River City Wrestling

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #966
May 28, 2003
Wednesday Night Rage
Bismarck Civic Center
Bismarck, North Dakota

Attendance: 3,153


We are greeted by our hosts Joe Aiello (play by play), Linley Tolbert (color commentary), and Deane Moore (interviews). They pan to the audience and we get a wave from sheetwriter extrodinaire Dave Meltzer. Aiello once again brags that the attendance is almost double what we had the last time we had a Rage from Bismarck, which was in April. Love them or hate them, the Wolfpack and Jody Christmas sure have brought the crowds through the turnstiles. Tolbert laughs and says it has to create a conflict of interest on the part of President Larkin. On the one hand he needs the gate badly as his company was reported by the Wrestling Observer to be bleeding around $2 million a year. On the other hand the Wolfpack has insulted Larkin and throw their popularity right into his face.


Opening Match
Lash LeRoux v Lord Valmont (/w Sherry Valmont)
LeRoux gained the advantage early with his much faster ring pace than Valmont who wrestles like someone from the golden age of pro wrestling. Valmont gains the advantage through an eye poke, choke, and facerake, but loses it again after arguing with his wife and valet Sherry Valmont. At one point Sherry slaps a stunned looking Lord V across the face. This allows LeRoux to nail him from behind with an inverted DDT, and picks up the win.
[Lash LeRoux defeated Lord Valmont by pinfall at 5:48 after an inverted DDT]

Post-Match
Lord Valmont grabs a mic and says that the wrestlers and referees here in River City Wrestling cheat so much he cant gain a decent victory in RCW. After thinking about it for a minute he points a finger at Sherry and says that she was supposed to be watching his back, not slapping him in the face! Its obvious that he needs more help to even the playing field around here. He pledges to get more help and then leaves the ring in disgust.


Bout #2
Triple Threat Match
Chrome v "The Beast" Bob Sapp v "Total Destruction" Steve Riley
Typical 3 way dance with no one able to finish it off because the 3rd man is always close enough to make a save. Soon though things get out of hand with a table brought into the ring, a couple of chairs, and finally the hammer from the timekeeper's table. Steve Riley throws up his hands in disgust and flips the fans off as he leaves the match. Chrome and Sapp get the match thrown out after using the chairs and hammer to bust each other open.
[No contest at 8:35]


In-Ring Promo
Raymond Bingham comes to the ring wearing a shirt that reminds us he was the 2001 PWI Rookie of the Year.
Bingham says that last week he eliminated both Stan Baker and Sam Holiday from the RCW picture. He tells the fans to settle down, that its okay, because they will qualify for social assistance given their age and lack of marketable skills. The youngster declares that he created such a buzz last week that he received a congratulatory phone call from none other then Chris Champion! Bingham though says that last week he promised he would make an impact tonight that will help him make the final step to the top, and he is here to deliver. He calls out THE WOLFPACK!!!

<<< cue "Sleep When I'm Dead" by Warren Zevon >>>
Bingham is expecting the Wolfpack but instead gets The President Jack Larkin. The President has a mic. He says that last week he tried to make an impact in RCW too. You see he came out and told everyone there would be no more run-ins, referee shots, etc. He reminds everyone that he threatened fines and suspensions. Well tonight he is here to back up that threat. Last week Raymond Bingham ignored those threats and interfered in the main event, no less. For his actions Bingham is going to receive a suspension without pay up to "Nothing Else Matters" on June 7th. And at Nothing Else Matters Bingham will face off against Sam Holiday, one on one. There will be no interference in that match or the fines and suspensions will increase dramatically.

<<< cue "Wolfpack Theme" >>>
Larkin freezes as the Wolfpack (Manny Silva, Adam Riggs, Scott Hall, and Kevin Nash) come out accompanied by Kimberly Page from behind Larkin. They walk by him, close enough to give him a bit of a shoulder shrug, but don't look back as they stroll to the ring, all eyes on Raymond Bingham.
The Wolfpack enters the ring and Riggs grabs a mic. He walks up to Bingham and sniffs him. Riggs then looks at Hall and says "he don't smell like no pussy". Hall walks up to him from behind as Bingham stands very still. Hall sniffs the air and says to Riggs, "don't smell like no fruit either". Silva grabs the mic and says we are the most elite crew in the National Wrestling Alliance, and we sure as hell don't need some punk whose greatest moment was 2 years ago, and has been doing nothing but reliving that moment ever since!. Bingham refuses to show emotion. Instead he puts his mic to his lips and says to Big Kevin Nash, "you got something to say now?". Nash, mocks Bingham with the I'm so scared hand motions. Then snatches the mic out of Bingham's hand. "I'll tell you what Bingham. You go to "Nothing Else Matters" and you beat the living hell out of Sam Holiday. Then we will CONSIDER you for the Wolfpack". Nash tosses the mic which bounces off the forehead of Bingham and bounces to the mat. Bingham refuses to show displeasure, managing instead a sly smile.


Bout #3
Amateur Wrestling Exhibition
Rulon Gardner v Cael Sanderson
What was supposed to be a showcase of mat wrestling skill as the brainchild of Larkin's turned into a big mess. Sanderson was giving away around 60 pounds to Gardner, but Gardner was primarily a Greco-Roman wrestler while Sanderson is more versed in freestyle. Sanderson tried to score early by shooting on Gardner but was continually grounded. Gardner began to score at will, and looked apologetic. Finally, after two 3 minute rounds the match was over and Gardner had won 12-0.
[Rulon Gardner defeats Cael Sanderson on points 12-0]

Post-Match
As Gardner turns to get a mic, Sanderson tries to shake his hand. Gardner doesn't see it, but it seems to piss off Sanderson when Gardner turned his back. Gardner gets a mic and apologizes to Sanderson, saying they weren't in the same class. Sanderson looks very embarrassed and mad as hell at that remark. Gardner apologizes again and says he meant in the same "weight class".

<<< cue "Won't Get Fooled Again" by the Who >>>
Boss Strickland comes strolling down to the ring. He has a bouquet of roses that he says are to congratulate his old adversary Gardner. He says he hopes to bury the hatchet with him, and hands him the flowers. Gardner tosses them to the ground and gets in the face of Strickland. Cael comes to back Gardner up but accidentally walks right into a back elbow, as Gardner was reeling back for a punch. Gardner tries to help Sanderson up but he is waved away. It's obvious that Gardner feels horrible about the incident. Strickland then comes from behind and slaps a full-nelson on Gardner. He starts to yell at Sanderson to go ahead and hit him. After a few seconds of reluctance Sanderson walks up and slaps Gardner across the face. His own face becomes a distorted mask of rage, and he begins to slap Gardner across the face repeatedly. He then rakes the eyes of Gardner, and Strickland delivers a full-nelson slam on Gardner to finish him off. Strickland offers his hand to Sanderson. The fans go nuts jeering the newly formed duo as Sanderson accepts the offer and shakes the hand of his former enemy Boss Strickland!!


Bout #4
Paddle Match: Paddle suspended on a pole, must administer a spanking to win the match
Sable v Asp Evergreen
Actually an even match-up with Sable getting in some nasty looking kicks, including one that hit Asp in the bridge of the nose causing him to bleed. Asp used every opportunity he could get to try and humiliate Sable. He would grind on her, move her hand to his crotch, and try and pull off her clothes. Finally when he tried to squat on her face she had all she could take, and delivered a short punch to his groin. She rolled him off, mounted him and began to deliver uncontrolled punches to his head and his already bloodied nose. After ignoring several warnings by referee Melissa Coates she was finally physically pulled off Asp by Coates. Sable then delivered a DDT to referee Melissa Coates. She was irate and attacked Asp again. But Asp ducked, grabbed her by the waist and threw her between the ropes to the floor below. He whipped her into the announce table, then grabbed a couple bottles of water and gave her a wet t-shirt. Returning to the ring Asp grabbed the paddle off the pole. However, by this time RCW security had come out and were looking after Coates, and stepping between the downed Sable and Evergreen. Suddenly though the sea parted as Kimberly and Adam Riggs emerged. Riggs waved security and they rolled Sable back inside the ring. Evergreen grabbed a chair, laid Sable across the chair, and delivered 5 hard smacks with the paddle across her ass. He then kicked her in the ribs, sending her and the chair toppling over. In the end the official decision saw Coates DQ Sable for the DDT.
[Asp Evergreen defeated Sable by disqualification at 10:47 when Sable hit the referee]


In-ring interview
When we return from commercial break President Larkin is in the ring. He has lost his cool, something we have not seen before. He begins to rant and rave at the top of his lungs, "has everyone lost their damn minds?". He says he cant believe what Sable did, never mind what Riggs did. He calls the Wolfpack a bunch of punks. He promises more fines and suspensions than ever before. But he has a better way to fix Riggs and the Wolfpack. Tonight, right here in Bismarck, North Dakota, Adam Riggs will have a chance once again to step up and become a champion! All he has to do is win one match. That match will be against none other than fellow Wolfpack member Manny Silva, the RCW Heavyweight champion. Oh, and just to be sure that Riggs doesn't lie down for Silva, or vice-versa, up for grabs in that match will also be the title shot at Nothing Else Matters against the NWA World Heavyweight Champion! And as if that wasn't enough, that match will have a special timekeeper - me! And a special surprise referee. Larkin gets an evil grin on his face. He says, "Silva, Riggs, have at 'er boys, have at 'er."

Suddenly from the back emerges Sammy Yip, Gregor Kitnitsov, and Tiger Khan. Yip starts to bait Larkin, saying he has lost control over the company, just like the U.S. has lost control over the situation in the Middle-East. He tells Larkin that one ally, whether it be Israel or Ron Simmons, is not enough. You have to have more friends than enemies he tells Larkin from the top of the ramp. Sadly, he says, you do not. Add one more enemy to your list Larkin.

<<< cue "Star Spangled Banner" by Jimi Hendrix >>>
The Patriot comes to the top of the ramp. However, he is wearing a new mask that has the white now become black, the red has now become darker, and the blue is also a tinge darker. The fans boo as the Patriot shakes hands with each member of Global Warning.
Larkin has the mic and screams "I fired you!!".
Patriot replies, "you can't fire me Larkin. I'm not under contract to you. I have a valid 5-year contract with the World Wrestling Alliance that was transferred to you when you purchased your way into the WWA. That contract has a no-out clause to protect me, and still has to the end of the year remaining. So until then I suggest you get used to seeing a very dark Patriot on your show."
The fans boo their former hero.
The Patriot looks at the fans. "He fired me for heaven's sake. You used to cheer me. He fired me and now you boo me? He's not even an American, he's a Canadian." The fans boo the mention of Canada.
Sammy Yip grabs the mic and starts in on how Canada didn't support the U.S. in the war on the Arab Nations, so they should be cheering the Patriot. The fans though just continue to boo. Yip proclaims that Global Warning just became that much stronger. He's still jabbering away when we cut to commercial.


Bout #5
Tag Team Tournament Final
For the vacant RCW Tag Team Titles & shot at the NWA World Champions at "Nothing Else Matters"
Union Jack & Gabriel Argos v Spinebusters: Bryan Caruthers & Jerry Orth
UJ and Argos frustrated their opponents with good scientific counters and quick tags early in the match. Caruthers though turned the tables by feigning a forearm to the busted nose of Argos, (who is still wearing the half mask to protect the broken nose) and instead shot in low for a double leg takedown. He then risked DQ by stomping directly on his opponents groin. Caruthers and Orth pressed their advantage forcing Argos to protect his nose but making him easy prey to working over his legs. After several anxious minutes and near falls Argos finally rolled over to make the tag to UJ. Jack got the hot tag but soon was double teamed by the Spinebusters who regained the advantage. Jack though was a lot more game than his injured partner and made a comeback despite the odds. Finally Argos was able to join his partner in what turned into a 4 man brawl. Spinebusters grabbed the advantage and got Argos into the ring. They nailed him in the nose again, and he could hardly defend himself due to the pain. The 'busters set Argos up for a stuffed piledriver with Orth climbing to the top turnbuckle. UJ recovered enough though to grab the foot of Orth and then to pull him down, causing the Spinebuster to crotch himself on the top turnbuckle. Argos then backflipped the waiting Bryan Caruthers. Argos pulled Caruthers to his feet, gave him the atomic drop and made the pin. This has to be considered a big upset.
[Union Jack & Gabriel Argos defeated the Spinebusters by pinfall when Argos pinned Caruthers after an atomic drop at 12:22]
[Union Jack & Gabriel Argos win the vacant RCW Tag Team Titles]


Challenge
<<< cue "Wolfpack Theme">>>
Kevin Nash & Scott Hall come to the ring wearing their Wolfpack shirts. They call out Vendetta. The Haitian Warrior comes to the top of the ramp but not to the ring. Hall & Nash ask Vendetta his opinion on whether Jody Christmas can be trusted. Vendetta responds that each man must make his own path, and on that path he must walk alone. Hall responds that is fine and dandy, but do you trust him enough to team with him right now against the Wolfpack? Vendetta shakes his head no, and then responds he doesn't need to trust Christmas, that he trusts his own ability enough to see him through the match. Nash says it is decided then, a tag match, and he calls out Jody Christmas.

<<< cue "It's Tricky" by Run D.M.C. >>>
Jody Christmas comes to the ramp and stands beside Vendetta, neither man looking at the other. After a short stare down with the Wolfpack they charge the ring and the match is on.

Bout #6
Vendetta & Jody Christmas v Kevin Nash & Scott Hall
Silva, Riggs, and Kimberly are no where to be seen, as they are shown by the backstage cameras to be getting ready for tonight's main event. The 4 way brawl shakes down to Christmas and Hall as the legal men, and Christmas gains the advantage with a series of knee lifts. Christmas and Vendetta keep Hall off balance and have him wandering around the ring like he is punch drunk. Hall finally lucks out with a head to head collision with Vendetta, that bounces Hall backwards into the Wolfpack corner. Nash tags himself in and goes right after Vendetta with the knees to the gut in a neutral corner of the ring. Nash works over Vendetta, and then Hall recovers enough to tag in and keep the advantage going. After a couple of minutes Vendetta blocks a Nash punch, responds with a flurry of his own, and then uses a firemans carry on Nash to make his way to the corner to tag in Christmas. This brings in Hall and its 2-on-1. They throw Christmas out of the ring which allows a double team on Vendetta. The ref escorts Nash out of the ring, but this allows Hall to nail a discus punch followed by the Outsiders Edge. But Vendetta manages to kick out at the 2 count. Hall tags in Nash, and then uses the return of Christmas to the ring apron to distract long-time inept referee Jurgen Hermann and they deliver a devastating double clothesline to Vendetta. Nash then picked up Vendetta and nailed him with the Jackknife Powerbomb and got the pin even though Vendetta was not the legal man.
[Kevin Nash & Scott Hall defeated Vendetta & Jody Christmas by pinfall at 14:47 when Nash pinned Vendetta after nailing him with the Jackknife Powerbomb]


Main Event
RCW Heavyweight Championship Match
winner gets title shot at the NWA World Champion
Wolfpack member v Wolfpack member
Special guest referee??
Special guest timekeeper, President Jack Larkin

"Vicious" Manny Silva (champion) v "the Phenom" Adam Riggs

<<< cue "Wolfpack Theme">>>
From the back comes "the Phenom" Adam Riggs to the ring, followed a few steps behind by RCW champion "Vicious" Manny Silva wearing the RCW gold around his waist.

<<< cue "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" by Warren Zevon >>>
Jack Larkin comes down to ringside, pointing his finger at the Wolfpack, and takes his seat at the timekeeper's table.

<<< cue "Wolfpack Theme">>>
The Wolfpack music plays once again, and a very reluctant looking Kimberly Page wearing a referee shirt and black leather pants is encouraged along by V.P. Dale Kuentz. Inside the ring both Silva and Riggs look worried about this turn of events. Riggs though seems to curry favour with Kimberly by holding the ring ropes open for her to enter. She shoots him an electric smile, something that does not go unnoticed by Manny Silva.

The match starts off with Silva surprising Riggs, getting him off his feet with a dropkick to the knee. He works Riggs with a reverse chinlock, and a couple snap mares to keep him on the mat. A full-nelson is his first real attempt to submit Riggs but the big man makes his way to the ropes. The two men break cleanly but look pretty weary of each other.
Silva continues to press his advantage with several more snap mares, followed by a pair of vertical suplexes. He goes for a Samoan drop but Riggs shifts his weight and drops behind Silva, and then runs him into the corner. Two huge shoulder blocks by Riggs, a running clothesline, and then he puts on an armbar submission. He tries to talk Silva into submitting, and Kimberly keeps checking on him, but finally Silva breaks by getting to the ropes. On the break Silva lashes out with a punch that nails Riggs. He tackles him to the mat and the two roll around trading punches and elbows. Riggs uses his size advantage to hold down Silva, and applies a key lock. Silva kicks his way out, but Riggs regains control with a bearhug.
A pair of earringers and then a knee to the lower stomach area put Silva back in control. He clips the back of Riggs' leg to drop him to the mat, and then bulldogs him head first. He covers, but only gets a 1 count. Silva complains to Kimberly about a slow count.

<<< cue "Wolfpack Theme">>>
Silva is momentarily distracted as Kevin Nash and Scott Hall come from the back and take up positions leaning on the ring apron and watching the action. The distraction hurts Silva as Riggs catches him with a European uppercut. Riggs nails a short clothesline and follows up with a huge powerbomb. He makes the cover and Kimberly counts, 1, 2, Kickout!!
Riggs hits a tiger suplex, and again only gets a 2 count. So he throws his stablemate out of the ring and then amazes the crowd when the big man follows with a plancha on the champ! After he recovers Riggs grabs Silva and takes him to the ring, but before they can get there Silva nails an elbow into the Phenom's guts. He nails another elbow and then slams Riggs' head into the ring apron. Riggs is reeling and Silva bullrushes him from behind and drives him headfirst into the corner post. Riggs is busted wide open.
Silva grabs Riggs by the head and drags him over to the announce table. He starts to clear it away to drag Riggs on, but before he can do that Kimberly, Nash, and Hall all congregate over there and tell him to take it back into the ring. Very grudgingly Silva does that throwing Riggs back into the ring.
Back inside, Silva goes to work again with a pair of vertical suplexes and gets a 2 count. Again he complains to Kimberly about a slow count. He tries to pick up Riggs, but the big man counters from his back with a stiff punch right to the throat of Silva. The champ grasps at his neck in an effort to breathe. Unable to catch his breath he bails out of the ring. Riggs goes right after him and grabs a metal chair along his way. Seeing this Hall and Nash again step between the wrestlers and send them back into the ring.
Riggs applies a standing wristlock but Silva fights it with a kick to the thigh, ducks under and around Riggs and nails him with a German suplex. This time he only gets a 1 count. Silva is still constantly touching his throat and is in obvious pain. He throws Riggs head first into the corner, and then nails him with several shoulders into his back as Riggs faces the crowd. He then nails a couple quick punches to the kidney. Silva then pulls Riggs over to the ropes and places him over the second strand. He grabs the top strand and pulls it down, and now the ropes constrict upon themselves and Riggs is flailing away as he is being choked out by the ring ropes. Silva slips under the ropes to the floor below and starts to pull at Riggs' feet making it choke Riggs even more. The Wolfpack members have seen enough and jump in.
Kimberly is shrieking at the top of her lungs, Nash pulls Silva off Riggs, and Hall unwraps the ring ropes from around Riggs' throat. Larkin hammers the ringbell to call the match to an end. Larkin makes the official announcement.
[Adam Riggs defeated Manny Silva by disqualification at 18:08 when Silva used the ring ropes to try and choke out Riggs]
[Manny Silva retains the RCW Heavyweight Championship]

The Wolfpack are in the middle of the ring arguing amongst themselves as we,

FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling
Tag Team Title History

1. Jan 19/1980: Vegas Brothers (Kenny Deeler & A.J. Dice)
- tournament final over Chris Lyons & J.P. Moran, Winnipeg, Canada
 
2. Aug 16/1980: KISS Army (Demon Gene & Superstar Paul)
-by pinfall over the Vegas Brothers, Winnipeg, Canada
 
3. Mar 7/1981: Roughnecks: (Stan Rodgers & Russel Riggs)
- by pinfall over the KISS Army, Winnipeg, Canada
 
4. Aug 1/1981: Royal Kiwis: (Kelly Hobin & Keith McIvor)
-by pinfall, 2 out of 3 falls, over the Roughnecks, Winnipeg, Canada
 
5. Mar 20/1982: Mike Valiant & Chris Lyon
- by pinfall over the Royal Kiwis, Winnipeg, Canada
-Chris Lyon forfeited the titles on Oct 30/82 due to his also holding the RCW Heavyweight Title.
 
6. Dec 11/82: Roughnecks: (Stan Rodgers & Russel Riggs) (2)
-Tournament final for vacant titles
-by pinfall over the Cuban Assassin & Iranian Assassin, Winnipeg, Canada
 
7. Aug 4/83: Angelo Mosca & Bobby Duncum
-by pinfall over Roughnecks, Wrestling Summit, Winnipeg, Canada
 
8. Feb 25/84: Phil Lafleur & Ben Bassarab
-by pinfall over Mosca & Duncum, at RCW #134, Winnipeg, Canada

9. Mar 10/84:Angelo Mosca & Bobby Duncum(2)
-by pinfall over Lafleur & Bassarab at RCW #136, Winnipeg, Canada

10. Jul 28/84: Keith & Bret Hart
-by pinfall over Mosca & Duncum at RCW #155, Winnipeg Canada

11. Dec 13/84: King Tonga & Abdullah the Butcher
-by pinfall over the Hart Brothers at RCW #174, Winnipeg, Canada
5th Anniversary Spectacular
-titles stripped on Feb 16/85 when Abdullah and Tonga split as a tag team

12. Mar 23/85: Chris Lyon & Bobby Duncum
-by pinfall over Masked Superstar & Super Destroyer at RCW #184, Calgary, Canada
-tournament final. Lyon & Duncum had won the RCW bracket. MS & SD had won the North American bracket (said to be a fictional tournament).

 13. May 25/85: Masked Superstar & Super Destroyer
-by pinfall over Chris Lyon & Bobby Duncum at RCW #191, Edmonton, Canada
-Texas Tornado style match

 14. Dec 19/85: Fabulous Ones (Steve Keirn & Stan Lane)
-by pinfall over Masked Superstar & Super Destroyer at RCW #220, Winnipeg, Canada
-6th Anniversary Spectacular

 15. Feb 22/86: The Longriders (Wild Bill Irwin & Scott Hogg Irwin)
-by pinfall over Fabulous Ones at RCW #226, Fargo, North Dakota

16. Jul 11/87: The Terminators: Riggs & Wolff
-by pinfall over The Hart Brothers: Bruce & Owen at RCW #291, Winnipeg, Canada
-tournament final, the Longriders forced to forfeit titles after injury to Scott Hogg

 17. Dec 17/87: Buck Zumhoffe & Baron von Raschke
-by pinfall over The Terminators: Riggs & Wolff at the 8th Anniversary Spectacular RCW #313, Winnipeg, Canada

18. Jan 16/88: The Terminators: Riggs & Wolff (2)
-by pinfall over Buck Zumhoffe & Baron von Raschke at RCW #314, Winnipeg Canada

19. Feb 27/88: Top Guns: Derrick Dukes & Ricky Rice
-by pinfall over the Terminators at RCW #320, Regina, Canada

20. June 11/88: Bryan St. John & Terry Orndorff
-by pinfall over the Top Guns at RCW #333, Grand Forks, North Dakota

21. July 23/1988: Owen Hart & Chris Benoit
-by pinfall over St. John & Orndorff at RCW #339, Minot, North Dakota

22. Aug 7/1988: The Sheepherders Butch & Luke
-by pinfall over Owen Hart & Chris Benoit at RCW #341, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

23. Aug 14/1988: Owen Hart & Chris Benoit (2)
-by pinfall over the Sheepherders at RCW #342, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

24. Sep 11/1988: Bad Company: Pat Tanaka & Paul Diamond
-by pinfall over Owen Hart & Chris Benoit at RCW #345, Brandon, Manitoba

25. Nov 13/1988: Top Guns: Derrick Dukes & Ricky Rice (2)
-by pinfall over Bad Company at RCW #353, Winnipeg, Manitoba

26. Mar 18/1989: Bolsheviks: Nikolai Volkoff & Boris Zhukov
-by pinfall over Top Guns at RCW #367, Regina, Saskatchewan

27. May 13/1989: High Flyers: Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell
-by submission over the Bolsheviks at RCW #375, Winnipeg, Manitoba

28. Jun 10/1989: Destruction Crew: Mike Enos & Wayne Bloom
-by pinfall over the High Flyers at RCW #379, Regina, Saskatchewan

29. Sep 2/1989: Jack Steele & Ricky Rice
-by pinfall over the Destruction Crew at RCW #391, Winnipeg, Manitoba

30. Oct 14/1989: The Bruise Brothers: Larry Picone & Dave Koorajian
-by pinfall over Steele & Rice at RCW #397, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

31. Feb 3/1990: Ben Bassarab & Biff Wellington
-by pinfall over The Bruise Brothers at RCW #410, Regina, Saskatchewan

32. Mar 3/1990: The Blackhearts (Matt & Brett Derringer)
-by pinfall over Ben Bassarab & Biff Wellington at RCW #414, Regina, Saskatchewan

33. Apr 14/1990: Ben Bassarab & Biff Wellington (2)
-by pinfall over the Blackhearts at RCW #419, Winnipeg, Manitoba

34. June 30/1990: The Texas Hangmen Psycho & Killer
-by pinfall over Bassarab & Wellington at RCW # 430, Winnipeg, Manitoba

35. July 21/1990: Ben Bassarab & Biff Wellington (3)
-by pinball over Texas Hangmen in a Steel Cage match at RCW #433, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

36. Dec 15/1990: Texas Hangmen Psycho & Killer (2)
-by pinfall over Bassarab & Wellington at RCW # 449; 11th Anniversary Show. Winnipeg, Manitoba

37. Feb 23/1991: Ben Bassarab & Kid Gallahad

-in a Texas Tornado Bullrope match at RCW #457, Winnipeg, Manitoba

38. May 25/1991: Destruction Crew: Wayne Bloom & Mike Enos (2)

-by pinfall over Bassarab & Gallahad at RCW #471, Winnipeg, Manitoba

39. Dec 7/1991: Bob Orton Jr. & Mike Lozansky

-by pinfall over Destruction Crew at RCW #485, 12th Anniversary Show, Winnipeg, Manitoba

40. Sep 12/1992: Sebastien Rikard & Archangel

-by pinfall over Orton & Lozansky at RCW #504, Winnipeg, Manitoba

41. Dec 5/1992: Mike Lozansky & Lightning Kid

-by pinfall over Rikard & Angel at RCW #510; 13th Anniversary Show, Winnipeg, Manitoba

42. Jan 30/1993: Dirty White Boy & Barry Horowitz

-by pinfall over Lozansky & Lightning Kid at RCW #513; Winnipeg, Manitoba

43. Mar 13/1993: Baron von Raschke & Brad Rheingans

-by pinfall over Dirty White Boy & Barry Horowitz at RCW #516; Winnipeg, Manitoba

44. May 8/1993: Kevin Sullivan & Nightstalker
-by pinfall over Raschke & Rheingans at RCW #520; Winnipeg, Manitoba

45. Aug 28/1993: Super Destroyers 2000 & 2001
-by pinfall over Brad Rheingans & Derrick Dukes by pinfall in a tournament final at RCW #528; Winnipeg, Manitoba
**Sullivan & Nightstalker had been stripped of the titles

46. Oct 9/1993: Brad Rheinghans & Ken Patera 
-by pinfall over the Super Destroyers at RCW #531; Winnipeg, Manitoba

47. Oct 23/1993: Sebastien Rikard & Lenny Thompson
-by pinfall over Rheinghans & Patera at RCW #532; Winnipeg, Manitoba

48. Apr 23/1994: Tommy Jammer & The Trooper

-by submission over Rikard & Thompson at RCW #543; Winnipeg, Manitoba

49. Jun 4/1994: Destruction Crew: Wayne Bloom & Mike Enos (3)
-by pinfall over Jammer & Trooper at RCW #546; Winnipeg, Manitoba

50. Sep 10/1994: Robbie Royce & Dan Kroffat
-by pinfall over Destruction Crew at RCW #553; Winnipeg, Manitoba

51. Feb 4/1995: Stan Baker & Jesse Hennig

-by pinfall over Royce & Kroffat at RCW #562; Winnipeg, Manitoba

52. Jul 8/1995: Destruction Crew: Wayne Bloom & Mike Enos (4)
-by pinfall over Chi Chi Cruz & Eric Freedom in a tournament final at RCW #577; Winnipeg, Manitoba
**Baker and Hennig were stripped of their titles after Baker suffered an injury

53. Dec 9/1995: Fabulous Ones:Steve Keirn & Stan Lane (2)
-by pinfall over Destruction Crew in a Texas Tornado Match at RCW #593; Winnipeg, Manitoba

54. Feb 17/1996: Man Mountain Rock & Hakushi
-by pinfall over Greg Valentine & Stan Lane in a tournament final at RCW #599; Winnipeg, Manitoba
**Fabulous Ones forfeited the title when Lane turned on Keirn

55. Jun 1/1996: Wolfgang Haessler & Untermenschen
-by pinfall over Man Mountain Rock & Hakushi at RCW #611; Winnipeg, Manitoba

56. Oct 19/1996: Todd Bullett & Robbie Royce
-by pinfall over Wolfgang Haessler & Untermenschen at RCW #639; Winnipeg, Manitoba 

57. Apr 19/1997: Thug Life: Joe E. Legend & Steele
-by pinfall over Todd Bullett & Robbie Royce at RCW #662; Winnipeg, Manitoba

58. Jun 21/1997: The Extremists: Ace Darling & Devon Storm
-by pinfall over Joe E. Legend & Steele at RCW #672; Winnipeg, Manitoba

59. Nov 15/1997: African Bulldogs: Pariah & Temple
-by pinfall over the Extremists at RCW #704; Winnipeg, Manitoba

60. Jan 24/1998: Sexton Hardcastle & Christian Cage
-by pinfall over the African Bulldogs at RCW #712; Winnipeg, Manitoba

61. Jun 6/1998: Joe E. Legend & Eric Freedom
-by pinfall over Sexton Hardcastle & Christian Cage at RCW #731; Winnipeg, Manitoba

62. Nov 7/1998: The Extremists: Ace Darling & Devon Storm (2)
-by pinfall over Joe E. Legend & Eric Freedom at RCW #766; Winnipeg, Manitoba

63. Dec 5/1998: Spinebusters: Bryan Caruthers & Jerry Orth
-by pinfall over Ace Darling & Devon Storm at RCW #770; Winnipeg, Manitoba
**Spinebusters stripped of the titles after they do not sign with the new RCW for 1999

64. Feb 11/1999: Jim Neidhart & Stan Baker
-by pinfall in a triangle match over Rising Son & Pitbull Kid and Vincent Regliatti & Derek Graves at RCW #771; Winnipeg, Manitoba
**Neidhart & Baker vacate the titles due to irreconcilable differences. Baker had been a reluctant fill in for a no-show Vic Gate. 

