the head of Strickland instead!
A surprised looking Strickland fell face down to the mat. Mr. Wrestling rolled Gardner on top and revived the ref. Applessed counted a very slow 1, 2, 3.
[Rulon Gardner defeated Boss Strickland by pinfall at 12:12 after outside interference]

Post-Match:
As Gardner and Mr. Wrestling celebrated in the ring, and a befuddled looking Appleseed and Strickland looked on, another Mr. Wrestling ran down to the ring and started to jump up and down and complain to the ref. The first Mr. Wrestling pulled off his mask to reveal Cael Sanderson. Strickland and Mr. Wrestling went nuts. Sanderson and Gardner tried to convince Mr. Wrestling to unmask but of course he would have no part of it.


Semi-Final #2:
Union Jack (5'10 234lbs., Liverpool, England)
V
Den Graves (6'3 260lbs., Wiggan School of England, via Potsdam, Germany)
The heated rivalry between Union Jack/Gabriel Argos and Den of Thieves continued in this match. Like in the previous match referee Melissa Coates chose to send Den Scarraman and Gabriel Argos to the backstage area.
This was a scientific match where the two men traded sleeperholds, getting their opponent in a sitting position for extra leverage while locking on the sleeper. Whenever Graves did it he would slip the forearm down to a choke position. The match pace picked up near the end. UJ tried for a reverse neckbreaker but Graves fought through it to nail UJ with the reversal. He then locked in the STF and got the tap out victory.
[Den Graves beat Union Jack by submission with the STF at 15:35]

Backstage:
Chrome is being interviewed by Deane Moore. Chrome says he is one of the top contenders for Manny Silva's title and will do whatever it takes to secure the top contender spot. From nowhere comes Menele running into the picture carrying a trash can that he smashes over the head of Chrome. The biker is busted wide open, and Menele locks in a cobra clutch until security come in to break it up.
As security attempts to restrain Menele he screams "I'm the top contender you stupid idiot. It was me who was last in the 8-ball with Silva. No one tries to take what is mine."

Bout #3
Lord Valmont (6'0 250lbs., South of France) w/ Sherry Valmont
V
Dirty Don Spartan (6'2 285 lbs. Detroit, MI)
Valmont has gained quite a reputation lately for his lack of "stick-to-it-ness", and he seemed ready to flee when he saw veteran brawler Spartan would be his opponent. But instead he stayed and fought, and along with every old school dirty tactic he could muster including managerial interference, eye gouges, nail rakes, boot chokes, tag rope chokes, and finally feet on the ropes for the pin he stole a victory.
[Lord Valmont beat Don Spartan by pinfall after a piledriver at 8:27 with his feet on the ropes for leverage]


Bout #4
Six-Pack Junior-Heavyweight Match
Winner gets shot at NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title at Cyberwar
NOT elimination style first pinfall wins
Armand Rougeau Jr. v Cael Sanderson v Greg Pawluk v Mentello v Shane Madison v Dave Mysterio

Sanderson looked a bit like a fish out of water as he tried to ground and pound the high flying competition. Wrestlers flew in and out of the ring. Shane Madison came close to winning the match on two occasions getting near falls over Mysterio.
Then Asp Evergreen and Eddie Chavez came down and all hell broke loose. Evergreen is pissed off that he was not entered into the event. He and Chavez attacked the competitors. With the ref and security involved in that, the Insane Clown Posse ran in from the crowd and sprayed Madison with the fire extinguisher. Mentello was "Johnny on the spot" and landed a moonsault. Seeing this referee Buddy Lane left the big fracas and entered the ring to make the count.
[Mentello wins the Six-Pack match when he pins Shane Madison after a moonsault and outside interference at 12:30]

In-ring:
Chrome comes down to the ring, his head is bandaged. He rants on Menele, saying that if he says he is the #1 contender then he is the #1 contender, and theres not a damn thing "Menele the Mental Midget" can do about it! This brings out the psycho Menele to the ring. He goes to take the mic from Chrome and suddenly Chrome strikes out with his left hand which had been hidden at his side. He is wearing brass knux and drops Menele with one punch. Chrome says if Menele wants more, then he can come get more at Cyberwar.


The next match was between former PWI rookie of the year Raymond Bingham and Lash LeRoux. This was set up at Alive when Bingham and Funk punked out LeRoux, their partner, during a six-man tag match. Last week LeRoux got some revenge by beating Funk, now he turns his attention to Bingham.

Bout #5
Raymond Bimgham (6'2 235 lbs. Tampa, FL)
V
Lash LeRoux (5'11 221 lbs. New Orleans, LA)
These two really turned it up a notch. The match wasn't long, but was filled with attack, counter-attack, and reversals. LeRoux had Bingham on the mat but when he tried for a springboard splash, Bingham brought his knees up. On his feet Bingham lifted LeRoux up only to take him down with a standing dropkick. He followed this up with two flying dropkicks, a snap suplex, and a series of mounted punches. But as he delivered the punches he lifted himself up too much and LeRoux was able to bring his legs up and hook Bingham, rolling him backwards, and getting the 1, 2, unbelievable kick-out by Bingham. The two scrambled to their feet, LeRoux went for a front facelock, but Bingham countered with a jawbreaker. Kick to the gut, front faceslam and the pin.
[Raymond Bingham defeated Lash LeRoux by pinfall after a front faceslam at 6:53]


Main Event
Winner gets shot at NWA TV Title at Cyberwar
Rulon Gardner (6'2 262 lbs., Afton, WY)
V
Den Graves (6'3 260 lbs., Wiggan School of England, via Potsdam, Germany)

Tough fought match, almost exclusively down on the mat. Then after about 6 minutes both wrestlers spilled out of the ring. Graves got in a kick to the groin, then hotshoted him off the ring apron. After rolling back in the ring to break the count, Graves tossed Gardner into the ring apron, his head disappearing under the ring. When Graves pulled Gardner out from under the ring his head was busted wide open. Referee Buddy Lane assessed the situation and quickly called for the bell and for medics from the back.
[Den Graves defeated Rulon Gardner by referee stoppage at 7:35]

Post-Match:
With a few minutes left in the broadcast the announce crew quickly went over the Cyberwar line-up for Saturday's big show. Then turned their attention once again to the paramedics who were busy immobilizing the neck of Rulon Gardner.
Suddenly from the back came Boss Strickland!! He knocked over a couple of the paramedics and began to slug it out with security trying to get to Gardner. Finally Cael Sanderson came from the back and managed to tackle Strickland, float over and put him in a rear naked choke.
Sanderson had Strickland tapping out for dear life as we went off the air.

FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #952
March 15, 2003
CYBERWAR





"It will be virtual annihilation"


Grand Forks, North Dakota

7:00pm Bell Time






Opening Match:


Chrome (6'9 328 lbs., Black Hills, South Dakota)

v

Menele (6'0 255 lbs., parts unknown)

The card started with a bang when Menele couldn't wait for Chrome to get in the ring. The two met on the apron and started to trade punches. Eventually Chrome ducked under a Menele punch and then tackled him off the apron, both men crashing into the floor. The action stayed outside the ring for awhile as both men took turns using the guardrail and the steel steps. Menele was busted wide open. When the match finally got inside the ring it was a pure brawl. It was not until Chrome took control of the match that some power moves were traded. Chrome nailed Menele with a powerbomb, held on, pulled him up, and drove the 255 pounder back down to the mat again. Somehow Menele managed to kick out. Chrome nailed a chokeslam but again Menele kicked out. The big man from the Black Hills took Menele to the top for the Chrome Driver, but Menele punched his way out of it, and took Chrome down with a top-rope DDT. He would have got the 3 count but Chrome managed to drape a foot over the bottom rope. Both men were looking exhausted and Menele was wearing the proverbial crimson mask. Chrome blocked a suplex attempt and countered with a brainbuster, but again could only get a 2 count. He took Menele up top and this time nailed the Chrome Driver for the tough win.

[Chrome beat Menele by pinfall after the Chrome Driver at 9:00]





Bout #2
Flag Match:


The Patriot (6'4 251 lbs., Columbia, SC)

V

Gregor Kitnitsov (5'10 225 lbs., the former USSR)


Kitnitsov came to the ring with his manager Sammy Yip. Both men presented their flags to officials and they were attached to poles on two separate turnbuckles. The first one to bring down his own flag would be declared the winner.

Before the match could officially start though Sammy Yip nailed The Patriot across the back of the calfs with the flag pole of his North Korean flag. Kitntisov was all over Patriot working on his legs, clipping him and stomping away. Patriot could only stand with help from the ropes or his opponent. Kitnitsov then went to work with a series of 3 snap suplexes and then some mounted punches. His first mistake in the match was trying to take off the mask of the Patriot. The difficulty allowed Patriot to punch Kitnitsov and then knee him off. Patriot climbed on top and started to pepper the Russian with punches. He tried to stand but his legs gave out on him. So back down on the mat the Patriot locked in a front facelock for a bit, before turning it into an armbar, and then a surfboard. Patriot's shoulders were down on the mat for this move causing Sammy Yip to plead with referee Melissa Coates to count to 3, but pinfalls can not win this match, nor can a submission. Patriot finally released the hold and crawled over to the corner where the US flag hung. Using the turnbuckle for support the Patriot began to climb up. However, as Kitnitsov hung on to Coates trying to drag himself to his feet, and by doing so distracted her, Sammy Yip wrapped a large strap around the foot of the Patriot and then tied the other end to the turnbuckle under the ring. The Patriot was stuck, with not enough slack to pull the strap off his foot, he had to leave the ring to undo the strap. Kitntisov was on his feet now and slowly making his way to the USSR hammer and sickle. Yip tried to slow down the Patriot but was easily punched out. Patriot got the strap off and then ran around the ring to the other side. Kitnitsov was climbing the pole when the Patriot climbed up the other side, wrapped the strap around the neck of the Russian and pulled him down to the floor below!! Both men hit with a sickening thud. Patriot was on his feet first and went for his flag. As he climbed up the turnbuckle Kitnitsov rushed him from behind and nailed the back of his leg with the edge of a steel chair. Patriot went down and could not get back to his feet. Kitntisov went to his corner, climbed the turnbuckle and retrieved his flag.

[Gregor Kitnitsov beat The Patriot in a flag match by retrieving his flag at 10:20]




Bout #3
Grudge Match - Taped Fists


Sam Holiday (6'9 302 lbs., Odessa, TX)

V

"Sinister" Stan Baker (6'2 300lbs., Kansas City, KS)


A decade of hatred was renewed and exploded all over the arena. This was a straight ahead brawl that favoured Baker but Holiday's guts and determination held him strong. They fought all over the ringside area and into the stands. Back inside Holiday reversed strategies and began to actually wrestle Baker, including a vertical suplex, abdominal stretch, and a pair of inverted atomic drops each followed by a stiff looking clothesline. Two running clotheslines later and Holiday attempted the Holiday legdrop (from the top rope) but Baker managed to roll out of the way. Baker rolled out of the ring and pulled out a bucket from under the ring. The bucket contained a mix of sticky resin and glass and when Baker emerged his left hand (he's a southpaw) was covered in glass. Inside the ring he nailed Holiday twice in the head busting him open. The blood began to spread quickly and Holiday looked woozy. Baker helped Holiday to his feet and lined him up for the heartpunch. But Holiday alertly grabbed the arm of Baker and twisted it behind his back in an armbar. He then heaved on the arm lifting Baker into the air, before bringing him back down, wrapping his arm around the neck of Baker and taking him down with an inverted DDT.

[Sam Holiday beat Stan Baker by pinfall after an inverted DDT at 8:31]




Bout #4
NWA World Junior-Weight Championship


Juventud Guerrera (champion)

V

Mentello


The fans initial excitement over seeing a world title match quickly dissipated as the match turned into a spotfest, not really in the traditional kind of action expected by RCW fans. After about 5 minutes of spots the two got down on the mat for a few pinning sequences after each man traded DDT's, then brainbusters.
Juvy got the advantage and nailed Mentello with an exploder suplex that looked very dangerous as he dropped the local challenger on his head, bringing down the wrath of the crowd. He tried for the pin but Mentello kicked out at 2. Mentello managed a comeback with a facecrusher and then went to work on the legs with a hanging kneebreaker and then a series of kicks. He nailed a gourdbuster but only got a 2 count.
Juvy fought back with a kick to the groin, an eye rake, and then a ground cobra twist into a pinning cradle for the win.

[Juventud Guerrera beat Mentello by pinfall after a ground cobra twist at 8:41]
[Juventud Guerrera retained the NWA World Junior-Weight Championship]




Bout #5
NWA World Television Championship

Vic Grimes (champion)

V

Den Graves

Graves used his typical ground and pound attack to neutralize and frustrate Grimes early in this match. However, after several failed attempts to pin the champ or make him tap out Graves got a bit more aggressive. This allowed some brawling comebacks by Grimes. Ultimately Graves made the mistake of being too aggressive. He climbed to the top rope for a knee drop but Grimes rolled out of the way and quickly put Graves in a figure-four. This brought Den Scarrarman into the ring to break up the hold and cause the disqualification.

[Vic Grimes beat Den Graves by disqualification at 12:51 when Den Scarrman interfered]
[Vic Grimes retained the NWA World Television Championship]


Post-Match:
A Den of Thieves double team on the TV champ was broken up by Union Jack and Gabriel Argos who came in to clean house.