65. Feb 13/1999: Stan Baker & Boss Strickland
-by pinfall over Jim Neidhart & Vic Gate for held up tag titles at RCW #772; Fargo, North Dakota

66. Feb 27/1999: Rising Son & Spyder
-by pinfall over Stan Baker & Boss Strickland at RCW #774; Madison, Wisconsin

67. May 15/1999: Jesse Hennig & Darkstar
-by pinfall over Rising Son & Spyder at RCW #787; LaCrosse, Wisconsin

68. May 29/1999: Derek Graves & Gary Goodridge
-by submission over Hennig & Darkstar at RCW #791; Duluth, Minnesota

69.  Jun 26/1999: Manny Silva & Ben Bassarab
-by submission over Graves & Goodridge at RCW #796; LaCrosse, Wisconsin

70. Jul 24/1999: The Extremists: Ace Darling & Devon Storm (3)
-by pinfall over Silva & Bassarab at RCW #801; Gary, Indiana

71. Aug 21/1999: Menele & Kutlu Warrior
-by pinfall over Darling & Storm at RCW #806; Iowa City, Iowa

72. Sep 12/1999: The Extremists: Ace Darling & Devon Storm (4)
-by pinfall over Menele & Kutlu at RCW #810 (IronMan PPV); Milwaukee, WI

73. Oct 2/1999: Tatanka & Vic Grimes
-by pinfall over Darling & Storm at RCW #813; Cedar Rapids, Iowa

74. Dec 4/1999: The Road Warriors: Hawk & Animal
-by pinfall over Tatanka & Grimes at RCW #816 (20th Anniversary Show); Winnipeg, Manitoba

75. Mar 25/2000: The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers (2)
-by pinfall over the Road Warriors at RCW #825; Des Moines, Iowa

76. Aug 19/2000: Giant Balls: Kurrgan & Balls Mahoney
-by pinfall over Spinebusters at RCW #846 (Summer Sizzle II); St. Paul, Minnesota

77. Oct 14/2000: The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers (3)
-by pinfall over Giant Balls at RCW #854; Green Bay, Wisconsin

78. Feb 10/2001: The Road Warriors: Hawk & Animal (2)
-by pinfall over Spinebusters at RCW #864; Sioux City, South Dakota
**stripped of titles on Mar 10/2001 after being suspended for attacking RCW officials

79. Mar 17/2001: The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers (4)
-by pinfall over Joe & Stan Malenko at RCW #868; Winnipeg, Manitoba
**on Oct 27/2001 were defeated by Malenkos: Titles given back when Commissioner Brunzell ruled the ref had put time back on the clock which was not legal 
-Tournament title for the vacant belts
-Jerry Orth injured on Jan 26/2002. Forfeit of belts officially on Feb 25/2002

80. Mar 16/2002: Bryan Caruthers & Mike Enos
-won in a 4-way elimination match for the vacant titles at RCW #918; Chicago, IL
-vs Joe & Stan Malenko, Freebirds:McElroy & Hendrix, and Young Guns: Devine & Pawluk
**last defended on Sep 14/2002 when RCW went dark
**when RCW returned in Jan 2003 after merging with GPW Caruthers and Enos did not return.
**titles declared vacant

81. Feb 22/2003: Great Canadians: Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti 
-by pinfall over Al Collins & Joe Blum in a mini-tournament final at RCW #949: Pocatello, ID
-Eric Scott suffered injury and stripped of titles on May 3/2003.

82. May 28/2003: Union Jack & Gabriel Argos
-defeated Spinebusters in tournament final at RCW #966: Bismarck, ND

[wickedrex1]

Just a question: Are you booking match times or letting the system do that?

[jacklarkin]

Apr 13, 2021 6:11:38 GMT -5 wickedrex1 said:

Just a question: Are you booking match times or letting the system do that?

Yeah. Major issue. These were run back in 2003. I pretty much let TNM run them. Sometimes I would run a PPV so would increase match length and then forget on the first RAGE to set it back. All the match times seem too long. However, I would run my TV old school, so not much in introductions, promos and interviews might be done split screen during the bout (because I still have some rest holds in 2003), TV commercial breaks during the match, and if needed edited for TV. Bit of a mess, but to answer your question directly TNM was taking care of the length. Sometimes for PPV and main events though I would book the finish or a certain hold at a certain time to make sure I got some length. Also if I didn't like the finish I would hit that magical button to continue the bout.

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #967
June 4, 2003
Wednesday Night Rage
Brookings, South Dakota
Frost Arena, South Dakota State University

Attendance: 3,139


Opening Segment:

<<< cue "Wolfpack Theme">>>

The crowd comes to their feet immediately as the wolf howl resonates throughout the building. Manny Silva, Adam Riggs, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Kimberly Page all come down to the ring wearing their red and black Wolfpack t-shirts.

Kevin Nash grabs a mic and tells the fans from South Dakota to shut up and listen. Last week there may have been some dissension in the ranks of the Wolfpack. These things will happen when you have the 4 greatest wrestlers going today, living under the same roof, per say. Since last Rage we have pulled back together. Riggs is passed the mic by Nash. He says that Larkin tried his best to make the Wolfpack implode, but it just isn't going to happen. Riggs congratulates Silva on retaining his title and wishes him good luck in winning the NWA World Title at Nothing Else Matters.

<<< cue "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" by Warren Zevon >>>
President Jack Larkin comes to the top of the ramp, accompanied by Ron Simmons. First off he says he can tell, and the people can tell, that all is NOT well within the Wolfpack. Methinks you doth protest too much! Larkin says tonight will help spell the end of the Wolfpack. First off he says, that the match stipulations were not very clear last week, but upon legal council reviewing the verbal and written contracts, it would appear that although Silva hung on to his title Riggs won the match by DQ. Therefore, the winner of the match was supposed to get the title shot at the NWA Champ. That's right, the winner of the match, not necessarily the holder of the RCW title. Therefore, it is the decision of RCW that "the Phenom" Adam Riggs, NOT RCW Heavyweight champion Manny Silva will go on to "Nothing Else Matters" to face the NWA champion, Konnan!!!

Furthermore, tonight, right here in Brookings, South Dakota, Ron Simmons will get a match against Adam Riggs. If Riggs is going to order his security forces to interfere for him then they might as well start up close. Larkin makes this match a lumberjack match with Riggs' security (the crew that was once under the leadership of Ron Simmons) surrounding the ring. Larkin says we will see once and for all how well the security forces respect or fear the reign of Adam Riggs as head of security. Also, since Manny Silva does not have a match at "Nothing Else Matters" now that the NWA title shot went to Riggs, he will face the #1 contender at the PPV. Tonight we will crown the #1 contender with a match between Kevin Nash of the Wolfpack, and Vendetta!!

Larkin tells the Wolfpack to sell lots of t-shirts in the parking lot during the show tonight, because as of the end of the week the Wolfpack will have completely imploded.


Opening Bout
Tiger Khan (/w Sammy Yip) defeated Hombre Muerto Recorre by submission with the Calcutta Clutch at 6:36.


Pre-Match
Den Graves came out, accompanied by fellow Den of Thieves member Den Scarraman. Graves was pissed off and said that V.P. Dale Kuentz was making him defend his belt tonight against Chrome, even though Chrome had failed to win the #1 contender spot. Graves said that at Nothing Else Matters he has a shot to win the NWA Television championship, so once he wins that he will leave the RCW and be rid of these bush league tactics once and for all. With that he throws down the mic and waits for the big man from the Badlands.

Bout #2
RCW Heritage Title Match
Chrome defeated Den Graves by disqualification when Graves would not release a triangle choke hold on Chrome at 4:48
This was a short match that saw Chrome dominate with his power attack. The first chance that Graves got he put on the choke and refused to let go until he was disqualified.
[Den Graves retained the RCW Heritage Title]

Post-Match
Den Scaramann enters the ring and he and Graves begin to lay the boots to a downed Chrome. From the back comes Bob Sapp!! Graves manages to get out of the ring but Scaramann is not so lucky. Sapp whips him into the ropes and catches him with a kick to the gut and then a belly-to-belly suplex. Sapp then lifts Chrome to his feet and delivers a brainbuster. Sapp stands alone in the ring as we break to commercial.


<<< cue "Oh Canada" >>>
The fans boo as the Great Canadians come to the ring. We haven't seen the duo of Eric Scott and Vincent Regliatti in a few weeks, since the injury to Scott caused the Canadian duo to be stripped of the tag titles.
Scott grabs a mic and says it's good to be back. He says there are no bad feelings regarding having the titles stripped from them, that's just business. He hands the mic to Regliatti. "The Playboy" says that time off has given them time to reflect upon some of the bad, or even, heinous acts they have perpetrated in the past here in RCW. Regliatti says they are not proud of their past actions, but they want to be proud of what they do from this day forward. And the first order of business is to get the belts off of Gabriel Argos and Union Jack, by any means necessary. If you thought we were S.O.B.'s in the past, you won't even recognize us when we get to back to regular action. We were like choir boys with a penchant for pranks, but now those choir boys have grown up, and awoken the demon inside to lead us to victory. The fans boo the duo as they leave the ring.


<<< cue "Ain't Going Down 'till the Sun Comes Up" by Garth Brooks >>>
The fans stand and cheer as Sam Holiday runs to the ring, wearing a black and red RCW t-shirt, black trunks with a wide white stripe, and boots and kneepads with the inverse colour scheme of white with black stripe. He removes his shirt and mounts all 4 sets of turnbuckles, posing for his many fans. He is handed a mic. He says that due to events last week on Rage, a match has been set between himself and newest member of Global Warning, the turncoat, Patriot. He says that not only is he going to beat the Patriot tonight but he will remove that "bastard" dark mask of his and take it as a trophy for the American way of life.

<<< cue "Star Spangled Banner" by Jimi Hendrix >>>
The fans boo as The Patriot comes to the ring, wearing his dark mask, and accompanied by Korean manager Sammy Yip. Yip grabs a mic and is going to start in on one of his usual diatribes but is cut off when Holiday launches himself out of the ring via a tope, and takes out both Yip and the Patriot. The bell is sounded as Holiday tosses Patriot into the ring.

Bout #3
Sam Holiday v The Patriot (/w Sammy Yip)
No sooner is Holiday inside the ring than he tosses the Patriot out to the floor. He starts to whip him from pillar to post. Soon the other members of Global Warning, Gregor Kitnitsov and Tiger Khan come storming down to the ring, but they are sent to the back by Sammy Yip as he doesn't want them suspended or fined by Larkin.
The Patriot is busted open under the mask.
The match alternates between inside and out of the ring, and soon the blood is flowing out of the eye holes of the Patriot who is having trouble seeing. Sammy Yip manages to interfere a couple of times with well placed trips to help out his charge, but it's still an uphill battle for the turncoat.
Finally, The Patriot can't take it any more and he removes his own mask so he can wipe away the blood. The fans cheer as he has to remove his mask, and they see the crimson river of blood that flows off his face.
The match stays inside now as Holiday takes him down with 4 consecutive flying clotheslines. After a 2 count, he takes him up and back down with a hanging vertical suplex, for another 2 count. He tries to throw the Patriot between the ropes but the Patriot manages to hold himself inside the ropes by grabbing the second strand. Not anticipating this happening Sam Holiday closes in, expecting to follow Patriot, and walks right into a mule kick to the groin from the Patriot. It's all Patriot now as he nails Holiday with 4 consecutive flying clothesline as revenge, and then nails the missile dropkick form the top rope. Incredibly though Holiday kicks out after a 2 count!
This time the Patriot takes the match outside where the 2 men brawl. Patriot gets the better of Holiday and slams him on the concrete floor. He rolls Holiday back inside the ring and then is handed his mask by manager Sammy Yip. He tries to wave Yip away, but the little manager grabs him by the arm and forces him to look inside the mask. The Patriot gets a big grin on his face and puts the mask on. Back inside he slams Holdiay to the mat again and climbs to the 2nd turnbuckle. Patriot comes off the 2nd buckle with a diving headbutt and gets the 3 count on a knocked out Sam Holiday.
[The Patriot defeated Sam Holiday by pinfall at 12:52 after a diving hedbutt from the 2nd turnbuckle]

Post-Match
Kitntisov and Khan come walking down the ramp to the ring with evil intentions on their faces. But before they can reach the ring the Kutlu Warrior Jon Stewart comes running from behind them and uses his Singapore Cane to double clothesline them to the back of the neck. He then whacks each of them across the back with the Cane. Inside the ring The Patriot and Yip think better then to stick around and head through the crowd. Jon Stewart enters the ring to attend to Sam Holiday who is still knocked out and busted wide open.


Bout #4
Shane Stevens & Norman Smiley defeated Insane Clown Posse (Shaggy & Violent J) by pinfall at 7:59 when Smiley pinned Shaggy after a German Suplex
ICP had called out Stevens and challenged him to a match. Stevens brought out a surprise partner, Norman Smiley. "Screamin" Norman was by far the most talented grappler in the ring and controlled this match from start to finish.


Statement broadcast via tape
Vice-President Dale Kuentz appears in a prerecorded message. He says that after what occurred last week between Sable and Asp Evergreen in the paddle match, including Sable giving referee Melissa Coates a DDT, President Larkin was deeply concerned. After all it was Larkin who had put his fist down against such over aggressive tactics, and now it was his own executive assistant breaching those conditions. In light of what transpired Larkin asked Kuentz to handle the fallout, including any discipline required. He wants everyone to understand that this was an independent investigation.
Kuentz says his findings and rulings are as follows. First off, for her actions in hurting a referee Sable has been fined an undisclosed but significant amount of money. In addition, her stipend and duties as an executive assistant to President Larkin have been taken away from her effective immediately. As for Asp Evergreen, his actions, and sexual advances on Sable during their match were an affront to all the hard working people on staff here in RCW. Such behaviour is not condoned or accepted in this workplace. As such Asp has also been fined heavily, and warned that any further sexual content as we witnessed last week will cause suspension and possible, no make that probable, termination.


Bout #5
#1 contender match for the RCW Heavyweight Title
Vendetta v Kevin Nash (/w Kimberly Page)
This match started off as a slugfest, and surprisingly Vendetta held his own against the bigger man. Nash though managed to catch Vendetta with a knee to the gut and took control of the match, manhandling Vendetta in the corner. Nash tried to finish things off early with the Jackknife powerbomb, but Vendetta countered with an earringer. Vendetta pulled hard on the leg of Nash to bring him to the mat, and then began to work over the legs in preparation for the Haitian deathlock. Vendetta used elbows, pulls, and stomps to weaken Nash's knees which have been ravished by injuries in the past. By the time Nash was able to fight back after a lowblow, he was barely able to stand. He whipped Vendetta into the ropes and went for the big boot to the face. But his leg gave out, unable to lift it that high, and Vendetta took him down with a flying shoulderblock on the second pass. He locked in the Haitian deathlock and Nash was forced to tap out.
[Vendetta defeated Kevin Nash by submission at 12:03 with the Haitian Deathlock]


<<< cue "Won't Get Fooled Again" by the Who >>>
Boss Strickland and Cael Sanderson come down to the ring. These two just joined forces last week after Sanderson turned on Rulon Gardner following their amateur rules matchup.
Strickland has a mic and says that Sanderson has made the right choice to abandon that boy scout Gardner, who got Sanderson's career stalled before it even started. He laughs at Gardner saying it looks like Gardner may have won most of the battles, but he has won the war against Gardner.

Rulon Gardner comes out to the top of the ramp with a mic to answer Strickland. He tells Strickland that he is going to pay for poisoning the young mind of Sanderson. He challenges them to a tag match, and they accept. Gardner brings out his partner, veteran and former RCW Heritage champion, Vic Gate!


Bout #6
Rulon Gardner & Vic Gate v Boss Strickland & Cael Sanderson
Gardner and Gate control the majority of this match, keeping their opponents off guard with fast tags. They try to win by submission several times only to have their opponents break it up with the illegal man in the ring.
Finally Strickland has had enough and when Gardner comes off the ropes, the Boss is on the floor below and whacks Gardner across the back with a steel chair. Referee Jimmy Appleseed happens to be looking the right way for a change and calls for the bell.
[Gate & Gardner defeated Strickland & Sanderson by disqualification at 7:12 when Strickland hit Gardner with a chair]

Post-Match
Strickland and Sanderson continue to lay the boots to Gate & Gardner after the match. Finally Union Jack and Gabriel Argos rush the ring to send the villains to the hills.


<<< cue "Sable's Theme" >>>
The crowd erupts as they hear the roar of the cat, and see the latex clad Sable make her way down the ramp to the ring with a microphone.
Once inside she wastes no time in venting her anger. She blames Asp for what happened last week, for her losing her temper. She apologizes to Melissa Coates and hopes she is resting well at home, but offers her a piece of advice. Next time control the match within the boundaries of human decency and things won't get out of hand. Many fans are starting to have a mixed reaction to Sable's comments, a trend that is not lost on the vixen. Next she turns to talking about President Larkin. She calls him a gutless coward who had to hide behind Dale Kuentz to act as if he had nothing to do with this decision. She tells Larkin that if he wanted an executive assistant like Kimberly who doesn't have a brain in her head, an original thought, or the gumption to defend herself, then he picked the wrong women in Sable, so the parting of ways is a good thing. She says she was sick and tired of Larkin's constant need for attention, and massages. It's hard to massage a man with no spine she says.
Finally, she turns her venom back to Asp Evergreen. She says he likes to bump and grind so much, he wants a sex show, then he should have one. She challenges him to a match at "Nothing Else Matters", a special lap dance match! If Asp beats Sable she says she will give him a lap dance that he will never forget. But if she beats Asp then he will have to give his buddy Eddie Chavez a lap dance, right in the middle of the ring following the match.

She calls out Asp Evergreen who comes to the top of the ramp, he's wearing a "Got MILF?" t-shirt".. He says he accepts the challenge match, and tells Sable he wants his lap dance done in lingerie, not a bikini. Oh, and he'll bring the baby oil for the grind baby.


Main Event
Lumberjack Match - RCW security surrounding the ring
Ron Simmons v "the Phenom" Adam Riggs
This match was a series of out of the ring encounters. First Simmons was thrown out, and the crew rolled him back in. Next the same thing happened to Riggs with the same result. Inside the ring it was a brawl, taken over by Simmons. The next time Riggs got thrown out of the ring, he tried to stop security from tossing him back in by calling for a time-out. His own security forces refused and tried to get him back inside the ring. He went ballistic on them and started to reign down punches at will on the hapless rent-a-cops. Within a few seconds he had a half dozen of them laid out. Simmons came to their aid and the result was Riggs and Simmons fighting all around ringside. Riggs got the better of that action sending Simmons head first into the rail. Finally, security managed to get between the two men and force them back into the ring.
Back inside Riggs continued to press his advantage, with a sideslam, flying clothesline, and an incredible moonsault! However, he wasted time before going for the pin jawing with the security and this allowed Simmons to kick out at a 2 count. Simmons kept trying to battle back, but Riggs used lowblows, a chop to the throat, and a chokehold to hold onto the advantage.
Finally, the tables turned when Riggs came off the ropes and one of the security guys reached in and tripped up Riggs. When the Phenom got back up he was more worried about security then his opponent, and when he turned around he was rocked by a spear out of the 3-point stance. Simmons made the pin as 2 security guards held down the feet of Riggs on the 3rd count when he tried to kick out.
[Ron Simmons defeated Adam Riggs by pinfall at 10:44 after Simmons hit Riggs with a spear, and with the help of some outside interference]

Post-Match
As security celebrated Riggs took out Simmons with a shot from behind. He then chokeslammed him to the mat. Riggs grabbed a mic and told the entire security team that they were all fired. He said that he would have an all new security team in place by next Rage.

FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #968
Saturday, June 7, 2003
Only on PPV
Sioux Falls Arena
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Attendance; 5,418


Opening Bout
NWA Junior-Heavyweight World Championship Match
Jushin Liger (champion) v Lash LeRoux (RCW challenger)
LeRoux got off to a decent start in this match but was overmatched by one of the finest wrestlers in the world. Liger worked as a subtle heel in the match, taking a few liberties on breaks, and at one point applying a choke sleeper. To his credit LeRoux managed to get a break and survive a chin lock surfboard submission attempt, but then Liger finished him off with an off the top rope rana.
[Jushin Liger defeated Lash LeRoux by pinfall at 7:51 after an off the top rope rana]
[Jushin Liger retains the NWA World Junior-Weight Title]


Bout #2
Lap Dance Match
Sable v Asp Evergreen
If Sable wins Asp will have to give a lap dance for Eddie Chavez, but if Asp wins Sable will have to give Asp a lap dance.
Referee Buddy Lane gets on the mic and warns everyone that anyone interfering in this match tonight will be FIRED from RCW, as per Jack Larkin's instructions. This seems to upset Asp as he stares to the back, and then starts to kick at the bottom rope in a temper tantrum. But he misses on one of the kicks, his foot bouncing off the top of the rope and he tumbles to the ground.
Sable is right on him pulling him to his feet by his ear. She scoops him up and bodyslams him to the mat. She then delivers a stomp to the "lower" abdomen, but not quite a low blow. Asp though gets to his feet and complains to the referee about the low blow. When Buddy Lane waves it off, Asp holds his hands in front of his crotch about 12 inches apart and again complains that it is a low blow. This gets a good laugh from the crowd, Sable, and the referee.
Sable though makes the mistake of turning to the crowd and encouraging them to clap, which allows Asp to take her down from behind with a vicious hair pull. Lane warns Asp, but he goes right to work on Sable with 3 kicks to the back as she sits up. He follows up with a jumping neck snap, and gets the 1, 2, kickout at the last possible moment. That was close.
Asp pulls Sable to her feet and whips her into the corner, and follows right in with an elbowsmash to the head. He measures Sable in the corner with a series of elbows right to the bridge of the nose. She has no choice but to cover her face which allows Asp to slam his shoulder into her midsection.
Asp laughs as Sable drops to her knees and rolls out of the ring. She's crawling around ringside when Asp launches himself over the top rope but Sable moves out of the way of the splash, and Evergreen wrecks himself on the floor. The match continues out of the ring with an exchange of slaps and whips into the guardrail.
Back inside the momentum changes hands a few times. Sable hurts Asp with a combination of a shoulder jawbreaker followed by an old fashioned kick to the teeth. But when she hits the Sablerana Asp manages to kick out before the 3 count. Asp comes back and punishes Sable with a face first body slam, seemingly intent tonight on breaking her nose. He then stretches out her legs by standing on the back of her thigh and wrenching back. Asp seems like he will get the submission with a camel clutch but then he gets distracted.
From the back emerges his friend Eddie Chavez, but Chavez is shrink wrapped to a chair and being carried down to ringside by Jack Larkin & Ron Simmons. They place him at ringside while Asp breaks his hold to yell at Larkin.
Sable literally crawls behind Asp and pulls his feet out from under him, causing him to bounce his throat off the top cable. She then grabs a leglock but Asp gets a hold of the bottom rope to get the break.
They lock-up and Sable shoots on him grabbing his leg, twisting him to the ground and applying a surprising ankle lock submission. Asp is screaming in pain as referee Buddy Lane gets close to ask him if he quits. Asp is waving his hands like a madman but not submitting. One of his hands "accidentally" flails away and catches referee Lane in the eye. As Lane tries to shake it off Asp manages to crawl to the ropes, but with no referee to enforce the break Sable holds onto the ankle. Asp gets extra leverage by climbing the ropes with his hands to the second rope and then twists Sable off of the hold. Sable attempts to grab at Asp but he turns around after digging into his pants and nails her with a right cross that floors her. We see him hide something back inside his pants. Asp covers Sable and Lane makes it back to count the 1, 2, 3.
[Asp Evergreen defeated Sable by pinfall at 11:06 after hitting her with a foreign object]

Post-Match
Asp slides out of the ring and goes to unwrap his friend Chavez. Larkin and Simmons are yelling at Asp and at referee Buddy Lane. Asp flips Larkin off who then rabbit punches Asp knocking him down. Asp gets up and levels Larkin with a right cross after digging back into his pants. Larkin drops like a stone, but Ron Simmons is all over Asp with a kick to the gut followed by a spinebuster. The fans boo as the match breaks down with no lap dance in sight.


Bout #3
#1 Contender Match for the Heritage Title
"The Beast" Bob Sapp v Chrome
Pretty much what you would expect from these two. Lots of brawling accented by the occasional powermove. After 5 minutes of heavy action Chrome is in trouble breathing out his mouth, hands on his knees. Sapp is in much better conditioning and continues to pour it on. He uses a sidewalk slam to take the wind out of Chrome's sails, and then follows up with a massive powerbomb. Incredibly Chrome kicks out of the ensuing pin attempt!
Sapp goes to work with punches but Chrome fights back with kicks. But when he goes for a punch Sapp blocks it, and then applies a hammerlock on Chrome. Immediately the Beast lifts Chrome up in the air while still in the hammerlock and slams him to the mat. Referee Jimmy Appleseed drops down to check on Chrome and starts to frantically wave for the bell. Appleseed covers Chrome the best as he can to protect the arm so Sapp can only stomp on his opponent's legs. Sapp gives it up in short order, posing for the fans who jeer him on his way out of the ring.
[Bob Sapp defeated Chrome by referee stoppage at 7:26 after Sapp broke Chrome's arm]

Post-Match
Chrome's arm is immobilized by the EMT unit and he walks away on his own feet supported by a pair of RCW officials. Chrome gets an appreciative ovation from the crowd.


Bout #4
NWA World Television Championship Match
Vic Grimes (Champion) v Den Graves (RCW Heritage Champion)
This is a re-match from the last time the NWA World champs rolled into RCW back at Cyberwar where Grimes won by DQ from outside interference.
Tonight Grimes attacks Graves before the match can even start. The NWA champ tries to set the tone of an aggressive brawling match, but Graves has learned his lesson and tries to slow it down with mat wrestling. Off his feet Grimes' weight advantage no longer applies.
The cat and mouse games continue for most of the match until the two begin to brawl outside the ring. It gets vicious when Graves slams Grimes' head into the ringbell busting the champ wide open.
Grimes though fights back assisted by a steel chair. Back inside the ring Grimes puts Graves on a table and then splashes off the top rope, driving Graves through the table.
Grimes goes for the pin but referee Melissa Coates calls for the bell.
[Den Graves defeated Vic Grimes by disqualification at 10:36 when Grimes used a foreign object, a table]
[Vic Grimes retains the NWA World Television Championship]


Bout #5
Grudge Match
Sam Holiday v Raymond Bingham
The matches are starting to pile up for these two, and Bingham is soon going to take his place beside Stan Baker in the history of Holiday's greatest feuds. These two met in a respect match at "Lock & Load", faced off as part of a 4-way dance at the next PPV "Heroes", and collided once more at Rage on May 21st when Bingham punked out Holiday after the Texan's big main event victory. Tonight it is all on the line for these two as Holiday does not want to take that step down and Bingham is doing his best to claw his way to the top.
Before the match could start Bingham asked for a mic. Before Deane Moore could pass it to him Holiday snatched it from his hand and said, "yeah, yeah, we know you were the 2001 PWI Rookie of the Year, so blah, blah, blah". Fists flew in the middle of the ring as the two exchanged punches as long time inept official Jurgen Hermann called for the bell.
Holiday won the fisticuffs easy but Bingham grabbed him by the tights and then drove a knee into the veteran's groin. Holiday bent over and this allowed Bingham to nail him with a high knee lift. The young buck then began to lay the boots into Holiday. Bingham brought him up, sent him to the ropes, let him pass, then ran behind him and caught him with an elbow right to the lower back. Bingham began to work over the lower back with stomps, a pair of backbreakers, and a bearhug.
Holiday though managed to fight out of the bearhug and peppered Bingham with punches. He then delivered a pair of running clotheslines, a fistdrop, and then surprised everyone including Bingham with a heartpunch. He went for the pin but only got a 2 count.
This match continued for several more minutes going back and forth, both men being very vicious in trying to win. Bingham continued to work over the back of Holiday while the big Texan from Odessa seemed content to headhunt Bingham.
Raymond Bingham almost ends the match with a flurry when he breaks out of a reverse chinlock and takes Holiday down with a forward rolling legscissor takedown, followed up by cinching in a reverse crucifix kneebar. Holiday though manages to rock enough to roll Bingham to the side and grab the ropes for a break.
Holiday catches Bingham with a back elbow and then takes him down with a bulldog. Picking him up by the waist Holiday hurls the youth backwards with a catapult into the turnbuckle. Dragging him to the middle of the ring he nails a piledriver. He goes for the pin but Bingham kicks out after a 2 count. Holiday goes for another piledriver but Bingham tries to counter with a backflip. But the Texan is big enough and has enough gas left in the tank he manages to rock himself back into position and nail the 2nd piledriver. This time he gets the 3 count.
[Sam Holiday defeated Raymond Bingham by pinfall at 14:15 after a piledriver]


Bout #6
"Kutlu Warrior" Jon Stewart v The Patriot (/w Sammy Yip)
Patriot comes out wearing his dark mask still embedded with blood stains from Rage. He is accompanied to the ring by his manager and leader of Global Warning, Korean Sammy Yip. Referee Buddy Lane has to struggle with Stewart before the match to convince him to give up his Singapore Cane and enter the ring. As he was climbing through, and Lane wasn't looking, Yip jabbed the end of his flag pole into the back of Stewart's thigh. The Patriot went right to work on the leg of Stewart trying to wear him down. Stewart though would not quit, throwing punches and kicks from his back when necessary. At one point he pulled Patriot down and gave him a bearhug from his back, but had to break it because his shoulders were on the mat. Stewart got stronger as the match went on and soon it became obvious that he was not going to be stopped tonight by the Patriot. Yip tried to interfere by standing on the apron but was punched out by Stewart. Patriot used the delay to slide out of the ring and he and Yip made their way up the ramp to the back. They would have been counted out but Stewart gave chase. He caught up to the pair on the ramp and started to lay the boots to them. However, he was attacked by Tiger Khan and Gregor Kitnitsov as they streamed from the backstage area.
[No-contest at 12:29]

Post-Match
Al Collins, Kurrgan, and Haku all came from the back to make the save for the Kutlu Warrior.


<<< cue "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" Warren Zevon >>>
President Jack Larkin comes to the ring, accompanied by his bodyguard Ron Simmons.
Larkin grabs a mic and thanks the crowd for being the hottest sounding crowd RCW has had in a very long time. He tells them Sioux Falls will be a regular stop on the RCW tour from here on in.
One other thing that is going to change in RCW will impact the entire company's fanbase. Wednesday Rage is no more. Due to changes in TV contracts RCW's weekly Rage show will now move to Saturday nights. This will also mean that on PPV nights Rage will not air so that the company is not competing against itself. The good thing to come out of this move though is that the later time slot will allow a more "tenacious" product. Larkin says he hopes all the fans will stick with us when Saturday Rage hits the airwaves on July 5th. Our next PPV will be "Summer in the City" on August 9th.
However, he continues, one sure way to kill a town is to not deliver on stipulations from matches. Therefore, the promised lap dance will happen tonight. Larkin says that it is obvious after reviewing film, not to mention seeing them up close and personal (he points to his own forehead) that Asp Evergreen used brass knux to win his match. Therefore he is reversing the earlier decision by Buddy Lane and awarding the match to Sable by DQ.
The fans cheer the news.
So Larkin says, while this next tag team match is going on we will round up Asp and his little friend Eddie Chavez and we will have ourselves some lap dancing, Asp on Eddie!
This announcement draws a mixed review from the crowd.
Buddy Lane comes running down from the back, waving his arms "no" as he slides into the ring. He takes the mic from Larkin.
Lane says that with all due respect to the President, he is the head of officials, and RCW has a belief that referee's decisions will stand. He tells Larkin that until he makes himself the head of officials then he has no right to overturn the decision. The original decision stands, and if Larkin doesn't like it then just ask for his resignation, and you Larkin can take over law and order in the ring.
Larkin seems to consider it for a minute before replying. He's not happy at all for what he sees as Lane's lack of loyalty to the President. However, technically he is right, and RCW does all it can to appear as a fair place to wrestle and work. Therefore, the original decision will stand.
Larkin says that right after this match Asp Evergreen will get his lap dance in the middle of the ring by Sable.
The fans enthusiastically cheer the announcement.


Bout #7
NWA World Tag Team Championship Match
Los Villanos IV & V (champions) v Gabriel Argos & Union Jack (GPW Tag Team Champions)
Hard fought match with neither team giving much ground. Eventually it broke down all four men were counted out while brawling outside the ring.
[Double countout at 10:58]
[Los Villanos retain the NWA World Tag Team Titles]


Lap Dance Segment
Asp Evergreen sets himself up in the middle of the ring, sitting on a steel folding chair. He is wearing a "Got MILF?" t-shirt and a pair of blue silk boxer shorts. Sable comes out in a robe, and once she takes that off it reveals black stockings with a naughty back seam, black lace garter belt, and matching black lace panties. Her bra is black silk and barely comes up high enough to cover her bits. "The Stripper" song plays as she disrobes and then begins to do a credible job of gyrating and teasing young Asp despite her obvious displeasure with the situation. She then straddles him and is playing with his hair, his hands grope her back struggling with the clasp on the bra...
From the back comes a 5'6 250 lb. older women. She enters the ring as Sable dismounts from Asp with a smirk on her face. The big lady smacks Asp lightly across the face and then he is pulled for the second time tonight to his feet by the ear. She begins to drag him away, shouting at him the whole time. Sable has a mic and as she waves goodbye to Asp she says "it's a good thing for you Asp that your Mom accepted my invitation to come to the show tonight".


Bout #8
RCW Heavyweight Championship Match
Manny Silva (champion) (/w Kimberly)  v Vendetta
Silva comes to the ring to Wolfpack music and with Kimberly Page on his arm. The fans start to chant "poodle, poodle" at Silva who becomes enraged as he tries to pat down his afro into place.
They lock up like a pair of hockey goons as each tries to tie up the other's prominent arm and unleash a haymaker with the other. They tussle into the corner where Silva gets off first with a knee to the gut of Vendetta.
He tries for a follow up punch, but Vendetta blocks it and throws the champ into the corner, boots him in the gut, and then delivers a nasty looking forearm uppercut. Vendetta gets control of the match early and wears down Silva with a reverse chinlock, an armlock, a couple big running clotheslines, and a DDT. But Silva is too tough to be finished by such routine offense.
When Vendetta opens up a bit more with a flying elbowsmash from the top rope he is met by a raised foot of the champion. Silva goes on attack now with a series of elbowsmashes to the ribs, followed by a sidebreaker. Several vicious kicks later and Vendetta is openly gasping for air, his ribs may be cracked.
Silva sends Vendetta to the ropes, but the Haitian ducks under a clothesline, and with one arm tucked to the side Vendetta launches himself at Silva with a flying bodypress, only to have Silva roll through the move and get a 2 count.
The champ goes back on the attack with kicks and punches, followed by a camel clutch, and when Vendetta breaks that, a sleeperhold.
Vendetta makes his way to the turnbuckle, kicks backward and drives Silva into the mat. He bridges and referee Buddy Lane counts the champion out at 1, 2, but Kimberly reaches in and pulls the leg of Vendetta causing him to lose his bridge, and Silva kicks out at the nick of time.
Buddy Lane though gets up and apparently he saw the whole thing and he orders Kimberly to the back! Silva and Kimberly waste time arguing and when Silva turns around he walks right into a boot to the gut, and a DDT. Vendetta is slow to cover which is the only thing that saves Silva from a certain 3 count.
The fans are on their feet now anticipating a title change.
Vendetta whips Silva to the buckle, he bounces off hard and then Vendetta takes him down with a back body drop. Fistdrop by Vendetta and a cover, gets only 2. Picking up the champion Vendetta tries to whip him to the ropes, but Silva manages to reverse it. Referee Buddy Lane doesn't get out of the way in time and is run over by Vendetta.
Silva is on his knees, but is still recuperating. Vendetta is knocked out cold, as is Buddy Lane. Silva slowly gets to his feet, and then pulls Vendetta up by the dreadlocks. But the Haitian springs out with a punch, and then a kick. He takes Silva down with a dropkick to the leg and then applies his Haitian deathlock finisher while he waits for Buddy Lane to wake up. Silva is tapping out like crazy.
From the back Adam Riggs tries to come down to ringside but is intercepted by RCW officials and wrestlers Sam Holiday and Ron Simmons. The fans are really going nuts now anticipating the title change.
But from the crowd comes a man dressed in sweatpants, no shirt, and a plain yellow mask. He enters the ring with a chair and waffles Vendetta from behind. He then nails him twice over the head for good measure, busting him wide open. Silva revives referee Buddy Lane, and with soda cups hitting the ring, Lane counts a groggy 1, 2, 3.
[Manny Silva defeated Vendetta by pinfall at 17:57 after outside interference]
[Manny Silva retained the RCW Heavyweight Championship]


Main Event
NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match
Konnan (champion) v Adam Riggs (RCW challenger) (/w Kimberly)
Konnan starts strong pouring on the offense including several rolling elbowsmashes and a figure-four leglock. Riggs though seems to be biding his time and turns the match around with a kick to the groin. He's all over the champ now with kicks, a bodyslam, and a powerbomb which only yields a 2 count.
Riggs throws Konnan outside the ring, and the big man brings the house to their feet when he follows him with a devastating plancha. Riggs rolls Konnan back inside the ring, and following a chokelsam gets a 2 count on a very lazy looking pin attempt.
Riggs tries to come off the top rope with a clothesline but Konnan blocks the move and goes to the mat with Riggs, applying an armbar. The RCW challenger slowly fights his way to the ropes for the break, but is favouring his dominant right arm quite noticeably now. Konnan tests Riggs by standing toe to toe with the bigger man in the middle of the ring, and the NWA champ comes out ahead because Riggs can't use the right hand. However, Riggs catches the champ napping with a kick to the gut.
It's all Riggs now with a series of elbowsmashes, followed by kicks to the gut. He signals to the crowd for the chokeslam to finish the champ in the middle of the ring, but when he goes for it, Konnan chops at the already injured arm causing Riggs to break his hold on Konnan's neck. The champ quickly grabs the arm, takes Riggs down in the middle of the ring, and the big man has to tap out to prevent permanent damage to his arm.
[Konnan defeats Adam Riggs by submission at 15:08 with the Wakigatame armbar]
[Konnan retains the NWA Heavyweight Title]

Post-Match
The fans give Konnan a mixed reaction as he rolls out of the ring, grabs his belt and flips the audience off as he leaves the ring area. Back inside Adam Riggs is angry at himself for letting this opportunity slip through his fingers. Kimberly is in the ring, and Manny Silva comes down to console him. But when he is offered a hand up by RCW champ Silva, he swats it away, a move that does not sit well with Silva. Kimberly separates the two men and guides Riggs out of the ring as Silva shakes his head watching the two leave, as we

FADE TO BLACK


Breaking Kayfabe
So I was part of this overarching NWA group at the time. They chose their champions, I had nothing to do with it. Some of their champions seemed to be weak choices but then again they had their own 10+ year history that fed these guys. Also, not too long before this they were competing with the WWA/PWA so they probably had less than half of the talent in the world. Pretty sure I didn't even run the Villanos tag match, but the others I ran on TNM7 because I had each of the wrestlers (I had to goose a couple like Konnan to make them more dominant). I always put over the world champs, even if it meant a clean victory over my guys. I know this was a hard line to tow back in the territory days, which is why a heel champ like Ric Flair worked so well because he could win by cheating, get DQ'd etc. In fairness they were pretty good with me in giving me talent like Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, and the previous regime the WWA even put the North American belt on my guy Raymond Bingham which was a pleasant and total surprise for me. Those were fun days indeed.

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #969
July 5, 2003
Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Attendance: 4,396

Welcome to the return of RCW to Saturday nights!


<<< cue "Wolfpack Theme" >>>

RCW Heavyweight champion Manny Silva, and "the Phenom" Adam Riggs come down to the ring. There is no sign of Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, or Kimberly Page. These two guys have been at each other's throats lately, flames which have been fanned by President Larkin.

Riggs takes the mic first. He says he was "that" close to beating Konnan for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, but then he had a bit of a mental lapse. Riggs says he began to think about what it would mean to be the recognized champion of the World! Then he realized that it was only Konnan, and only the NWA title strap. Did he really want to be whored out a few times a month across the globe to bring in big gates for fly by night promoters? Good riddance Konnan! More power to you.

RCW champion Silva takes the mic, and shouts at Vendetta that he was close at Nothing Else Matters to winning the RCW title, but he just couldn't get the job done. It must be tough walking around life knowing you are a failure. [Riggs openly blanched at that comment]. Silva then says the obvious question is where are Nash, Hall, and Kimberly? And the answer is that they have been given the night off. They have been working too much lately for their age, and position in the industry, and deserve a break. Silva then turns to Riggs and offers a handshake. He apologizes to Riggs for losing control in their match last month and trying to choke him out.

Riggs takes the mic again, and accepts the apology from Silva. He also apologizes to Silva for his aggressive attempts at taking the RCW Heavyweight title. He says it doesn't matter who has the title, as long as it stays in the Wolfpack. Riggs then calls out Wolfpack wannabe Raymond Bingham. The young sensation comes down to the ring with a cocky look on his face and enters the ring without looking worried at all. Riggs says that Bingham failed to get the job done at Nothing Else Matters, as he failed to beat and cripple that old man Sam Holiday. The smirk leaves the face of Bingham as he starts to look anxiously at the two members of the Wolfpack. Riggs says, however...


<< cue "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" by Warren Zevon >>>

The fans cheer as President Larkin comes to the top of the ramp, with Ron Simmons standing right beside him. Larkin says that before Riggs goes any further the RCW President has a little announcement of his own regarding the near future of Raymond Bingham. Larkin says "Roll the tape". We get a split screen shot on the TV, on one side we have Raymond Bingham and on the other side we have "the yellow masked" interferer from the Manny Silva match at Nothing Else Matters. The two sides seem pretty similar indeed.

President Larkin says that Bingham has disobeyed his direct order to not interfere in that match. Although he can't prove it definitively, he can still take action. So, starting immediately Bingham is gone from RCW for 90 days. However, since he is still under RCW contract and being paid, in those 90 days Bingham will be getting his ass on a plane and flying across the globe to any promoter who wants to sign him to a match. That could be a cage match against the likes of Abdullah the Butcher, or an exploding anus match against a sadist like New Jack. Larkin tells Bingham he will take the dates as booked or be considered in breach of contract.

Bingham is livid, jumping up and down and kicking the ropes. Silva and Riggs don't look very happy either but are keeping calm.

Larkin goes on. He turns his attention to Manny Silva. Larkin says that the result of their title match at Nothing Else Matters was not fair to Vendetta or to the fans. So, at Summer in the City, the main event will once again pit Manny Silva against Vendetta for the RCW Heavyweight Championship. Only this time it will be in a 20-foot high STEEL CAGE!!!

Adam Riggs still has a mic. He gets a big smile on his face and addresses Larkin and Simmons. As you might recall last month Riggs fired the entire RCW security staff for their inability to protect the Wolfpack. Well after a long search for replacements he was ready to just give up on the job. That's when RAGE was suddenly moved from Wednesday nights to Saturday Nights. Being a weekend and all, it opened up a brand new avenue of recruitment. The best part of it, Mr. President, is that it won't cost you a dime, as your new security staff is being provided by a government release program. Meet your new RCW security staff.

From the back come 8 guys, beefy guys with either bald heads or long greasy hair. They are covered in tattoos and piercings, and are wearing Orange coveralls with "RCW Security" stenciled on the front, and DOJ on the back.

Larkin goes ballistic on the mic. "You hired convicts to do security? Have you lost your *bleep* mind Riggs? The state athletic boards will have my license for this!

Riggs just laughs, and tells Larkin to get used to it! The DOJ is here to stay.


Opening Bout
Shane Madison & Shane Stevens v Den Graves & Den Scarraman
Normally Graves and Scarraman would tear the youngsters apart. But tonight something was off with Graves. He barked orders at Scarraman making him do the bulk of the work and carry most of the action. Graves, the RCW Heritage champion, saw very little action, and when he did he was happy to just apply a headlock or a reverse chin lock. Finally, as Scarraman began to get worn down and have his problems against the young pair of grapplers, Graves just jumped off the apron and walked away. Scarraman tried his best but seemed at that point to just want to get away from the action. The fans cheered as Madison and Stevens poured on the attack, with Stevens finishing off the huge upset with a cross armbreaker.
[Shane Madison & Shane Stevens defeated Den Graves & Den Scarraman by submission at 10:15 when Stevens made Scarraman submit to the cross armbreaker]


Bout #2
Menele v Crash Holly
It was obvious that Menele was enraged at being pitted up against the diminutive Holly, and it was equally obvious that an enraged Menele is not a man you want to be in the ring against. Menele wrapped the arm of Holly around the top rope and punished him, trying his best to rip the arm off. A new move for Menele was the Oklahoma Stampede but when he went for the pin he lifted up the head of Holly drawing the wrath of referee Jimmy Appleseed.
The match continued with a pair of snap suplexes followed by a thunder fire bomb. Finally, picking Holly up like a rag doll he buried him with a T-bone suplex.
[Menele defeated Crash Holly by pinfall at 6:42 after a T-bone suplex]


Backstage Interview
Deane Moore is standing next to "the Beast" Bob Sapp who alternates between taking swigs from a water bottle and slapping his biceps and pecs. Moore informs us that Chrome will be out of action until at least November due to a broken arm suffered at the hands of this man, Sapp. Moore asks Sapp what he has to say for himself and his heinous act at Nothing Else Matters.
Sapp just glares at Moore, before snatching away the mic and shoving Moore out of camera range. Sapp glares at the camera and then back at the concrete wall behind him. Turning around Sapp says he feels like he has been transported back to Saturday morning wrestling from the 70's. Like "coming to a town near you, run, don't walk!" But this isn't the 70's, time marches on Grandma, and bodies like this one weren't made in the olden days. This is a modern body, of a modern day warrior. Why make someone submit when I can make the ref stop the match because I have broken a limb? River City, you can expect a trail of broken limbs as I carve my way through the territory...daddy-o. With that Sapp kicks the camera man somewhere under the camera's range and the camera obviously falls to the ground. We hear smashing glass, see nothing but static, and then hear Sapp walking away through broken glass, laughing to himself "daddy-o".


In-ring segment
The Spinebusters, Bryan Caruthers & Jerry Orth come to the ring. They complain about the inactivity of the current tag champs, Union Jack & Gabriel Argos. They accuse the champs of ducking them, and trying to bide their time as Argos still recovers from his broken nose.
The tag champs, Union Jack & Gabriel Argos, come to the top of the ramp, followed by V.P. Dale Kuentz. Kuentz has a mic and says that he has met with President Larkin regarding the tag team division. Their decision, was to award a tag team title match to the Spinebusters this month based on their excellent record in the past. However, in management's mind there is no clear cut #1 contender. So, starting next RAGE, a 4-team mini tag team tournament will be held, with the winner of the tournament getting a title shot at Summer in the City. The only question will be who the champions will be? And since you seem so eager to get your title shot, it will be right now! The Spinebusters begin to complain they are not ready, but when they see the determined look on the advancing faces of the champions they throw away the mic and go right after the champs.


Bout #3
RCW Tag Team Title Match
Union Jack & Gabriel Argos (champions) v Spinebusters: Bryan Caruthers & Jerry Orth
The Spinebusters get the drop on the champs by laying the boots to them as they enter the ring. They toss Argos out of the ring and then double team UJ. It shakes down to Caruthers against UJ. The 'busters are experts at cutting off the ring and controlling their opponent with quick tags, and double teams for up to the 5 count. Almost 6 minutes pass with UJ narrowly escaping pinfall before he manages to surprise Orth with a crucifix into a roll-up. Instead of going for the pin though UJ locks on the hold and just continues to roll with his opponent into the corner and makes the tag to Gabriel Argos. The man from Cyprus goes to work on both 'busters as Caruthers tries to interfere. He punishes Orth with a short clothesline, and a bulldog, but when he locks in a cross face chickenwing Caruthers enters the ring and breaks the hold with a big boot. Orth manages to tag in Caruthers, but by this time Argos has recovered and takes Caruthers down with a slick looking drop toe hold into a half-boston. Hearing the roar of the crowd Orth turns around and charges at Argos to try and break the hold. But he never makes it there, as UJ has recovered and launches himself at Orth and takes him down with a flying cross bodyblock. However, they make enough incidental contact with Argos to break the hold. All 4 men now go at in the ring as referee Buddy Lane tries to restore order. Orth and Argos spill outside the ring where they continue to batter each other. Inside the ring Caruthers catches UJ with a kick directly to the groin (unseen by Buddy Lane) and follows up with a spinebuster. Referee Buddy Lane counts 1, 2, ..but then stops the count, waving it off and pointing to the corner because Caruthers and UJ are not the legal men. In the meantime, Argos has got the better of Orth outside the ring, taking him down with a drop toe hold smashing him face first into the guardrail. Argos slides inside and then drop kicks Caruthers in the back, sending him flying out of the ring. Orth is climbing into the ring, when Argos comes across and nails him in with a big axe kick. Argos uses an Aztec suplex to finish the job.
[Union Jack & Gabriel Argos defeated The Spinebusters by pinfall at 10:23 when Argos pinned Orth after an Aztec suplex]
[Union Jack & Gabriel Argos retained the RCW Tag Team Titles]


On the TV feed
President Larkin is sitting at his desk and ready to make a statement. He says that as everyone knows V.P. Dale Kuentz after making an independent review, decided to relieve Sable of her duties as my Executive Assistant. Unfortunately, that has left a gap in our organization that needs to be filled. As such, after an extensive search, I have settled on a replacement. The camera pans out and we see, sitting on the edge of Larkin's desk wearing a black mini-skirt and tight white tank top under a blazer, Debra McMichaels!!!
Larkin asks the fans to welcome Debra to the RCW family, and then begins to clap as Debra smiles on.
From out of camera range we hear the office door slam open and into the screen comes a furious looking Sable. She turns her nose up at Debra and then pushes Larkin's chair back against the wall so she has him cornered. She says she is sick of all this b.s., first the executive assistant stuff (she turns to Debra and says "I hope you have strong wrists honey") then hiding behind Dale Kuentz to do his dirty work. Not to mention the humiliating series of matches against Asp Evergreen including the lap dance. Larkin looks stunned. He tells Sable that although things haven't worked out all that well so far, that she is still one of his favourite performers of all time, and that is why he brought her into the RCW. He says he wants to make her happy, and asks Sable what he can do to make her happy? Sable says he can start a legitimate women's division with their own title belt. Larkin tells her he will have to think about that because as of right now there aren't enough women to start their own division. She pokes him in the chest, and tells him to think about it "fast". As she is yelling at Larkin we can see Debra sizing up Sable's rear with a naughty look on her face that disappears quickly as Sable turns around and storms out of the office.


Pre-Match
Asp Evergreen is in the ring with a mic. He congratulates himself on his victory over Sable at Nothing Else Matters. Then he gives a "shout out to his homies" Eddie Chavez, ICP, Derek St. Holmes, Inbred Jed and Pogo the Clown.. He tells them that he was set-up by Sable and that scrag, fat bitch at the PPV was not his Mother. He assures everyone that his mother is a babe, a real MILF...not that he wants to do his Mom..but he's sure anyone else would, because only a fine looking woman could give birth to such a fine looking son. Asp is thankfully interrupted by the arrival of his opponent.

Bout #4
Ron Simmons v Asp Evergreen
Evergreen has had a lot of success lately, wrestling the likes of Sable, and by cheating. It seemed though that his luck would run out tonight. For 5 minutes he tried to hide, evade, eye gouge, choke, etc, against a determined looking Ron Simmons. This match came on the heels of the incident at Nothing Else Matters where Evergreen punched out Larkin with a set of brass knuckles before being demolished by Simmons. Apparently that wasn't enough punishment though to appease the President as this match was set up for tonight. Simmons nailed Asp with a running powerslam and was set for the pin when a group of Asp's cronies hit the ring led by Eddie Chavez to break the pin.
[Ron Simmons defeated Asp Evergreen by disqualification at 5:08 due to outside interference]

Post-Match
Asp and Eddie Chavez were joined by the ICP, Derek St. Holmes, Pogo the Clown, and Inbred Jed. Even with this band of misfits a 7-on-1 were too good of odds and "Full Deck" crushed Ron Simmons. Finally Sam Holiday, Shane Stevens, and Shane Madison came out to clear the ring.


Bout #5
Norman Smiley v Jesse Hennig
Hennig has a good deal of wrestling knowledge and technique but when he tried to match-up straight against Norman Smiley it soon showed that he was way over his head. Smiley punished him with a fisherman suplex, a thunder fire bomb, and then almost finished off with a victory roll.
Hennig bailed out of the ring to buy some time. He then played a game of lock-up, and bail out a few times to frustrate Smiley. Then he grabbed the house mic and ring bell from the announce table and started to jabber at Smiley. Jesse really drew the ire of the crowd as he told Smiley he wasn't fit to be on the active roster at RCW, that he was more suited to be a janitor or limo driver. This threw Smiley over the edge and he was going to exit the ring to get at Hennig, but long time inept official Jurgen Hermann grabbed a hold of him and tried to stop him. Tangled up with the ref but exposed because his head was stuck through the ropes he was an easy target for Hennig who blasted him with the ring bell. It was a simple 1, 2, 3, after that.
[Jesse Hennig defeated Norman Smiley by pinfall at 7:22 after hitting him with a foreign object]


Lockeroom interview
Deane Moore is in the locker room of "Full Deck". Asp Evergreen, Eddie Chavez, the ICP, Derek St. Holmes, Inbred Jed, and Pogo the Clown as they are celebrating with champagne. Moore tries to get a word in with several of the guys but they are too busy celebrating. Finally Asp grabs the mic and proclaims that Full Deck is back in full force.
Suddenly there is a loud banging on the locker room door. It's Ron Simmons trying to get in to get revenge for the beat down. After the initial shock wears off, they all share a good laugh as Simmons continues to pound away at the locked door. After a slight respite there is a tiny knock on the door followed by a very fake sounding femme voice "room service". Asp enjoys a good laugh with Eddie Chavez but they aren't looking when Inbred Jed unlocks the door saying "maybe she has some more of this booze, hey?".
Simmons bursts in with a baseball bat and lays out each member of Full Deck, one at a time with the bat. Only he and Moore remain standing and all you can hear is the groans of Full Deck as they lay on the ground hurting.
Simmons steps out of the locker room with a satisfied look on his face.
A second later President Larkin steps in with a twisted smile on his face as he surveys the damage done. Then he turns to Deane Moore and hands him his pink slip. "You're being replaced Deane", and he leaves the room as the interviewer is seen with a shocked look on his face holding out his pink slip.


In-ring promo
"Total Destruction" Steve Riley comes to the ring looking very unhappy. He wastes no time getting on the mic and speaking his mind. He says he is being kept out of the title picture deliberately by the RCW office, as he should have at least warranted a shot at the Heritage title by now. He then puts out an open challenge to anyone in the locker room who thinks they deserve a title shot before Total Destruction.

<<< cue "Ain't Going Down 'till the Sun Comes Up" Garth Brooks >>>
The fans go nuts as Sam Holiday runs down to the ring, giving high-fives to the fans as he ran. Holiday is not dressed to wrestle, wearing black jeans, cowboy boots, and a black sleeveless "Delbert McClinton" t-shirt. He rolls under the bottom of the ring and begins to exchange punches with Riley. A few seconds later referee Jimmy Appleseed runs in from the back and calls for the bell.

Bout #6
Sam Holiday v Steve Riley
Holiday can't match punches with the stronger Riley. As soon as Total Destruction gains an advantage he goes to the power moves, nailing a sidewalk slam, a backbreaker and then double armbar submission. Holiday manages to work his feet to the ropes to get the break.
Riley tosses Holiday out of the ring and begins to throw him from guardrail to guardrail. He then throws Holiday into the announce table, but when he charges right at Holiday the veteran ducks under, picks up Riley, turns him around and then hotshots him face first off the announce table. Both men are down, but Holiday manages to make it back into the ring first to stop the 10 count.
The match is fast and vicious as control changes several times in the next 3 minutes. Finally Holiday gains a sustained advantage with a pair of running clotheslines, followed by a scoop slam leaving Riley in place for the finisher. Holiday climbs to the top rope for the Holiday legdrop, but obviously misjudged the recovery capability of Riley who catches Holiday on top and brings him down to the mat with a slam. Holiday staggers to his feet and is met headlong by a charging Riley who scoops up the big, rangy Texan and slams him to the mat with a spinning spinebuster. He hooks the leg and gets the big victory.
[Steve Riley defeated Sam Holiday by pinfall at 8:09 after a spinning spinebuster]


Special Footage
On June 15th the NWA held their most recent PPV offering, Slamboree 2003.
RCW was there in full force contributing the following match. Due to copyright reasons we are only able to show the fans highlights of the match, but the following is an account of what went down.

River City Wrestling Grudge Match
Manny Silva & Scott Hall (/w Kimberly Page) vs. Jody Christmas & Vendetta
Christmas insists on starting this match against the Wolfpack. He wants a piece of Scott Hall but RCW Heavyweight Champion Manny Silva steps in instead. They lock up and Christmas is quick with a kick to the gut, followed by a European uppercut. It drives Silva back into his own corner where Christmas is not foolish enough to follow. Silva comes out of the corner as Hall mocks Christmas. They lock up again but this time it is Silva that gets a knee off first driving it into the stomach of Christmas. He follows up with an elbow smash and then a vicious chop to the throat. Christmas spins across the ropes trying to stay away from Silva and gasping for air. He tries to get to the corner but Silva cuts him off. For the next couple of minutes its all Silva and then Hall after he is tagged in. Christmas is barely hanging on when Hall goes for the Outsiders Edge. Christmas though kicks back in desperation and finds the mark kicking Halls left leg from under him, both men go down to the mat. They come up still locked together and Christmas manages to counter the attack with a reverse neck breaker. Both men are down, and Christmas begins to crawl to his corner at the 8 count. Hall manages to grab onto his ankle, but Christmas pulls Hall into the corner and make the tag.
Vendetta gets the hot tag and drops a knee to the ribs of Hall, before spearing a charging Manny Silva. He kicks Silva out of the ring, but turns right into a punch from Hall. Vendetta absorbs it, blocks a 2nd punch, and then takes Hall down with an arm breaker. After a few seconds Vendetta takes it back to a standing position, delivers a pair of kicks to the gut, and then tries to go for a DDT. Hall though manages to drive Vendetta into the Wolfpack corner. Its 2-on-1 in the corner, and Christmas has not recovered enough yet to help his partner. Hall tags in Manny Silva.
Silva is all over Vendetta now. He takes him to the middle of the ring and delivers a sick looking belly to back half nelson suplex. He goes for the pin but only gets a 2 count. Again Silva drags Vendetta to his feet and punishes him with an airplane spin toss. Putting Vendetta into a neutral corner he starts to stomp away at his midsection and chest. He wastes time to jaw with the referee and when he goes for another stomp the Haitian warrior grabs the RCW champ's foot and twists him to the ground. Vendetta hangs on to a leg for dear life and tries to lock on a leg lock submission but Silva manages to kick his way free. Silva continues to punish Vendetta trying to get him to submit, first with a surfboard and then with a camel clutch. Finally, Christmas cant take any more and enters the ring and kicks Silva right in the face. He drops like a stone, but when the ref escorts Christmas out of the ring Hall enters and drops an elbow on the sternum of Vendetta. He lays a few boots in for good measure. Vendetta and Silva are both down but Silva is on his feet first. Vendetta lashes out at the champ and catches him with a solid punch, and follows it up with a series of elbow smashes which back Silva to the ropes. There the champ fights back with a rake of the eyes and a low blow. You can see that Silva has totally lost his temper and begins to try and choke out Vendetta. This brings Christmas back into the ring but Hall meets him with a kick in the groin. Silva tosses Vendetta over the top rope to the floor below.
All control has been lost in this match. Kimberly stands on the ring apron and distracts the ref while Hall holds Christmas and Silva wraps the ring ropes around Christmas' neck. Hall slides out of the ring and starts to pull on the feet of Christmas who is desperately fighting for air. The ref sees this and tries to pull Silva off inside the ring while Hall continues to yank outside the ring. Christmas finally manages to kick enough that he catches Hall in the face with a heel sending his former friend onto his back. He swings his feet into the ring and levels Silva with a knee to the groin. He catches the RCW champ totally by surprise and Silva staggers back into the ring. In the meantime Vendetta is back into the ring and intercepts Silva and delivers an atomic drop to the champ. The referee has managed to free Christmas with the help of two other NWA officials who came down to ringside when they saw the horrific act being perpetrated. Vendetta flew across the ring and levelled Hall with a flying elbow as he was again on the ring apron trying to enter the ring. Vendetta picked Silva to his feet and then took him down again with an inverted DDT, for the 1, 2, 3.
Jody Christmas & Vendetta defeated Manny Silva & Scott Hall by pinfall at 11:29 when Vendetta pinned Silva following an inverted DDT



Main Event
6-Man Tag Team Match
Anything Goes - No Disqualification
Global Warning manager Sammy Yip is handcuffed to Jon Stewart
Global Warning: Gregor Kitnitsov, Tiger Khan, & The Patriot v Al Collins, Haku, Kurrgan
This match was set up based on what happened at Nothing Else Matters, where Collins, Haku, and Kurrgan came to the rescue of Jon Stewart as he was attacked by Global Warning.
Collins, Haku, and Kurrgan are much bigger and stronger then their opponents but give away a lot in speed and technical ability. So, it's no surprise that the fan favorites actually try to turn this into a run-and-gun style of brawling match with quick tags. Kurrgan is especially proficient in laying out damage to Kitnitsov and Khan, including a double choke slam. The match though breaks down quickly into a massive brawl. The Patriot seizes an opportunity to waffle Jon Stewart over the head with a chair, and then again when Stewart fails to stay down. As the 6-man brawl resumes Sammy Yip takes the opportunity to continue to lay the boots into the defenceless Stewart. Suddenly from the back comes Al Collins' long time partner "Gung Ho" Joe Blum, brandishing a set of bolt cutters. He cuts Stewart free from Yip, keeping the less then menacing Yip away from the downed Kutlu Warrior. Al Collins makes his way over to also help out Stewart, only to have Blum turn around and nail his long time friend Collins in the head with the bolt cutters! Al Collins has been busted wide open by Joe Blum! Blum then embraces with Sammy Yip.
Back inside the ring it's 3 on 2 and a well placed chair shot by Kitnitsov to the back of the leg downs Kurrgan. While Patriot neutralized Haku, Kitnitsov and Khan double teamed Kurrgan to pick him up and bring him down with a double brainbuster. Kitntisov got the honour of taking the pin.
[Global Warning defeated Collins, Haku, & Kurrgan by pinfall when Kitnitsov pinned Kurrgan at 8:29 after a double brainbuster]

Backstage
We cut away to the backstage area where Vendetta is being pursued by a cameraman as he walks toward a dressing room door. The Haitian opens the door saying, "hey jerk offs". The camera swings through the doorway and we see a very surprised looking Manny Silva & Adam Riggs getting up from where they had been packing up their gear into gym bags. They get up to meet the challenge of Vendetta but he throws up his hands and says "wait just a minute guys". He asks them if they know where Hall & Nash are tonight. Riggs replies that as they said earlier they have the night off, with our blessing. He sounds a bit too emphatic about it, and you can tell something else may be happening. Vendetta says he was just asking because Jody Christmas was supposed to be here tonight and never arrived. Silva shoots Riggs a look of concern, before both quickly regain their composure. Riggs looks perplexed as he closes a bit of distance with Vendetta. Riggs says that if Christmas isn't here that must mean....that you don't have any back-up! With that Riggs and Silva jump Vendetta trying to take him down. But Ron Simmons comes through the dressing room door brandishing the baseball bat he had earlier when he beat down "Full Deck". He forces Riggs and Silva to back off Vendetta. Simmons says it looks like you guys are the ones who don't have enough back-up. Riggs just smiles as the Orange clad DOJ-RCW security guards begin to swarm into the dressing room. They tackle Simmons to the ground as Silva and Riggs resume their attack on Vendetta. They have him on one knee, as they begin to lay in a flurry of punches.

FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #970
July 19, 2003
Bismarck Civic Center
Bismarck, North Dakota
Attendance: 3,632


The show opens with something new...
WWA World Wrestling Alliance
River City Wrestling

"Welcome to the Proving Grounds"


President Jack Larkin is shown on the TV sitting at his desk with a rather somber look on his face. He welcomes everyone to the WWA River City wrestling. He expresses regret at leaving the NWA, and at all the constant turmoil and flux these last couple years. However, the WWA is where he says his heart has always been and is excited to once again be part of their operations.

With that said, he yells to some unseen person off camera to come in and sit down. We see two chairs across from him, and one is soon filled by Jody Christmas who enters the office. Jody begins to ask Larkin why he wanted to see him, but before he can answer in walks WWA legend Dan Severn with a big smirk on his face. Severn nods at Larkin, sneers at Christmas and then takes a seat.

"Gentlemen" begins the President "it has been brought to my attention as of late by the board of the National Wrestling Alliance and the World Wrestling Alliance that you two are, well, "legends". I have been instructed to treat you both with kid gloves. I am not to over work you, or put you in matches that might tarnish your glowing reputations and marketability. What do you two think? Are you washed up? Over the hill?"
The two men stare back at Larkin with much ~inner fury~ burning in their eyes, but don't say a word.

This brings a smile to Larkin's face, and he pulls two pieces of paper out of his desk, places pens on them, and slides them to the two men. He tells them to read them and decide if they are washed up or not.

After a few seconds both wrestlers get a smirk on their face and look at each other. They nod and then sign the contracts sliding them back to the President. First Severn and then Christmas get up and leave the office as Larkin looks at the contract and laughs.

"Fans of River City wrestling, we are going to have a very special treat for you at Summer in the City. A "Legends" match pitting Jody Christmas against Dan Severn. Not just any match mind you, but one that would tax to the limits even a young buck in his prime. A 60-minute Iron Man Match". Larkin looks into the camera with smug satisfaction written on his face.


Pre-Match
Alex Wright makes his debut in the company tonight. He comes out wearing his "Berlyn" outfit including the black trench coat and cane. However, he speaks to the crowd in English as he reminds them of his ancestry. He claims to be a world class shoot wrestling expert, trained by his father Steven Wright. He complains that the American promoters wanted him to be a "pretty boy" to sell tickets to young girls. But the real reason was that they didn't want the national embarrassment of having a small German boy making the big, bad Americans cry as he stretched them. By the time Wright put down the mic he was firmly entrenched as someone the folks of middle America did not like very much.

Opening Bout
Shane Madison v Alex Wright
Wright took a few surprise shots by Madison early in the match as he seemed obsessed with trying to hook the young American. It didn't take too long before he succeeded as he locked on the STF.
[Alex Wright defeated Shane Madison by submission at 3:54 with the STF]


Bout #2
"Kutlu Warrior" Jon Stewart v Tiger Khan (/w Sammy Yip)
Stewart continued his war with Global Warning. Khan though kept this match clean to begin with, locking up and trying to hook holds on Stewart. The fan favourite Stewart had no choice but to play it straight with Khan, but this is not the Kutlu Warrior's usual brawling style. As a result this match went over 10 minutes with Khan controlling much of it. However, after Stewart managed to get to the ropes to break Khan's finisher (the Calcutta Clutch, which is a cobra clutch) he finally grew frustrated and broke the rules, pulling Stewart off the ropes and turning the move into a cobra clutch slam. He began to lay the boots to Stewart then went crazy trying to choke him out. Referee Buddy Lane got Khan to break it at a 4 count but then suffered a verbal barrage from Khan complete with a lot of spray. With Lane distracted Sammy Yip pulled Stewart by the feet and crotched him into the ringpost.
It was all Khan now as he risked DQ time and time again with eye gouges, thumbs to the throat, choking across the top rope, and throwing him out of the ring so Yip could get a few kicks in. Stewart though fought back against Yip, kicking him repeatedly as he hung onto the ring apron trying to catch his breath. Khan climbed out of the ring to the apron, and took a run from behind at Stewart, attempting a big field goal-like kick, trying to take his head clear off. Stewart though moved at the last second and Khan took an awkward fall on his ass, bouncing off the apron and onto the floor below. Stewart picked up Khan outside the ring and delivered an atomic drop, and then a running bulldog taking him head first onto the floor. Yip tried to sneak attack him from behind, but Stewart rolled away resulting in Yip's chairshot banging off the floor. Stewart lashed out with a legwhip taking Yip down. Unable to control himself Stewart picked up the chair and smashed both Yip and Khan squarely across the forehead. Yip came up wearing the proverbial crimson mask. Referee Buddy Lane had seen enough and called for the bell.
[Tiger Khan defeated Jon Stewart by disqualification at 13:14 after Stewart used a foreign object on Khan]

Post-Match
Gregor Kitnitsov ran down to try and help out his Global Warning stablemates but ran straight into another chairshot courtesy of the Kutlu Warrior. The Patriot was next to run in but stopped before making it down the ramp, having seen what happened to Kitnitsov. He just shook his finger "no" at Stewart and then started to back away. When Stewart gave chase brandishing the chair the Patriot turned tail and ran away, drawing even more jeers from the crowd.


In the ring
Vendetta is in the ring with a microphone. He talks about his recent victories alongside his new friend Jody Christmas. However, he reminds the fans and himself, of Christmas' past, one filled with broken promises, allegiance only to himself, and sometimes his evil friends. Then last RAGE, Christmas did not show up and neither did Hall & Nash. Vendetta calls out Christmas to explain himself, and to put to bed any rumours that he and the Kliq were "meeting".
The fans explode as "It's Tricky" streams through the arena and former RCW champion Jody Christmas comes down to the ring. He grabs the mic, looking very pissed off.
He points his finger at Vendetta and even pokes him in the chest. Christmas says it's Vendetta's gig to be the mysterious one, overburdened with the capitalistic and colonial ways of the Western world. Christmas insists he is a straight shooter and all his cards are on the table. He tells Vendetta he has no friends from his past life anymore, that the Wolfpack if gone unchecked will kill River City wrestling. The only way Christmas says he will ever join forces with Hall & Nash would be if they were to fight against the Wolfpack. As for the missed RAGE, Christmas says Hall & Nash had a week off scheduled. As for him, he stuck around home a bit too long, consulting with his Doctor about his back, and so he missed his flight out.

<<< cue "Wolfpack Theme" >>>
From the back comes Scott Hall & Kevin Nash to the top of the ramp. The fans give them an initial pop, before settling in to a background of jeers.
Hall has a mic. He tells Vendetta and Christmas that they are both drags, and that hanging out with them would be about as much fun as a Vienna School Boy's concert. Nash, takes the mic and says "and we don't like looking at little boys, that's part of why Jody don't hang with us anymore". Nash goes on to tell Vendetta to keep his panties on and that later tonight the Outsiders will reveal to them, the world, and the Wolfpack, how they spent last RAGE. And yes, Nash laughs, we did a serious talent recruitment drive. The Wolfpack, and the WWA will never be the same again.



Bout #3
Tag Team Mini-Tournament Semi-Final
Tournament winner to get title shot at Summer in the City
Vic Gate & Rulon Gardner v Boss Strickland & Cael Sanderson
Gardner really wanted a piece of his former partner Sanderson, and he was obliged when the cowardly Strickland had his young charge begin the match. Sanderson though acted rather "un-amateurish" with a Greco-Roman rake to the eyes to get the match started. He then attacked the knee of Gardner with stomps and leg twists. He tried to lock on a figure-four but Gardner managed to turn it over, and force Sanderson to reach the ropes for a break.
Strickland tagged in and opened up a bit more against Gardner sending him to the ropes and taking him down with a spinning sideslam. He went for the pin but didn't hook the leg and it was an easy kick out for Gardner.
Strickland made the mistake of sending Gardner to the ropes again, who then ducked under a clothesline attempt and followed up with a running clothesline of his own. He managed to crawl over and make the hot tag to the veteran Vic Gate, but Strickland also managed to tag in Sanderson. Gate controlled Sanderson with a reverse chin lock, front facelock, a surfboard, and several backbreakers. Sanderson though also knows technical wrestling and managed to break a front facelock attempt and take Gate down with a hammerlock. Sanderson then went on the offensive with kicks and punches and was joined in double teams by his tag partner Strickland. Sanderson tagged in "the Boss" who tried to end the match in short order with a rolling reverse cradle but only got a two count. He succeeded in locking in the crossface chickenwing but then Gardner had seen enough and came in to break the pin. As referee Jimmy Appleseed escorted Gardner out of the ring Sanderson entered and hit a "Blockbuster" on Gate behind the refs back. Appleseed turned around and seeing both men began to count, but Strickland was up first at the count of 2 and climbed up top for the frog splash finisher. You could see Sanderson telling him not to do it, but he did it anyway, and sure enough Gate managed to move out of the way. The mistake prone Boss Strickland landed hard and grabbed a hold of his knee. Sanderson tried to enter the ring but Appleseed escorted him out, and Gardner ran around the ring and pulled Sanderson off the apron to make sure he didn't interfere again. Inside the ring Vic Gate grabbed the legs of Strickland and wrapped him in the figure-four. Strickland tapped out after about 2 seconds.
[Vic Gate & Rulon Gardner defeated Boss Strickland & Cael Sanderson by submission at 10:36 when Gate made Strickland submit to the figure-four leglock]


Bout #4
Tag Team Mini Tournament Semi-Final
Tournament Winner gets a Title shot at Summer in the City
Haku & Kurrgan v The Great Canadians: Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti
The Great Canadians may be former tag team champions but they look very intimidated staring across the ring at the two monsters. It's all Haku & Kurrgan early with the Great Canadians alternating between cheating and running. Finally they get the break they need when Scott blatantly bumps long time inept official Jurgen Hermann on purpose. The Canadians manage to double team Haku, and then threw him over the top rope to the floor below. They then try and do the same against Kurrgan, but even 2 on 1 they have a tough time with the monstrosity from Acadia.
Scott though leaves the ring and returns with the ringbell which he uses to nail Kurrgan in the back with, just as he was about to chokeslam Regliatti. Scott then passes the bell to Regliatti and goes to revive Hermann. He drags Hermann to his feet but keeps the ref's back away from the action while his partner bashes Kurrgan again with the ring bell, this time to the head. The huge man drops to one knee but then begins to rise again. Regliatti hands the ring bell to his opponent Kurrgan and then drops to the mat like a stone. Scott turns Hermann around who is just in time to see Kurrgan standing over the fallen Regliatti, ring bell in his hands posed to strike "again". Hermann immediately calls for the dq.
[The Great Canadians defeated Haku & Kurrgan by DQ at 5:57 when Kurrgan was caught with a foreign object]

Post-Match
The Great Canadians make the mistake of celebrating inside the ring. Kurrgan upon hearing the announcement of his disqualification shrugs his shoulders and then smashes the ring bell across the back of the head of Regliatti. He dropped the bell and by the time he could pick it up again Scott had scrambled out of the ring - but right into the waiting Tongan death grip of Haku!


Backstage interview
New interviewer Pamela Paulshock is backstage with Den Graves, the current holder of the RCW Heritage Title. She asks Graves why he looked so disinterested last week, and why he walked out on his tag partner Den Scarraman.
Graves snarls in contempt of Paulshock. He says Scarraman was a joke, had no work ethic whatsoever, and was keeping "Den of Thieves" down. After being fed to the wolves too often it was my turn to feed him to the wolves. Graves tells us that he personally watched Scarraman pack his bags and leave RCW after that show, good riddance. He then smiles for the first time in the interview, a malevolent smile, and turns to Paulshock and says "the Germans are coming". She looks confused and asks him what he means. He just shakes his head and says that by the time she knows it will be too late. He walks past the cameraman and leaves a befuddled looking Paulshock behind.


Bout #5
Tenacious Z v Dr. John Manfried
Z gets in a few quick spots, including a dropkick and an Asai leg lariat, followed by a 2 count. But soon Manfried gets his powerful hands on Z and punishes him in the corner. He wraps Zach's leg over the middle rope, immobilizing him and forcing him to use one hand to hold onto the ropes. Manfried goes to work with several stinging shots to the head. Dragging him out of the corner Manfried continues the onslaught with a hotshot, a slingshot into the corner turnbuckle, and a tombstone piledriver. In the middle of the ring he applies the Manfried claw to the underarm tissue of Z, who taps out after only a few seconds.
[Dr. John Manfried defeats Tenacious Z by submission at 5:33 with the Manfried Claw]

Post-Match
Manfried lays in a couple extra boots to the downed youngster but hits the road after being warned by referee Melissa Coates. However, from the audience slips in Asp Evergreen to the ring with a steel chair. He laughs at the fallen young man before waffling him with the chair across the back. Coates tries to get in the way but is pushed aside by Evergreen who then slams Gowan again with the chair. A third chair shot and this time when Evergreen rolls his victim over he is greeted by the sight of a crimson river. Coates gets up and starts to argue with Asp, who grabs the chair and threatens Coates with it, but then suddenly turns and swings one more time downward and nails the head of Gowan.
The crowd erupts when Dr. John Manfried returns to the ring in a hurry. He has a length of twine wrapped around and between his hands. He catches Asp by surprise and tries to decapitate him with the garrot like instrument using a running start. Manfried then sets up behind Asp as if for a reverse chin lock, with his knee into Evergreen's back, and wraps the twine around his neck and begins to choke him out. Asp is turning purple in the ring and Coates is now trying to stop Manfried!
~Smash~ Eddie Chavez appears from nowhere, enters the ring and drops Manfried with a chairshot to the back of the head. He drags Evergreen out of the ring to safety in a hurry as Manfried is already regaining his feet.
The fans give the supposed Texas killer an appreciative ovation for the save.


<<< cue "Wolfpack Theme" >>>
The fans are on their feet as the much despised group of "the Phenom" Adam Riggs, RCW Heavyweight Champion Manny Silva, Scott Hall, and Kevin Nash, make their way to the ring. They are accompanied by Kimberly Page wearing a pair of tight black latex pants, and a white tank top with the very bent words "You Wish" scrawled across it.

Inside the ring Riggs wastes no time addressing fellow 'Pack members Hall, Nash, and Kimberly. He says they were going to tell everyone where they were last RAGE and put any possibility of a Wolfpack split to bed.
Nash takes the mic from Riggs with a smirk on his face. He says that he and Hall were out on a recruitment drive for new members. Now don't get me wrong fellows, he continues, we are the 4 greatest wrestlers in the game today, bar none. But since Raymond Bingham has now made himself unavailable for a while it was starting to get a little stale around here.
Manny Silva asks for the mic at this point. He tells Nash that they do not need any new members. An Army is only as strong as its weakest link, so why bring in a weakest link?
Nash takes the mic back gingerly from Silva. Nash says that rest assured he agrees with Silva, and that's why there will be no new "members" to the Wolfpack.
Riggs and Silva looked confused. Hall begins to laugh. Nash resumes by pointing to the ramp, and says that with 4 guys and only 1 lady there were already enough members in this ring, and it's time to even out the odds.

<<< cue "Wolfpack Theme" >>>
From the back in various states of scantily clad undress comes April Hunter, Kim Kanner, and Tylene Buck to the ring. The fans actually cheer the skin show as they parade around the ring drawing grins from even the normally dour Adam Riggs.

As things settle back down Riggs is handed the mic by Nash. "the Phenom" just nods and says "you done good boys". Then he asks one more time, "so, just to be sure, you are not negotiating with Jody Christmas?"

<<< cue "It's Tricky" Run D.M.C.>>>
The crowd erupts once more as Jody Christmas comes to the top of the ramp, accompanied by Vendetta. Christmas has a mic. He tells Riggs to get it through his thick skull. Friends will always be friends, but business is business, and Wolfpack is bad for the River City wrestling business. He tells Riggs he was not meeting with Hall & Nash, nor Kimberly Page, nor any wrestler. He was with his doctor. And he adds, he has a clean bill of health and is ready and willing to put his loyalties to the test tonight. He challenges Riggs & Nash to a tag match in the main event tonight against himself and Vendetta.
Riggs looks at Nash who nods his agreement, so Riggs says they are on. Oh, one more thing, he tells Christmas. Does he mind if they bring their new talent enhancements to the ring tonight? It won't distract you at all from what I understand from Hall & Nash, as no one could mistake these curvy, vivacious vixens for choir boys.
Christmas just gives Riggs a fake laugh and says that he is going to teach him tonight why he is a National Wrestling Alliance and World Wrestling Alliance legend and future Hall of Famer.


Bout #6
Boot Camp Match
"Comb Over" Al Collins v "Gung Ho" Joe Blum
This is the blow off match after last show when Blum turned on Collins and helped out Global Warning instead. These two had been partners on and off for over two years through RCW's many twists and turns. In theory a boot camp match would give Blum an advantage since he is "military".
From the very start of this match it was "comb-over" Al Collins taking the offensive and Blum in full retreat, getting in a few shots whenever he could. The ring could not contain the two who fought into the audience. Blum used his belt and his jump boots, while Collins had his fists taped. Referee Jimmy Appleseed was only there to count the 10-counts, nothing else.
Collins held Blum in a full nelson as the turncoat tried to submit but there are no submissions in this Boot Camp Match. Collins ripped the boot off of the foot of Joe Blum and then used it to open up "gung-Ho's" forehead. Collins made the mistake of taking a running leap at Blum who fell back causing Collins to wreck himself on a hastily emptied row of seats. Blum went to work with his belt, trying to choke out Collins and then using it in a hangman. He finally let Collins drop, and almost got the 10-count from Appleseed.
The two continued to brawl and made their way to ringside. Blum slammed Collins to the ground outside the ring, and climbed onto the apron. He went for a huge elbowdrop but Collins rolled out of the way and Blum demolished his elbow on the floor. Next Collins pulled out a table and set it up on an angle against the ring, and proceeded to hip toss Blum hard through the wood. Collins set up a 2nd table over the remnants of the first table, and then used a piledriver to send Blum through the table. Collins backed away and Appleseed counted Blum out.
[Al Collins defeated Joe Blum in a Boot Camp match at 8:02]

Post-Match
Collins brought a towel over to the bloodied and prone Blum. He wrapped it around his head, helped Blum sit up, and tied it off to stem the flow of blood. Collins helped Blum to his feet, leaning against the ring apron. Collins was passed a microphone. He reminded Blum that for over two years they were partners, and more importantly friends. They were up and down the highways of middle America and kept each other laughing through the icy winter drives. Collins pauses to brush his hair over, and then he says that despite what happened here at the end he will always consider Joe Blum to be a fine American, and a fine friend. He thanks Blum for his friendship and offers a handshake which is accepted. Collins hands Blum the mic. Blum says that since the mid-90's he has been wrestling in the bingo halls and rec centers of America's heartland. But as some already know, this will be his last show, as he is moving on. He thanks the fans and promoters for all their support these last 8 years or so, and thanks Collins for his friendship. The fans give Blum a nice little ovation as he and Collins leave together.


Main Event
Vendetta & Jody Christmas v Kevin Nash & Adam Riggs (/w Tylene Buck & April Hunter)
Vendetta starts the match against Kevin Nash and gains the early advantage. He shows off his strength with a powerslam of the huge man and gets a 2 count. JC comes in and works over the small of Nash's back, but when he tries to lock on a sharpshooter, Nash just kicks him off. Big Sexy goes to make a tag and Christmas tries to stop him. Nash though was expecting this, and played a bit of possum, turning around and surprising Christmas with an elbowsmash. He then goes with a double thrust to the throat, and then locks on a chokehold and walks Christmas to the corner. Riggs tags in off of Nash's back and while Nash is still choking him, and Buddy Lane is trying to keep Vendetta out of the ring, April Hunter grabs a hold of Christmas' feet and Riggs lays a shoulder right into the groin of JC. It's all Riggs and Nash now as they continue to work over Christmas focusing on his ailing back. Finally Christmas manages to get between Riggs' legs and pull them out from under him, and then flip his way over to the corner for the hot tag to Vendetta.
The Haitian clears the ring of a charging Nash and then goes to work on Riggs with a series of kicks, punches, clotheslines, and a pair of elbowdrops. He goes for the pin but Adam Riggs kicks out with authority at 1. Vendetta tags in Christmas and JC goes to work trying to soften up the big man. Riggs though takes everything Christmas dishes out, and then manages to hold onto the ropes to avoid walking into some sweet chin music. Riggs kicks Christmas blatantly in the groin, drawing the ire of Buddy Lane but not a disqualification. Riggs chokes Christmas, sends him to the buckle and then launches him high up with a backdrop. Christmas gets up favouring his back. Riggs charges him, but JC ducks under and backflips Riggs straight over the top rope.
Dan Severn comes down to ringside and stands beside the ring in a neutral corner. Tylene Buck tries to "play nice" with him but he sends her away. His eyes are on Christmas his "legends" opponent for the Iron Man match at Summer in the City. For his part JC is distracted too by Severn's arrival and he doesn't follow up quickly on Riggs.
Riggs tries to climb back in the ring and when JC tries to stop him Riggs hotshots Christmas' throat over the top rope. Nash then enters the ring from behind Christmas, and waits for him to turn around. He tries for a big boot to JC, but his foot is stopped by Vendetta who has hurried into the ring. All four men are now in the ring brawling. Riggs grabs a chair and is ready to whack Christmas over the head but as he swings back, Severn stands up on the apron and grabs the chair away from Riggs. Severn leaps down off the apron holding the chair and wags his finger "no" at Riggs. When the big man turns around he is introduced to the bottom of Christmas's boot. Vendetta holds back Nash, and Buddy Lane lays down the count.
[Vendetta & Jody Christmas defeat Kevin Nash & Adam Riggs by pinfall at 13:24 when Christmas pinned Riggs after a superkick]

Post-Match:
Severn enters the ring still clutching the chair as Nash and Riggs exit the ring and take solace in the arms of Buck & Hunter. They threaten Severn who just laughs at them and then shakes hands with Christmas and Vendetta.

<<< cue "Flight of the Valkyrie" by Wagner >>>
Den Graves comes down to the ring and right behind him is Alex Wright! Yes both these men are of German ancestry, but we hadn't seen them together tonight. They circle the ring from opposite directions, and now the Wolfpack seem interested in entering the ring again too. Suddenly inside the ring Dan Severn ~waffles~ Christmas over the back of the head with the chair. He receives a receipt from Vendetta but before the Haitian voodoo king can do any more damage to Severn he is set upon by the Germans. Severn exits the ring still clutching the chair. He has a bit of a stare down with the Wolfpack, but they allow him to go because he does still indeed have that chair. By now, the other 2 Wolfpack wrestlers Scott Hall and Manny Silva have also made their way down to ringside. Back inside, it's 2 on 1 as Heritage champion Den Graves and Alex Wright get a very game Vendetta pinned into the corner and go to work on him. At this point Adam Riggs enters the ring long enough to throw Christmas out of the ring, right into the waiting arms of the Wolfpack. The other 3 men circle Christmas and begin to lay the boots to him. You can't even see Christmas as the 3 big men stomp a mudhole through him. Inside the ring Den Graves and Alex Wright take turns punishing Vendetta with a German suplex. They then leave the ring to the jeers of the crowd.

The dressing room clears though with Ron Simmons (/w Baseball Bat) , Jon Stewart (/w Singapore Cane), Haku, Kurrgan, Al Collins, and Joe Blum all arriving on the scene to try and rescue Christmas. However, mixing it up is also the arrival of 6 orange coverall clad DOJ property, RCW security guards directed by Adam Riggs. This delays the boys from reaching Christmas but using the baseball bat and the cane they rescue him soon enough.
The camera zooms in on an unconscious and bloodied Jody Christmas laying prone on the floor.
Color commentator Linley Tolbert suggests we can put to rest any rumours of Jody Christmas joining the Wolfpack.

FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #971
July 26, 2003
Holiday Park Arena
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Attendance: 2,729


<<< cue "Wolfpack Theme" >>>

Current WWA River City champion, "Vicious" Manny Silva comes down to the ring, wearing the gold belt around his waist that proclaims him to be the at the top of the heap here in the heartland.
Silva is boo'd unmercifully by the fans, who begin a chant of "Poodle, poodle, poodle", causing Silva to unwittingly tap down his afro.
"I'm not here to talk to you bunch of morons, so shut up, or leave, or keep yapping, it doesn't matter to me one bit. What I am here to do is to call out my opponent for the RCW title at Summer in the City, one Vendetta."
The fans cheer the name of the mysterious Haitian warrior, and soon enough Vendetta comes strolling down to the ring wearing a black Australian slicker, and sporting the usual green, orange, and white beads in his dreadlocks. Vendetta cautiously enters the ring and motions for Silva to throw him the mic.

"Okay, Silva, I am here, get on wit' it. But jus to let you know, in case you thinking of some monkey business, I have back-up waiting for me in the backstage area." He tosses the mic back to the champ.

"You don't need any backup, Vendetta. I'll admit I don't like you. In fact I think you are a sham, a wannabe trying to be cool for a bunch of idiot fans 20 years younger than you. But that's not why I called you out, and it wasn't to ambush you either. Vendetta, let me speak plainly for you. There are 2 guys in RCW who are not given their rightful due, outside of our own fans. These 2 men are continually shafted of recognition by other feds and head office, with attention and title shots being given to guys who frankly, don't work the kind of schedule we do, who aren't asked to execute the kind of tasks we are asked to execute, and who don't carry the burden of a company on their shoulders. That's right, Vendetta, me and you, we are those two men. And at Summer in the City, we will be locked together like a pair of dogs in mortal combat in a steel cage. Now maybe one of us will get the kind of respect that we deserve out of this match, but I doubt it. Hell, they even hired Jody Christmas and Dan Severn to a contract and touted it as match of the year candidate. They don't think we can carry this company, and they don't think we can draw. So, I guess I just came out here today to tell you that I will be bringing my A-game at the PPV and I expect nothing less from you. What I won't be bringing is Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, or Adam Riggs, or any of the Wolfpack broads either. I don't expect you to believe me, and I don't care if you do. Hell if you want to be distracted go ahead, give me the advantage. But at the end of the match at Summer in the City, after I beat you 1.2.3. in the middle of the ring, in the middle of the cage, I expect you to get your ass off the canvas, hand me my title belt, and shake my hand out of respect. I have held this belt since RCW came into the NWA back in February, and if I won't get the World's respect for that, I sure as hell am going to get your respect for that"

Silva tosses the mic to an amused looking Vendetta. Leaning back against the turnbuckles he addresses Silva. "Well, one thing you said sure rang true...don't expect me to believe you. You may be wearing the gold mister Silva, but you ain't wearing the pants in the Wolfpack!! What you going to do if big Kevin Nash decides he wants into the cage? Or Hall or Riggs? You think you got a leash on them? They your lap dogs? Get real Silva, ever since you joined the Wolfpack, which was AFTER you won the title, you have been a pawn in their game. You had a reputation as a wild, uncontrollable man, the likes unseen since the legendary Bruiser Brody. Hell they made you post an appearance bond because they was afraid you was going to try and hang someone again on national television! All I see now is a puppet of the Wolfpack..I'm just not sure who's hand is up your..."

Silva is pissed and he and Vendetta go nose to nose. Silva pulls the mic to his mouth and responds to Vendetta.

"I invited you here out of respect. You have disrespected me, but I will let it go, so that you realize what I say is true. Me and you, Vendetta are going to rock the world of wrestling at Summer in the City, and after its all done you WILL show me respect".

With that Silva backs away and leaves the ring.


Pre-Match:
"Kutlu Warrior" Jon Stewart comes to the ring. He is carrying his Singapore Cane and takes a microphone. He says he is signed tonight to wrestle against The Patriot, a member of "Global Warning". Well, he says, he is sick and tired of pissing around with this band of miscreants. Tonight is the end of the line. He says if the Patriot will put up his membership in Global Warning, then he will put up his contract here in RCW.

<<< cue "Star Spangled Banner" by Jimi Hendrix >>>
The Patriot comes out wearing his "darker" outfit and mask. He is accompanied to the ring by the ever annoying Sammy Yip. Patriot tells Stewart he is on.

Opening Bout
Jon Stewart v The Patriot (/w Sammy Yip)
Special Stipulations Match
Stewart dominates the early going of the match. However, timely interference by Sammy Yip turns the tables on Stewart. Patriot punishes Stewart with a pair of backbreakers, a bearhug, and then a series of stomps to the back. He tries to put him away with a camel clutch but Stewart manages to make it to the ropes. With referee Jimmy Appleseed distracted, telling Sammy Yip to back away as the diminutive manager is now brandishing the Singapore Cane, Patriot produces a pair of brass knuckles. He takes a swing at Stewart but the cagey veteran blocks it, and picks him up for a Samoan drop. However, as he is delivering the move it allows the Patriot a second swing with the knux, a clear lapse in concentration on the part of Stewart. The masked man nails the Kutlu Warrior square in the head and the two men topple to the mat. The Patriot throws the knux out of the ring and Sammy Yip drops the Cane. Appleseed then turns around, oblivious to what just transpired and when Patriot drapes an arm over the fallen Stewart he makes the 1, 2, 3.
[The Patriot defeated Jon Stewart by pinfall at 8:32 after hitting him with a foreign object]
[Jon Stewart must leave River City Wrestling]


Bout #2
Alex Wright (/w Den Graves)  v Shane Stevens
Wright was accompanied to the ring by his new German partner, Heritage champion Den Graves. Shane Stevens along with Shane Madison had the upset victory over Graves and Den Scarraman when Graves walked out on Scarraman. Since that time Wright defeated Madison last Rage, and now seeks to close the loop by defeating Stevens.
Wright plays with Stevens, countering all his offensive attacks. Wright's only attacks are a few punches and to throw Stevens out of the ring, allowing Graves to pound on the youngster while Wright distracts long time inept official Jurgen Hermann.
Finally, Wright brings Stevens to the mat with a drop toe hold, locks on the STF and gets the easy win.
[Alex Wright defeated Shane Stevens by submission at 6:16 with the STF]


Pre-Match
<<< cue "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" by Warren Zevon >>>
President Jack Larkin comes out to the ring getting a mixture of cheers and jeers. He has a mic. Larkin says that Sable wanted a Women's title here in River City wrestling. But as he looks over the roster he has to wonder who she will wrestle against, week in and week out. Quite frankly Larkin says, there is already too much excess baggage here in RCW. But, to be fair he will give her a shot. If she can win a match tonight against a female opponent of his choosing then he will create a title belt and she will get a shot at it at Summer in the City. But she must win tonight.

<<< cue "Sable's Theme" >>>
Sable comes out in her wrestling gear. She tells Larkin that the title is not for her, but for all the women in middle America, and the men who want to see them. So she will take the match and the stipulations because it will help all women wrestlers.