Bout #6
NWA World Tag Team Championships

Villanos IV & V (champions)

V

Great Canadians (Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti)

Before the match could begin the Great Canadians came out wearing the RCW Tag Team titles. They got on the mic and declared themselves to be the best tag team in the NWA. They said it was beneath them to have to challenge for tag team belts which are nothing but a sham. They accused the Villanos of rotating family members and friends in and out of the masks and asked where they won their titles "Rio de Janiero"? They asked the Villanos who were under the masks today, Dusty Rhodes? Roddy Piper? Barry Windham? Chris Champion? The Villanos grabbed a mic but as they turned they were attacked by the Great Canadians who nailed them in the head with the title belts. The Great Canadians continued to hit the Villanos repeatedly in the head with the title belts until crimson blood flowed from under the masks and pooled on the worn canvas mat.

It took RCW security led by Ron Simmons and even Jack Larkin's presence to pull the Great Canadians off of the visiting champions. The match was declared a no-contest as it never got underway.

[No-contest]
[Villanos IV & V retain the NWA World Tag Team Titles]





Bout #7
NWA World Heavyweight Championship

Texas Lightning (champion)

v

Ron Simmons

The match started with a handshake between the two men, but soon the match degenerated into a knock out, drag out, fist fight. The ring could not contain these two warriors who stood toe to toe at the railing trading punches even as they had to use their off hands to steady themselves on the rail.

Head referee Buddy Lane cut both men a lot of slack with slow counts, but even then had to encourage them to re-enter the ring. President Jack Larkin came down to ringside and slipped a chair into the ring. Ron Simmons went to grab it but Texas Lightning also grabbed a hold of it. The two men began to struggle over the chair but TL suddenly let go, and the chair flew up and smashed Simmons in the face. Larkin jumped up on the apron and called for the bell. After some heated discussion with Buddy Lane and a disgusted TL, Lane gave in and declared Simmons the winner by DQ.

[Ron Simmons defeated Texas Lightning by DQ after TL "hit" Simmons in the head with a steel chair at 10:54]
[Texas Lightning retains the NWA World Heavyweight Title]




Main Event
CAGE MATCH

"Total Destruction" Steve Riley

v

Vendetta

Vendetta started strong in this match. His efforts to out punch Riley didn't work but a few well placed boots and a swinging neckbreaker and he held the advantage. Immediately he began to use the cage to his advantage, rubbing Riley's face across the cage and smashing it into the cage until he was a bloody mess. Vendetta nailed a pair of inverted DDT's but both times Riley kicked out after a 2 count.

Unsure how to attack next Vendetta went to a front face lock, but Riley managed to punch and then power his way out of the hold. He devastated Vendetta with 2 back suplexes, and then a piledriver. But he wasted time posing for the crowd and only got a 2 count. Next the big man from Denver used a couple of hand holds of Vendetta's dreadlocks to swing him around and smash him into the cage.

Riley had been using his wrists to wipe the blood from his eyes but now his vision was severely hampered and his arms were also a bloody mess. He wasted time to get passed a towel from one of his entourage through the cage. As he was wiping his face with the towel he was attacked from behind by Vendetta who drove him into the cage. the Haitian Voodoo warrior went on the attack using the bloody towel to choke Riley as he stood on the bottom rope for extra leverage. Riley managed to turn around, nail Vendetta twice in the gut and then hotshot him headfirst into the cage wall.

Both men were down and when they got up at the count of 9 Vendetta too was bloodied.

The men traded brawling and power moves for the next few minutes neither gaining an advantage. Finally Riley surprised Vendetta with a standing sidekick that stunned him, and then nailed him with a spear. Riley peppered the bleeding head of Vendetta with mounted punches before dragging him to his feet by the dreadlocks. He scooped him up and slammed him down to the mat, but the Haitian upset Riley by pulling him down by the ankle and rolling him up for a near fall. Vendetta followed up with 4 consecutive running clotheslines and got another 2 count.

At this point several members of the Riley entourage began to climb the steel cage walls. One by one Vendetta had to bodyblock them off the wall. But when he turned around after knocking one of them off he was met by Riley and a big belly-to-belly suplex.

Riley was in charge again and began to work over the back of Vendetta with punches and power moves. He worked him over for a good 5 minutes but the Haitian managed to hang in there. Riley sent Vendetta to the cage wall, but he surprised Riley by bouncing back with a springboard back elbow. Vendetta quickly followed up with a float behind and when he cinched it on Riley began to turn. But Vendetta also turned to maintain the cinch and nailed a belly-to-back suplex.

Next Vendetta went to the top, climbing the top turnbuckle. But Riley recovered and went after him. So Vendetta began to walk the ropes, and then sprung off catching a still woozy Riley from behind. Vendetta managed to get the big man in a headlock then used his feet to spring off the cage wall, and bulldogged Riley's head into the ground.

Referee Melissa Coates counted the 1, 2, 3.

[Vendetta defeated Steve Riley by pinfall after a springboard bulldog at 22:16]

Vendetta celebrated in the ring and told Manny Silva that he was coming for the RCW Heavyweight title next.


FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #953
March 19, 2003
Brookings, South Dakota
Frost Arena, South Dakota State University
Attendence: 2,256


Opening segment:
The show opens with an interview from Vendetta. He declares himself to be the #1 challenger to the RCW Heavyweight title held by Manny Silva. He wants Silva on Rage or at Lock & Load on April 5th.
But from the back comes Chrome shaking his head. The two fan favourites go nose-to-nose as Chrome disputes Vendetta's proclamation as the #1 challenger. He says the last guy to do that was Menele and he got his ass handed to him at Cyberwar. Vendetta responds that he is no Menele.
Vice-President Dale Kuentz comes to the ring and tries to get things settled down. He tells the boys to calm down and the two can meet as gentlemen next week on Rage, in the main event. The winner of that match will be declared the #1 contender for Lock & Load.


Opening Bout
Ron Simmons beat Johnny Rivale by pinfall at 3:28 after a running clothesline
Simmons was seconded by "Tough Enough" Scott in this match. We saw a vignette of Simmons training a rather hopeless looking Scott. At the end of the vignette Simmons told Scott to come watch him on Rage and maybe he would learn more from watching an actual match than he is learning here in the gym. As it turns out Simmons squashed Scott's fellow Butte Wrestling school student Johnny Rivale.

Backstage:
Boss Strickland finds Mr. Wrestling backstage. He berates the masked man for letting him down on Rage last week. He can't believe that Cael Sanderson got a hold of a Mr. Wrestling mask and impersonated him that way. Strickland asks Mr. Wrestling what the hell he was doing, having a shower? Eating a bucket of chicken? Mr. Wrestling just shrugs his shoulders. Suddenly Strickland gets really agitated and asks if that really is Mr. Wrestling under the mask, and then says not that it matters since he really doesn't know who the blue hell he is anyways. He tells Mr. Wrestling to unmask so he can see for sure that it hasn't been Cael Sanderson all along. Finally Mr. Wrestling speaks, telling Strickland he is paranoid. He tells Strickland to put his fears to rest and to second him to the ring now as he beats up on Sanderson. Strickland agrees.

Before the match can start we get an interview with Cael Sanderson backstage. He says that Rulon Gardner is doing all right. He had some minor swelling on the vertebrae but the doctors are just being cautious keeping him under observation for a few more days.

Bout #2
Mr. Wrestling pinned Cael Sanderson after an elbowdrop from the top rope (with Boss Strickland holding onto the feet of Sanderson) 11:18
Sanderson put up a good fight against Mr. Wrestling but the constant threat of Strickland outside the ring caused him too much distraction. In the end that threat turned into a reality as the sneaky Strickland managed to hold onto the feet of Sanderson to help Mr. Wrestling get the pin. After the match the two men beat down Sanderson until security including Ron Simmons came out to break it up.


The next match came about as fall out for Asp Evergreen and Eddie Chavez interfering in the Junior Heavyweight six-pack match that saw Mentello pick up the win and advance to take on Juvy at Cyberwar.

Bout #3
Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine defeated Asp Evergreen & Eddie Chavez by pinfall when Pawluk pinned Chavez after the Pistol Pulverizer (a top-rope tombstone) at 14:24
Good match that saw Evergreen and Chavez come close to an upset.

Post-Match:
The ICP hit the ring and helped Evergreen & Chavez beat up on Pawluk & Devine. ICP's manager Derek St. Holmes helped out making it 5 on 2 until Tenacious Z, Mentello, and Dave Mysterio hit the ring to even out the odds. Steve Chamberlain then entered to help put Evergreen's faction while Shane Stevens followed soon after to even the scales once again. Even with RCW security helping out it took almost 5 minutes to break this clusterfrick apart. During that time Tenacious Z made the mistake of getting too close and personal with color commentator and former all-around wrestling cheat Linley Tolbert who responded by DDT'ing Tenacious Z on the floor.
Before the skirmish was broken up Ron Simmons who was out leading his security forces was attacked from behind by Vicious Manny Silva who nailed him in the back of the head with the RCW Heavyweight title. Silva continued to punk out Simmons and several of his security forces until finally subdued. In fact so many of the security was required to subdue the champ that the main brawl got started again for a couple more minutes until security could subdue that brawl as well.

In-Ring:
The 2nd hour began with President Jack Larkin making a rare in-ring appearance. He came out with several security officers and warned the likes of Silva and Steve Riley not to screw with him tonight. He said that what just happened was a disgrace to RCW, to the fans, and to pro wrestling. He singles out Linley Tolbert saying that announcers in RCW do not get into the action. He tells Tolbert he is fined 1 week's pay for his actions. He then turns his attention to "that little gnat" Asp Evergreen and his loser friends. He tells Evergreen that he is officially kicked out of Butte. He is no longer welcome there to learn the ways of a pro wrestler as he doesn't understand the first thing about being a "pro". He says Chavez gets the boot too. He tells Evergreen that he isn't playing with a full deck. Finally he turns his attention to Silva. He was warned about how "vicious" Silva could be (at this point the fans start to chant "Poodle" making Larkin break from his speech in laughter). But he says that tonight Silva crossed the line.
Manny Silva then came to the ring to answer the charges. He goes face to face with Larkin and calls him a "pussy". Larkin gets red in the face, and then when one of them puts a hand on Silva's shoulder he turns around and kicks a security guard in the groin and follows up with a big knee lift. He then proceeds to thrash all 5 security guards and Larkin takes off up the ramp. Silva gives chase but as he reaches the top of the ramp he is cold cocked by Ron Simmons who appears from the backstage area with a 2x4.
Simmons then begins to wear out Silva with the wood. Larkin has a mic and tells Silva that in tonight's main event he will defend his RCW Heavyweight title against Ron Simmons.


Bout #4
Gregor Kitnitsov defeated Jason Pharo by pinfall after a Superplex at 7:44

Post-Match:
Kitnitsov and his manager Sammy Yip get a mic and begin to mouth off about America and how they have had their butts handed to them in every war starting with Yip's home country Korea.
Surprisingly it is not an American who answers the challenge but Gabriel Argos from Cyprus. He says the Americans have been good friends to his people over the years, and he feels obliged to pay back some of that goodwill. He charges the ring but the Russian and the Korean slip out under the ropes and run for cover.

Backstage:
Ron Simmons is walking around with a beer in one hand and a cigar in the other. He passes a card table where Damien Demento, Dr. John Manfried, and Menele are sitting playing cards. Simmons asks them if he can join their poker game. Manfried just looks at him with contempt before replying, "we're playing Cheat. Care to join us?". Simmons just shakes his head and says he knows when he is outclassed and walks away. Manfried lays down some cards and says "six four's". Demento calls "cheat" but when he tries to turn over the cards Manfried punches him in the head. The card table is over turned and the 3 men begin to slug it out.


Bout #5
Sam Holiday defeated Will Damon by pinfall after the Holiday Leg Drop at 6:54

Post-Match:
Raymond Bingham comes out after the match and from the top of the ramp gives Holiday a "golf clap". He says its really good for a veteran and former River City champ like Holiday to be beating a green rookie like Damon. But how about trying on someone his own level? He says it's been a couple of years since he was a Rookie, and then reminds everyone that he was the PWI Rookie of the Year in 2000. Holiday invites Bingham to get it on now, but the villain just laughs and says he will get Holiday when the time is right.


Main Event
RCW Heavyweight Championship Match

"Vicious" Manny Silva (champion)
v
Ron Simmons

This was a knock down, drag out brawl. The most scientific move was a knee lift. The match alternated inside and outside the ring. Simmons worked over the back of Silva and wore him down but couldn't get the win. Silva turned things around with a clip of Simmons' knee. He continued to work the knee, and would later smash it into the steel ringpost on several occasions. Outside the ring Silva laid the steel guardrail across the leg of Simmons and then had a really obese couple from the audience sit on the rail. But as they sat and bounced up and down on the rail Silva came from behind with a diving double clotheslines to the backs of the obese fans. He began to stomp on them causing Buddy Lane to call for the bell.
[Ron Simmons defeated Manny Silva by disqualification at 17:04]
[Manny Silva retained the RCW Heavyweight Championship]

Post-Match:
RCW security emerged from the back very quickly to come to the rescue of their fallen leader Simmons. Several of the security members brought batons and even blackjacks with them and began to take their vengeance on an outgunned Manny Silva. The champ lay on the ground being beaten by the security guards as the show came to a close.

FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #955
April 5, 2003
LOCK & LOAD PPV

Only on PPV

Live from the Civic Center in Butte, Montana

Attendance: 3,142

Your hosts for the evening were;
Joe Aiello (play by play), Linley Tolbert (color commentary), Deane Moore (interviews).