From the back comes referee, Melissa Coates. She is followed by,

<<< cue "Wolfpack Theme" >>>
April Hunter comes out to wrestle in green fatigue shorts and a white, tight, tank top. She goes right after Sable before the bell, slapping her across the face, grabbing her by the hair and throwing her across the ring.

Bout #3
Sable v April Hunter
Hunter is out of control in this match. She bites, chokes, and punches Sable at will, while Coates seemingly just lets it happen. The match spills out of the ring where Hunter uses a chair on Sable's head, and again Coates just lets it happen! Sable manages to kick out of a pin attempt, grabs Hunter by the waistband and hurls her forward. Hunter smashes right into referee Coates and both go down in a heap. Sable gets up and retrieves a chair which she then uses to smack Hunter across the back, and then across the back of the head. She goes to the announce table and comes back with a pitcher full of ice water which she dumps on Coates in an unfriendly attempt to revive her.
Sable doesn't see them coming as she is crouched over Coates, and is caught totally by surprise when she is swarmed by Kimberly Page, Tylene Buck, and Kim Kanner. The other 3 Wolfpack girls form a circle and begin to kick the crap out of Sable. After a hell of a beating they revive both April Hunter and Melissa Coates and stay in the ring as Hunter gets the 1, 2, 3. The fans jeer and throw several cups of soda at the girls.
[April Hunter defeats Sable by pinfall at 6:34 after outside interference]

Post-Match
After raising the arm of Hunter in the air, referee Melissa Coates stands over Sable and says "payback is a bitch".


In ring promo
<<< cue "Bitter Sweet Symphoney" by the Verve >>>
Lord Valmont comes down to the ring accompanied by his wife of many years Sherry Valmont. They enter the ring, turning their nose up at the fans who boo and begin a chant of "loser".
Valmont takes a mic. He says he promised a few weeks ago that he was going to find more help, more backup, since Sherry didn't seem able to properly watch his back, and the company was trying to screw him every chance they got. Well tonight is the night to unveil his new found friend.
From the back comes Menele. The fans boo the crazy, sadistic, suplex machine who has been a fixture in middle American wrestling for the past 5 years. He enters the ring and takes a stance two steps back, and one step to the right of Lord Valmont, crossing his arms in defiance of the crowd who continue to boo him.
Valmont, tells everyone to beware of "Beauty and the Beast", and that includes the pathetic WWA RCW tag champions, Union Jack & Gabriel Argos.


Bout #4
Ryan Roxbury v Bob Sapp
Roxbury is over his head. The rookie has no chance against Sapp in what is quickly becoming a night of "squash" matches. Instead of going for the win Sapp works over the left leg of Roxbury. Finally he locks in a figure-four and takes the quick tap out from Roxbury. However, after the match he continues to keep the hold on. Referee Buddy Lane counts to 5 but Sapp does not break the hold. Lane tries his best to pull Sapp off but isn't having much luck when Greg Pawluk emerges from the back. He lands a few kicks to the chest of Sapp that makes the big man break his hold. Sapp absorbs a couple of the youngster's punches before taking him down with a single leg takedown. He then mounts Pawluk and starts to pepper in mounted punches that go uncontested by the groggy youngster. Sapp then throws Pawluk over the top rope and out of the ring. He walks over and puts the figure four on Roxbury again, this time holding onto the bottom rope for extra leverage. The rookie doesn't even respond anymore, as he has passed out from the pain. Finally, Ron Simmons runs in from the backstage area carrying a baseball bat. Sapp sees him coming so he breaks the hold and just manages to get out of Dodge before Simmons enters the ring swinging. Simmons calls for a stretcher for Roxbury.
Referee Buddy Lane reverses his earlier decision, and awards the match to Roxbury.
[Ryan Roxbury defeated Bob Sapp by reverse decision at 5:26]

Post-Match
President Jack Larkin comes to the ring and stands beside Ron Simmons as the EMT's take Roxbury away on the stretcher.
Larkin says they used to have security to take care of this sort of b.s., but ever since Adam Riggs of the Wolfpack won the head security job from Simmons that has been twisted to Riggs' own interests. Well, no more. After reading the contract again it seems Riggs won only the right to be head of security for River City Wrestling. This is now WWA River City Wrestling and whether Riggs likes it or not, security will once again fall under the President's control. Riggs is relieved of his duties as head of security, and all the convicts, the D.O.J. security service is hereby fired.
And finally, Riggs, since you will have more time on your hands now, suit up for tonight's main event, because you are going to face Sam Holiday! Also later tonight, since Den Graves seems too content to send Alex Wright out to do his dirty work, instead of defending his Heritage title like a man, he will defend that title tonight, against none other then Vendetta!
With that, a disgusted Larkin and Simmons leave the ring.



Backstage Interview
Pamela Paulshock corners Dr. John Manfried in the backstage area. She tells him that the fans want to know why he came back to help Tenacious Z last week. Manfried looks Paulshock over, all over, once, then again. He licks his lips. He then tells her that he did not come back to help out that loser, he came back because an opportunity was presented to hurt someone. Quite frankly though, he says, he has never liked Asp Evergreen. The punk acts like he has had it rough, when he walks around with a silver spoon shoved up his ass. And his little buddy Eddie Chavez, well give me a break says Manfried, he's about as Mexican as Ben Affleck.
Before Manfried can say any more Asp Evergreen enters the camera range. He shouts at Manfried that he's a coward attacking him from behind last Rage. He tells Manfried that he shouldn't be talking about having things shoved up his ass, because he's the one who has done hard time for manslaughter. Asp emphasizes the word "hard" and it draws the ire of Manfried who punches Asp in the head. The youngster drops like a stone, and covers his head as Manfried begins to lay in kicks.
From out of the camera range suddenly appears a metal trash can which nails Manfried in the back of the head. We see it is Pogo the Clown wielding the trash can. Pogo, Eddie Chavez, Derek St. Holmes, and Inbred Jed all begin to lay the boots to Manfried.
But the Texas maniac manages to get to his feet having taken out a pair of brass knuckles from one of the pockets of his cargo pants. He begins to punch back, first delivering a low blow to Pogo. Then Manfried is on his feet and begins to trade punches with the rest of the rabble. As Eddie, Jed, and Holmes drop like flies Asp takes off at a sprint down the backstage aisle way.
Manfried yells after him, to bring it to Summer in the City.


Bout #5
Norman Smiley v Steve Riley
"Total Destruction" took it to Smiley early with a plethora of punches, kicks, and just downright mean tactics. A bodyslam followed up by an elbowdrop got only a 2 count. Riley then punished him some more with a piledriver before hooking him in the tree of whoa and working over his midsection until referee Jimmy Appleseed could unhook Smiley. However, after another failed pin attempt Riley became more risky. Finally, he came off the top turnbuckle for an elbowdrop, only to have Smiley roll out of the way. Smiley covered and would have got the 3 count, but Jesse Hennig ran down to ringside and pulled Smiley off of Riley and out of the ring. Referee Appleseed did not see Hennig's actions, and when he looked outside the ring he saw Smiley attacking Hennig, and then Hennig defending himself with an eye rake, and low blow. Hennig rolled Smiley back inside the ring and Steve Riley used the brainbuster to finish him off.
[Steve Riley defeated Norman Smiley by pinfall at 8:40 after a brainbuster, with help from outside interference]

Post-Match
Hennig rolled into the ring and placed a chauffeur's hat on the head of Smiley. He talked smack to the knocked out technician before rolling out of the ring to the jeers of the fans.


In-ring interview
<<< cue "It's Tricky" Run D.M.C. >>>
The fans stand and cheer as Jody Christmas comes down to the ring. However, their cheers are somewhat subdued as they see the shape he is in from the beating he received last week, first from a Dan Severn chair shot, and then from the 3 on 1 beating at the hands of the Wolfpack. His head is sporting a rather large bandage and his right arm is in a sling.

JC has a mic, and starts right off by yelling at Severn who he says is in the backstage area right now. He tells Severn that if that's the way he wants it then fine. JC actually prefers it this way. In a one on one match playing by the rules, Severn might actually have had a chance of beating him, but this is no longer going to be by the rules. Severn has now entered Christmas time, where lying, cheating, and stealing are the norm, not the exception. Christmas says he hasn't forgotten about what the Wolfpack did to him either, that their turn will come down the line, but at Summer in the City, two legends will enter the IronMan match, but only one will emerge as still a legend - that will be Jody Christmas.

Dan Severn comes strolling down to the ring, with a pissed off look on his face. From the back comes running President Jack Larkin and several other backstage hands. They try and slow Severn down without success.

Severn enters the ring and grabs the mic out of Christmas' hand. He tells Jody not to be confused just because he is the greatest star in the history of mixed martial arts, and the baddest man on the planet, that he can't also kick ass in the wrestling ring. 

Christmas gets into the face of Severn, to which Severn gives him a half hearted shot to the shoulder in the sling. JC grimaces openly and takes a step back. Concern rips through the face of Larkin who steps between the two men. He says into the mic that, that is enough. No more until Summer in the City, too much is riding on this match, including both your reputations. Severn nods okay, but as soon as Larkin steps out of the way Severn lashes out with a kick to Christmas' knee which drops him to the mat. The Beast is all over Christmas stomping on his injured shoulder and JC is just screaming in pain.

Suddenly someone in jeans and a t-shirt enters the ring and charges right at Severn. The Beast is taken down by the charging man who mounts him and starts laying in punches. It's Joe E. Legend!! Christmas' former partner in "The Alliance".
Legend though is over matched and Severn manages to land a punch square to the face of Legend and then twist him over. Severn drags Legend to his feet putting on a cobra clutch and then slamming him to the mat.
Severn points down at Legend and warns him to stay out of his business.

From behind Severn, a "prone" Christmas suddenly kips up to his feet, rips off the sling, does a few neck circles, and when Severn turns around he ~waffles~ him with a superkick. Severn is down, and knocked out. The injury was obviously a ploy!

Christmas suddenly realizes that Legend is in the ring and just kind of stares at him. As Legend gets back to his feet he offers a handshake to Christmas, who seems confused and just backs out of the ring.


Bout #6
Winner Gets A Tag Team Title Shot at Summer in the City
Vic Gate & Rulon Gardner v The Great Canadians: Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti
Scott and Regliatti were outclassed one on one in this match, but Gate & Gardner were outclassed as a tag team. The Canadians cheated and double teamed constantly. Finally Gardner lost his temper to such an extent that head referee Buddy Lane actually had to walk Gardner into the corner, physically hold him there, and warn him about his actions. This was all the opportunity the Canadians needed. While Scott got Vic Gate up and ready, Regliatti slid a chair into the ring, and then climbed the top turnbuckle. The Great Canadians executed the stuffed piledriver onto a steel chair busting Gate wide open. Lane got Gardner out of the ring, turned around to see the sudden change in fortunes, and although he gave an incredulous look to the rulebreakers, he still counted the 1, 2, 3, while shaking his head.
[The Great Canadians defeated Gardner & Gate by pinfall at 6:07 after a stuffed piledriver onto a steel chair]

Post-Match:
Rulon Gardner got a mic. He thanked all the fans for their support this year, but he confirmed internet reports that this would be his final match in pro wrestling for a while. He was being given a leave of absence from the RCW to train for the Olympics. The fans then gave Gardner a standing ovation.


Bout #7
RCW Heritage Title Match
Den Graves (champion) v Vendetta
Graves was obviously a bit shaken about facing such a tough challenger with only an hour's notice. After an initial collar and elbow hook-up, Graves was backed to the ropes and came up holding his hand over his eye. He complained to the ref that Vendetta's beads had poked him in the eye. He demanded that she (Melissa Coates) have them removed. The match continued anyway and after another hook-up Graves did the same thing. Vendetta half turned to appeal to Coates to make him wrestle, and this allowed Graves to strike. He grabbed two fists full of dreadlocks and tossed Vendetta to the mat. He then controlled the Haitian with a reverse chinlock, a side headlock, and an abdominal stretch. Vendetta though survived it all and got the tempo going again with some crisscrossing of the ring. Vendetta took Graves down with a hip toss, and then squarely landed a kneedrop to the head of the champion. He pressed his advantage with a bodyslam, an avalanche in the corner, and a German suplex. He only got the two count.
Graves fought back, and then landed his own German suplex. When this didn't get the 3 count the graduate of the famous Wigan School of Wrestling in England landed a pair of German suplexes, but again only got a 2 count.
The champ took the match outside where the two men brawled. Coates gave them lots of leeway and suspended her counts. Finally Vendetta blocked a Graves attempt to suplex him through a table, and whipped the German back first into the ring apron, catching him on the rebound and powerslamming him on the floor. The Haitian then delivered the final blow, a piledriver through the table.
Alex Wright came down and tried to get to Vendetta, but before he could he was attacked by some freaky looking punk with "Die" written on his forehead. Play by play announcer Joe Aiello identified the guy as being Shane Stevens, but looking a tad bit "different" today than usual.
Vendetta rolled Graves back inside the ring and Coates laid down the count.
[Vendetta defeated Den Graves by pinfall at 10:21 after a piledriver through a table]
[Vendetta wins the RCW Heritage Title]


Main Event
Sam Holiday v "the Phenom" Adam Riggs (/w Kimberly Page)
Page comes out before the match and pimps her upcoming "star" role in the movie "Seabiscuit", where she plays a Mexican hooker. She tells the fans it was a very demanding role as an actress because it was such a stretch for her to play.
Page then distracts Holiday enough to allow a sneak attack from behind by Adam Riggs. The big man pounds on Holiday, stomping the back of his legs, and smashing his knees into the mat. Riggs then goes to the power game with a pair of running clotheslines, a hanging vertical suplex, and then a powerslam. He goes for the pin but only gets a 2 count.
Riggs continued to pound away at Holiday, and then tried to wear him down with a hangman, followed by a choke lift which drew the ire of head official Buddy Lane.
Finally Holiday managed to duck under another running clothesline attempt and came off the ropes with a desperation flying body press. Riggs kicked out at the 1 count, but it had been enough to change the momentum of the match. Holiday went on the offensive now with a bodyslam and a fistdrop. Apparently the Wolfpack was not going to take any chances tonight though, as Holiday climbed to the top for the Holiday legdrop, Kimberly grabbed a chair and smacked him across the legs, causing him to fall into the ring.
By this time the rest of the Wolfpack was already heading down to the ring. Buddy Lane saw the chairshot and called for the disqualification.
[Sam Holiday defeated Adam Riggs by disqualification at 4:36 due to outside interference]

Post-Match:
Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Manny Silva hit the ring, and the 4 on 1 beat down began. However, within seconds Vendetta and Ron Simmons hit the ring to fend off the attack. The Woflpack didn't fold though, and with Sam Holiday still down it was 4 on 2, and they fought the fan favorites into the corners of the ring.
The fans went nuts though when former RCW champion and star "Wild Thing" Al Hardamann hit the ring in jeans and a t-shirt swinging a steel chair. He laid out Silva and Hall with hard chair shots, and Nash and Riggs headed for the hills, dragging their cronies with them. Hardamann helped up his long time friend Sam Holiday to his feet, and the two embraced.
Hardamann grabbed a mic, and informed the appreciative crowd that he was back in RCW to stay. And he, Holiday, and Simmons were sick and tired of the gang tactics of the Wolfpack this week, and Global Warning in past weeks. He says it's time to take out the trash. At Summer in the City, he challenges both groups to a Three Way - Six man tag match, that is already been signed by President Larkin;
Hardamann/Holiday/Simmons v Hall/Nash/Riggs v Kitnitsov/Khan/Patriot


Joe Aiello runs down the card for
August's Summer in the City 

60-Minute Legends IronMan Match
Jody Christmas v Dan Severn

Cage Match
RCW Heavyweight Title
Manny Silva (c)  v Vendetta

Three Way Six Man Tag Match
Hardamann/Holiday/Simmons
v
Hall/Nash/Riggs
v
Kitntisov/Khan/Patriot

Tag Team Title Match
Union Jack & Gabriel Argos (c)
v
Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti

Grudge Match
Dr. John Manfried v Asp Evergreen

No Disqualification
Norman Smiley v Jesse Hennig

Tag Team Match
"Beauty & The Beast" Lord Valmont & Menele
v
mystery opponents

FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #972
August 2, 2003
Civic Center
Butte, Montana

Summer in the City PPV

Attendance; 3,655


Opening Match
"Beauty & The Beast" Lord Valmont & Menele (/w Sherry Valmont) v "Rainbow Express" Lenny Lane & Lodi
Before the match Lord Valmont gave strict instructions to his wife and valet Sherry to stand near their corner and to stay out of the match. He slapped Menele across the chest and told Sherry that the big guy would be watching his back in this match. The fans popped big for the "mystery opponents" appearance by Lenny & Lodi, who were as "flaming" as usual. As they strutted and pranced for the crowd they were attacked from behind by Menele.
With the initial advantage from the sneak attack Menele went to work on Lenny Lane with a series of dangerous looking suplexes, and then a full nelson slam that yielded a two count. He tagged out to Valmont who continued the pressure with a camel clutch and then a series of blatant chokeholds and a chop to the throat. With Lane trying to protect his throat he was open season for Valmont to sneak under with a devastating overhead suplex for another near fall. Finally Lane managed to use a dragon legwhip to gain a few seconds to make the tag out to his partner Lodi.
The fans got back into the match as Lodi went to work with punches and kicks, stunning Valmont. When Menele tried to intervene he was greeted with a back body drop and rolled out of the ring. Lodi began to work the shoulder of Valmont with a leg shoulder breaker and then locked in the crossface chickenwing. Menele though made the save.
As referee Buddy Lane led Menele out of the ring, Lenny Lane came off the top with a splash onto the still prone Valmont. He had no sooner rolled off then Lodi followed suit with a standing moonsault. This time Menele could not get back inside, and Lane counted the 1, 2, before Sherry Valmont reached in and pulled Lodi off of her husband. Lenny Lane went right after Sherry chasing her around the ring. Menele came into the ring and nailed Lodi with a spear as he rose to his feet. Lane tried to get Menele to leave the ring as Lodi lay knocked out in the ring. Instead of going for the pin though, Valmont staggered out of the ring to try and help his wife who was still being stalked by Lane. Valmont charged Lane from behind, who deftly moved out of the way, and once again caused the groom to kiss the bride, forehead to forehead.
Lane rolled Valmont back into the ring where Lodi was waiting. Menele left the ring and chased Lane away from Sherry Valmont, and then helped the lady to her feet. In the meantime, Lodi rolled up Lord Valmont and made the pin.
[Rainbow Express beat Beauty & the Beast by pinfall at 8:19 when Lodi pinned Lord Valmont with a victory roll]


Bout #2
No Disqualification
Norman Smiley v Jesse Hennig
Jesse came out dressed in cowboy gear including boots, spurs, a lasso, and a black stetson. He took the mic and promised the crowd that he would hurt Smiley tonight right here in the Heartland of America. He drew heated jeers from the crowd. However, the crowd erupted into cheers when Norman Smiley came out also all "duded" up including a white stetson.
Jesse left the ring when it was charged by Smiley, and forced the Brit to chase him out of the ring where he caught him with a clothesline. Immediately Hennig went to an attack of keeping Smiley on his back, laying in a series of stomps, boot chokes, and an absolutely brutal looking kick to the head that caused Smiley to turn right over, face down.
Hennig went and grabbed the ringbell, and while he was gone Smiley tried to crawl away, his head dripping blood as he crawled. When Hennig saw his condition he dropped the ringbell, walked over and began to kick at Smiley with light kicks to the ribs and head. He then got down on his knees and began to smash Smiley's head into the floor, time and again. When he got back to his feet Smiley was laying face down, unmoving.
Jesse then went and grabbed his lasso. He straddled Smiley from behind, mocked him with his version of the Big Wiggle, and then went to wrap the lasso around Smiley's neck. But he was caught off guard when the Brit raised his back up, and bucked Hennig forward off of him. Smiley rolled over, grabbed the ankle of Hennig and bought some recovery time by locking on the ankle lock submission.
Hennig finally managed to kick his way out of the hold, but the damage was done. Smiley was groggy and bleeding, but for the time being Hennig was having trouble standing. The two used the apron to pull themselves up and traded punches and kicks. The lethargic brawl then made its way around the ring, using the ringsteps and announce table as props of destruction.
The match went into the crowd where Smiley took control by running with Hennig in a headlock, leaping over the guardrail while Hennig continued on, head first into the rail. It was a devastating move that put Smiley into control of the match.
Inside the ring for the first time in the match Smiley punished Hennig further with an inverted facelock brainbuster. Referee Jimmy Appleseed wasn't happy when Smiley lifted Hennig up instead of taking the 3 count, but it is no disqualification. Smiley then locked on the Norman Conquest and got the win when Hennig could not respond.
[Norman Smiley defeated Jesse Hennig by submission at 7:48 with the Norman Conquest]


Bout #3
Falls Count Anywhere - Grudge Match
Dr. John Manfried v Asp Evergreen
Asp entered the ring first. He came down with Eddie Chavez and the duo were roundly jeered by the crowd. Referee Jimmy Appleseed though sent Chavez to the backstage area, drawing out a temper tantrum from Evergreen. Appleseed and Evergreen grew impatient waiting for Manfried, and the ref left the ring and went to the timekeeper's table to ask about Manfried's whereabouts. Then the cage, suspended from the rafters for tonight's championship match between Vendetta and Manny Silva began to lower.
As it lowered Evergreen became more and more agitated, and soon left the ring, making his way slowly up the rampway. He grabbed a metal chair and continued to walk, keeping an eye on the backstage area. Manfried though came in from behind Evergreen, from the crowd, and nailed Evergreen in the back with a flying forearm. The fight was on, both grapplers on the ground. Manfried grabbed the early advantage, and eventually managed to take the metal chair off the ground and ~waffle~ Evergreen across the cranium. The youngster's legs buckled and he crumpled to the ground. Manfried scooped him up in a fireman's carry and took him to the ring.
Manfried slid under the cage which had stopped, 3 feet above the ground, and dragged Evergreen under and into the ring. Appleseed signalled for the bell, and the match officially began, with Evergreen practically unconscious and wearing the proverbial crimson mask of blood.
The killer from Texas reached into one of the pockets of his cargo pants and produced a small garrot of metal twine. He wrapped it around Evergeen, both choking him and drawing a trickle of blood from his neck. Next he delivered a powerbomb, and a flying kneedrop. He went for the cover and got the 1, 2, ..but pulled him up before the 3 count. Manfried continued the inhumane punishment with a DDT, and then reached into his pockets and pulled out an electric razor. Eddie Chavez ran in from the backstage area, but Manfried saw him coming and took him out with a double thrust to the throat, followed by a single arm DDT. He then threw Chavez against the steel cage. The crowd cheered as Ron Simmons came out and scooped up Chavez, carrying him to the back and out of this match.
Manfried positioned Evergreen in a sit-up position, putting his knee into the youngster's back, and turned on the razor. Evergreen though was playing possum and struck upward with a fist that caught the Texan square in the chin. Evergreen began to stomp away at Manfried and then grabbed the electric razor. He tried to cut Manfried's hair but the Texan intercepted his arm, and then gave him a nasty headbutt. Manfried went on the attack once more with a flying clothesline, pumphandle slam, armbreaker, and then a key-lock armbar submission.
Unable to get Evergreen to submit, Manfried went to the top turnbuckle, and after a bit of hesitation climbed up the cage. He came off with an elbowdrop from half way up the cage, but Evergeen of course rolled out of the way. Both men were down but Asp was on his feet first at the count of 7. He went to work on Manfried with a standing moonsault, hurrincanrana, and a fisherman suplex but only got a 2 count. Next he resorted to smashing his opponent's head into the steel cage and rubbing his forehead across the links. Manfried was now busted open as well. Evergreen nailed a double underhook piledriver, and then climbed the cage.
The crowd was on their feet as Evergeen hung near the top of the cage, poised to drop an elbow, but then Manfried staggered to his feet. Evergreen began to climb down the cage, but Manfried began to climb up right under his opponent. Evergeen landed a nasty kick to the head of Manfried as he tried to get down the cage wall, but the Texan hung onto the cage. He managed to avoid further kicks, and then grabbed a hold of Evergeen by the waist so he was pulling him free from the cage. Holding the weight of both wrestlers was not an option for the much smaller Evergreen so he had to let go. Both men fell backward from the wall of the steel cage, with Evergreen's back landing first, and the back of Manfried's head smashing hard into the crotch of Evergreen. Both men were down, but one of Manfried's shoulders was resting on Evergreen's leg, so only the youngster was in a pinning predicament, and Appleseed laid down the 1, 2, 3.
[Dr. John Manfried defeated Asp Evergreen by pinfall at 10:30 after both men fell from the cage wall]


Bout #4
River City Wrestling Tag Team Championship Match
Union Jack & Gabriel Argos (champions) v The Great Canadians: Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti
Scott & Regliatti basically resorted to their typical game of old school cheating, with double teams, using the ring rope to choke, not breaking until the 5 count, and so on. Normally Jack & Argos would manage to combat these tactics with their superior ground game, but seemed to be missing a gear tonight.
The crowd grew pretty quiet, only coming around when Argos managed a spirited comeback as his partner Union Jack was knocked out from a cheapshot off the ring apron. Long time inept referee Jurgen Hermann took a bump out of the action and much to everyone's surprise the Spinebusters, Bryan Caruthers & Jerry Orth ran in from the backstage area. Orth nailed Argos in the face with a chair shot. The man from Cyprus had just recovered from his shattered and broken nose, but the chair shot seemed to damage it again as his face was a bloody mess. Holding his hands to his face he turned right into Caruthers who nailed him with a spinebuster slam. The Great Canadians, who were on their feet, just watched all this transpire with shock. Their eyes locked with the Spinebusters as Caruthers motioned to his waist as if they wanted the belts, and then drew his finger across his throat.
Scott left the ring and made sure that Union Jack couldn't recover, while his partner Regliatti laid into Argos with a piledriver as Hermann was recovering.
[The Great Canadians beat Union Jack & Gabriel Argos by pinfall at 6:19 when Regliatti pinned Argos following a piledriver, with help from outside interference]
[The Great Canadians win the River City Tag Team Titles]


Bout #5
3-way Six Man Tag Team Match
Al Hardamann, Sam Holiday, & Ron Simmons
v
Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, & Adam Riggs (/w Tylene Buck & Kim Kanner)
v
Tiger Khan, Gregor Kitnitsov, & The Patriot (/w Sammy Yip)
The rules of the match were that one man from each team was legal at a time, so there were always supposed to be 3 men in the match. It soon became obvious to the fans, and to referee Buddy Lane that it was going to be impossible to control the match.
Either the Wolfpack or Global Warning always seemed to have a 2nd man in the match interfering, and if not then either Sammy Yip or one of the Wolfpack girls was getting involved.
The faces were in big trouble during the first few minutes of the match as they were simply outgunned. Buddy Lane made his first move when he sent Yip, Kanner, and Buck to the dressing room. Yip tried to leave with the girls to take them backstage, but they then flattened the weasel with a double kick to the groin.
Both Hardamann and Simmons took turns playing Ricky Morton, but the Wolfpack and Global Warning would not let each other pick up the pin that easy. A brawl ensued outside the ring between the two heel factions as the faces took the time to rest and regroup.
The Wolfpack decimated Global Warning, but when they returned to the apron they were in return attacked by the faces. Sam Holiday dragged Scott Hall into the ring and went to work on him with a series of forearms, a flying clothesline, backbreaker, and then went to the top rope for the Holiday legdrop. Nash & Riggs rushed the ring to try and take out Holiday before he could nail his finisher but they were met dead on by Simmons & Hardamann. Holiday nailed the legdrop and was going for the finish but the Patriot had recovered enough to reach into the ring and drag Holiday out to the floor.
Riggs and Nash outbrawled Simmons and Hardamann sending Simmons to the floor and dropping Hardamnn inside the ring with Big Sexy's jacknife powerbomb. Big Sexy stood in the ring keeping everyone else out as Adam Riggs climbed to the top rope. The crowd was on their feet to watch this almost 7 foot monster hit his moonsault. But at the last second Hardamann managed to get his knees up and Riggs took the damage square to the stomach. Nash turned to go after Hardamann but had his feet taken out from under him by Sam Holiday reaching into the ring.
Everyone else was outside the ring brawling, seemingly oblivious to what was happening inside the ring.
Hardamann turned Riggs over and pinned him with ease.
[Al Hardmann, Sam Holiday, & Ron Simmons defeated The Wolfpack and Global Warning by pinfall at 15:31 when Hardamann pinned Riggs after a failed moonsault]

Post-Match
As the victors celebrated they made a wise decision and vacated the ring to take their celebration to a safer spot backstage. The Woflpack in the meantime went nuts and started to destroy Global Warning. The fans actually cheered the Wolfpack as Nash powerbombed Khan, Riggs hit the top rope moonsault on the Patriot, and Hall nailed the Outsiders Edge on Kitntisov.
Then as the 3 headed to the back, Hall & Nash turned on Adam Riggs. They gave him a short, unspirited beatdown of kicks and punches before leaving him on the ground as the Outsiders went backstage together.


Bout #6
CAGE MATCH
Match can only end by pinfall or submission
River City Heavyweight Championship Match
"Vicious" Manny Silva (/w Kimberly Page) (champion) v Vendetta
The two men went right after each other before the bell had sounded. Silva got the better of Vendetta in a punch-out. He then went to work on the right arm of Vendetta with armbars, and wrapping it around the top rope. The champ would toss in the occasional kick or punch to the head to keep the challenger dazed while he worked the arm. Next he went after the hand of Vendetta, stomping it, biting it and smashing it across a turnbuckle which he exposed by ripping off the covering. Silva continued dissecting Vendetta by taking his finger and wrapping it through a link in the steel cage and then pulling on it. Vendetta's hand was a bloody mess.
Finally, the Haitian managed to fight back, with a hard headbutt, followed by a kick to the gut, and a one armed DDT, that didn't seem to pack too much punch coming from his off-side. Gingerly using his hand where he could he continued to punish the champ with a gourdbuster, and then a crowd popping somersault bodyblock from the top rope. He covered the champ but only got a 1 count.
Getting to their feet Silva took back control with a poke to the eye, and then lashed out with a kick right to the groin. Coates saw and admonished the champ, but could not disqualify him. She tried to get the champ to back off and give Vendetta time, but Silva refused, dragging him to his feet with a handful of dreadlocks. Bodyslam, kneedrop, slingshot into the corner, another kneedrop, and then a cover only brought the champ a 2 count.
The crowd was really into this one now, as Silva nailed two consecutive hanging vertical suplexes, but when he went for the pin the Haitian kicked out before Coates could even slap her hand down for the 1 count. Both men got to their feet and Vendetta rolled underneath a clothesline attempt by the champ, and then caught him turning around with a dropkick to the chin. He grabbed the leg and got a quick 2 count before Silva kicked out. Both men scrambled to their feet, and this time Silva ducked under a clothesline attempt, grabbed Vendetta and took him down with a waistlock suplex.
The match then degenerated to a punches and kick brawl with the occasional suplex thrown in for good measure. Silva slowly started to take more control of the match, and busted Vendetta open by smashing his head into the steel cage. The Haitian though returned the favor using the exposed turnbuckle from earlier on. Kimberly Page passed a roll of coins into the cage which Silva put in his fist and used to nail a resurgent Vendetta with square in the forehead. The coins exploded out of his hand and the ring was littered with them, but again Coates was powerless to do anything about it.
However, while Silva was going for the pin, instead of counting she chose to admonish Silva instead. By the time she began counting Vendetta was able to kick out at 2. Silva dragged Vendetta to his feet, but then suddenly dropped him, turning quickly and grabbing Coates, and then drove her into the mat with a DDT. He spat on her, gave her a stomp and then turned back to the challenger.
But he was too slow, and Vendetta took him down with a double-leg takedown. He straddled the champ and began to lay in the punches, each one splattering more of Silva's blood. The challenger dragged Silva to his feet and then dropped him with a full-nelson forward Russian legsweep. He then smashed Silva's head repeatedly into the mat. He went for a pin before realizing that Coates was knocked out. So the Haitian dragged Silva by his feet to the corner of the ring leaving a bloody skidmark along the path. He then climbed the cage to an elevation of around 10 feet and came straight down with a spectacular kneedrop to the head. Silva was completely knocked out but still no referee.
As Vendetta tried to awaken Coates, long time inept referee Jurgen Herman ran down to the ring, had the officials open the cage and stepped in as the official. Vendetta looked so horrified at Herman's appearance that he forgot about Silva laying prone. Finally he seemed to regain his composure and went for a pin but of course only managed to get a 2 count.
Silva tried his best to fight back, with any dirty placed kicks and pokes he could think of, but Vendetta was on a roll now. A powerbomb yielded a 2 count, followed by an inverted DDT which also only yielded a 2 count from a champion who could feel the belt slipping out of his grasp but was determined to try and hold on for as long as possible. Silva crawled to the cage and then facing the back waved his arms calling for reinforcements. Kimberly Page ran to the back.
Vendetta laid in a bodyslam, and then put on his finisher the Haitian deathlock (Indian deathlock). Silva tried to hang on as long as possible, and then from the back came The Outsiders with Kimberly Page. They got to the cage, shook it in their hands, looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders, shook it again, threw up their hands in defeat, and then left, with Page in-tow. The fans were going absolutely nuts at this point finally sensing a change of ownership of the region's top title held since February by Silva, as well as the dissolving of the Wolfpack.
The champ's last desperation move was when Herman was checking on Silva the champ reached out, grabbed him by the collar and attempted to knock him out. Herman's self preservation instincts kicked in and he managed to move out of the way and out of the grasp of the champ. Within seconds the champ's shoulders were on the mat, still in the deathlock, and Herman laid down the 1..2..3 !!!
[Vendetta defeated Manny Silva by pinfall at 21:31 when he was counted out while in the Haitian Deathlock]
[Vendetta wins the River City Wrestling Heavyweight Championship]

Post-Match:
Sam Holiday, Al Hardamann, Ron Simmons, amongst others came to the ring to help Vendetta celebrate. Holiday wrapped the belt around the new champ's waist and he and Simmons hoisted the champ on their shoulders as the crowd cheered. Silva slunk away, walking down the ramp, but his head held high, his eyes looking very glazed, and his face covered in blood.



<<< cue "Sleep When I'm Dead" by Warren Zevon >>>
President Larkin comes to the ring to a mix of cheers and boos, and is accompanied by none other then Bob Backlund!

<<< cue "It's Tricky" by Run D.M.C. >>>
Jody Christmas comes to the ring to a tremendous ovation by the fans.

<<< cue "Princes of the Universe" by Queen >>>
Dan Severn comes down to the ring amidst a chorus of jeers from the fans.

Pre-Match
Former WWWF Heavyweight champion Bob Backlund was on-hand as a special guest of President Jack Larkin. Backlund and Larkin participated in a pre-match ceremony in which both wrestlers, Severn and Christmas were presented with special commemorative rings for the occasion.

Main Event
60 Minute Legends IronMan Match
Jody Christmas  v "The Beast" Dan Severn
The match begins with Severn playing mind games and stalling for time. He accuses Christmas of grabbing trunks and of hitting him in the throat. Head referee Buddy Lane though doesn't buy it and urges the match to continue.
Severn grabs a headlock from a collar-elbow hookup, and shakes off several attempts of Christmas' to throw him off. Eventually he grounds Christmas, and the fans become impatient as he works the hold. With the fans cheering Christmas begins to tap his leg before getting to his feet. He tries to take Severn back with a backdrop but the Beast manages to push his weight forward and keep his footing. JC goes for it again, but this time brings him back down instead of trying to go all the way back, and lowers Severn across his knee for an atomic drop. This breaks the hold, and Christmas goes to work immediately with a clothesline.
It's all Christmas now as he presses the attack with kicks, punches, a European uppercut, flying cross body block for a 2 count, flying headscissors, and a standing dropkick. He tries to put on a figure-four but Severn rolls through it and reverses the pressure. Christmas is near the ropes and grabs them to break the hold.
We're about 7 minutes into this match now, and then it goes into a series of short, undeveloped advantages by both men, trading control back and forth.
Severn takes control with a pair of backbreakers and then a camel clutch on Christmas whose back is beginning to hurt still relatively early in this match.
Unable to get a submission, Severn makes the mistake of sending Christmas to the ropes for a clothesline, but JC counters with a crucifix, roll up, and gets a surprise 3 count.
**Jody Christmas pins Dan Severn with a crucifix at 12:43**
**Christmas leads the match 1-0**

The pace in the match seems to pick-up after the lead forces Severn into action. However, the quicker pace seems to favour JC who presses his advantage in the match. Finally, following a hotshot off the ropes, Severn walks right into a superkick.
**Jody Christmas pins Dan Severn after a superkick at 16:55**
**Christmas leads 2-0**

With the momentum on his side Christmas continues to attack, feeling like he can create an unbeatable 3-0 lead. However, he is too aggressive and Severn dives out of the way of a cross body block. He then works the legs of Christmas with stomps to the back of the thigh, and then leglocks. The Beast then turns his attention again to the back of JC, with punches, a series of headbutts to the lowerback, a bow and arrow submission, and finally a sharpshooter of all moves. Right in the middle of the ring JC can't risk further damage so he taps out.
**Dan Severn submits Jody Christmas with the sharpshooter at 22:02**
**Christmas leads 2-1**

Severn risks DQ by refusing to break the sharpshooter as JC continually slaps the mat, asking for the break. Finally, Severn realizes that Buddy Lane can be pushed no further and releases the hold. Lane sends both men to their corners but Christmas can barely crawl to his. He orders the match to start again, and it's all Severn. The beast seems to take his time, punishing Christmas, especially the back but not going for a pin. Christmas makes a dramatic comeback fuelled by a float-around into a waistlock suplex, and then a crossface chickenwing. But on the break Severn nails JC with a lowblow and takes the lead back as the fans boo him whole heartedly. Severn tries to get JC to submit again to even the match-up but this time JC takes the punishment instead of tapping out while in a minute long Boston crab. Unable to take any more damage Christmas tries to buy some time by leaving the ring. Severn though smells blood and goes right after Christmas. He bulldogs him to the ground and then follows up by ramming him repeatedly back first into the edge of the ring apron. The animal in Severn is really coming out now in this match, as he scoops up Christmas and bodyslams him across the steel ringsteps!
Referee Buddy Lane comes out, and steps between Severn and his prey, ordering him back into the ring. Lane then enters the ring and begins to apply the 10 count. It is a very slow 10-count and Christmas JUST manages to roll inside in time to break the count. He tries to roll out again but Severn grabs him by the hair and pulls him back inside.
We are just past the 30-minute mark in the match at this juncture.

It's all Severn now as he punishes Christmas with an Argentine back breaker rack, a face first powerbomb, and a belly to back hammerlock suplex. After a series of stomps to the back Severn lifts JC up and applies an inverted belly to back bearhug. Christmas screams in pain but won't submit so Severn turns it into a sitdown powerbomb, drapes his feet across Christmas' arms and goes for the pin. Lane counts 1, 2, KICKOUT by JC that brings the fans to their feet again. Severn goes right after Christmas, but JC ducks under and backdrops Severn. It hurts his back though more than it does Severn, who is on his feet first, gets Christmas from behind and tries for a cobra clutch. Christmas though counters with a jawbreaker. He then goes to work on Severn with several kicks to the stomach, a hanging vertical suplex, and a fisherman suplex for a 2 count.

The match goes back and forth now for a good 10 minute stretch, and action picks up once again. Severn is hurting, Christmas seems fresher but his back is obviously killing him. The match spills outside a couple more times where JC manages to hold his own. Severn catches Christmas re-entering the ring with a kick to the gut, pulls him into the ring and nails a swinging neckbreaker. Severn tries to pin JC with the Japanese Dog Roll but Christmas kicks through the move, bridging Severn and nearly getting the pinfall himself. Both men scramble to their feet, Christmas takes Severn down with a single leg takedown. He tries to twist the leg but Severn pulls Christmas down by the ankle, and then catches him by surprise with a well planned belly to back roll over cradle for the pin.
**Dan Severn pins Jody Christmas with a belly to back roll over cradle at 48:18**
**Christmas & Severn tied 2-2**

The fans are standing as the two great warriors do all they can to pick up the deciding fall. Christmas comes close with an apron dive sunset flip, and Severn nearly gets the fall after a full-nelson slam. The action goes outside again where Severn gains control and puts Christmas through the announce table with a piledriver!! Back inside the ring, the announcement is made for 5 minutes remaining, when Severn goes for the pin but only gets a 2 count.
Severn drags Christmas to the middle of the ring and goes for the sharpshooter again. He has it locked in and Christmas is screaming in pain. However, Severn rocks back too far on the hold, and allows Christmas to reach back, grab a hold of the Beast's ankle and tumble him to the ground. Both men get to their knees, and are back to back. Severn tries to pull Christmas over, but JC resists, and lashes out backward with a headbutt (back to back) that stuns Severn long enough for Christmas to roll hm forward. However, Severn manages to roll sideways out of the pin, breaks the hold, and goes for a victory roll but JC breaks that pin. Both men scramble to their feet and Christmas gets behind Severn and takes him to the ropes, coming off with a reverse roll up. He gets the 1 , 2, Severn is fighting it, and Christmas is wavering, and then he steadies himself with a handful of tights, as Lane finishes the count with 3.

**Jody Christmas pins Dan Severn with a reverse roll-up (and a handful of tights) at 56:13**
**Christmas leads 3-2**

Severn loses his composure, complaining to the ref about a trunk hold. Christmas vehemently denies pulling the trunks and is caught off guard when Severn quickly abandons the argument to sneak in a punch to the throat of the former RCW champion. Severn tries to get in as much punishment in the next 2 minutes as he can. He puts on a camel clutch but breaks it after only about 30 seconds when the announcement is made of 1 minute remaining. Severn attacks with an inverted face lock elbow drop but only gets a 1 count. Running powerslam brings a 2 count. 30 seconds remain in the match.
Severn climbs to the top rope, and using his knee drives the face of Christmas into the mat. The final move of the match is a reverse Russian legsweep into a cradle, but again Christmas kicks out at the count of 2, and time expires.

[Jody Christmas defeats Dan Severn 3-2 in a 60-minute IronMan Match]

Post-Match
Severn is furious with referee Buddy Lane and with Christmas. JC offers a handshake to Severn, who just shakes him off and leaves the ring giving Christmas the one-finger salute on the way out. Christmas is joined in the ring by new RCW Heavyweight Champion (and Heritage champion) Vendetta. The two embrace and raise each other's hands in victory as the fans cheer, and we

FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling 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

60. Vendetta (5)
Aug 2/03: defeated Manny Silva in a cage match at RCW #972

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #973
August 16, 2003
St. Paul, MN
Touchstone Energy Rivercenter


Attendance: 4,131



<<< cue "Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who >>>

The fans come to their feet and the crowd is buzzing with surprise as former WWWF World Champion, Bob Backlund comes down to the ring, wearing a navy blue Hugo Boss suit, and a red bowtie.

Inside he grabs a mic and motions for the fans to quiet down and listen to what he has to say. Backlund informs the crowd that President Jack Larkin has been diverted by other business interests that will keep him away from day-to-day operations of RCW wrestling for the next month of two. Backlund goes on to say that Larkin was looking for someone to take over the Commissioner role that he was fulfilling, and that person had to be fair, have a desire to produce a quality wrestling program, and also have a desire to shake things up a little. Backlund says he guesses that when Larkin saw him ringside for the PPV Summer in the City, a lightbulb must have gone on. After an all night negotiation session following the PPV a deal was inked, and that is how he stands before you the new commish of River City Wrestling.

It's an exciting time to enter into RCW. He informs the crowd that today's show will only be one hour, as will next week's. Soon enough though RAGE will return to its two hour format.

Other than that Backlund says it is business as usual in the heartland, and tonight we will hear both from former RCW champion, Manny Silva, as well as new champion Vendetta!!! The tag team champions Great Canadians will be in action tonight, as will Al Hardamann and Bob Sapp!



Opening Bout
Non-Title Tag Team Match
The Great Canadians: Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti (c) v Greg Pawluk & Shane Madison 
Scott and Regliatti are very cocky, and underestimate their opponents at the start of the match. Pawluk gets the better of first Scott and then Regs. He and Madison touble team the champions, and when it turns into a 4-man brawl they again come up with the advantage. Regliatti though manages to elbow his way out of a cobra clutch attempt by Madison, floats around and delivers a well executed Northern Lights Suplex for a 2 count. He turns up the pressure on Madison and then after a tag Scott goes to work with a series of clotheslines and a piledriver. Regs suckers Pawluk to enter the ring, and while long time inept referee Jurgen Hermann is putting him out of the ring, Regs sneaks to the top turnbuckle and comes off as Scott nails Madison with another piledriver. This time the stuffed piledriver does the trick.
[The Great Canadians defeated Greg Pawluk & Shane Madison by pinfall at 5:46 after a stuffed piledriver]

Post-Match:
The champions are celebrating their victory in the ring as Pawluk helps Madison to his feet. Suddenly, from the back comes the former RCW champions the Spinebusters (Bryan Caruthers & Jerry Orth). They enter the ring from behind the champions and lay them out with forearms to the back. Each man nails a champion with a spinebuster slam. They then pick up the title belts and when the champs stagger to their feet they are again brought down, this time with gold to the head. The 'busters carefully fold up the belts and place them on the chests of the fallen champions. The fans give the 'busters a mixture of cheers and boos, so they stop long enough to give a one finger salute to the good folks of the Twin Cities.


Backstage
We see Ron Simmons standing just outside a dressing room. He's trying hard to contain a laugh but finally he can't and bursts out laughing. He turns to the cameraman and asks "did you get it all"? The camera nods up and down.
Simmons replies "great" and laughs some more.

In Ring Promo
"Vicious" Manny Silva, former RCW Heavyweight Champion, comes down to the ring accompanied by Kimberly Page. He looks a little upset but is trying to control his anger.
First off, he tells the crowd, that as far as he is concerned the Wolfpack are dead. The crowd erupts and cheers the news, although a smattering of boos are also heard. Silva says that Riggs has jump shipped for Europe's IPW, and the Outsiders were last seen with April Hunter, Tylene Buck, and Kim Kanner heading down Mexico way to work with CMLL and Victor Quinnoes. It's funny he says, shaking his head, that he is the one the head office made post a performance bond, and he is the last man still in town! Even if the Outsiders were still here, the Wolfpack is dead. After watching Hall & Nash beat up Adam Riggs at Summer in the City, he realized that there is no Wolfpack, there is only the Outsiders. And the Outsiders are really the insiders, and everyone else is an outsider, living on borrowed time until they turn on you! Well, Manny Silva has been up and down these roads before, and has always been alone in the past and will always operate alone in the future.
With that, he turns to face Kimberly Page with a snarl on his face, and says, in case you didn't get the idea, scram. Silva proclaims that unlike the Outsiders he does not need a bunch of scrags at ringside to try and show that he is cool. He will get the job done on his own. Page looks a bit startled and a bit indignant, but decides she better leave as Silva looks to be losing his temper.
Now then, he continues, as for you now Vendetta, the new champion of River City. I told you that we get no respect, that we weren't even the headline at Summer in the City. It was a hard fought contest, and Silva admits that at the end of it he had a bit more respect for Vendetta than he did going in, and that he is sure the champ respects him a bit more as well. But make no mistake about it Vendetta, Silva says he is coming to get "his" title back.


Bout #2
Gabriel Argos v Bob Sapp
Bob Sapp is back in action this week, and he is wrestling against former tag team champion, Gabriel Argos. The match starts off on the mat, with both men having a sound technical background. He keeps Sapp on the mat, thus negating some of his power and size advantage. Sapp though brings the match back onto their feet, when, while being worn down with a side headlock, he scooped Argos up and powered to his feet. He then brought Argos backward with a suplex. The two men went through several series of whips and moves from the ropes, with Sapp finally taking control after a tilt-a-whirl sideslam. The big man continued to punish Argos with a double underhook suplex, a flying clothesline, and a fistdrop from the top rope right onto the nose of Argos. The man from Cyprus had just got over a broken nose and the fistdrop busted it wide open. Sapp though did not let up and he took Argos down with a forward Russian legsweep which drove Argos face first into the mat. Sapp turned him over and got a quick 3 count.
[Bob Sapp defeated Gabriel Argos by pinfall at 5:29 after a forward Russian legsweep]

Post-Match
The medics had to come out following this match to help out Gabriel Argos, as it looks like his nose has once again been broken. In the meantime, with this going on in the ring Sapp grabbed a mic. He said there was this fat, stupid looking Texan running around calling himself the Killer. He says the only way that John Manfried should be called a Killer, is that because like Jerry Lee Lewis he probably sleeps with his underage cousins.
This of course does not go unchallenged by Dr. John Manfried who comes to the top of the ramp with a mic. Security comes down and stands in front of him to keep him away from the ring. Manfried says that Sapp figures he is a big man, the Beast, because he goes around hurting people, injuring them. Manfried says that will be Sapp's downfall. You see if you're going to piss someone off, you shouldn't injure them, you should finish the job. Manfired says he would be quite willing to finish the job and put River City out of the pain of having to watch Sapp, next week on Rage. Sapp readily accepts the match.


From his office
Bob Backlund appears from his make shift office in the back. He makes an announcement on behalf of the Championship Committee (he smiles, and then says "which is ME") that next week on Rage we will have a match to decide a new #1 contender for the Heavyweight Championship. That match will pit former champion Manny Silva against Ron Simmons.
Backlund thanks the crowd and then rises to his feet but then we hear a door opening and he sits back down. The camera is still rolling on Backlund and we see his face light up in shock and awe, and hear the unmistakable clicking of high heels across the office floor. "Hello Bobby" we hear Debra McMichael say, and then we see her as she goes behind the Commish and begins to rub his shoulders. She is wearing a white leather bikini top and a sarong. "May I call you Bobby" she asks in a soft voice as her painted red fingernails play down the front of his shirt. "Oh, sure miss" is all he can stammer. "In case you don't know me, my name is Debra, and I was filling an important position on Mr. Larkin's staff as his executive assistant here at River City wrestling". Suddenly Debra has her sarong in her hands and she lays it across the lap of the Commissioner. She leans forward, allowing a nice cleavage shot, and whispers into the commissioner's ear something about hiding that from everyone's view. He just grins and nods, but then suddenly something clicks and he looks at the camera. "Turn that thing off" he yells, and a second later the feed goes to white noise.



<<< cue "Wild Thing" by The Troggs >>>
Al Hardamann comes running down to the ring wearing a white "Atari" t-shirt, red wrestling trunks, and his trademark white wrestling boots with trim and tassels. He grabs a mic and says that even before he came back to RCW he was following the happenings on TV and talking with his good friend Sam Holiday. Hardamann says the one thing that made him the most angry was this group of America haters, calling themselves Global Warning. And worst of all is that little twerp, Sammy Yip...

he is interrupted by the PA system

<<< cue "Gimn Sovetskogo soyuza" >>>
The fans boo as Korean manager Sammy Yip comes to the top of the ramp. He tells Hardamann to shut up and listen for a change, something we all know is difficult for American Imperials. He says that tonight Hardamann was to wrestle Gregor Kitnitsov. Well after several set-backs as of late, Kitntisov has been sent back to mother Russia. We have a new member of Global Warning to take care of business tonight.

From the back comes MMA & UFC star Oleg Taktarov !!


Main Event
"Wild Thing" Al Hardamann  v  "Russian Bear" Oleg Taktarov
Hardamann gets in an initial flurry of punches but Taktarov takes him down with an armbar. After working the armbar for a bit he punishes the American with several knees to the back, and then works him over to the apron which allows Yip to come across and slap Hardamann across the face. This draws a stern warning from head referee Buddy Lane. Taktarov nails a Soviet Suplex, and gets a 2 count. He tries to lift Hardmann up into a torture rack, but Hardamann manages to fight free causing both men to crash to the ground. The American takes over with a series of hip tosses, and then biels the Soviet half way across the ring, before following up with a flying dropkick to the back which sends the Soviet out of the ring.
Taktarov stalls for time, and then when he gets the chance he reaches under the bottom rope and yanks at the feet of Hardamann pulling him out of the ring. Taktarov rams Hardamann's head into the ringpost, and then bulldogs him to the ground. Taktarov scoops up Hardamann in a fireman's carry and then bodyslams him to the ground through his legs. He rolls the Wild Thing back inside the ring. Hardamann tries to make a comeback but he's been busted open by that shot to the ringpost and he looks very unsteady on his feet. After several punches and kicks, Hardamann tries a standing dropkick but Taktarov just brushes him to the side. The Soviet follows up with a pumphandle powerslam in the middle of the ring. Taktarov delivers two consecutive kneebreakers and then puts on a kneebar, getting Hardamann to tap out.
[Oleg Taktarov defeated Al Hardamann by submission at 7:02 with a kneebar]

Post-Match
Taktarov picked up Hardamann and threw him through the ropes to the floor below. Yip entered the ring and grabbed a mic. He said this should be a lesson to all Americans, especially Sam Holiday. Do not mess with Global Warning.


Television Feed
We see Ron Simmons sitting in a dressing room. Beside him is a rather buxom looking older redhead. They are looking straight at the camera. Simmons says "you got it?", and the camera nods. Simmons turns to the lady and says, "okay, now i'll be right outside. Remember, he has a bit of a short fuse, so whatever you do....and I can't emphasize this enough...don't call him poodle."

The camera flickers out, and when it flicks back on we see Manny Silva enter the room. Judging by the foliage partially blocking the camera view, he does not realize he is being taped. He has a piece of paper in his hand, and is looking pretty upset.

"What the hell is this all about", says a befuddled Silva. "An image consultant?"

The redhead speaks, "yes, Mr. Silva it is a gift from your associates, Mr. Hall and Mr. Nash. They thought you could use a bit of polish. My name is Paulette Young".

Silva just about implodes from keeping his rage inside. "Look lady, first off Hall and Nash are no longer my associates, they are just asses, no o-ciates in those swine. Secondly, image has nothing to do with my success in the ring. It's called guts and ~inner fury."

The consultant remains calm. "Well I can see you are going to be a very tough sell, Mr. Silva, so..."

"Oh please, just call me Manny..or Manuel if you prefer". Silva flashes an awkward smile that causes his jaw to squeak from lack of use.

The redhead smiles, seeing that her charms are starting to pay off.

"Okay, Manuel, I will cut straight to the point. Your nickname..."

"Vicious"

"Yes, that's the one"

"What's wrong with that?"

"Well, you see, it's just kind of, well underwhelming..."

"Underwhelming?"

"Yes, and frankly not very..vicious..at all"

"Really?"

"Hardly strikes fear in someone's heart. More something someone would call their dog than their Heavyweight Champion."

"Dog?"

"Is that what i said?"

"Yes it is."

"Oh, okay"

"What kind of dog, lady?" Silva is getting agitated again.

"That's not important, what I mean is that you need a new one. You see, often nicknames if not effective make people associate someone with exactly the opposite. Like deprecating humour."

"What?"

"Well, like calling someone who is really big, "Tiny", or someone who is bald, "poo....err...i mean Curly".

"What did you just say?"

"Curly. I said Curly. Look Mr., Manuel." she pauses. "When people hear you called Vicious, they think just the opposite, they think you are a pussy cat".

"No one thinks I'm a pussy cat lady. Hell I've been banned in more states then..well..more states then I can name. I had to post a performance bond for chrissakes. Everyone knows I'm vicious as Jack the Ripper himself".

The redhead shakes her head. "Doesn't work. You need a new one. Something opposite of what you want them to associate you with."

"Oh, I get it. So if I was really big and I wanted them to remember that, then I would call myself Tiny".

"Yes that's it" the redhead says with a lot of zeal.

"Okay. Well I hate when they call me." he stops and looks at her full of hesitation.

"Call you what?"

"Never mind"

"You sure? It would help me if I knew"

"Okay, they mock me, and call me Poodle"

The redhead has to turn her head to prevent laughing. Subconsciously Silva pats down his 'fro. She turns around, "sorry eyelash in my eye".

"So what kind of nickname can I get so they stop calling me Poodle?"

The redhead rises to her feet, and tells Silva, "I'll have to go back to the office and brainstorm that with my colleagues. Good day Manuel". She shakes his hand and leaves the office.

Alone in the office Silva mutters, "I hate when they call me Poodle".


In-Ring Promo
The red carpet has been rolled out in the ring. Mr. Bob Backlund and interviewer Pamela Paulshock are on hand to present the River City Heavyweight Championship belt to Vendetta, following his big victory at Summer in the City over Manny Silva.

Before they present the belt they give Vendetta a chance to speak. He gives a pretty much generic speech thanking the fans, and the promotion, including Mr. Larkin for giving him the chance when others wanted to hold him back. He's wrapping up his speech when the inevitable occurs. Manny Silva comes running down from the back. He doesn't ambush Vendetta instead going right after him with a frontal attack. The two exchange punches and then Vendetta drops like a stone. You can see that Silva is wearing brass knux! He straddles the champ, lifts his head with one hand and nails him again with the brass knux. Vendetta is busted wide open. The crowd cheers as Ron Simmons comes into the ring to try and make the save. Silva though is expecting him and catches him with a boot to the gut, and then hits him with the brass knux to the head. He throws Simmons out of the ring, and the drags Vendetta to the ropes.

With several RCW officials trying to wave him off Silva wraps the ring ropes around the neck of Vendetta. He then grabs his feet and starts to bounce him up and down, so the ropes are choking him even more. Vendetta is losing consciousness when the commissioner Bob Backlund has finally seen enough. He tries to talk Silva out of it, but just gets shoved away. When a couple of refs try and free Vendetta from the ropes Silva attacks them. Then finally Silva is dropped when Backlund ~waffles him across the back with a steel chair. Silva is on his knees, and tries to get back up, so Backlund gives him another chairshot. This time Silva is on his face and stays down, but Backlund has now lost it. He snaps. He nails Silva in the back of the head with two more chairshots before being restrained by referees Buddy Lane, Jimmy Appleseed, and Melissa Coates.


FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #974
August 23, 2003
Brandon, Manitoba 

Much of tonight's program was spent talking about the upcoming return of the WWA champions to the RCW.

Opening Bout
Joey Guttermouth and Pogo the Clown battled to a no-contest at 6:03
**Guttermouth is the new gimmick of Shane Stevens, who apparently has lost his mind

Bout #2
Dr. John Manfried defeated Inbred Jed by submission to the Manfried claw at 4:46
**glorified squash match

Bout #3
Menele defeated Shane Madison by pinfall after a T-bone suplex at 4:15
**Menele surprisingly had little trouble with Madison

Main Event
RCW Television Title Match
Vendetta defeated Den Graves by pinfall after an inverted DDT at 8:55
[Vendetta retained the RCW Television Title]
**Graves' return bout after losing the bout to the Haitian warrior on July 26th



River City Wrestling #975
August 30, 2003
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Opening Bout
Stan Baker defeated Lord Valmont by disqualification for outside interference at 5:25
**Menele did a run in to help his "Beauty & The Beast" partner.

Bout #2
Rainbow Express: Lenny Lane & Lodi defeated Asp Evergreen & Eddie Chavez by pinfall when Lodi pinned Evergreen after an Arial brainbuster at 7:30
**very solid match with an honest finish.

Bout #3
RCW Tag Team Title Match
Great Canadians: Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti defeated Union Jack & Gabriel Argos by pinfall when Regliatti pinned Argos after a superplex at 8:11
[Great Canadians retained the RCW Tag Team Titles]

Main Event
RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Vendetta defeated Dan Severn by disqualification for use of a foreign object at 10:09
[Vendetta retained the RCW Heavyweight Title]

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #976
September 13, 2003
Special 90 Minute Edition of Rage
Night of Champions

Mitchell Hall Gymnasium and Fieldhouse
on the campus of U of Wisconsin - La Crosse
La Crosse, Wisconsin

Attendance: 2,840


Opening Bout
Dr. John Manfried v Bob Sapp
This feud has been building for several weeks, with Manfried taking offence at Sapp's trying to make a gimmick for himself by injuring younger, smaller wrestlers. Then Sapp made light of Manfried's past, specifically his jail time for manslaughter. These two didn't need to wait for the bell to ring before they were slugging it out in the middle of the ring.
Not a whole lot of scientific wrestling going on in this one. Sapp took control with a chop to the throat, followed by a full nelson slam. He then punished Manfried with a hangman, followed by a choke lift. He released the choke at the 5 count to avoid being disqualified by referee Melissa Coates. Sapp then took the match outside the ring where the two brawled and refused to re-enter the ring. Manfried grabbed the upper hand by pulling Sapp into the ringpost. He then placed the safety guardrail over the Beast's throat and put his entire weight onto it. This was all Coates was willing to take and she called for the bell.
[Manfried and Sapp battled to a double countout at 5:53]

Post-Match
The two big men continued to try and hurt each other after the match. The first couple attempts to break up the encounter by security were met with force by both combatants. Finally the two were pulled off of each other and taken to the back.


TV Feed
Commissioner Bob Backlund sits behind his desk, wearing a Hugo Boss Navy Blue pinstripe suit, a sand colour dress shirt, and a yellow bowtie. He says that on this, the night of champions, where the WWA World Heavyweight and the WWA World Tag Team champions are on hand to defend their belts, it is unfortunate that a River City wrestler has to forfeit his title.
Then Backlund smiles, and says that the champion won't mind so much as he can console himself with his newly won RCW Heavyweight Championship. Due to that conflict the championship committee has decided that Vendetta will forfeit his RCW Heritage Title. A new winner will be decided in the near future on Rage by way of a tournament. Backlund smiles, and says, everyone loves a good tournament.

As it seems we will fade away, we suddenly hear the unmistakable sound of high heels clicking on the floor, just like last week when it was Debra McMichael who was enticing Mr. Backlund to use her services as a personal assistant. However, this week it is Sable that appears on the screen wearing an ultra low cut and short black, lacey, stretch dress. She leans into Mr. Backlund and begins to massage his scalp while giving him an eye full of her endowments. She begins to whine about how Debra used to have Mr. Larkin wrapped around her little southern finger, and how she turned him against her. She says she knows that he (Backlund) is more independent than Mr. Larkin and has more refined tastes, being a northerner and all. Backlund manages to mutter something about Larkin being Canadian, to which Sable replies, that makes him one step below Texans in the evolutionary chain. Mr. Backlund gets a huge grin on his face which we assume is from her comment, until the camera angle adjusts slightly and we see Sable's hand is under the table.


Pre-Match
Manny Silva is in the ring, and as always he looks pissed off. He says that after his talk with the bogus psych chick from last week he went and checked the tape, and found out it was Ron Simmons' idea of a joke. Well the joke was on Simmons and Vendetta because he gets a match against Simmons right now, on the road to winning the title belt back from that inept foreigner Vendetta. But, one good thing did come out of the joke, Silva says that it's time he dropped the "Vicious" nickname and start being billed for what he is a "Mad Dog".