Opening Bout
Hombre Muerto Recorre v Dr. John Manfried
HMR is a game competitor but was no match for the deceivingly strong Manfried. "The Good Doctor" ravished HMR with an assortment of goodies he kept in the many pockets of his cargo pants. He brought out a large magnet which he stuck to the ring post and then rammed HMR's head into. This busted open the Mexican star and seemingly pacified Manfried who then put on the Manfried Claw and got the Lucha star to tap out in a hurry.
[Dr. John Manfried beat Hombre Muerto Recorre by submission at 11:03 when HMR tapped out to the Manfried Claw]


Bout #2
Union Jack v Den Scarraman
Den Graves tried to come down to ringside but was sent to the back by referee Jimmy Appleseed. This seemed to throw off the already overmatched Scarraman. The German's only advantage was his height and leverage which UJ quickly took away by wrestling him to the mat and putting one "stretch" after another on his screaming opponent.
Scarraman fought back with a series of clotheslines, and got a near fall after a flying shoulderblock from the top buckle. However, when he went for another running clothesline UJ ducked under and on the next pass took him down with a knee to the gut. UJ followed this up by a series of dropkicks to the back of Scarraman whenever he tried to regain his feet. Finally Scarraman managed to get to a standing position but it was only because Union Jack allowed him to, as he waited and then nailed a crucifix and rolled him up for the pin.
[Union Jack defeated Den Scarraman by pinfall at 8:10 after a crucifix]


Bout #3
Gabriel Argos v Gregor Kitnitsov
The disciple of the former USSR Kitnitsov has been on a roll as of late in RCW coming off a big win over the Patriot in a flag match at Cyberwar. Tonight he kept on rolling, and again his evil yet bafoonish manager Sammy Yip was the difference maker.
After a few minutes of back and forth action both of these excellent technicians took the match to the floor. Kitnitsov blocked an Argos belly-to belly attempt and countered with a hotshot off the ring apron. As he entered the ring he distracted the ref while Sammy Yip nailed Argos in the back with a chair.
Kitnitsov dragged Argos back inside and while Yip distracted the ref he took a chain from underneath the ring and wrapped it around his fist.
The Russian attempted to coldcock Argos but the fan favorite from Cyprus still had enough energy to block the punch. He countered with a fireman's carry, but before he could finish the move Kitnitsov reached down and smashed Argos in the face with the chain. Both men tumbled to the mat. Kitntisov threw the chain away just before long term inept official Jurgen Hermann turned around. When Argos was rolled over his face was a bloodied mess, his nose shattered. Kitntisov picked up an easy pin.
[Gregor Kitntisov defeated Gabriel Argos by pinfall at 8:56 after hitting him in the face with a chain]


Bout #4
Damien Demento v Menele
The mysterious and dangerous Menele continues to roll through RCW, and Demento continues to have his problems. This match was set up by all things of the two having a disagreement over a card game of "cheat".
A very unscientific brawl that was short but action packed. Demento went for his knee-drop finisher but Menele rolled out of the way and put Demento into a crossface chickenwing. Demento refused to submit but soon enough could not respond to referee Buddy Lane.
Menele risked DQ by holding onto the chickenwing until finally breaking it on Lane's last warning.
[Menele defeated Damien Demento by submission at 6:26 with the crossface chickenwing]


Bout #5
CHAIN MATCH
Tenacious Z v Asp Evergreen
Evergreen and Z were connected by a 8 foot steel chain. While some may think this would be an advantage for the one-legged Z-man it actually turned out to be a huge disadvantage. Evergreen was quite adept at using the chain, and pulling Z around, to keep him off balance. It also limited the high power offence of Z and forced him to brawl more with Evergreen than he would want. Tenacious Z put up a courageous fight but as the match wore on it went more and more into the favour of Evergreen, and soon Z was wearing the proverbial crimson mask.
Evergreen used the chain to wrap around Z's only leg and try and choke off the circulation. After several applications of this technique Z was having trouble just standing. Finally unable to stand he pulled Asp down and began to wrestle him on the mat. Evergreen though had all the leverage and soon found himself on top of Z smashing him in the head with the chain. Z managed a poke in the eye and then wrapped the chain around the throat of Evergreen, and then turned him over so the chain choked him.
Evergreen was soon choked out but try as he could Z had too much trouble trying to haul Evergreen to each turnbuckle. Before he could reach the 3rd Evergreen revived enough to bulldog Z from behind. Evergreen then went to work on Z with the chain and choked him out. Unlike his opponent Evergreen had no problem dragging Z to all 4 turnbuckles.
[Asp Evergreen defeated Tenacious Z by touching all 4 turnbuckles at 15:14]


Bout #6
RCW Tag Team Title Match
The Great Canadians: Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti (champions)
v
Al Collins & Joe Blum
This was obviously Collins & Blum's last chance to win the tag titles before other teams would be brought forth as top contenders. The veteran challengers though did not let the pressure get to them and fought a methodical and rough match. Every old school tactic, such as ropeburns across the foreheads, were used. Regliatti and Scott could not get any momentum going at all.
However, the match spilled to outside the ring where Scott managed to throw Collins over the guardrail. This bought him and Regliatti enough time to double team "Gung Ho" Joe Blum in the ring. Scott nailed his brainbuster finisher then passed Blum up to Regliatti who used his Centerfold staple (top-rope DDT) to do even more damage to Blum. Scott cut off Collins before he could enter the ring and make the save.
[Great Canadians defeated Al Collins & Joe Blum by pinfall at 12:41 when Regliatti pinned Blum after the Centerfold Staple]
[Great Canadians retain the RCWW Tag Team Titles]


Bout #7
"Make me Respect You" Match
Sam Holiday v Raymond Bingham
Bingham attacked Holiday from behind before the bell even rang. He used the RCW t-shirt worn by Holiday to choke him with. He then used it to tie Holiday around the ring post by the neck. He got in a couple vicious kicks to the head before referee Buddy Lane physically forced Bingham back by threatening DQ. He untied the former RCW champion, but he was on dream street now.
Bingham nailed a pair of snap suplexes, followed by a jumping neck snap. A pair of swinging neckbreakers seemed to end it all, but amazingly Holiday kicked out at just a 2 count. Bingham made the mistake of going to the top, and when he leapt off he was greeted by the big raised boot of the Texan. Both men straggled to their feet after 8 counts, and then went toe to toe in the middle of the ring, before Holiday ducked under and scooped up Bingham into a Samoan drop. He got a 2 count.
Bingham surprised Holiday with a kick in the gut and a quick DDT, for another near fall. Frustrated Bingham threw Holiday outside the ring, but made another mistake when out of character he tried to nail a head tope but Holiday moved out of the way.
Back inside Holiday nailed a pair of bodyslams, but then Bingham rolled away from a elbowdrop and applied a front facelock. Holdiay countered and turned Bingham into a reverse neckbreaker. Holdiay dropped a pair of kneedrops and then went to the top rope for the Holiday legdrop. Bingham though got to his feet and went after Holiday. Holiday stunned him off the buckle with a forearm smash and then rolled over his back, and rolled him up. But Bingham worked through the roll and reversed it. He grabbed a hold of Holiday's trunks and got a tainted victory.
[Raymond Bingham defeated Sam Holiday by pinfall at 15:54 with a roll-up aided by a handful of trunks]

Post-Match:
Raymond Bingham grabbed a mic and reminded us that even though he is the 2000 PWI Rookie of the Year, he gets no respect in the NWA, PWA, WWA, PWI, RCW, etc, etc. Well that all changes starting with tonight, and his great victory over a well respected champion Sam Holiday. He tells Holiday that now he has to respect him, and to say the words, and then tosses Holiday the mic.
Holiday is pissed off but he gives Bingham his due. He tells Bingham that he has an amazing amount of raw talent, more natural talent and more wrestling skill then he (Holiday) ever possessed. He says he respects that. But he doesn't respect that Bingham is a lousy human being who turned his back on his fans, and has to cheat to win. The fans pop loud for this, but then boo when Holiday continues. He says that none the less he is willing to be a man of his word and say the words. "I respect you". Bingham looks pleased and gives a great big smile. He offers his hand to Holiday for a shake which the big Texan takes with some hesitation. Bingham then tries to sucker Holiday by pulling him in towards him, but Holiday is ready for the move and holds his ground. Bingham's eyes get big and wild looking for a second before Holiday pulls Bingham in then takes him down with a snap mare. He drives his knee into the back of Bingham and locks in a reverse chinlock for a few seconds. He finishes by slapping Bingham's face once with each hand. Holiday leaves the ring to the familiar cheers of the fans.


Bout #8
RCW Heritage Title Match
"Last Dance" - must win 2 straight falls to win the match
Vic Gate (champion) v Den Graves
The unique stipulation of two straight falls was added to make sure that both men got a fair shot as this was to be the end of their feud tonight. All other wrestlers were also warned to stay out of the proceedings.
Gate and Graves fought a ground war which at times had the fans bored while other times applauding at the great skill being exhibited. Graves kept working facelocks that he would float down to a chokehold when he could get away with it. After a few minutes it became obvious that despite being much younger than Gate, Graves was his equal on the mat, but also bigger and stronger. Graves wore down Gate and soon had him locked in the STF. Gate gave it up early so as not to sustain too much damage.
[Den Graves wins a fall by submission to the STF at 7:09]
The match continued with another fall and Graves was in full control. However, the defensive prowess and ability to stay near the ropes of Gate frustrated Graves' attempts at a pinfall or submission. Gate managed to turn the momentum of the match with a big Doctor Bomb, and began to go to work on Graves. However, a man came down to the ring wearing a Union Jack mask. It was obvious that this was not Union Jack, as the build wasn't right despite the imposter wearing a t-shirt and leggings too. The real Union Jack came down to ringside to confront the imposter and the two got into a fistfight. UJ grabbed the advantage and pulled the mask off, only to reveal a Mr. Wrestling mask underneath. It was impossible to tell if this was Mr. Wrestling or an imposter. As UJ tried to work the second mask off the referee Jimmy Appleseed now grew distracted by the activities occurring outside the ring.
With the ref's back turned Den Scararman hit the ring with a chair and waffled Gate on the back of the head.
At this point the "Mr. Wrestling" turned tail and ran to the back, with UJ quick on his heels. Appleseed turned around and Graves picked up the easy pinfall.
[Den Graves defeated Vic Gate by pinfall at 13:25 aided by outside interference]
[Den Graves wins the RCW Heritage Championship]


Bout #9
Grudge Match
Rulon Gardner & Cael Sanderson
v
Boss Strickland & Mr. Wrestling
Too much bad blood existed between these four men to have any semblance of order when they locked horns. Four excellent mat wrestlers engaged in a street fight devoid of skill. After only a few minutes the fans knew this match would not end peacefully.
Strickland introduced a chair, nailing both Gardner and Sanderson in the head. This was all referee Melissa Coates could take and she called for the bell.
[Gardner & Sanderson defeated Strickland & Mr. Wrestling by disqualification at 5:07 when Strickland was DQ'd for using a steel chair]

Post-Match:
Vic Gate hit the ring and went right after Mr. Wrestling. He backed him into a corner and started to pepper him with shots to the body. Strickland though nailed Gate in the back of the head with the chair. Union Jack and Gabriel Argos hit the ring to help out Gate, but they were followed quickly by Den Graves and Den Scarraman. Before it was all over Raymond Binghan and Sam Holiday also entered the fray. Finally security managed to break apart the wrestlers. Rulon Gardner and Cael Sanderson stood on the announce table with a mic. Gardner said that ever since he and Sanderson had joined RCW Strickland has been overtly jealous of their amateur success and embarrassed at his own personal failure in that arena. He's worried that they will surpass him here in the pro's too. Well he's right, said Gardner, and as of tonight we wash our hands of you. Since you don't want to fight a fair match we are done fighting you. It's time for us to move on and prove our worth against other opponents. Sanderson nods his agreement and the two leave for the back.


Main Event
Triple Threat Match
for the RCW Heavyweight Championship

"Vicious" Manny Silva (champion) (6'2 259 lbs., Oahu, Hawaii)
v
Chrome (6'9 328 lbs., Black Hills, South Dakota)
v
Vendetta (6'4 261 lbs., Port-au-Prince, Haiti)

Although there was some animosity between the two fan favorites, there was no doubt that there was pure hatred for Manny Silva from both opponents. Silva found himself being constantly double teamed, and often caught playing possum to try and get away from the punishment. However, neither Chrome nor Vendetta would allow each other to get the pin, so as the match dragged on so did the tenacity with which those two attacked each other.
Vendetta was the first of the three men to gain a sustained advantage over both opponents simultaneously. He punished Chrome with a springboard back elbow and then a piledriver, only to have Silva break up the pin. The Haitian then went to work on Silva next with a pair of Asai leg lariats, and a spear, and another 2 count this time broken up by a big leg drop from Chrome.
The Biker from the Badlands threw Silva out of the ring, and then nailed Vendetta with a double axhandle from the top rope. He attempted to follow up with a tilt-a-whirl sideslam but Vendetta managed to snake his way out, landing on his feet and then taking the big man down with a reverse russian legsweep. Silva then hit the ring and began to lay the boots to both men.
The pattern continued for several more minutes before the action spilled out of the ring and heads began to get rammed into hard steel. Vendetta and Chrome stood on the announce table exchanging punches, but when Silva came close they turned and delivered a crushing double clothesline off of the table. They then worked together to lift Silva up for a suplex, bouncing him off the outside of the ring ropes and bringing him back down face first to the floor in a double front layout-suplex. They rolled the champ back inside but then Chrome suckered Vendetta as both climbed through the ring ropes with a right hand to the head. Vendetta shook it off and lifted the second rope, crotching Chrome who fell out of the ring.
Vendetta went to work on Silva but when he went for the pin Chome managed to reach into the ring and pull him out by his feet to break up the count. Vendetta slammed Chrome's head off the ring apron and then threw him shoulder first into the ringsteps. Back inside Vendetta nailed Silva with a piledriver and again went for the pin. This time Chrome made it back into the ring and dove on Vendetta to break up the pin attempt. Vendetta then outpunched Chrome and then tied him up by the arms between the 2nd and top strands of the ring ropes. But when Vendetta went to resume punishing the champ he walked right into a lowblow, followed by a chop to the throat. Gasping for air Vendetta turned his back to the champ and paid for it as Silva bull rushed him from behind and drove him head first into the back of Chrome who was just in the process of untangling his second arm from the ropes. Chrome spilled out of the ring to the floor below and Vendetta bounced off landing stunned on his back in the ring. Silva scooped up a dazed Vendetta and delivered a punishing wheelbarrow suplex and then picked up the 3 count before Chrome could get back into the ring.
[Manny Silva defeated Chrome and Vendetta by pinfall when Silva pinned Vendetta after a wheelbarrow suplex at 21:57]
[Manny Silva retained the RCW Heavyweight Title]


FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

Breaking kayfabe; after the April 5th Lock & Load PPV, I had no cards until May's next PPV which was Heroes. However, in my write up I made mention of things that happened from point A to point B. I was part of a group back then NWA/WWA/PWA, so it was not uncommon to miss weeks like this, but you had to keep up. So I couldn't post current material with a previous date, that wouldn't work. So I'm going back now and filling in the blanks between the two PPV's but doing so on a very abbreviated basis. 