Bout #2
#1 contender for the RCW Heavyweight Title
Ron Simmons v "Mad Dog" Manny Silva
Started off as a slug fest but Silva gained early control with a powerslam. He dropped a series of elbows to the sternum, and followed up with a series of stomps. He then climbed the top rope and came off with a big knee again to the sternum. He went for the pin but only got a 2 count from Jimmy Appleseed.
Simmons blocked a vertical suplex attempt, which made Silva resort to kicks and punches once more. Simmons finally blocked a punch, and spun Silva into the corner where he peppered him with shots to the gut and then added a vicious headbutt for good measure.
The company enforcer then slid out of the ring and pulled Silva face first to the mat by yanking on his feet. He then pulled Silva backwards, crotching him into the ringpost. He received a stern warning from Appleseed for this, but Simmons seemed pretty angry and gave Jimmy a bit of a push to the side.
Silva tried to fight back but Simmons was on a roll now, and nailed a pair of elbows to between the eyes, and then delivered his running powerslam finisher. He got the 1, 2, kickout! by Silva.
Frustrated Simmons tossed Silva over the top rope to the floor below. He then climbed to the top turnbuckle and attempted to come off with an axhandle to the back of the former champ. However, the mad man turned around just in time and got in a gut shot to Simmons. He followed up with a series of very controlled short knees to the head of Simmons before rolling him back into the ring.
Silva put Simmons in the camel clutch, but Simmons managed to bridge his back and get out of the hold. Silva then took Simmons face first into the corner, and then delivered a series of elbows to the lower back. He then grabbed onto the ropes on either side of Simmons and pushed his head into the lower back of Ron Simmons until having to break it at a count of 5.
Silva then went for a suplex, but Simmons hooked the leg to block it, and rolled Silva up into a pinning combination, for a 1 count before Silva rolled through it, hooked the tights, and got a near fall. Back onto their feet Silva ducked under a Simmons clothesline and then retaliated in kind, knocking the Georgian on his back. Silva grabbed the raised legs of Simmons, and then dropped a knee right into the groin. Appleseed missed this as he was changing positions and it was blocked from his view. Silva then rolled up Simmons and got the 1, 2, 3.
[Manny Silva defeated Ron Simmons by pinfall at 7:51 after a kneedrop to the groin]
[Manny Silva is the #1 contender for the RCW Heavyweight Title]


In-ring interview
The red carpet is rolled out in the ring, and there are 3 chairs placed in a semi-cirlce, with microphones attached to each one. Superstars Dan Severn and Jody Christmas come down and take seats flanking Pamela Paulshock. She asks each one of them their thoughts on their great IronMan match at Summer in the City. She looks at Severn but he defers to Christmas, saying let the winner speak first. Christmas looks humble and says it was a very hard fought contest and both men showed that they would do anything to win a match, which is exactly why each of them is an icon.
Severn looks nonchalant and finally says that the result was pretty meaningless, and that it was too bad that both men poured such an effort into a match that was decided by Christmas cheating as always to win.
This comment took JC back a little but he didn't interrupt Severn. The Beast went on to say that without the handful of tights on the final pin, that match would have ended in a 2-2 draw.
Christmas just blows it off, saying "would of, could of, should of." The bottom line is that I won, you lost, and that if's and but's were candy and nuts we would all have a merry Christmas.
With that JC sits up from his chair, and Severn quickly does the same in a menacing manner. Christmas just points at Severn in a warning gesture and slowly walks backward to the ropes. From the ramp comes down a big man, carrying a steel chair. The newcomer reaches up as Christmas turns and whacks him across the head with the steel cage. Christmas hits the mat and when Severn grabs him he is busted wide open. The Beast puts him in a cobra clutch while the other man enters the ring. Veteran announcer and former wrestler Linley Tolbert recognizes the man, it's none other then European superstar "Extreme" Jack Voight! Voight takes the steel chair and jabs it into the ribcage of Christmas who is out cold but being held up by Severn.
Suddenly, a jeans wearing, t-shirt sporting, Joe E. Legend hits the ring with a steel chair of his own. Severn releases Christmas, and he and Voight slip out of the ring. Legend looks after Christmas and calls for medical help.


Bout #3
NWA World Tag Team Championship Match
The Dreadknocks (Ratt & Scavenger) (NWA World champions)
v
Great Canadians (Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti) (RCW Champions)
The Dreadknocks were a house of fire, showing that they have been a tag team for many years. They kept the action in their half of the ring and made frequent tags. The Spinebusters came down to ringside to watch and cheered on the NWA champs. They taunted the Great Canadians by taking the RCW tag titles off the announce table and trying them on for size. Finally the Canadians made a comeback in the match with some dirty tactics, including a devastating stuffed piledriver on Ratt. This drew the ire of the Spinebusters who jumped on the ring apron to complain. Referee Jimmy Appleseed came over to get the 'busters to leave the ring area, but they argued with him, and then Orth hotshoted Appleseed's throat across the top strand.
With Appleseed out of commission the Spinebusters went and grabbed a chair which they were going to pass to Scavenger, to help him fend off the 2 on 1, since Ratt was still out from the piledriver. But instead they feigned the chair pass and tossed it up to a surprised looking Eric Scott who then hammered Scavenger across the head. Appleseed recovered, and he counted, 1, 2, but somehow Scavenger managed to drape a foot over the bottom rope. The Great Canadians did their best to hold off the champions' momentum but the Dreadknocks were too strong and took back control of the match. After throwing Regliatti out of the ring the Dreadknocks pulled a doomsday device out of their bag of tricks to finish off the challengers.
[The Dreadknocks defeated the Great Canadians by pinfall after the Doomsday Device at 10:52]
[The Dreadknocks retained the NWA World Tag Team Titles]

Post-Match
Despite trying to help the Canadians win the titles, the Spinebusters returned to the ring and attacked the RCW champions from behind after the Dreadknocks had left the ring. They laid them out, and in a repeat from last week, used the title belts to knock them down again. And like last week, they laid the belts gently onto the chest of the fallen champs.


Backstage interview
Pamela Paulshock is standing beside commissioner Bob Backlund. She begins to ask him about the recent behavioural trends of former champion "Mad Dog" Manny Silva. But before Backlund can say anything he is playfully tossed to the wall by an emerging April Hunter. She presses against him and says that she is glad she finally has a chance to meet him. Kim Kanner and Tylene Buck are also there and they menace Paulshock away from the scene.
Backlund manages to say something about thinking they were in Mexico. Hunter runs a finger down Backlund's chest and hooks it into his waistband as he visibly gulps. She whispers, that they came back, drawn like a moth to flame. She says that strong authority figures have that effect on girls like her. Backlund gulps again and asks what "kind of girl" she means. Hunter whispers something into Backlund's ear and he blushes.
Finally Hunter takes a step back, but now she Kanner and Buck are all standing around Backlund. Finally he straightens himself up and says that he can't decide who he wants as an executive assistant. Then he says he has an idea. We will have a battle royal with all the interested girls next week on Rage. The winner will become his new executive assistant.
The "Wolfpack" girls seem a little pissed off about it but, they soon get their usual arrogant look on their faces. Joining hands they look at Backlund and say that no-one is going to be able to stop this trio, so he needs to start making up his mind if he wants the blonde, the brunette, or the redhead.
They walk away, and Backlund looks flustered as he watches them very carefully from the backside.


Main Event
WWA World Heavyweight Title Match
Nic Cross (/w Jenna Jameson) (NWA Champion)
v
Vendetta (RCW Champion)
Nic Cross showed his usual disdain for the heartland of America. He complained to the ref about a seam in the mat, and had the ref get down on his knees and look at it. Head referee Buddy Lane was not impressed, and when Cross left the ring Lane began to count him out. Finally the champ got back into the ring only then to complain about the lighting, claiming it was too bright in his eyes. Jenna put a pair of sunglasses on him but Lane made him take them off. The entire time these shenanigans were going on Vendetta stayed calm and loose in his own corner, Finally though he couldn't take it any longer and approached Buddy Lane to speed things up.
This was the opening that Cross had been waiting for and he struck with a finger poke to the eye. He immediately went at Vendetta with a series of kicks and punches, and Lane called for the bell to start the match. The champ again showed his disdain for the heartland by refusing to break out any wrestling moves, instead relying totally on kicks, punches, stomps, slaps, and an occasional eye gouge. At one point he took a breather, lounging across the top turnbuckle while Jenna massaged his shoulders.
Finally though Vendetta struck back. Doubled over from yet another kick to the gut, the Haitian reached out and got under Cross, taking him to the air in a fireman's carry and bringing him down with a flapjack. Both men were down, but Cross was up first at a 7 count. He tried to drag the challenger to his feet with a handful of dreadlocks but the RCW champion retaliated with a punch of his own. On his feet now the challenger delivered several knife edge chops, backing the champ to the corner, before whipping him across the ring with such force that Cross flipped over the top turnbuckle and wrecked on the floor below.
Vendetta took control of the action out of the ring, and then again inside the ring. A couple pin attempts though only brought a 2 count for the challenger. Cross bailed out of the ring and Vendetta pursued. Unwilling though to shove Jenna Jameson out of the way, the pornstar valet shielded her man from the onslaught of the challenger and bought him some time. Vendetta had to retreat to the ring to break the count, and when he left again to go after the champ he was greeted by a stiff right hand. Vendetta dropped like a rock, and Cross passed a pair of brass knux back to his valet.
Cross brought the local champ back into the ring, but instead of pinning him, he taunted him and the fans. By the time he finally did go for the pin on the busted open challenger, he only got a 2 count. Still Cross seemed pretty calm, and after a series of knees to the gut he went for his Pedigree finisher. Vendetta though managed to power out of it, backflipping Cross. He then tried to put Cross into the Haitian deathlock but Cross was not as stunned as the challenger thought, and the champ managed to roll across and take Vendetta down and into an ankle lock submission. Vendetta managed to reach the ropes but Cross dragged him back into the center of the ring. Buddy Lane would not allow this though and forced Cross to break the hold with a 5 count. But after a moment's break he reapplied the ankle lock. Vendetta once again crawled to the ropes for the break. Again Cross tried to drag him back into the middle of the ring, but this time the Haitian held onto the bottom rope with both hands, and while Cross held onto one foot, the challenger fed him the other foot to the chest and then again to the face.
The crowd was on their feet as Vendetta nailed Cross with a DDT right in the middle of the ring. As he staggered to his feet Jameson entered the ring but Buddy Lane intercepted her. Vendetta went after the champ but was then struck with a lowblow from Cross. Lane returned to action to see Cross setting up Vendetta for the pedigree.
But amazingly, for the second time in this match, Vendetta managed to counter by back flipping the champ. This time though Cross managed to hold onto Vendetta and roll him up. He grabbed a handful of tights just to make sure.
[Nic Cross pinned Vendetta at 18:30 after a sunset flip (assisted by a handfull of tights)]
[Nic Cross retained the WWA Heavyweight Title]


Fade to Black


Breaking kayfabe: I guess I was still part of this world back then as the date of the cards lined up with when I actually ran them. I can see on Carl Todd's site that Nic Cross was the WWA World champ then so that lines up, but I have no access to the NWA (or NeWA) records. I honestly don't even remember booking the Dreadknocks. Nic Cross was basically a WWA rip off of Triple H. In the big talent split years before Hunter Hearst Helmsley went to the NWA (which never used created wrestlers), so the WWA made their own version. Anyway, being the good soldier that I was I again put over the World champion albeit by cheating over my local guy.

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #977
September 20, 2003
Green Bay, Wisconsin

Opening Bout
The Spinebusters: Bryan Caruthers & Jerry Orth defeated Union Jack & Gabriel Argos by pinfall when Orth pinned Jack after a top rope kneedrop at 9:16
**solid bout to open the show between two former tag champion teams. Caruthers and Orth though have an ability to cheat like no other. In this bout they were able to use a timely trip up of Jack, followed by a double team when referee Jimmy Appleseed had to constrain Argos, to set up the win.

Post-Match
Pamela Paulshock interviews the Spinebusters. Orth reminds everyone that they are 4 time RCW tag champions while the Useless Canadians are only on their second run, and the United Nations who they just beat only held the title one time. Caruthers then goes on to remind everyone that they did not lose the titles the last time they had them, they were stripped due to injury. Paulshock seizes on that comment and asks Caruthers about his then championship reign with Mike Enos, and how he compared as a partner to Orth, and if that team is now done. The 'busters do not appreciate this line of questioning and just assure all their great fans that they will be taking back their titles. Paulshock asks about their actions as of late, including helping the Great Canadians in their bout against the NWA champions the Dreadknocks. Orth explains that they just figured that since they were going to beat the Inept Canadians for the tag titles anyway, they might as well let them win the NWA titles so they could then win both. Of course the Idiot Canadians couldn't even get that right. Caruthers though adds that they feel that their legacy in wrestling is undermined by the lack of national attention that the RCW receives, and that any chance they have to aid the RCW against other feds they will take. 


Bout #2
Norman Smiley defeated Pogo the Clown by submission to the Norman Conquest at 5:36
**glorified squash match. This was not announced as a Hardcore match but any match with Pogo the Clown is pretty much anything goes or ends in a DQ. Smiley though has had enough experience in Hardcore bouts to be able to beat Clown at his own game, and then finish him off in the middle of the ring. 

Bout #3
Joey Guttermouth defeated Asp Evergreen by disqualification for outside interference at 3:18
**Guttermouth is just plain crazy. Pretty sure he would have been disqualified eventually, but unwilling to let that happen Eddie Chavez interfered and he and Evegreen laid in the boots to the wrestler formerly known as Shane Stevens.

Bout #4
RCW Tag Team Title Match
Great Canadians: Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti defeated the Rainbow Express: Lenny Lane & Lodi by pinfall when Scott pinned Lane after a Northern lights suplex at 7:15
[Great Canadians retained the RCW Tag Team Titles]
**The challengers controlled more of the bout than the champions. However, the Spinebusters came down to ringside and ended up distracting Lodi and the referee Jimmy Appleseed which ended up allowing the champs a double team, and then the victory. The champions were not ecstatic though about this turn of events.

Post-Match
Just to make sure everyone knows that the champions are not going to be fan favourites, the Great Canadians were interviewed after the bout by Pamela Paulshock. They say that the Old Busters are trying to play mind games because their bodies are too ancient to play the real game. Paulshock asked if they would give Lane and Lodi another title shot since this one was not fair. They say absolutely not. They blame their opponents for being easily distracted, and that obviously with that lack of dedication to being champions they should not hold the belts. They will defend against whomever the championship committee puts in their path, and no one else.


The second hour begins with Commissioner Bob Backlund in the ring. He announces to the crowd that RCW has made the difficult decision to release Bob Sapp from his contract. It seems that Sapp was more interested in hurting people than wrestling and winning championships. The commish is interrupted by Dr. John Manfried who comes to the ring very angry. He tells Backlund this makes it look like he is scared of Sapp, but he still wanted a piece of him. He tells Backlund he made a big mistake interfering in his business. This brings Stan Baker to the ring. He asks Backlund why he hasn't returned his messages? He wants a piece of Menele after that big oaf interfered in his bout. Backlund says that he is behind in his paperwork and emails because he hasn't hired an executive assistant yet. Baker laughs at Backlund..and pokes him in the chest...so you are going to hire Sable or Tylene Buck to answer your emails? Before that can go any further though Manfried gets in Baker's face and tells him that now Baker is getting in his business..and that won't end well. Backlund see's a reprieve here and suggests that what they both want is to stomp on someone. So how about if I put you two together next week as a tag match to take on Menele and Lord Valmont? I can't bring Sapp back..he's gone. Baker agrees, but Manfried says that he has no dog in that fight...unless...you make it a cage match. 

After Manfried and Baker leave the ring Backlund regains his composure. He announces that the previously mentioned women's battle royal with the winner getting the assistant job has been cancelled. Jack Larkin said the board felt that although he needed an assistant when he was commish, apparently Backlund does not, and the funding has been cut. However, we have put together a tag match featuring four of those beautiful women next.

Bout #5
April Hunter & Tylene Buck defeated Sable & Debra McMichael by pinfall when Hunter pinned McMichael after a powerbomb at 6:22
**Sable started the bout and faired well against Hunter who tagged in Buck so they could double team her. Debra tried to help out but was cut off by the ref allowing the double team to last longer. Sable though ended up getting the advantage back from Buck and tagged in Debra. The Puppies queen though soon got caught by Buck with a knee to the gut and then a facebuster. Hunter got tagged in and went to work on Debra. Hunter rag dolled Debra with a full nelson, then turned it into a slam, then followed up with 3 straight bodyslams, and a running legdrop. She was going for the pin but Buck wanted a tag in so Hunter relented. Buck came off the ropes, and tripped on her own high heel boot, twisting her ankle. Hunter hung her head in shame. Buck crawled over for a tag, the same time Debra was finally moving toward Sable. Debra would have made the tag first but Sable dropped off the apron and left. Hunter got the tag in, pulled Debra over, nailed an inverted DDT, then a powerbomb and got the pin.


Pre-Match
Dan Severn led his charges "Extreme" Jack Voight and Alex Wright to the ring. First of all Severn says that they have sent Den Graves, their fellow German, back to the homeland for more training after his recent losses to Vendetta. More importantly, the remaining members you see will henceforth be known as "The New Right" or as the announcers will soon call us "Those Damn Germans". They are interrupted by the reunion of the Alliance coming to the ring.

Bout #6
Jack Voight & Alex Wright (/w Dan Severn) defeated Jody Christmas & Joe E. Legend by pinfall when Voight pinned Legend after a running powerslam at 9:50
**Voight is a no-nonsense beast, the exact opposite of Wright. Christmas though was the class of the match, easily handling the action, but also easily distracted by Severn at ringside. In the end Christmas was distracted and fighting Severn outside the ring, which distracted the ref and allowed those Damn Germans to double team an overmatched Legend.

In-ring Interview
Recently reunited friends Sam Holiday & Al Hardamann are interviewed by Pamela Paulshock. In their 3 way triangle match back on August 2nd they defeated the best of the Wolfpack and Global Warning, and since then the Wolfpack has imploded. The interview is interrupted by Sammy Yip bringing down Gregor Kitnitsov and Tiger Khan to the ring. They do the usual, accuse the faces of cheating, are challenged to a rematch, and accept for next week. Next week it will be Holiday & Hardamann against Kitnitsov & Khan. No punches are thrown.


Main Event
RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Vendetta and Manny Silva battled to a no-contest at 6:58
[Vendetta retained the RCW Heavyweight Title]
**Silva attacked Vendetta before the opening bout. He held the advantage for the first few minutes with stomps, kneedrops, a powerbomb, and a reverse Russian legsweep. Silva whipped Vendetta hard into the corner, and then on the rebound set him up for a T-bone suplex but the champ set his feet and countered with a DDT. Both men were down. Silva got to his feet first, but Vendetta rolled out of the way of a kneedrop, and then took over the bout. The champ poured on the offence and beat Silva from pillar to post. Silva though managed to "accidentally" reverse a whip and sent Vendetta colliding into referee Buddy Lane, knocking him out. Silva retrieved a steel chair and began to pound the crap out of Vendetta. Finally, Sam Holiday and Al Hardamann came out to the rescue.

FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #978
September 27, 2003
St. Paul, Minnesota

Opening Bout
Norman Smiley defeated Asp Evergreen by submission to the Norman conquest at 5:41
**Asp had his moments, but spent most of the bout ducking his opponent. Once Smiley took over the bout Eddie Chavez came down to make a run in. However, before he could do that Joey Guttermouth appeared from the crowd and took out Chavez with a spear outside the ring.

Post-Match
Pogo the Clown, Inbed Jed, and Derek St. Holmes rushed the ring. Smiley and Guttermouth though stood back to back and took care of the Clown and Holmes. Inbred Jed stopped on his way to the ring when a young fan asked for his autograph and got caught up talking to the fans, never making it to the ring. For some reason John Schoffner came to the ring late, to join Smiley and Guttermouth in keeping Full Deck at bay. The announcers guessed that Schoffner had to call his Dad for advice first (his usual M.O.).


Pre-Match
Dan Severn announces he has himself a manager's license, in part because he is recovering from a nagging injury and will be out of action until it heals. However, he is the most knowledgeable man in wrestling today and can help the New Right get where they deserve to go, title gold. Alex Wright is of course in his black trench coat Berlyn style outfit and when he gets the mic only speaks German before being cut off by the appearance of his "Alliance" opponent.

Bout #2
Alex Wright (/w Dan Severn) defeated Joe E. Legend by pinfall after a German suplex at 5:00
**Severn is a major distraction to both Legend and the ref but does not directly interfere. Wright is just too good for Legend and could have undoubtedly handled this on his own. 

Post-Match
Severn entered the ring and joined Wright in a 2 on 1 beatdown of Legend. This of course brought out Jody Christmas to the ring to make the save. But it was a trap as Extreme Jack Voight then entered the ring and attacked Christmas from behind. Those two were scheduled to face off next, and by the time officials broke it all up Christmas had taken quite a beating.

Bout #3
Jack Voight (/w Dan Severn) defeated Jody Christmas by pinfall after a spinning powerbomb at 7:14
**After the pre-match beatdown Voight controlled most of the bout with power moves and submission holds, but Christmas would not go down without a fight. Finally he did fight back, starting with a rake of the eyes, then a chop to the throat, and then he grounded the German and worked over the legs. The comeback was cut short when Severn got to the ring apron. Christmas knocked him off but Voight was able to nail Christmas from behind, driving him hard into the buckle. A pair of atomic drops, a belly to back suplex, and then the finisher. Voight looked impressive at 6'6 368 lbs.

Post-Match
Deja vu all over again as Severn entered the ring and joined Voight in a post match beatdown of Christmas. Alex Wright hit the ring to make it 3 on 1. Joe E. Legend then joined the fray, but was already hobbled from earlier and could barely stand in the ring. So the beatdown continued until security was able to break it up.


Open Challenge
Former RCW Heavyweight champion "Mad Dog" Manny Silva comes to the ring to a chorus of "Poodle" chants. 
Silva calls out Sam Holiday, who comes out to the ring, joined by his friend Al Hardamann.
Silva says it's good that Holiday brought out his girlfriend to hold his purse. He says it was the two of them that interfered in his business with Vendetta last week, and since the Haitian voodoo master has done a disappearing trick this week, he wants a piece of Holiday this week.
Holiday is accepting the bout to take place right now, but is stopped by the appearance of Commissioner Bob Backlund.
Backlund says that what happened last week was no one's fault but Silva's and he screwed himself out of his title shot. In fact, Backlund says he is not even inclined to give Silva another shot even though Vendetta badly wants one. As for this thing with Holiday..too bad..but Holiday and Hardamann are already signed for later tonight against Global Warning, so neither of them are available. But he has another idea.
Ron Simmons comes to the ring to a big pop.
Backlund says Silva will take on Simmons right now and the winner will be the top contender for the Heavyweight title.


Bout #4
#1 Contenders Match
Manny Silva defeated Ron Simmons by pinfall after an Emerald Flowsion at 6:33
**A complete brawl that went inside and out of the ring with neither man claiming more than they gave up. In the end Simmons made the mistake of perching on the 2nd buckle. Silva caught him with a forearm and then a headbutt to the midsection. He turned around and pulled Simmons onto his shoulder, impressive considering the size of Simmons, and finished him off with an Emerald Flowsion.


The second hour begins with Commish Bob Backlund informing the crowd that starting next week RCW will be playing host to some wrestlers from ECW - Extreme Championship Wrestling from Philadelphia. It will also begin the tournament for the vacant Heritage title. To be more specific, while Manny Silva won the right to be the #1 Heavyweight contender, his title shot will have to wait another week; as next week both Vendetta and Manny Silva will recruit ECW partners to join them in a tag match. As for the Heritage title tournament, a familiar face to RCW fans, and an ECW legend Sabu will get a spot in the tourney. Another spot will be open to ECW and next week 3 of their best will compete in a three way dance for that spot; C.W. Anderson, Justin Credible, and The Sandman!

Bout #5
Sam Holiday & Al Hardamann defeated Gregor Kitnitsov & Tiger Khan (/w Sammy Yip) by pinfall when Hardamann pinned Khan after a vertebreaker at 8:13
**solid match with Hardamann playing Ricky Morton for a long stretch but redeeming himself with the victory. Yip tried to interfere but Holiday put a stop to that pulling the Korean off the ring apron and allowing his partner to pick up the pin. Instead of breaking up the pin the "former Soviet" Kitnitsov elected to go to the aid of his manager. 

Bout #6
RCW Tag Team Title Match
The Great Canadians: Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti and The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers battled to a no-contest at 6:40
[Great Canadians retained the RCW Tag Team Titles]
**about 2 minutes into this bout former champions Union Jack & Gabriel Argos came out to the ring to scout. It soon became apparent that their beef was with the Spinebusters for their own interference and head games over the past couple months. Finally security and referee Melissa Coates sent them to the back. No sooner were they gone though than the Rainbow Express: Lenny Lane & Lodi came down to do the same thing with the same ax to grind. The champs used the distraction to grab the advantage but soon the 'Busters cheated their way to control. This time both of the other tag teams came down to ringside, and soon enough it turned into a 4 team brawl, but the Spinebusters were definitely target #1 and took the worst beating.

 
Main Event
Cage Match
Stan Baker & Dr. John Manfried defeated Menele & Lord Valmont by submission when Manfried submitted Valmont to the Manfried claw at 9:28
**nice. Fairly straight forward main event, with a clean finish, no screw jobs or Dusty finishes. Valmont was obviously the weak link, and by the end of the bout you got the feeling that the team of Beauty and the Beast may be short lived. Menele seemed more pissed off at the weakness of his partner than the strength of his opponents. However, the monster still seems quite fetched with Valmont's wife Sherry.


FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #979
October 4, 2003
Youngstown, Ohio

The show opens with a rundown by announcers Joe Aiello & Linley Tolbert. But before they can get through the lineup they were interrupted by Don "Cyrus" Callis. He says that they are not qualified to call an Extreme wrestling match, and he will be sitting in tonight.


Pre-Match
Dan Severn is in the ring with Jack Voight. Severn calls out Jody Christmas, but the announcers inform us that the former RCW champion is not here tonight, as Severn darn well knows. A game Greg Pawluk though comes to the ring to try and shut the Germans up.

Opening Bout
Extreme Jack Voight (/w Dan Severn) defeated Greg Pawluk by pinfall after a hangman's neckbreaker at 4:30
**Voight overpowered Pawluk who is barely more than half the size of Voight.

Backstage interviews from the participants later tonight in the ECW Triple Dance; Sandman, Justin Credible, and C.W. Anderson.

Bout #2
#1 Contenders Match
The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers defeated Union Jack & Gabriel Argos by pinfall when Caruthers pinned Jack after a double team DDT at 6:43
**Before the bout it was announced that due to all the outside interference as of late in the tag division, that the Rainbow Express would get their rematch tonight, but nobody interferes or they will be suspended. However, these other two former champion teams are facing off for the next title shot; again nobody better interfere or they will be suspended.The Spinebusters did their usual excellent job of cheating to win with a nice double team.

In-ring Interview: Don Callis brings out Manny Silva to find out who his mystery partner is for tonight. Silva brings out none other than Dr. Death Steve Williams.


Bout #3
Norman Smiley, Joey Guttermouth & John Schoffner defeated Asp Evergreen, Eddie Chavez, & Inbred Jed by pinfall when Smiley pinned Jed after a twisted delayed scoop slam at 8:09
**Full Deck just can't get a win.

Bout #4
RCW Tag Team Title Match
The Great Canadians: Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti defeated Rainbow Express: Lenny Lane & Lodi by submission when Regliatti submitted Lodi to the figure-four at 7:14
[Great Canadians retained the RCW Tag Team Titles]
**The GC actually managed a clean win, and there was no interference. Strange. Sets up a showdown with the Spinebusters next week.

In-Ring Interview: Don Callis brings out RCW champion Vendetta to find out who his mystery partner is tonight to face Manny Silva and Steve Williams. Vendetta bring out the hardcore legend himself Terry Funk!!

Bout #5
ECW Rules - Triple Threat Match - Winner Gets Entry into the Heritage Title Tournament
C.W. Anderson defeated Sandman and Justin Credible by pinfall when he pinned Sandman after a double electric chair drop from a ladder at 8:52
**all 3 men are legal in basically a Hardcore bout. Despite this distinction Sandman hands over his Singapore cane before the opening bell. Sandman and Credible attack Anderson to start the bout, and soon hit him with a double team slingshot front layout suplex. Both men go for the cover but Anderson manages to get a shoulder up at 2. Sandman and Credible then exchange punches and headbutts, while still holding Anderson down. The Horseman wannabe then rakes both men in the eyes, and then scrambles to his feet and nails both with elbowdrops across the back of the neck. Anderson tosses Sandman over the top rope and takes Credible down to the mat with a superplex for 1, 2, Sandman breaks it up. Anderson low blows Sandman, then tosses Credible over the top rope. Anderson is setting up Sandman but Credible has skinned the cat and takes Anderson down with a running clothesline. A table is set up in the corner, Sandman reverses a whip to it, and sends Anderson into the corner but not hard enough to break it. Credible though goes for a spear, Anderson moves out of the way and Credible goes through the table. The brawl continues with all 3 men, and Credible similarly goes through a second table. A ladder is set up and Credible climbs it to dive off, but is stopped by Sandman who is setting Credible up for a superplex off the ladder, only to have Anderson come up from below Sandman and take both men down with an electric chair drop. Anderson then pinned Sandman as Credible had spilled to the outside.

Bout #6
Sam Holiday defeated Gregor Kitnitsov (/w Sammy Yip) by countout at 6:07
**Kitnitsov started strong and nailed a pair of nice half-nelson suplexes to get a 2 count. Holiday though battled back, but lost the advantage once more when he got caught chasing Sammy Yip around the ring. However, after being whipped into the buckle he exploded out with a clothesline to take back control. A minute later and he was going up top for the Holiday legdrop. Aided by Yip though the Soviet was able to roll out of the ring. It looked like he was going to be able to beat the 10 count in but his own manager Yip decided to hold him back at the last second and they took the countout loss. Kitnitsov didn't look too happy about it but he and Yip left together.

Main Event
Vendetta & Terry Funk and Manny Silva & Steve Williams ended in a no-contest at 9:26
**chaos. Lots of 4 man brawls inside the ring and out. Good chemistry between Vendetta and Williams as the big veteran beat down the RCW champ until Funk could come to the rescue. Silva was busted wide open by Funk and wore it as a badge of honour. Funk grew tired by the end and this allowed Silva and Williams to double team Vendetta quite a bit. Just when it looked like they would pick up the win after a stuffed piledriver...The Sandman came through the crowd and entered the ring with his kendo stick. Steve Williams saw it coming and hit the road, rolling out of the ring. Sandman nailed Silva several times over his already crimson head. The fans cheered, but then it turned to jeers when Sandman also laid out a recovering Vendetta with the kendo stick as well. Sandman popped a beer and drank it, standing alone in the ring as we...

FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #980
October 11, 2003
Butte, Montana

The leader of the New Right, Dan Severn comes to the ring. In the middle of the ring has been constructed a smaller metal cage, maybe 8 feet wide. Severn says this has been constructed at his request to simulate the pit fights in Singapore and Russia. No where to run, no where to hide. No flippity floppity. He calls out Jody Christmas to meet his challenge. The announce crew Joe Aiello & Linley Tolbert tell us that Christmas was still touring and not available tonight so its an empty challenge. Severn just laughs and is about to exit the ring when Joe E. Legend, Christmas' former Alliance partner, comes to the ring. Legend is there to answer the challenge, saying he isn't afraid of Severn (Tolbert seems to think that is a big mistake). Referee Buddy Lane is called down to the ring. There is no room for him in the pit so he will stand outside and officiate.