River City Wrestling #956
April 9, 2003
Wednesday Rage
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Winnipeg Convention Centre

Attendance; 2,252

Review of Lock and Load
Manny Silva retained the heavyweight title over Chrome and Vendetta...Den Graves defeated Vic Gate to capture the Heritage title...Raymond Bingham upset Sam Holiday...Great Canadians defeated Collins & Blum to retain the tag titles..and more

V.P. Selita Segal gives us some unfortunate injury updates from the card which was pretty devastating. Vendetta, and Eric Scott suffered unspecified injuries which will keep them out of action. No timeline on them yet until they get a full medical assessment. Eric Scott of course is one half of the tag champions so the belts are at risk if he can not defend within 30 days. Gabriel Argos also suffered a broken nose from that vicious attack by Gregor Kitnitsov and will be out a few weeks.

Opening Bout
Lord Valmont (/w Sherry Valmont) defeated Shane Madison by pinfall after a piledriver at 5:22

Bout #2
Stan Baker defeated Jason Pharo by pinfall after a heart punch at 4:47
**Baker continues to walk that fine line sometimes as a tweener. The use of his dreaded finisher is not always appreciated by the fans who know its dangers.

Bout #3
"Total Destruction" Steve Riley defeated "Gung Ho" Joe Blum by pinfall after a brainbuster at 4:10
**a glorified squash match. Once again it sounds like Blum and Al Collins are going to take a shot at being singles after failing to capture the tag belts at Lock and Load.

Bout #4
Chrome defeated Mr. Wrestling by disqualification for outside interference (Boss Strickland) at 7:03
**Strickland decided to put his big nose where it didn't belong again, trying to help out his buddy Mr. Wrestling. Chrome cleared the ring though tossing both heels over the top rope.

In-Ring
Greogr Kitnitsov led off the second hour, accompanied by his Korean manager Sammy Yip. The Russian went on another anti-American tirade. He brags about how he broke Gabriel Argos's nose at Lock and Load and will do the same to anyone who gets in his way. Fans may have been anticipating a confrontation with Argos' partner Union Jack, or maybe The Patriot, or even Sam Holiday. But what they were not prepared for was the timely return to RCW of the formerly hated Kutlu Warrior Jonny Stewart. The former American who has earned most of his pay as an adult fighting in places like the Seven Tigers Fighting Organization, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and the pit fighting in Singapore (where his battles with Belah Ashcroft are legendary), hit the ring unannounced. At first the Russian and his manager applauded thinking he was there to join them. But when the Russian offered him the mic, the usually silent painted face of the Warrior smiled, twisted the arm of the Russian around and delivered a devastating inverted DDT. He threatened Yip with his Singapore cane which was enough to get the weasel Korean to exit over the top rope to save his skin. The fans erupted but Stewart left the ring without a word.

Bout #5
Hombre Muerrto Recorre & Damien Demento defeated Chip Minton & Puta Masculina by pinfall when Demento pinned Masculina after a running kneedrop at 8:13
**the premiere of Chip Minton, an athletic looking raw wrestler with skills but not a lot of charisma. This seemed like it was just a throw together match but it turned out to be the best match of the night so far with each of the 4 having a chance to showcase their talents.

Bout #6
Den Graves & Den Scaramann defeated Vic Gate & Union Jack by pinfall when Scaramann pinned Jack after a superplex at 6:15
**Gate was kind of replacing Argos who is injured but also looking for vengeance after losing his Heritage belt to Graves. However, even when Gabriel Argos came down to ringside to lead the cheer while wearing a half face mask, their chemistry was not enough to beat the appropriately named Den of Thieves.

Main Event
RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Ron Simmons defeated Manny Silva by disqualification for use of a foreign object at 7:22
[Manny Silva retained the RCW Heavyweight Title]
**the head of security Simmons getting his earned title shot. Silva likes to brawl, but thats a game Simmons is quite able to play. Jack Larkin made a rare appearance to do guest commentary and cheer on Simmons. The champ though was not willing to let this end clean and when the brawl was outside the ring he shoved Larkin off the chair, and then used the chair to ~waffle~ Simmons to get the DQ loss but kept the title.

FADE TO BLACK




River City Wrestling #957
April 12, 2003
Saturday Squash

Opening Bout
Boss Strickland defeated Dave Mysterio by pinfall after a Northern lights suplex at 5:05

Bout #2
Sin Nombre defeated Johnny Rivale by pinfall after a shooting star press at 4:38

Bout #3
Midget Tag Team Match
Puppet & Teo defeated Meatball & Madd Mexx by pinfall when Puppet pinned Meatball after a suspended DDT at 4:10
**a newcomer to the "Full Deck" team Bridget the Midget came out and interfered to help her team win.

Main Event
Asp Evergreen & Eddie Chavez defeated Shane Stevens & John Schoffner by countout after Chavez hit Schoffner with a corkscrew plancha at 8:42
**another win for Full Deck. 



River City Wrestling #958
April 16, 2003
Wednesday Night Rage

Madison, Wisconsin

Opening Bout
Hombre Muerto Recorre defeated Puta Masculina and Sin Nombre by pinfall when he pinned Masculina after a sitdown powerbomb at 7:21
**an amazing fast paced, triple threat match to start between members of the RCW wrestling school in Butte. 

Bout #2
Boss Strickland defeated Tough Enough Scott by pinfall after a Northern lights suplex at 4:42

Bout #3
Rulon Gardner defeated Lord Valmont (/w Sherry Valmont) by submission to the crossface chickenwing at 4:05

Bout #4
Mr. Wrestling defeated Cael Sanderson by pinfall after a running knee lift (and a handful of tights) at 5:50

Bout #5
Gregor Kitnitzov (/w Sammy Yip) defeated Union Jack by pinfall after a top rope forearm (Russian Sickle) at 6:41
**The Russian continues to roll. It was announced before this bout that due to his random interference last week Kutlu Warrior Jonny Stewart was banned from RCW events until the May 3rd PPV "Heroes" where he will face Kitnitsov.

Bout #6
RCW Heritage Title Match
Den Graves defeated Vic Gate by pinfall after a German suplex at 7:04
[Den Graves retained the RCW Heritage Title]
**this was the rematch from when Gate lost his title to Graves at Lock and Load. Never a clean win by Graves, but the closest you will get.

Main Event
RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Hardcore Rules
Manny Silva defeated Ron Simmons by pinfall after hitting him with the ring bell at 8:47
[Manny Silva retained the RCW Heavyweight Title]
**this was the rematch from last week when Silva kept his title by getting intentionally DQ'd for using a foreign object. This week the champ would have to defend against the head of security in an anything goes match. It took until about the 5 minute mark before the match spilled outside, but then it never got back inside. Simmons had the champ busted wide open and looked to be closing in on the victory. The two brawled over to the announce table where President Jack Larkin was doing guest commentary and keeping an eye on things. Silva reached for his title belt (to use on Simmons no doubt), and Larkin decided to interfere by pulling it away. However, he tossed it to Simmons and it just kind of smacked off his chest. The incident distracted Simmons just long enough for Silva to grab the ring bell instead and turn around and level Simmons. He delivered a second shot to Simmons' busted open head as the challenger lay on the concrete floor before pinning him.

FADE TO BLACK
No Rage next week, as we are preempted. Rage will return on April 30th in preparation for May 3rd's PPV 'Heroes"



River City Wrestling #959
April 19, 2003
Saturday Squash

Opening Bout
Dan Spartan defeated Scott Snot by pinfall after a flying fistdrop at 2:57

Bout #2
Chip Minton defeated Brickwall Bradley after a belly to belly suplex at 4:08

Bout #3
Sam Holiday & Stan Baker defeated ICP: Shaggy 2 Dope & Violent J (/w Derek St. Holmes) by pinfall when Holiday pinned Violent J after a Holiday legdrop at 4:59
**still seems to be some tension between old rivals Holiday and Baker, but they managed to put it aside to take on these misfits. Baker didn't look too pleased when Holiday took the win after nailing his finishing top rope legdrop.

Main Event
Chrome defeated Den Scaramann by pinfall after a release powerbomb at 6:06
**main eventer defeats mid-carder to wrap up the B-show with a decent bout.



River City Wrestling #960
April 26, 2003
Saturday Squash

Wednesday night rage was pre-empted so we get two straight Saturday Squash's featuring a mix of the main roster with the developmental school roster.

Opening Bout
Teo defeated Meatball by pinfall after an avalanche hurrancanrana at 3:05
**battle of the midgets with the heel taking it.

Bout #2
Jason Pharo defeated Peregryne by submission to the STF at 4:30
**a big win for the Green Dragon, as the MMA/ground game defeated the high flying opposition. 

Bout #3
Gregor Kitnitsov defeated The Patriot by pinfall after an inside cradle (and a handful of tights) at 6:43
**The Russian moved out of the way of a missile dropkick, rolled up his masked foe, and sealed the deal by cheating.

Main Event
Asp Evergreen and Shane Stevens battled to a no-contest at 2:19
**Proving that even preliminary wrestlers can get main event level pissed off at each other. The leader of Full Deck could not pick up a clean win over his former friend. After the bout the ICP and Derek St. Holmes came out to make it a 4 on 1 beatdown until Shane Madison, Will Damon, and then Dan Spartan came out to send Full Deck running.

[wickedrex1]

Just in reading the last post, a couple things stood out that I'll keep an eye on:

The Kitnitzov situation
The B-Team Midgets. There's something about them that made it interesting.

Keep up the good work!

[jacklarkin]

Apr 6, 2021 11:28:03 GMT -5 wickedrex1 said:

Just in reading the last post, a couple things stood out that I'll keep an eye on:

The Kitnitzov situation
The B-Team Midgets. There's something about them that made it interesting.

Keep up the good work!

Thanks for reading. Unfortunately during this time there was a bunch of start and restarts so most of these B level angles and players never went anywhere. It's actually Asp Evergreen and Eddie Chavez (based on TNM7 users Brandon Eversoll and Flipyside KST) that had the longest run. Pretty sure they both end up as Hall of Famers. Again thanks for the comments.

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #961
April 30, 2003
Wednesday Night RAGE
Duluth, Minnesota


Opening Bout
Crash Holly defeated Lord Valmont (/w Sherry Valmont) by pinfall after a springboard bulldog at 5:05
**premiere of Crash Holly (although he has wrestled for RCW before as Erin O'Grady). He picked up a fast paced victory. However, after the bout Valmont was a sore loser. Sherry distracted Crash by feigning a fall, and then her husband attacked Holly after the bout. This was to set up a return bout between the two this weekend at "Heroes".

Bout #2
Dr. John Manfried defeated Tenacious Z by submission to the Manfried claw at 4:47
**fairly one sided win for the Doctor.

Bout #3
Boss Strickland defeated Dave Mysterio by pinfall after a powerbomb at 5:56
**another mat wrestler defeated young high flyer bout. Mysterio was coming on strong but went for a hurancanrana and Strickland countered with a powerbomb and picked up the win.

Bout #4
Young Guns: Johnny Devine & Greg Pawluk defeated Hombre Muerto Recorre & Sin Nombre by submission when Pawluk submitted Nombre in the cloverleaf at 7:10
**solid bout between four men that can wrestle. In the end the experience of the young guns as a team made the difference.

Bout #5
Six-Man Tag Match
Insane Clown Posse: Shaggy 2 Dope & Violent J & Derek St. Holmes and Shane Madison, Will Damon, & Shane Stevens battled to a no-contest at 5:22
**just too much bad blood between members of Full Deck and their face counterparts. The surprise came when the ICP apparently brought in a ringer after the bout Pogo the Clown to make it 4 on 3, with Dirty Don Spartan coming in to even the odds for the baby faces.

Bout #6
Sam Holiday defeated Jesse Hennig by pinfall after a holiday legdrop at 8:09
**this marked the return to RCW of Jesse Hennig, who has had many run ins with Holiday before. However, Hennig's frequent partner Stan Baker has been playing the role of tweener lately. Holiday had the better of most of the bout, but then Raymond Bingham came down to ringside and distracted the ref which allowed Hennig to deliver a lowblow to Holiday. However, the former RCW champ was able to survive the dirty tactics and make a comeback. In the meantime Stan Baker came down to ringside. Apparently Baker was there just to observe as he did not interfere in the bout. Bingham tried to talk to Baker and maybe feel out his allegiances but the big man would not tip his hat. However, Bingham decided not to risk another interference attempt and left the ringside area before the match was complete. Holiday came off the top rope, after having a quick check on who was around ringside, with his legdrop to pick up the win.

Main Event
RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Manny Silva and Adam Riggs battled to a no-contest at 0:00
**After Silva's cheating to keep the belt after facing Ron Simmons, President Jack Larkin had threatened Silva that he was going to bring in a new challenger tonight, a big surprise. Much to everyone's surprise Larkin brought out WWA/PWA superstar Adam Riggs, all 6'10 295 pounds of hate from Dublin, Ireland. Riggs is quite frankly one of the most hated wrestlers in the game, all across the globe, and this was a shock. Riggs has had to tone down his antics lately because the wrestling world is not putting up with his homophobic and xenophobic ways. Perhaps Jack Larkin was the only one in the arena that was actually surprised that Riggs entered the ring, went toe to toe with Silva, turned around and clotheslined Larkin. He and Silva exchanged high fives and the two went to town on Larkin with a series of boots. Several security guards slowed the attack down but they were thrown out of the ring as were Shane Madison, Will Damon, Shane Stevens, and Dave Mysterio. Finally stronger reinforcements in the name of head of security Ron Simmons and The Patriot rushed the ring at the same time. They were brawling with Riggs and Silva as Larkin lay bloodied and knocked out, as we

FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #962
Saturday, May 3rd, 2003
Only on PPV
MetraPark, Billings Montana

attendance: 3,820


Heroes


A very somber looking Adam Riggs appears on the screen.

"Wrestling fans. I know that you hate me, or that you love to hate me, but despite that I come to you tonight, this one time asking for your prayers. Earlier today I was notified that Miss Elizabeth had indeed passed away. As most of you know, Liz was my valet in PWA for some time around 1999. I was lucky enough to have got to know Liz, and to have been touched by her gentle heart. She was a wonderful, giving woman. A very powerful light in this dark industry has been extinguished and it makes me very sad. We hope to put on a great show for you tonight, but we would hope that once it is over, and you go home, your thoughts turn to Miss Elizabeth, and all the great memories you have of "the first woman of professional wrestling". God speed Liz, and thanks for the memories. We'll miss you."

<<Caption of Miss Elizabeth>>>




Opening Bout
Norman Smiley v Dr. John Manfried
A newcomer to RCW, Norman Smiley showed up expecting a wrestling match, but soon figured out he wouldn't find one from Manfried. So he fought fire with fire and the two brawled all around the ringside area and into the crowd. Once the match spilled into the crowd referee Melissa Coates called for the bell.
[Dr. John Manfried and Norman Smiley fought to a double disqualification at 7:57]


Bout #2
Crash Holly v Lord Valmont (/w Sherry Valmont)
Holly made his big card debut against Lord Valmont. Neither wrestler seemed very eager to lock up in this match. The feeling out process was a couple minutes before Valmont won a test of strength and then delivered a nasty chop to the throat of Holly. But Valmont spent too much time showboating to his wife and valet Sherry Valmont and it cost him as Holly surprised him with a roll-up and a near fall. After that shock the two men got down to business with a few minutes of great chain mat wrestling, both men getting near falls after each held onto a handful of tights to try and get the job done. Holly tried to whip Valmont into the ropes, but Valmont stopped in his tracks, and reversed it sending Holly to the ropes. But Holly surprised Valmont with a spear. He followed this up with a swinging neckbreaker, and then when Valmont got to his feet Holly finished him off with a spinebuster slam.
[Crash Holly defeated Lord Valmont by pinfall at 8:36 after a spinebuster slam]


Bout #3
12-man elimination tag match
Asp Evergreen/Eddie Chavez/Shaggy 2 Dope/Violent J/Derek St. Holmes/Pogo the Clown
V
Shane Stevens/Don Spartan/Tenacious Z/Tough Enough Scott/Shane Madison/Will Damon

Order of elimination;
1.Derek St.Holmes (by Tenacious Z 2:04)
2.Violent J (by Shane Madison 4:14)
3.Tough Enough Scott (by Shaggy 2 Dope 6:00)
4.Will Damon (by Asp Evergreen 6:45)
5.Shane Stevens (by Eddie Chavez 8:19)
6.Eddie Chavez (by Tenacious Z 11:34)
7 & 8. Don Spartan & Shaggy 2 Dope (double pin 13:30)
9.Pogo the Clown (by disqualification, Tenacious Z, 14:58)
10.Tenacious Z (couldn't answer the ten count, 15:12)
11.Asp Evergreen (by Shane Madison 17:00)
Winner and Sole Survivor: Shane Madison


In-ring Interview

President Jack Larkin comes to the ring along with his head of security Ron Simmons, and a few extra security guards.

He says he has 3 big announcements to make.

First, he has hired a new executive assistant. He calls out to the back, and down the aisle walks the sultry Kimberly Page, in a blue sequin dress. The fans cheer the arrival of the diamond doll.

Second, in the match at Lock & Load while the Great Canadians successfully defended their tag team straps, Eric Scott hurt his knee and is on the shelf indefinitely. It will soon be 30 days and Scott will not get clearance to wrestle. Therefore, the Great Canadians, Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti will relinquish their tag titles. A tag tournament will begin on Wednesday Rage, and will culminate in the final match at "Nothing Else Matters".

Thirdly, we have a surprise new arrival to RCW scheduled for this Wednesday night rage. This superstar will shock RCW to its core. You don't want to miss this Wednesday's Rage.

With that Larkin takes Kimberly Page by the arm and they leave the ring together.


Bout #4
Spinebusters: Bryan Caruthers & Jerry Orth v Young Guns: Johnny Devine & Greg Pawluk
The fans of middle America apparently hadn't forgotten the Spinebusters and their tactics of the past because when they walked the aisle in their return in RCW they were greeted with a standing jeer, and several cups of soda to the back and head.
Inside the ring it became apparent that the Spinebusters also hadn't forgotten how to control a match. The first few minutes belonged to the younger, faster Young Guns. But the 'busters stalled for time and when they finally got the advantage they never released it. For the next six minutes they worked over first Devine, then Pawluk, and rarely did the match venture out of their half of the ring. With quick tags and a slow 5 count from long time inept official Jurgen Hermann it seemed like both Caruthers and Orth were constantly in the ring together. It didn't help the youngsters when they couldn't control their tempers and Hermann had to turn his back on the action to escort Devine or Pawluk out of the ring. In the end it happened again that Devine couldn't take anymore and entered the ring but was cut off by Hermann. While his back was turned the hated duo applied the double spinebuster slam that left Pawluk motionless in the ring. Devine though entered the ring once again, this time with a steel chair. Hermann had his back turned to Devine and was counting out the pinfall so he didn't see Devine approach. However, he did see Orth enter the ring and stood up to pull Orth out of the ring. This allowed Devine a clean shot to the back of the head of Caruthers. Devine put Pawluk on top but before Hermann could finish the count, Orth returned to the ring and pulled the referee away from the count. Hermann called for the bell.
[Young Guns defeated the Spinebusters by disqualification at 14:54 when Jerry Orth was disqualified for physically abusing the referee]


Bout #5
Gregor Kitnitsov v Kutlu Warrior Jonny Stewart
Kitnitsov has really been on a roll as of late in RCW coming off big card victories against The Patriot and Gabriel Argos. He seemed ready to make the jump to top contender status for the Heritage or even Heavyweight title. Then something got in the way. During one of his anti-American tirades on RAGE, Dirty Deeds by AC/DC hit and the Kutlu Warrior Jon Stewart hit the ring with a Singapore Cane and began to beat the Russian and his Korean manager Sammy Yip to within an inch of their lives. It was the most brutal attack we have seen recently in RCW, and the fans ate it up.
Stewart was suspended for his attack by Jack Larkin until tonight, so this was the first time the Russian had a chance to face him. Stewart brought his Singapore Cane into the ring with him, so Kitnitsov brought a chain in as well. The two faced off and when head referee Buddy Lane tried to intervene they just pushed him away, not once, not twice, but three times.
Then finally the two began to exchange swings, with the chain and cane. Both men were busted open and the bell hadn't even sounded. Sammy Yip tried to attack Stewart from behind with a chair, but the veteran quickly tuned and caned him across the head. The Cane was now broken into pieces and no use to Stewart. This gave the Russian the distinct advantage as he used the chain to batter and then to choke Stewart. However, the newcomer to RCW fought back with his hands, raking the eyes of Kitnitsov and then forcing both he and his opponent to spill out of the ring to the floor below.
The brawl just continued outside the ring but this time Stewart grabbed the advantage by ramming the Russians head into the post. He then pulled Kitntisov onto the announce table and DDTs him through it. Although the match was officially a no-contest it was obvious that Stewart was the true winner.
[Gregor Kitnitsov and Jonny Stewart battled to a no-contest at 0:00]


Bout #6
Fatal 4-Way
Jesse Hennig v Sam Holiday v Stan Baker v Raymond Bingham
A lot of hatred in this ring, most of it directed at Sam Holiday. However, Stan Baker proved early to be his own man, refusing to ally himself with any of the others. Bingham and Hennig had a short allegiance that they used to punish Baker for not going along with their plans, but even that soon disintegrated.
Baker was strong enough to control the next phase of this match, but when he tried to put away Sam Holiday he found the icon of middle America had too much gas left in the tank. Holiday rallied against not only Baker but all 3 foes. He cleared the ring of everyone except Hennig. But as he tried to whip Hennig to the ropes it was reversed and Hennig sent Holiday into the ropes instead. Bingham was trying to get back into the ring, so he collided with Holiday at the ropes and was knocked back down to the floor. Hennig applied a fisherman buster to Holiday and got the surprising victory.
[Jesse Hennig won a 4-way dance by pinfall over Sam Holiday at 12:02 after a fisherman buster]


Bout #7
Steve Riley v Vic Gate
Gate coming off losing his heritage title to Den Graves met the monstrous Riley who was also coming off a down period not being able to secure a top notch win to put him into title contention.
Gate tried to wrestle him, but Riley used his power and balance to thwart every attempt to lock up, and then caught Gate in a big bear hug. Gate managed to reach the ropes for the break but the match was now in favor of the big man. Riley punished the former Heritage champion with a belly-to-belly, a sidewalk slam, and then applied a surfboard submission.
Again Gate managed to get to the ropes. He left the ring to buy some time, but Riley went right after him. Gate though was trying to draw Riley into his trap, and much to the fans liking the veteran caught Riley trying to follow him back into the ring. Gate went to work on Riley's leg, with a series of elbowdrops to the quadriceps. He then pulled a couple of stump pullers out of his old-time repertoire. Just when it looked like Gate may have solved this big monster, from his knees Riley struck Gate in the face with a devastating punch, and then lunged forward taking him down to the mat. The powerful man from Colorado grabbed Gate in a reverse chinlock and then turned it into a surprising STF. Vic Gate had no choice but to tap out.
[Steve Riley defeated Vic Gate by submission with the STF at 12:27]


Bout #8
Chrome v Boss Strickland
Another match with 2 guys desperate for a victory to put them back into title contention. Strickland is the much better technical wrestler but Chrome uses his size advantage to pound away at "the Boss". This match goes back and forth with neither man holding the advantage for more than a minute of two. Finally Boss does get a sustained advantage. He goes for his frog splash finisher but Chrome manages to bring his knees up and spoil it for Strickland. Still, Strickland is on his feet first and lines Chrome up for a German suplex. The big man from the Badlands blocks it, gives a back elbow to his surprised opponent, floats behind, and then gives Strickland a nasty looking German suplex of his own. He bridges upon impact and gets the 3 count.
[Chrome defeated Boss Strickland by pinfall at 9:39 after a German Suplex]


Bout #9
Heritage Title Match
Den Graves (champion) v Union Jack
Graves defended his newly won Heritage title against the biggest thorn in his side this year, Union Jack. When Den Scarraman came down to ringside with Graves it brought out UJs friend Gabriel Argos to keep an eye on him. Argos was still wearing that protective mask on his face because of his broken nose suffered at the hands of Gregor Kitnitsov at Lock & Load.
Another mat classic between these two excellent workers unfolded. Graves though would gain the advantage and then totally forget the tactics that got him control, and instead try and sneak in a choke or eyegouge, or resort to fisticuffs. This caused referee Jimmy Appleseed to put space between the two competitors which is what Union Jack needed to regroup. Soon the match spilled out of the ring where again Graves was the better man, using his strength to bully UJ around. Back inside though UJ surprised Graves by locking in the tarantula on the ropes. This brought Scaramann around and even though Argos managed to take him down from behind it wasn't until after Scaramann had managed to deliver an elbow to the back of the head of UJ.
Graves gave UJ the giant swing, and when he released him UJ skidded into the ringpost. Graves crawled over to UJ, still dizzy, and applied the STF but was too close to the ropes and UJ got the break. Graves stumbled to his feet inside the ring, but UJ used the rope to steady himself as he got up, and then to hold onto as he delivered a series of sidekicks to the gut and then the head of the champ. He flipped over the back of Graves and rolled him up, for the 1, 2, kickout!
UJ was up first and brought Graves down with a clothesline. He backed into the ropes and came off with a running clothesline. As Graves got to his feet UJ tried for a 3rd clothesline, but this time Scararman was waiting and tripped up UJ. Graves brought UJ into the middle of the ring and applied a rolling armbar that had UJ tap out in seconds.
[Den Graves defeated Union Jack by submission at 17:45 with a rolling armbar]
[Den Graves retained the RCW Heritage Title]


MAIN EVENT
Guest Referee: Vendetta
Ron Simmons' position as head of security on the line

Manny Silva & Adam Riggs
V
Ron Simmons & The Patriot (/w Jack Larkin)

Backstory;
This match was set-up on Rage earlier this month. Simmons got his title shot against Silva who got intentionally disqualified and then won the rematch thanks to some botched interference by Larkin. Angry, Larkin told Silva he would have to meet a mystery opponent the next week. The mystery opponent turned out to be a newcomer to RCW (but a legend in pro wrestling) the "Phenom" Adam Riggs! Despite years of advanced billing as being a total s.o.b. the fans cheered Riggs as he was brought to the ring by Larkin. But before that match could even start Riggs shook hands with Silva, and the two attacked Larkin. They gave the President quite a beating before finally Ron Simmons and the Patriot came to his rescue. Thats what set up this main event match. However, with the violent nature of both Silva and Riggs in mind, Larkin decided to appoint a special guest referee, Vendetta (still recovering from an injury), to the match, to try and keep the villains in order. In return for that stipulation though Riggs demanded that Ron Simmons' position as head of security be put on the line. Riggs says he and Silva are sick of the attack dogs being brought in just when two guys are ready to go, one-on-one. If Rigss and Silva win the match tonight, Rigss will become the new head of security.

The Match;
Silva and Riggs went after and injured the knee of the Patriot early on in this match. The Patriot "played Ricky Morton" for two long stretches that dominated the first 15 minutes of this match. Simmons resorted to entering the ring and breaking up the pins. Vendetta would play it square and intercept Simmons, but this still broke up the pin attempts. Soon all hell broke loose and the four men battled it out. Silva and Riggs threw the Patriot out of the ring, and he landed awkwardly, injuring his knee further. Simmons tried his best to beat the onslaught of 2-on-1 but was overmatched. Finally Vendetta lost his temper and went right at it with Silva. The two exchanged punches with Vendetta getting the better of it. The Haitian warrior then scooped up Silva for a Samoan drop, but as he moved the feet of Silva swung around and clocked Simmons in the back of the head. Simmons stumbled into Riggs, who chokeslammed him to the mat. Vendetta was confused, and angry, but after a few seconds of pause, finally counted a slow 1, 2, 3.
[Manny Silva & Adam Riggs defeated Ron Simmons & The Patriot by pinfall when Riggs pinned Simmons at 19:56 after a chokeslam]

Post-Match:
Riggs and Silva celebrated in the ring as Vendetta leaned heavily into the corner, his hands alternating between his head and his face, with a "what have I done" look. President Larkin came to the outside of the ring and berated Vendetta for the count, which just seemed to make the Haitian even more upset. Vendetta slipped out of the ring and went face to face with the President, finally pushing him to the ground before leaving.

In the meantime while Larkin wasn't looking Kimberly came down to the ring and entered in. She wrapped her arms around Riggs and gave him a big kiss. Riggs and Silva flanked Kimberly and each raised one of her arms. When Larkin turned around and saw his new executive assistant in the ring with the villains his jaw dropped to the ground.

FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #963
May 7, 2003
Butte, Montana
Civic Center

Attendance: 3,296


Opening Segment
<<< cue "Won't Get Fooled Again" by the Who >>>

President Jack Larkin comes down to the ring accompanied by Ron Simmons. He looks very grave indeed. He wastes no time once inside the ring in grabbing a mic and starting to talk.

Larkin] You know, usually I detest shows that open up with a 20-minute segment from some pompous overindulgent promoter, but tonight I'm going to have to beg you to give me time. We have too many issues to discuss.

First, what happened Saturday night. Thanks to you, and your incompetence Vendetta you cost Simmons and Patriot the main event match against Riggs and Silva. It's not that you counted them out, it's that your bumbling attempt to interfere cost them a match when you swung Silva into the back of Simmons. I have a very long memory for those who have helped me out Vendetta, but an even longer memory for those who have screwed me over. Speaking of which, Kimberly Page, you are fired as my executive assistant. Thats obvious enough I guess. You like Riggs and Silva so much, well they can pay your bills now too. You must have thought you were pretty indispensable huh, tramp? Well guess what your not!

<<< cue "Sable's Theme" by RCW All-Stars >>>

The crowd pops as Sable makes her way down the aisle in her usual black leather catsuit. She has a mischievous smile on her face and upon entering the ring gives Larkin a kiss on the cheek.

Sable] Hello Butte! I'm so glad you came out tonight to see me! Kimberly Page, honey you made the wrong choice. I can beat you in the ring, or out of the ring. Anything you can do, I can do better. Anything you have, I can take from you. Thank you Mr. Larkin for giving me this new opportunity to show the world my talents.

Larkin] See Kimberly, I'm so over it. Now then, at this point I was to announce and bring out RCW's newest member of the talent roster, a big surprise. Unfortunately, I just received a call backstage saying he wont be able to make it out tonight.

The crowd boos the announcement.

Larkin] I really am sorry, we would never pull a bait and switch on you fans, I'm as upset about this as you are. But for the rest of RCW the wait will just make his arrival that much sweeter. Believe me! However, the other bad news tonight is that after a recent meeting with V.P. Dale Kuentz we came to the agreement that the ranks of our locker room has swollen too large. The financial strain of the newcomers leaves us with no alternative but to release some talent from our roster. As you may know, many of these talents were actually training at our facility. As the class has progressed they have out grown our program, but we can't keep them all. Now before I read the names of the talent being released, I want to let all the promoters out there who might be watching this show, or who will get my e-mail regarding these releases, is that each and every one of these guys I would recommend for employment. If that wasn't true they wouldn't have lasted this long in RCW. If any promoters need a bio package or other questions about these talents please don't hesitate to call our offices as we would be glad to help out any way we can to make sure these guys find more work. Now then, the unpleasant task of reading out the names released;

"Whooo, whooo, whooo,"

Asp Evergreen emerges from the back with a mic to interrupt Larkin. He walks to the ring shaking his finger at Larkin.

Evergreen] Well this is just great Larkin. You've had it in for me from day one. My only faults have been that I have been ambitious and self-serving, two traits I was led to believe you admired. Now you concoct this big plan to get rid of me and my guys. Well thats fine Larkin you can fire me, but I ain't going to leave easy.

Larkin] Asp...

Evergreen] Don't interrupt me JACK, you ain't my boss anymore. The thing that gets me is that you are going to probably release a whole bunch of us lower guys just so you could bring in Kimberly Page and Sable! What is this Larkin, RCW or MILF?

The crowd pops sporadically but loud to that comment. Sable looks very pissed off but Larkin gets her to cool her heels while Asp stands there with a smirk on his face.

Larkin] You're forgetting one of the big names signed was the "Phenom" Adam Riggs!

Evergreen] No, I'm not.

Larkin gets a "I can't believe you just said that" look on his face.

Larkin] What I was going to say Asp, is that your name is not on this list.

Asp gets a very surprised and then embarrassed look on his face. He stares at his shoes.

Larkin] Now I have half a mind to put you on this list now, but I'm not going to because for some reason you seem to generate some heat. People like to hate you even if you are one of the crappiest, spot-fest wrestlers I have ever seen. Maybe one day I can make some money off you. Now I suggest you crawl to the back before I change my mind.

Asp just nods and quickly makes his way to the back.

Larkin] Now then back to the list. Again RCW's best wishes go out to all this talent, and we thank them all for their hard work and effort these last few months. The following wrestlers are released from their RCW contracts as of tonight;

Brickwall Bradley
Damien Demento
Dave Mysterio
Don Spartan
Jason Pharo
John Schoffner
Peregryne
Puppet
Tough Enough Scott
Scott Snot
Sin Nombre
Steve Chamberlain
Teo
The Patriot
Bridget the Midget
Chip Minton

It's a black day for RCW but one that we must face in order to get stronger and better.


Opening Bout
Re-Match from "Heroes"
Falls Count Anywhere No countout, No DQ
Norman Smiley defeated Dr. John Manfried by submission with the Norman Conquest at 11:25 in the parking lot on top of a station wagon


In-ring Interview:
Deane Moore interviews Vendetta.
The Haitian Voodoo warrior says what happened at "Heroes" may have cost Simmons and the Patriot the match, but it was not intentional. He apologizes to the duo but says he will not apologize to Larkin because it's none of Larkin's concern. He warns Larkin never to disrespect him again or he will have a Vendetta unleashed upon him like he has never seen before. Returning to last night Vendetta calls out RCW Champion "Vicious" Manny Silva.

Manny Silva, along with Adam Riggs and Kimberly make their way out to the top of the ramp being bood unmercifully by the fans.

Vendetta says he wants a piece of Silva for what transpired at "Heroes". He challenges Silva to a match tonight.

Before Silva can respond Adam Riggs grabs the mic from the champ. He tells Vendetta that they are not afraid of him, "but being a special guest referee and botching up even that simple assignment should not be rewarded with a shot at the champion; so forget it!"

They turn around to leave but before they can, Vendetta yells out "fine, then let's make it non-title. Since you're not afraid of me and all."

Silva and Riggs turn and look like deer caught in the headlights. Silva has no choice but to accept. Riggs then challenges Vendetta right now to walk the talk and get his ass up here. Vendetta is only too willing to comply and starts to walk up the ramp. But before he can get to the top, security forces, looking less than pleased at their assignment, come out from the back and intercede. Vendetta tries to push through but doesn't put up much resistance against Simmons' former security force now under the command of Adam Riggs. Riggs, Silva, and Kimberly taunt Vendetta before leaving.


In-ring challenge:
Asp Evergreen comes to the ring and is pissed off at Shane Madison for his win at "Heroes" in the big 12-man elimination match. He calls out Shane Madison, who comes but is then sneak attacked from behind by Pogo the Clown. Asp calls out for a ref, and gets Buddy Lane and we have a match. Madison fights a gallant fight after such a huge disadvantage of being attacked before the bell. He battles back, and the more he does, the more vicious Pogo gets. Finally the big clown gets Madison in a choke-sleeper and refuses to let go, getting himself disqualified. Following the match Asp Evergreen comes into the ring and lays the boots to Madison. Finally, Shane Stevens runs in from the back with a chair to clear out Asp and Pogo.

Bout #2
Shane Madison defeated Pogo the Clown by disqualification at 8:38 when Pogo refused to release a choke-sleeper


In-ring interview:
Sable comes to the ring with a mic. She calls out Asp Evergreen still upset at his MILF comment from the opening segment. She is dressed in her wrestling gear and challenges Asp to come down and fight her. Asp comes down to the ring with a mic of his own, and has an apologetic tone and is trying to calm Sable down. As Sable drops her guard Asp extends a punch and sucker punches Sable, knocking her out cold. He reveals that he is wearing brass knux. He grabs a hold of her in a camel clutch position but uses the opportunity to grind against her. Suddenly from the back comes "Phenom" Adam Riggs of all people. He enters the ring from behind Asp and grabs him by his skinny neck. He delivers a reverse chokeslam, slamming the youngster face first into the mat! He grabs a mic and says to Asp's prone body, "don't ever confuse me for a MILF, because I'm the one around here doing all the f*beep*"

He then goes over to where Sable lays and stands over her menacingly. However, he gently reaches down and helps her to her feet. She is still groggy and when she regains her senses and looks up seeing it is Adam Riggs, she tries to pull away from him. But he gets that evil look on his face again and holds onto her. Kimberly Page runs in from the back and enters the ring, driving a knee into her back. Riggs holds her down to the mat while Kimberly drives a knee into the small of her back time and time again. They leave Sable lying in the ring along with Asp Evergreen.


Announcement:
V.P. Dale Kuentz announces a tag team tournament to award the vacant RCW Tag Team Titles, due to the injury of The Great Canadians, Vincent Regliatti & Eric Scott. The tournament will start tonight with 2 out of 4 quarterfinals. The remaining 2 quarterfinals will be held next week, the semi-finals on the 21st, and the finals on the 28th. The winner will not only become the RCW champions but will also get a shot against the NWA World Champions on June 7th at "Nothing Else Matters".


Bout #3
Tag Team Tournament Quarter-final
The Spinebusters (Bryan Caruthers & Jerry Orth) defeated Cael Sanderson & Rulon Gardner when Caruthers pinned Sanderson at 12:34 after a spinebuster


Bout #4
Tag Team Tournament Quarter-final
The Young Guns (Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine) defeated the Insane Clown Posse (Shaggy 2 Dope & Violent J) /w Derek St. Holmes by countout at 7:19
**The ICP walked out of the match after they just couldn't get anything going against the far superior Young Guns team, even with outside help from their manager Derek St. Holmes, ESQ. They tried to sneak back into the ring and attack while the Young Guns celebrated, but even that attack was foiled when the Young Guns heard them coming and handed them their asses once again.


Bout #5
Al Collins v Menele
Collins' single debut since he and long time partner Joe Blum went their separate ways. He seemed a bit like a fish out of water and was overwhelmed by the tenacity and raw strength of Menele.
[Menele defeated Al Collins by pinfall at 10:43 after a T-bone suplex]


In-ring segment:
The Patriot comes to the ring next, not accompanied by music. He grabs the mic away from the ring announcer in a very "unpatriotic" fashion. He rips into Larkin for releasing him earlier tonight. He says he has been a mainstay in RCW since 2001. He accuses Larkin of firing him because they lost last night, but he says that was Vendetta's fault, not his. Finally he warns Larkin that if their paths ever cross again it will be a very different Patriot that he will see. He throws down the mic, and then rips off his mask throwing it to the mat, and leaves the ring to a mixture of cheers and boos.


Main-Event
Non-Title Match
"Vicious" Manny Silva (c) v Vendetta
Hard fought match, tooth and nail, being proceeded over by none other than head referee Buddy Lane. Vendetta, making his return after an undisclosed injury kept him on the shelf for about a month, has a slight advantage through most of the match but Silva continues to battle back. Out of nowhere Vendetta ducks a clothesline and then nails the champ with a DDT. He then locks in the Haitian deathlock but within a few seconds Adam Riggs hits the ring with a chair. He smacks Vendetta squarely across the back with the chair, and then again on the head. The Haitian is out cold.
[Vendetta defeats Manny Silva by disqualification at 18:51 due to outside interference]

Post-Match:
The security force of RCW which is now under the control of Adam Riggs surrounds the ring at his request. Isolated in the ring they continue to work over Vendetta who is busted wide open. Ron Simmons runs down to try and make the save but a very reluctant security staff holds their former boss back at the order of their new boss Adam Riggs. While most of them are distracted holding him back, a newcomer arrives from the back.

SCOTT HALL is in the arena, he is in RCW!!

"The Bad Guy" makes his way to the ring having to push and punch away 3 security guards on the way. He rolls into the ring and faces off against "Phenom" Adam Riggs as Manny Silva circles in from behind. Riggs and Silva converge like wolves, and the 3 wrestlers...embrace in the ring. As an astonished Ron Simmons looks on from outside the ring, Kimberly Page comes into the ring to join them.

Scott Hall grabs a mic. He welcomes himself to RCW and says he has one more surprise for the fans. The superstar that couldn't make it tonight, is a good friend of his...former RCW Champion Jody Christmas. And next week they will be even stronger with Christmas on board. The RCW will never be the same again.

We hear a wolf howl as we,

FADE TO BLACK


Breaking Kayfabe; As a general rule my circuit always avoided having wrestlers that were currently signed to WWF or WCW. However, during this time frame I was part of the big John Fredricson/Carl Todd/David Steele , PWA/WWA/NWA/NeWA world, which was a collection of feds sharing a common talent pool of real and created wrestlers, and having a rich history of their own dating back to the late 80's. So it becomes awkward for me to mesh the real world WWF with the fantasy world. Now I think I am still good with most of these talents (Scott Hall was not wrestling for WWE at the time), but I did use some intellectual property namely the Wolfpack. This is obviously the NWO off shoot, but remember in this world they ran in the PWA, not the real world WCW. So I would have been able to use that gimmick and did. I could re-write my cards and change the name (likewise I know Sable was trademarked so could have been changed to Rena Mero), but I have decided not to do this. So yes, the Wolfpack angle is a "rip-off" of WCW NWO Wolfpack, but in my world they were just moving over to my fed in a shared world. Hopefully that is not as screwed up as the plot for Inception.

[wickedrex1]

HEROES Feedback:

-- Nice to seet he mention of Miss Elizabeth. Definitely gone way too soon (even if it has been 18 years at this point!)

-- Can't go wrong with hiring Kimberly Page. And, I wonder who's going to be making their debut at the next show...

-- The Spinebusters / Young Guns match sounded like a giant cluster, but it was written well. I'm sure the the Spinebusters aren't too pleased with the ending result.

-- It certainly doesn't seem like the situation between Kitnitsov and Stewart is going to end any time soon.

-- Vendetta costing Simmons & The Patroit the win is going to upset a lot of higher-ups. But probably not as much as watching Kimberly join forces with Silva and Riggs.

[jacklarkin]

Apr 10, 2021 11:39:16 GMT -5 wickedrex1 said:

HEROES Feedback:

-- Nice to seet he mention of Miss Elizabeth. Definitely gone way too soon (even if it has been 18 years at this point!)

-- Can't go wrong with hiring Kimberly Page. And, I wonder who's going to be making their debut at the next show...

-- The Spinebusters / Young Guns match sounded like a giant cluster, but it was written well. I'm sure the the Spinebusters aren't too pleased with the ending result.

-- It certainly doesn't seem like the situation between Kitnitsov and Stewart is going to end any time soon.

-- Vendetta costing Simmons & The Patroit the win is going to upset a lot of higher-ups. But probably not as much as watching Kimberly join forces with Silva and Riggs.

Thanks for the feedback. These longer shows i actually wrote real time so this one was written back in May of 2003. Keep in mind that it was part of an umbrella organization so I was able to get Kimberly, but no the surprise was not DDP. I was pretty fetched with the Divas back then.

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #964
May 14, 2003
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Holiday Park Arena

Attendance: 2,109

Rage's announce crew of Joe Aiello and Linley Tolbert trumpet the fact the attendance tonight is nearly double the April 2nd Rage that was here in Holiday Park Arena. The roster additions of Adam Riggs and Scott Hall, as well as the imminent arrival of Jody Christmas have really started to make waves in the NWA.

Opening Match:
Quarter-Final Tag Team Tournament Match
Union Jack & Gabriel Argos v Gregor Kitnitsov & Tiger Khan
The first surprise of the night is when Sammy Yip brought this duo down to the ring. This is Khan's first appearance in a return to RCW and has apparently been brought in by Sammy Yip. Khan is from India, and although he is on the smallish side, he fits right in with RCWW's emphasis on mat wrestling. Kitnitsov started strong in this match against UJ who insisted on starting the match since his partner Argos is still nursing a broken nose and wearing a protective mask. Kitntisov took out the leg of UJ early and then he and Khan took turns working it over. As a pre-emptive move Khan delivered a cheap shot to Argos as he was trying to reach UJ for a tag. The Indian gave a stiff shot to the nose gear of Argos causing the man from Cyprus such pain that he fell off the apron backward and was not able to make the tag. A couple minutes, and a television break later, UJ finally managed to fireman carry Kitntisov into the corner and make the tag to Argos. Gabriel Argos was furious over the shot to the nose, and took his anger out on both Kitnitsov and Khan. Argos tagged in UJ who continued to work on Kitnitsov. It seemed though that UJ made the critical mistake of going after Sammy Yip on the apron thus turning his back to the Russian, but he moved at the last second and Kitnitsov crashed a knee right into the midsection of Yip driving him off the apron. UJ rolled up Kitnitsov for the win.
[Union Jack & Gabriel Argos defeated Kitnitsov & Khan by pinfall at 12:22 when UJ rolled up Kitnitsov for the pinfall]

Post-Match
As Kitnitsov, Khan, and Yip walked up the ramp they were attacked from behind by the Kutlu Warrior Jon Stewart brandishing his Singapore cane. He laid out Khan and Yip quickly, absorbed a couple punches from Kitnitsov and then laid him out with a DDT on the wooden ramp. Stewart lifted his cane up in the air as a victory signal to the fans who cheered.


Bout #2
Tag Team Tournament Quarter-Final
Jesse Hennig & Raymond Bingham v Mr. Wrestling & Boss Strickland
The fans boo'd and jeered all 4 men in this contest unable to take a side. It turned into a rough yet comical match with both teams cheating as often as possible, and therefore featured long time inept official Jurgen Hermann. After a ref bump Hennig & Bingham tossed Strickland out of the ring. Hennig then took out brass knux and nailed Mr. Wrestling. However, he then turned around and nailed his own partner Raymond Bingham too. He rolled Mr. Wrestling on top of Bingham and left the ring. Hermann was woken up by Strickland and the dazed ref counted the pinfall.
[Mr. Wrestling & Boss Strickland defeated Jesse Hennig & Raymond Bingham by pinfall at 8:30 when Mr. Wrestling pinned Bingham after Hennig hit both of them with brass knuckles]


Bout #3
Tenacious Z defeated Puta Masculina by pinfall at 6:56 after a ropeflip moonsault
**filler match

Bout #4
Menele defeated "Gung Ho" Joe Blum by pinfall at 7:35 after a T-bone suplex
**Last week Menele defeated Al Collins, and this week he steamrolled over Collins' ex-partner Joe Blum.


In-ring Interview:
<<< cue "Ain't Going Down till the Sun comes up" Garth Brooks >>>
The always popular Sam Holiday came to the ring and was interviewed by Deane Moore. Holiday was mildly upset about not winning the 4-way dance at Heroes, but was more upset that Jesse Hennig won. He says he could deal losing to Stan Baker, because as much as he and Stan despised each other, at least they were cut from the same cloth - tradition and toughness. Holiday calls Hennig a 2 cent indy punk. He challenges Hennig to a match next week on Rage one-on-one.

<<< cue "Driver's Seat" Sniff' n the Tears >>>
Jesse Hennig comes to the top of the ramp and says he accepts the challenge for next week, and he will show the old man that it is time to hang up the boots.


Bout #5
#1 Contender's Match for the Heritage Title
Chrome v "Total Destruction" Steve Riley
**Heritage champion Den Graves came down to do guest commentary during the match. He said both these guys were big, tough, strong competitors. But once he got them down on the mat and hooked them they would be flaying away like dolphins caught in a tuna trap.
The match started as a slugfest which Riley got the better. He tried to finish off Chrome with a piledriver and then an awesome running powerslam but the big man from the Badlands managed to kick out. Chrome fought back and the action spilled to outside the ring. Chrome gained control and battered Riley with a series of whips into the guardrail. Back inside Chrome continued to pound away at Riley until the monster from Colorado caught him with a low blow. Riley threw Chrome out of the ring and the action spilled to the floor once again. The two were exchanging punches when suddenly from the crowd entered "The Beast, Bob Sapp"!! The 6'5 330 lb MMA big man entered the ring and waited for Chrome and Riley. While Chrome was distracted looking at Sapp he was suckered from behind by Riley who drove him head first into the ringpost. Riley entered the ring to face off against Sapp and was immediately speared. Sapp then delivered a powerful brainbuster on Riley who was out cold. Bob Sapp then left the ring and grabbed Chrome by the hair. He dragged him to the announce table and then put him through the announce table with a powerbomb. Den Graves was sent scurrying out of the way from the action. Sapp left through the crowd but not before proclaiming he would be back.
[No-contest due to outside interference at 9:59]


Bout #6
Mixed Triple Threat Match
Sable v Kimberly v Asp Evergreen
All 3 competitors were legal in the ring, this was not elimination style.
Although there was a lot of animosity between Sable and Kimberly they soon began to co-operate simply for survival against their bigger competitor. Sable's savate kicks were very effective against Evergreen, and Kimberly struck Evergreen from behind whenever she could get a chance.
Kimberly nailed Evergreen with a stiff uppercut, and then he spun around, right into a superkick from Sable. But when Sable went for the pin she was pulled off by the hair by Kimberly Page. The two ladies got into a rolling, hairpulling, face slapping catfight that saw both roll out of the ring. With the referee distracted Eddie Chavez came in from the back and passed Evergreen a set of brass knux. Sable won the fight against Kimberly outside the ring with a DDT, but when she went back inside the ring and tried to pick up a possum playing Evergreen she received a covert shot to the head with the knux instead.
Evergreen cradled Sable and picked up the easy 1, 2, 3.
[Asp Evergreen defeated Sable and Kimberly in a Triple Threat match when he pinned Sable at 8:11 after using brass knuckles]



Main Event
No Disqualification 
Ron Simmons v "Phenom" Adam Riggs
Simmons of course lost his position as RCW head of security to Riggs as part of the main event match stipulation at "Heroes". Riggs comes out to the ring accompanied by security forces and wearing a "Head of Security" t-shirt.
Riggs is also accompanied by RCW Heavyweight champion Manny Silva. The fans chant "Poodle" at Silva who pats down his hair and gives the finger to the fans in frustration.
The fan reaction also distracts Riggs so Simmons attacks him from behind before the bell could sound. Nothing scientific in this match, and head referee Buddy Lane just lets them go at it, understanding fully the background of this match.
Simmons controls much of the early going as the match alternates between inside and outside the ring. It's only a matter of time though until Silva finds an opportunity to interfere and turn the tables on Simmons. This though brings out Vendetta from the back who goes right after Silva. While Lane is distracted by the outside interference Scott Hall enters the ring from the crowd and nails Simmons from behind. While Riggs holds Simmons, Hall follows up with his customary discus punch and then the "Outsiders Edge". Hall leaves the ring as Vendetta and Silva are brawling into the crowd now. Hall goes over and gives Silva a hand making it 2-on-1. In the meantime inside the ring Riggs delivers a big chokeslam to an already devastated Ron Simmons.
[Adam Riggs defeats Ron Simmons by pinfall at 10:20 after a chokeslam]

Post-Match:
<<< cue "It's Tricky by Run D.M.C.">>>

The crowd goes absolutely nuts as Jody Christmas makes his way to the ring. Hall and Silva are still pounding away at Vendetta in the crowd so it's just Christmas and Riggs (and a downed Ron Simmons). The two stare at each other for a few seconds. Christmas motions to Hall in the crowd and then clasps his hands together to indicate to Riggs that he is with Hall. Riggs smiles and turns his back on Christmas, raising his hands in the air mocking the crowd. But when he turns around he is nailed by a Jody Christmas superkick! Riggs is out cold!

Seeing what transpired Silva and Hall now race to the ring and enter beneath the bottom rope. Silva starts to question Hall about his allegiances, and then both he and Hall attack Christmas. Christmas fights back valiantly but he is alone against Hall & Silva. Simmons though regains his senses and makes it 2 on 2.

<<< cue "Wolfpack theme">>>

Just when you thought it couldn't get any louder in the Holiday Park Arena, the crowd explodes when the unannounced Big Sexy Kevin Nash makes his way to the ring. He parts the sea of Silva and Hall and goes right after Christmas with a big knee to the mid-section in the corner of the ring. The crowd changes from cheering to now boo'ing Nash. Big Sexy works over Christmas in the corner while Silva and Hall double team Simmons. Simmons falls victim to the Outsider's Edge while Christmas is devastated by the Jack-Knife powerbomb. Vendetta is gamely trying to crawl over the guard rail to get back into the action, but collapses from exhaustion. Silva, Hall, Nash, and a revived Riggs embrace in the ring. Kimberly Page comes out to join them bringing with her red and black "WolfPack" t-shirts for all members.


We hear the howl of a wolf, as we


FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #965
May 21, 2003
Wednesday Night Rage
Boise, Idaho
Bronco Gym

Attendance: 1,223 (sold out)


Opening Match
Six-Man Tag Match
ICP: Violent J & Shaggy 2 Dope, & Derek St. Holmes, ESQ v Hombre Muerto Recorre, Ryan Roxbury, and Shane Stevens
**HMR proved to be the most talented man in this six man tag match, and the only one in his team that could overcome the constant interference and double teams of their opponents. Finally it all broke down as the six men brawled. Violent J opened up a fire extinguisher into the eyes of HMR when the ref was on the other side of ringside. This allowed an ICP double team of Shane Stevens to pick up the win.
[ICP & Holmes defeat HMR, Roxbury, & Stevens at 7:24 when Violent J pinned Shane Stevens after an assisted hotshot]


In-ring interview:
President Jack Larkin comes out with his new executive assistant Sable. He apologizes for having to come out here again, twice in one month, but he says he is disgusted after watching last week's Rage. Match after match featured outside interference, run-in's from the crowd, managerial interference, foreign objects, and brawls that went into the stands. Well that has to stop tonight. Those who continue these tactics will face fines and suspensions. Also, this goes for the proliferation of new groups here in RCW. When RCW first started it was every man for himself. Now we have Full Deck, The Wolfpack, and Sammy Yip's little group. Larkin says he and the referees of RCW will not be intimidated by these groups. Finally, Larkin says that when RCW first started it was about mat wrestling. But last week all the fans got was brawl after brawl. Well to remind everyone about mat wrestling excellence, next week we will have an amateur rules match between Cael Sanderson and Rulon Gardner, two of the finest amateur wrestlers the U.S. has produced in the last 10 years. This draws mostly jeers from the crowd.
Sable then grabs the mic. She says that last week she was out smarted by Asp Evergreen, which doesn't say much for her own intelligence, but she guarantees it won't happen again. Sable says she knows Asp isn't in the arena tonight, but challenges him to a match next week on Rage. She wants a paddle match. A paddle will be suspended from a pole. Whomever gets the paddle and delivers a spanking on the other wrestler first, wins the match.
Eddie Chavez makes an unexpected appearance at the top of the ramp. He apologizes to Sable for Asp's MILF crack about her. He says that comment wasn't appropriate for someone with Sable's level of class. Sable gives him a weak smile and nods her head slightly. Chavez then smiles and says Sable is more likely to have ridden the Bang Bus! The crowd jeers Chavez as Sable is furious. Chavez says that on behalf of Asp he accepts the match next week for Asp to face Sable in a paddle match.


<<< cue "Ride of the Valkryies" by Wagner>>>
Den of Thieves, Den Graves & Den Scarraman come to the ring to the jeers of the fans. Graves has the Heritage title around his waist that he won from Vic Gate.
Graves says that after watching two meatheads like Chrome and Riley fight it out last week for the top contendership for this title, for once he has to admit that Larkin is right. There is too much emphasis on brawling skill and not enough anymore on mat wrestling. Graves reminds the crowd that he was properly schooled at the Wiggan School of wrestling in England, where all true shooters learn the ropes in a literal and figurative sense. The fans begin to chant BORING.
Graves looks visibly upset and walks over and shakes the ropes. "You people wouldn't know a good match if I walked up to you and shoved it down your throat". He goes on to say that since neither Riley nor Chrome was man enough to win the match, they both got their butts kicked by that greenhorn Sapp, that there was no #1 contender for the Heritage title. So, he says, I guess I'll see you, when I see you. He throws down the mic and begins to leave the ring.

"NOT SO FAST"
V.P. Dale Kuentz comes out with a mic. He tells Graves and Scarraman that since they are already in the ring, using up precious TV time to do nothing constructive, they might as well wrestle. Kuentz says he has a new team brought in tonight and the Den of Thieves would make an excellent first test for these men.

From the back comes the formidable team of Haku & Kurrgan!!!

Bout #2
Haku & Kurrgan v Den of Thieves: Den Graves & Den Scarraman
**Graves and Scarraman did their best to stall and to slow down the pace of the match. But they were too surprised by this new team to really get organized. Graves was a good enough wrestler to twice gain the advantage on Haku, but Scarraman was the weak link and found himself being manhandled by Kurrgan. However, Bob Sapp came down from the back and made his way to ringside. He didn't interfere but just looked on from the floor. Graves got upset and started to exchange words and shoves with Sapp. Soon Scarraman left the ring to join his tag team partner. Kurrgan and Haku followed next and it turned into a 5-man brawl outside the ring which caused referee Melissa Coates to call for the bell.
[Den of Thieves and Kurrgan & Haku fought to a double countout at 10:38]


In-ring interview:
Sammy Yip (Korea) comes to the ring accompanied by his two charges, Gregor Kitnitsov (Russia) & Tiger Khan (India). Yip says a bunch of disparaging things about the USA and how they were wrong about Saddam having weapons of mass destruction. He tells the people not to be afraid of the government spooks in the FBI and CIA and to protest, on the lawn of the White House if need be, to make them accountable for the loss of human life all in error. He tells the Americans to take heed of the way the winds of political change are blowing. A new force has arrived, and it's called Global Warning. With that all 3 men clasp hands and raise them in triumph.

<<< cue "Dirty Deeds" by AC/DC>>>
Global Warning is surprised and fearful when Kutlu Warrior Jon Stewart's music hits. They look all around for the Kutlu Warrior, who finally comes strolling down the aisle to the ring brandishing a Singapore cane. He challenges Kitnitsov to another match, right now. Kitnitsov accepts.

Bout #3
"Kutlu Warrior" Jonny Stewart v Gregor Kitntisov (/w Sammy Yip and Tiger Khan)
**Kitnitsov actually controls the early going with a ground and pound game that keeps the brawler Stewart off his game. The Russian punishes Stewart with an airplane spin toss, German suplex, and a front neck chancery takedown that only gets a 2 count. He takes too much time though and Stewart comes back by clipping the knee of Kitntisov. He rallies with punches and kicks, but when he goes for the DDT Kitnitosov shoves him off into the ropes. The two are so close neither has time to adjust and they bang heads on the rebound. Stewart is on his feet at the count of 8, but the Russian moves out of the way of a kneedrop attempt by the Kutlu Warrior. The two then brawl, first trading punches in the middle of the ring, and then collar and elbow hook-ups took the two into each corner of the ring as they tried to gain an advantage. Kitntisov punished Stewart with a series of knees to the gut, but Stewart spun out of the corner putting the Russian into a hammerlock. He lifted his opponent into the air, and took him down to the mat still holding onto the hammerlock. Kitnitsov managed to get to the ropes for the break. He ran out of the ring to buy some time, and when Stewart pursued he ran right into a clothesline from Khan. With the tables turned Kitnitsov punished Stewart with a series of 3 German suplexes, before locking on a short arm scissors. Stewart fights to the ropes but is then sucker punched by Khan. Stewart leaves the ring and goes right after Khan. He throws him head first into the ring steps. Kitntisov attacks Stewart from behind and then throws him back into the ring. But when the Russian reaches down to pull Stewart up the Kutlu Warrior straight arms him with a nasty shot to the throat. Both Kitnitsov's hands go to his throat making him easy prey for Stewart to close the distance and then hit a belly-to-belly suplex. A series of running clotheslines and a DDT later the match is over.
[Jonny Stewart defeated Gregor Kitnitsov by pinfall at 15:52 after a DDT]

Post-match:
A furious Sammy Yip tells Stewart he was lucky. He challenges Stewart to sign an open contract for "Nothing Else Matters" to face a member of Global Warning of Yip's choice. Stewart just nods his approval.


Bout #4
Tag Team Tournament Semi-Final
The Spinebusters (Bryan Caruthers & Jerry Orth) defeated The Young Guns (Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine) by pinfall at 9:03 when Caruthers pinned Pawluk after a double reverse russian legsweep.
**Another disappointing match for the Young Guns losing to the veteran team of the Spinebusters who make cheating look so easy.

Bout #5
Tag Team Tournament Semi-Final
Union Jack & Gabriel Argos defeated Boss Strickland & Mr. Wrestling by submission at 12:08 when Argos made Mr. Wrestling submit to the triangle scissor lock
**Argos overcame the pain from his broken nose to work yet another match and turned in a stellar performance. They will meet the Spinebusters in the final of the tournament. The winners will receive the vacant RCW Tag Team titles, as well as a shot at the NWA World Champions at "Nothing Else Matters".


Backstage interview:
Deane Moore catches up with Bob Sapp as he is packing his bag and getting ready to leave.
Moore] Sapp...Sapp...

The Beast lifts his head and glares at Moore, who flinches noticeably.

Sapp] Well?
Moore] umm...I guess everyone wants to know...
Sapp] Who is everyone? Do YOU want to know something little man? Then ask me? Ask me why I am here in RCW. Ask me who my first victim will be. Will it be Chrome? Will it be Steve Riley? Will it be Den Graves? Perhaps Kurrgan or Haku? Ask me when I will leave, trying to hide the expectant look on your face. Ask me anything you want to ask me Moore, but look me in the eye and ask me.
Moore] Well, i guess..
Sapp] LEAVE ME ALONE. Worm.


Bout #6
Raymond Bingham v "Sinister" Stan Baker
**Bingham comes down to the ring and reminds us that, yes, in fact, he is still the PWI 2001 Rookie of the year. This match is a bit of a re-match between 2 of the 4 men who competed at "Heroes" in a Fatal 4 Way match. The fans don't like either man but they seem to side with Baker in this match.
Bingham starts strong with a standing wristlock that he applies several times in a row. Baker would get the break but Bingham would find a way to apply it again and again. Bingham then went to work on the wrist, stomping on it, wrapping it around the ring rope, and smashing it against the ringpost. Baker has never been one to do much kicking, he is mostly a puncher, and his finisher is the heartpunch, so it was a good strategy.
But Baker found a way to fight back. Even though his hand was hurt he used his arm to underhook and tie up the arm of Bingham. He used his power to move Bingham around like this and delivered a series of headbutts that had Bingham "out on his feet". Baker finally released him, with a belly-to-belly-suplex!
Baker got a 2 count. He then went into a mount and started to hammer Bingham with punches using his "weak" hand. However, when he got up and sent him to the ropes, Bingham ducked under a clothesline attempt and nailed a crucifix, rolled up Baker and got a surprising 3 count. It was a very quick count from long time inept official Jurgen Hermann.
[Raymond Bingham defeated Stan Baker by pinfall at 8:09 after a crucifix]

Post-Match:
As Baker stayed in the ring to complain to Hermann about a fast count, Bingham left the ring and ran like a madman to the backstage area.


Main Event
Sam Holiday v Jesse Hennig
Two old rivals renewed acquaintances once again. Holiday had challeged Hennig last week to try and avenge Hennig's victory in the Fatal 4 Way match at "Heroes".
Hennig kept refusing to enter the ring, telling the ref to back Holiday away. He kept stalling for time as the fans took up the "chicken" chant, followed soon after by "boring". Finally Hennig got into the ring, got slapped by Holiday, and rolled right out of the ring again. The ring bell finally sounded.
Holiday pursued Hennig out of the ring, but the villain rolled back in the ring, trying to catch Holiday coming back in. But when Hennig turned around inside the ring Holiday was no where to be seen. He was crouched down beside the apron out of Hennig's sight. Jesse Hennig turned his back to look in the other directions and this allowed Holiday to slip into the ring. Hennig turned around and walked right into a huge boot to the gut. Holiday followed up with a pair of legdrops, a slingshot into the corner, and then a series of 3 running clotheslines. Hennig though managed to fight back by raking the eyes of Holiday. The two men traded the advantage back and forth for a few more minutes until Hennig reversed a whip attempt and sent Holiday crashing into head referee Buddy Lane.
Hennig dug into his tights and brought out a pair of brass knux. He was lining up Holiday when from the back emerged Raymond Bingham. He slid into the ring with a chair and waffled Hennig over the back. It was a receipt for last week when Hennig nailed Bingham (his own partner in the match) with brass knux and left him to lose the match. Bingham left the ring. Holiday recovered first and nailed Hennig with a big knee drop. He then climbed the top rope and hit the Holiday leg drop. A still groggy Buddy Lane crawled over and counted the 1, 2, 3.
[Sam Holiday defeated Jesse Hennig at 9:22 after the Holiday leg drop and some outside interference]

Post-Match:
Bingham returns to the ring as Holiday stands on the 2nd turnbuckle facing the crowd, celebrating. Bingham nails Holiday in the back with the chair. Then he nails him one more time in the head before kicking him out of the ring.
Bingham grabs a mic. He says this is proof that nobody screws with the fastest rising star in the RCW and the NWA. And next week he promises to take one more step to cement his position as one of the premiere wrestlers in the world.

Parting comments:
The announcers remind us that next week on Rage we will have the Tag Team Tournament final between Spinebusters and Union Jack & Gabriel Argos. In addition the Wolfpack will be in the house for the main event to take on the duo of Vendetta & Jody Christmas!!

FADE TO BLACK