Opening Bout
Cage Pit Fight
Dan Severn defeated Joe E. Legend by referee's decision at 3:50
**short bout. Legend had some success moving fast because Severn found it difficult to move around the tight confines. However, as soon as Severn got ahold of Legend he busted his head open on the cage wall, then put on a choke sleeper until Lane called for the bell.


Bout #2
April Pennington defeated Tylene Buck (/w April Hunter) by pinfall after a sunset flip at 4:41
**Pennington's first appearance in RCW. While she is pretty, she has a bit of an understated look, so it had appeared that this might be a squash match. However, Pennington knows her stuff and out wrestled Buck. After the bout she was also smart enough to scramble out of the ring to avoid a potential attack from Hunter.


Bout #3
RCW Heritage Title Quarter-Final #1
Hardcore Triple Threat Match
Stan Baker defeated Steve Corino and Jesse Hennig by pinfall when he pinned Hennig after a Samoan drop at 7:55
**Corino is a former RCW Heavyweight champion, and an ECW legend, making his return to RCW for the tournament. Baker and Hennig of course have had a long history together both as tag partners and as opponents. These three really got the fans into the bout. Corino and Hennig lead the way using tables and chairs, but it was Baker taking advantage of Corino missing a splash to then hit a finishing move on Hennig and advance to the tourney semi-finals for the vacant Heritage title.


Bout #4
RCW Heritage Title Quarter-Final #2
Sabu defeated Eddie Chavez by pinfall after the Air Sabu at 3:13
**glorified squash match. Asp Evergreen made the mistake of trying to attack Sabu after the bout and got his ass handed to him as well.


Bout #5
Global Warning: Gregor Kitnitsov & Oleg Taktarov (/w Sammy Yip) defeated Sam Holiday & Al Hardamann by submission when Taktarov submitted Hardamann with a kneebar at 8:04
**This was the follow up to last week when Holiday defeated Kitnitsov by countout. The Soviet was upset that his manager had kept him back and took the loss. However, this seems to be the plan, as the reinforcements have arrived in the guise of Taktarov. This was a very even match, and the fans were perhaps a bit surprised at how well the heels performed even without cheating, as both are excellent technical wrestlers. Kitnitsov did pause for a time-out and a coaching session with his partner and manager at one point, but that seemed to be more to frustrate their opponents. Taktarov used a low dropkick and then a rolling armbar on a stunned Holiday. Unable to put him away he went to a chokehold which started a four man brawl. Yip became involved making it a four and a half man brawl but that was enough of a distraction to allow Kitnitsov to clobber Hardamann in the back of the head. Taktarov was able to capitalize with a belly to belly suplex and then lock on the finisher for a surprise victory.


Bout #6
RCW Tag Team Title Match
Great Canadians: Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti and Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers battled to a double countout at 7:10
[Great Canadians retained the RCW Tag Team Titles]
**Pretty even bout between the two heel teams, and the fans also seemed to be split down the middle. In the end neither team could control their emotions and nothing was settled.


Main Event
Triple Threat Match
RCW Heavyweight Title Match 
Vendetta defeated Manny Silva and The Sandman by pinfall when Vendetta pinned Silva after an inverted DDT at 9:21
[Vendetta retained the RCW Heavyweight Title]
**This bout was set up after Sandman interfered in the main event last week between the other two participants in this bout. Sandman and Silva really went after each other while Vendetta seemed to conserve his energy a bit and to not stray too far from the action or the ring, as he didn't want to lose his title in a pin that didn't include him. Sandman was busted open before the bout even started using a beer can on his head, and Silva was soon also wearing the crimson mask. Vendetta took over the bout about half way through alternating between attacking both opponents, and trying to put each away to no avail. Finally Sandman whacked Silva a couple times over the head with his kendo stick, then took him down with the Russian legsweep. Vendetta though nailed Sandman with a savate kick, atomic drop, and then clotheslined him over the top rope. Silva had recovered and went right after the champ, but Vendetta ducked a clothesline, countered with a hip toss, then nailed an inverted DDT and got the win to hold onto his belt.


FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #981
October 18, 2003
Omaha, Nebraska

Opening Bout
RCW Heritage Title Tournament Quarter-Final
C.W. Anderson defeated Shane Madison by pinfall after a spinebuster slam at 6:01
**very competitive and entertaining bout with the former ECW'er moving on to the Semis.

Bout #2
April Pennington defeated April Hunter (/w Tylene Buck) by pinfall after a Northern lights suplex at 4:37
**Hunter controlled the last 3 minutes of this bout, but Buck went to trip up Pennington anyway, but it was reversed and she tripped up Hunter instead. Pennington nailed the finisher for the upset. Hunter wasn't happy with Buck after the bout but nothing further occured.

Bout #3
Oleg Taktarov (/w Sammy Yip) defeated Al Hardamann by submission to the kneebar at 5:43
**Hardamann was looking for some revenge afte tapping out last week in the tag match. However, Taktarov was the better wrestler tonight, taking away time and space from Hardamann, and picked up another submission.

Bout #4
Jody Christmas defeated Alex Wright by pinfall after a superkick at 7:10
**Christmas made his return to RCW after a few weeks off and wanted a piece of Dan Severn and the new right. The only member of the faction to accept his challenge tonight though was Wright who was no push over. 

Bout #5
Asp Evergreen & Eddie Chavez defeated Stan Baker & Jesse Hennig by pinfall when Evergreen pinned Hennig after a diving bulldog at 5:12
**huge upset over the former RCW Tag champs. There was no word that these two were together for anythign other than a one time shot, and after their dismal result it is not likely we will see more of the tandem. Chavez had nailed Hennig with a low blow which allowed Evergreen to come off the top buckle from behind and bulldog Hennig to the mat.

Bout #6
Three Way Dance
Jack Voight defeated Sam Holiday and Gregor Kitnitsov by pinfall when he pinned Holiday after a Hangman's neckbreaker at 7:22
**All 3 men shined during the first 6 minutes of this bout and some heavy punishment was doled out. However, Dan Severn decided to stick his nose in on behalf of Voight, followed by Sammy Yip for Kitnitsov..then Jody Christmas, then Al Hardamann, then Alex Wright, then Oleg Taktarov. Holiday got clocked in the back by Severn, and Kitnitsov got tangled into the big brawl outside the ring. Referee Jimmy Appleseed decided to let the action inside the ring continue and Voight was able to take care of Holiday.

Main Event
RCW Tag Team Title Match
Great Canadians: Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti defeated The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers by pinfall when Scott pinned Orth after a running kneesmash at 10:17
[Great Canadians retained the RCW Tag Team Titles]
**It's not too often when the champions retaining the bout is considered an upset, but that would be true tonight. Legendary tag team the Spinebusters were firing on all cylinders lately, but this match was back and forth with neither team holding a clear advantage for more than a minute. Inside the ring Orth and Scott had battered each other, and probably should have made a tag. Instead they stood toe to toe, and Scott the bigger man took the advantage. He came off the ropes and with Orth sucking wind, hands on knees, nailed him in the head with a running knee. Caruthers tried to break up the pin but was intercepted by Regliatti. The champs retained.


FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #982
October 25, 2003
Fargo, North Dakota


Opening Bout
Sable defeated Tylene Buck by pinfall after a Sable bomb at 4:13
**after the one sided bout, April Hunter hit the ring and attacked Sable. This brought out April Pennington to Sable's rescue and set up our next bout which followed right after a commercial break.

Bout #2
April Hunter (/w Tylene Buck) defeated April Pennington (/w Sable) by pinfall after a Frankensteiner at 5:10
**Hunter got revenge after her loss last time to Pennington. This was in part due to a timely trip by Buck. Sable's interest in the bout seemed to wane as it went along. After the bout Sable left the ringside area, which also meant that Pennington received a two on one beat down until security could arrive to break it up.

Bout #3
RCW Heritage Title Quarter-Final
Dr. John Manfried defeated Pogo the Clown by pinfall after a piledriver at 5:57
**a complete brawl. Manfried tried to get Pogo to submit to the Manfried claw but the clown was able to spill both men outside the ring.
Manfried will take on C.W. Anderson in one semi-final, while Stan Baker takes on Sabu in the other.

Bout #4
#1 Contenders Tag Team Match - Triangle Match
Lenny Lane & Lodi defeated Menele & Lord Valmont (/w Sherry Valmont) and Greg Pawluk & Shane Madison by pinfall when Lane pinned Shane Madison with an inside cradle at 5:21
**Madison was perched on the top rope but Lodi was able to knock him off to the mat below, and Lane rolled him up for the win. Menele and Lord Valmont were no where to be found as they were outside the ring fighting over Sherry Valmont, and Pawluk had jus been taken out seconds earlier by Lodi.


Main Event
Team Battle Draw
Global Warning: Oleg Taktarov, Gregor Kitnitsov, Tiger Khan
v The New Right; Dan Severn, Jack Voight, Alex Wright
v Full Deck; Asp Evergreen, Eddie Chavez, Inbred Jed
v The New Alliance; Jody Christmas, Vendetta, Joe E. Legend,
v Team Holiday: Sam Holiday, Al Hardamann, Stan Baker
v Team Extreme; The Sandman, C.W. Anderson, Sabu

The teams drew numbers backstage 1 through 6 that correspond to the above. Every minute a new entrant goes into the ring in an over the top battle royal. It's up to the teams to decide which team member goes, and it is serpent style (1-6, then 6-1, then 1-6). Last team with members in the ring wins, and they will get a match of their choice next week (one for each survivor).

1) Gregor Kitnitsov enters at 0:00
2) Alex Wright enters at 0:00
3) Inbred Jed enters at 1:00
[Inbred Jed is eliminated by Wright at 1:10]
** in and out for Jed, who didn't really seem to understand what was going on
4) Vendetta enters at 2:00
5) Stan Baker enters at 3:00
[Kitnitsov eliminated by Baker, Vendetta at 3:48]
**Baker and Vendetta seemed to form an alliance that goes across team lines in order to battle Kitnitsov and Wright who are also not on the same team.
6) The Sandman enters at 4:00
7) C.W. Anderson enters at 5:00
[Alex Wright is eliminated by Anderson,Sandman at 5:33]
**Team Extreme immediately exerts their two on one advantage as many of the other temporary allegiances have broken down and its every man for himself.
8) Al Hardamann enters at 6:00
9) Joe E. Legend enters at 7:00
[C.W. Anderson is eliminated by Baker, Hardamann at 7:07]
**Big elimination for team Holiday taking out one of Team Extreme to break up their advantage.
10) Eddie Chavez enters at 8:00
[The Sandman is eliminated by Legend, Chavez at 8:58]
**Big surprise elimination, mostly driven by Chavez. Sandman has some words for Chavez before he leaves
11) Jack Voight enters at 9:00
12) Tiger Khan enters at 10:00
13) Oleg Taktarov enters at 11:00
[Joe E. Legend is eliminated by Voight at 11:12]
**The cull begins
14) Dan Severn enters at 12:00
[Vendetta is eliminated by Taktarov, Severn, Baker at 12:40]
**Huge elimination as the Heavyweight champion is out, and its an allegiance between three prominent contenders all from different teams that send him over the top rope
15) Asp Evergreen enters at 13:00
[Asp Evergreen & Eddie Chavez eliminated themselves at 13:30]
**The remaining two members of Full Deck perch on the top rope, holding hands for balance, one on each side of the buckle, looking for a double team on someone. Asp stumbles and pulls Chavez with him, and both are eliminated.
[Al Hardamann eliminated by Severn, Voight at 13:47]
**this was a strategic elimination as the combo of Holiday, Hardamann, and Baker (once Holiday enters in less than 2 minutes) may have been too powerful for any other team to overcome.
16) Jody Christmas enters at 14:00
17) Sam Holiday enters at 15:00
18) Sabu enters at 16:00
**the remaining combatants are
Global Warning; Taktarov, Khan
New Right; Severn, Voight
New Alliance: Christmas
Team Holiday; Holiday, Baker
Team Extreme; Sabu
[Tiger Khan eliminated by Christmas, Sabu at 17:10]
[Jack Voight eliminated by Sabu at 17:47]
**this elimination did not go over well with the New Right
[Sabu eliminated by Severn, Taktarov at 17:58]
**a temporary allegiance has formed between Severn and Taktarov
[Jody Christmas eliminated by Severn, Baker at 19:24]
**while Holiday was battling Taktarov, Baker helped Severn eliminate Christmas. This seemed kind of odd as Baker and Christmas are the faces but on different teams. Severn had Christmas in trouble, and rather than save him Baker decided to help Severn instead.
**by this time Baker was sucking wind as he had been in the ring the longest having entered in back at the 3 minute mark. But Holiday was a house of fire and more then made up for that.
[Dan Severn eliminated by Holiday at 20:36]
[Oleg Taktarov eliminated by Holiday, Baker at 21:20]
[Co-Winners/Survivors Sam Holiday & Stan Baker at 21:20]


**the fans applauded and Al Hardamann joined his victorious teammates in the middle of the ring for a celebration. Odd to see this trio, as Baker had feuded with the other two something fierce back at the start of the decade.

FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #983
November 8, 2003
Milwaukee, WI

There was no new episode of RAGE last week.

Stan Baker and Sam Holiday are interviewed by Pamela Paulshock. They were co-winners of the Team Battle Royal last week, and get a match of choice this week. Stan Baker goes first and says he wants the only thing that matters, the heavyweight title belt; so he wants a shot at Vendetta tonight! Holiday though speaks next and says he wants the same thing, a title shot, tonight! This brings out commissioner Bob Backlund, who feigns surprise. He says who could have predicted that if multiple wrestlers survived they would ask for the same match, even though they are allies. Backlund grants them both their match tonight, making it a 3-way dance for the heavyweight title in the main event. Can the new found friendship between Baker and Holiday survive the confrontation?

Opening Bout
The Sandman defeated Eddie Chavez by pinfall after a flapjack at 4:25
**Sandman got his revenge over Chavez for his elimination in the battle royal last week. After the bout Pogo the Clown entered the ring with Sandman's kendo stick. But Sandman kicked him in the gut, nailed a DDT, and then the White Russian legsweep using the Kendo stick. Asp Evergreen had come down to ringside but decided better than to try his luck with the hardcore legend.

Bout #2
Fatal Four Way
April Hunter defeated April Pennington, Sable and Tylene Buck by pinfall when she pinned Buck after a powerbomb at 5:09
**Buck was under the impression that she and Hunter would work together, but Hunter allowed that until she had the opportunity to win the bout and took it.

Bout #3
Asp Evergreen defeated Shane Madison by countout at 6:32
**fairly even bout with Evergreen cheating every chance he could get. At the end Evergreen nailed a cross body block that knocked both men over the top rope. Evergreen was able to beat the 10 count while Madison was not so quick.

Bout #4
RCW Heritage Title Semi-Final
Dr. John Manfried defeated C.W. Anderson by submission to the Manfried claw at 5:58
**fairly even match with Anderson using his wrestling skills to control it as long as he could. Manfried though is a freak and used a chop to the throat and some bites to turn the bout around before getting a submission victory.

Bout #5
Sabu defeated Jack Voight by disqualification for outside interference (Dan Severn) at 6:35
**Voight controlled early using his size and power advantage. However, Sabu made a comeback and had the crowd on their feet as he dismantled the German. Suddenly Dan Severn emerged from the back entered the ring and attacked Sabu. The two on one was on, until The Sandman and C.W. Anderson entered to make the save.

Bout #6
RCW Tag Team Title Match
The Great Canadians: Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti and Rainbow Express: Lenny Lane & Lodi battled to a double countout at 7:59
[Great Canadians retained the RCW Tag Team Titles]
**bout could have gone either way but tempers flared, all four men brawled outside the ring. Lodi managed to make it back in time, but the ref still called it a DCO because Lane was the legal man.

Main Event
3 Way Dance
RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Vendetta defeated Stan Baker and Sam Holiday by pinfall when he pinned Holiday after an inverted DDT at 9:42
[Vendetta retained the RCW Heavyweight Title]
**for the most part this was a hard fought slobber knocker. It was every man for himself, no allegiances, but at the same time there seemed to be no pairings with more animosity than with the others. However in the end Baker threw Holiday shoulder first into the ringpost. Vendetta dropkicked Baker over the top rope, and then nailed a hurting Holiday with his finisher to pick up the win.

Holiday and Baker glower at each other as Vendetta raises the belt over his head, as we

FADE TO BLACK


Ed note. And fade to black we did, again. RCW went into a hiatus that would see it go dark for over 6 months, not returning until May of 2004.

In the meantime though, in keeping with tradition, the awards committee via the RCW official fan page released their year end awards for the incomplete 2003 year.
The wrestler of the year was a bit of a surprise, as it could have gone either way, but most expected Vendetta to win it just because he is one of RCW's poster boys. However, the voting committee went ahead and gave it to the man who from an impartial point of view deserved it most, Manny Silva. This is Silva's 3rd time winning the award (1993, 1997), besting Vendetta (1988, 1998).
Woman of the year was also a bit of a surprise. It went to someone who has mostly been working behind the scenes, the South African transplant, the Vice-President of Business Operations, Selita Segal (who did appear a couple times on screen). What really won her the award though was her knack for involving fans, and for dealing with the press, fan groups, and websites. It was not a huge year for woman on screen, but April Hunter had been the obvious choice for the award having won it last year as well.
Tag Team of the Year was no surprise, and well earned by the Great Canadians who overcame adversity (injuries) to hold the tag titles twice, and were the most dominant team of the year. Holding onto the belts at the end of the RCW year and besting The Spinebusters put the exclamation point on their selection.
Manager of the Year saw Sammy Yip beat out Derek St. Holmes and Dan Severn by a large margin.
The feud of the year and match of the year awards had a wide variety of voting. In fact several rounds were held to narrow down the choices before a final vote was held. Many of the same wrestlers, in various combinations, were in the running for both awards. It was a bit of an upset when Ron Simmons vs Manny Silva won feud of the year over Vendetta vs Manny Silva, but it was deemed to have had much more intensity. However, Vendetta vs Manny Silva got the match of the year award beating out several other matches including the 60 man Iron man match between Jody Christmas and Dan Severn, and the Eight Ball Scramble.

Wrestler of the Year: Manny Silva
Woman of the Year: Selita Segal
Tag Team of the Year: Great Canadians: Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti
Manager of the Year: Sammy Yip
Feud of the Year: Manny Silva vs Ron Simmons
Match of the Year: Aug 2: RCW #972: Vendetta defeated Manny Silva by pinfall in the Haitian deathlock at 21:31
[Vendetta wins the RCW Heavyweight Title]

[jacklarkin]

RCW Annual & Decade Awards

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 

2003: Manny Silva

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

2003: Selita Segal

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

2003: Great Canadians: Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti

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

2003: Sammy Yip

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

2003: Manny Silva vs Ron Simmons

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 Title]

2003: Aug 2: RCW #972
Vendetta defeated Manny Silva by pinfall in the Haitian deathlock at 21:31
[Vendetta wins the RCW Heavyweight Title]

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]

RCW is back !!!

River City Wrestling #984
2 Hour Edition of RAGE in Syndication
Taped Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Air Date, Saturday May 22, 2004

Mariucci Arena,
University of Minnesota Campus
Minneapolis, MN

Attendence; 2,519


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

The RCW theme song by Satriani plays as we are welcomed back to RCW after a six month absence, back to the Twin Cities, and back to the NWA by our announcers Joe Aiello and Linley Tolbert.

The announcers inform us that plans will be unveiled tonight regarding the RCW Heavyweight and Tag Team Titles. What they can tell us right now, is that a 4-team mini-tournament will be held on RAGE over the next 3 weeks to determine new tag team champions. One semi-final will be tonight between The Spinebusters and the West Hollywood Blondes. The other semi-final will go next week between the Hardamann Brothers (that's right, Al's older brother Luke has returned to the wrestling wars) and a new team from New Zealand, The Sheepherders. The Great Canadians Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti were not available to continue their reign as Scott got injured as the two wrestled a match in Toronto, Canada while RCW was on hiatus.

Also signed for tonight will be a match between two behemoths, newcomers to RCW, Ron Waterman will face off against Bam Bam Bigelow. Former PWA cruiserweight Chris Jons is on hand. A great cruiserweight match-up between Alex Wright and newcomer Jaimie Knoble will also go down, along with much, much more. Without further fanfare they send us to the ring.


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

The fans come to their feet as the familiar sounds that precede fan favourite Sam Holiday play throughout the arena. The tall, athletic looking Texan runs to the ring wearing a Star Spangled Banner t-shirt, black cowboy boots, a big ass belt buckle, and brown snake skin cowboy boots.

He slides under the bottom rope, pops up on his knees and lifts his arms to the crowd, soaking in the applause. A chant of "U-S-A, U-S-A" goes up in the arena after Holiday points to the flag on his chest.

Holiday] Welcome back y'all, back to the heartland, back to wrestling the way it was meant to be. There's a reason that I was selected to bring this message to you, the fans, instead of President Jack Larkin, instead of commissioner Bob Backlund, and that reason is because this federation is about you the fans, and us the wrestlers.

Holiday becomes quiet for a moment, and scans the arena.

Holiday] Wow, a whole lot of people came dressed tonight as empty seats. Those big shot players in St. Louis, New York, and Atlanta sure put things into a tailspin. Well, the NWA is back, and we'll have to have some faith and take back our ground inch by inch. Fan by fan. And we appreciate all of you who came out here tonight! Welcome back!

Now, as for the messages I have to relay to you folks. Let's see, remembering things was never my strong point. Oh yeah, Joe already told y'all about the tag team tourney we will be having. Good luck to my buddy Al in that one! Also, when we went dark last year, the champion at that time was none other than the prince of Voodoo, you know who I'm talking about! VENDETTA !!!

Well, unfortunately he could not be here tonight as he is still in Haiti rebuilding what he can after recent events there. But, he is signed to wrestle in RCW, and Bob Backlund has told me that a match is set up for next week between Vendetta and Manny Silva where Vendetta will be defending his crown. 

The fans cheer the announcement of that big match and the fact that Vendetta is not only coming back to RCW, but is still recognized as their champion.


<<< cue "Hair of the Dog" by Nazareth >>>

Holiday lowers his mic and looks disgusted as "Mad Dog" Manny Silva comes down to the ring, looking pissed off as usual.

The fans begin to reign down chants of "poodle, poodle, poodle" showing that they haven't forgotten how to irritate the double-tough Hawaiian grappler. Instinctively Silva taps down the tangled mess of a 'fro which passes for his hair-do, and then stops himself short and kicks at the bottom rope as the fans chant intensifies.

Silva snatches the mic from Holiday.

Silva] Not a wise move there Tex, to piss off the MAD DOG of pro wrestling, when I was already pissed off enough. I am the true champion of the mid-west and if the Wolfpack hadn't screwed me over I would have recovered that piece of tin before Larkin went for his little walkabout.

Holiday just shrugs his shoulders and indicates it was not his decision, and points to the backstage area.

Silva] Yeah, yeah, I know, don't kick the crap out of the messenger. Well I've never needed an excuse before to lay a beating on someone, and just the fact that your from Texas should suffice...


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

The Jumbotron flares to life and the smiling visage of Bob Backlund in a yellow bow-tie fills the screen.

Backlund] Manny, Manny, Manny...what are we going to do about that temper of yours? Now, our lawyers had to return your $25,000 performance bond that you posted last time around, but make no mistake about it, one foul up and you will pay again. You don't have a match against that man across the ring from you, and as much as I would like to see him kick your butt, we already have a pretty full show.

Silva] You want to see him kick my ass? Well, then make the match for tonight! I can use a warm-up for next week's crowning achievement.

Backlund] Well, we don't have a main event as of yet, so why not? Tonight's main event will be you two sons of guns going at it in the middle of the ring, with nothing on the line except pride...

The fans cheer loudly, interrupting the commissioner.

Backlund] pride...and your spot next week Silva in the RCW Heavyweight title match!!

Silva] YOU CAN'T DO THAT YOU MOTHER...

The JumboTron goes white noise, then flickers to black.


Holiday leans into Silva's mic, going nose to top of the head with the former champ.

Holiday] Looks like he just did...Tex. See you later tonight.


Opening Bout
Bam Bam Bigelow v Ron Waterman
Waterman came out strong, but too reckless and Bigelow caught him with a kick to the knee that buckled the big man. Bam Bam worked over Waterman in the corner, with series of kicks and stomps, not giving the superbly chiseled Waterman a breather. But when Bigelow went for the Greetings from Asbury Park finisher Waterman broke out of it with some wild punches as he was fighting for his professional life. Now it was Waterman's turn to lay on some punishment with a side suplex, hanging vertical suplex on a nearly 400 lb Bigelow, and an attempt to finish the match with a sharpshooter. Bigelow got to the ropes for the break and then in desperation took Waterman to the outside. Several times Waterman gained the advantage outside the ring but when he tried to get back inside Bigelow managed to stop him. Finally referee Buddy Lane got to 10, and counted both men out.
Bam Bam Bigelow and Ron Waterman battled to a Double Count-Out at 6:20

Post-Match: referee Buddy Lane stepped between the two huge men, and surprisingly they let him break them apart. Both men appeared winded from a hard fought match and took a few seconds to recover with their hands resting on their knees and breathing heavily from their mouths. The fans gave both men a nice round of applause for a hard fought contest.


BACKSTAGE
Linley Tolbert has a mic and is standing with RCW Commissioner Bob Backlund.

Tolbert] Mr. Commissioner, notable by their absence tonight are several very lovely, if not aging, divas who when we last saw, were vying for your attention and the job of assistant to the commissioner. What is going on in that regard?

Backlund] Linley, Linley, Linley, you see...what do YOU want?

Backlund is annoyed when Asp Evergreen steps into camera range, obviously with something on his mind.

Evergreen] Oh, Mr. Backlund, I just wanted the chance to say welcome back and congratulate you on..well...errr..returning to work, and...am I interrupting something?

Backlund shakes his head back and forth.

Backlund] I remember you well worm...you pissed Larkin off, you pissed me off, you pissed off most of the boys in the back too. Well then, why don't we just start off where we left off last time, should we?

Backlund calls Evergeen to stand right next to him, and he puts his arm around the young wrestler who is looking pretty uncomfortable right now.

Evergeen] Mr. Backlund, I don't know what you've heard, but I mean, I think you would be better off with one of the divas...

Backlund releases his arm.

Backlund] Look son, I'm not trying to screw you...just screw you over. So, tonight, you are going to earn your pay, and you will wrestle next against Ken Shamrock? You may have heard of him, he's known as the World's Most Dangerous Man?

Evergreen looks stunned.

Evergreen] Well look Bob, you already said the show was full tonight so you don't need to do me any favours.

Backlund checks his watch.

Backlund] Oh, I think we can spare an extra two minutes or so to see this match.


Bout #2
Ken Shamrock v Asp Evergreen
As predicted by Commissioner Backlund this was a squash. Shamrock actually seemed to show some pity on Evergreen, until he received a thumb in the eye. Shamrock then responded with 2 successive fisherman suplexes, a running clothesline, and a cobra clutch suplex. With Evergreen hurt Shamrock spent a few seconds stomping on the ankle before locking on the anklelock. Evergreen tapped out before Shamrock even had it completely locked in.
Ken Shamrock defeated Asp Evergreen by submission with the ankle lock submission at 3:10


Taped Promo;
From their ranch in New Zealand we see the Sheepherders Nancy and Cage standing on a porch, water dripping, swing creaking in the wind. They look over their lush green acreage with a smile on their face before turning to the camera to speak.

Nancy] As Costello and Hefferman before us, as Miller and William before us, we must leave this paradise, this ecological wonderland, and venture forth to the barren wastelands of middle America. The reason is simple. As it is with the wild fauna, it is with the wrestling landscape, green and lush here, barren, inhospitable, and empty over there. Yet with all your commercial resources you have created something tangible where before there was nothing. You have drawn all the world's best athletes to you, like moths to flame. Me and my life long friend here Sexton Cage are coming next week to teach the Hardamann's what it is like to meet real wrestlers in combat. Next week a new era of supremacy begins where the Fabulous Kangaroos of Australia, where the Crazy Kiwis, later the Sheepherders, of New Zealand left off. We are here to fill the void.

They turn their backs to the camera and watch the sunset.


Bout #3
RCW Tag Team Title Tournament Semi-Final Match
The Spinebusters; Bryan Caruthers & Jerry Orth v West Hollywood Blondes; Lenny Lane & Lodi
Hard fought contest and the Blondes were right into the action, but as the match wore on it became apparent that Caruthers was the best man in the match and Lodi the worst. Soon enough the Spinebusters put together their usual match of quick tags, double teaming on the transitions, and cutting the ring in half. Orth tried to open it up a bit, but Caruthers would tag in from his younger partner and put the clamps down once again. The end came in a manner we've seen before as well. Frustrated, Lenny Lane tried to interfere and while referee Melissa Coates struggled to clear him from the ring the Spinebusters double-teamed for a stuffed piledriver and then got the pin.
Spinebusters defeated West Hollywood Blondes by pinfall when Caruthers pinned Lodi after a stuffed piledriver at 9:05


In-ring Interview:
"Lethal" Chris Jons is in the ring along with PBP announcer Joe Aiello.
Aiello] Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming to River City, former PWA stand-out, a master ring technician, Lethal Chris Jons!!

The fans respond with a polite round of applause.

Jons] Thanks Joe, and thanks to all the great supporters of Chris Jons out there tonight. The PWA of course is no more, and neither WCW nor WWF seemed to have much interest in me, because quite frankly, they don't want guys who know what it means to go Broadway, who know a dozen different ways to apply a facelock. But here in the heartland of America, it's a different story. I feel like I've finally come home.

HOLD ON....

The voice of Dan Severn precedes him down the ramp. He is dressed in a navy blue suit and is carrying a microphone. He enters the ring with a smirk on his face.

Severn] What the hell is the RCW doing giving a never-been but otherwise would be a has-been like Chris Jons a mic for? I don't smell ratings, all I smell are a bunch of botched suplexes and a Chris Benoit wannabe...

Jons steps forward and rocks Severn with a right to the jaw. He follows it up with a kick to the gut, but when he tries to put on the cross-face it's blocked by Severn who counters with a cobra clutch. After inflicting pain on Jons for about 10 seconds he lifts him up and slams him to the mat. Severn has lost control and begins to stomp away at Jons, taking off his suit jacket, putting it over Jons' head and continuing to stomp away.

Suddenly Jody Christmas hits the ring and the fans go crazy as he nails Severn from behind with a running axhandle smash. Severn gets up slowly and just manages to avoid a superkick by taking the low road out of the ring. He wags his finger at JC before issuing him the one finger salute. Christmas tends to a fallen Jons.


Bout #4
Jamie Knoble v Alex Wright (/w Extreme Jack Voight)
Knoble wanted the pace of this one to be off the charts, and Wright tried his best to accommodate the pace. However, as Knoble was getting the best of the action Wright changed tactics, first stalling, then cheating, then taking the match outside the ring. Things turned in the German's favour when "Extreme" Jack Voight seized an opportunity to attack Knoble from behind, beating him down with double axhandles, then stomps. Voight rolled Knoble back into the ring where Wright tried to finish him off with a German suplex, then a reverse neckbreaker, but each time Knoble managed to break the count. Frustration led Wright to take a chance on a Superplex but Knoble countered with a top rope DDT which saw both men stay down for almost a count of 10. Wright got to his feet first and clotheslined Knoble over the top rope. The German then tried to distract referee Jimmy Appleseed to allow Voight another chance to interfere. The former IPW star took up a steel chair and measured Knoble with a running chairshot. However, Appleseed turned at just the right moment and caught the chairshot, and called for the DQ.
Jamie Knoble defeated Alex Wright by disqualification when Voight was caught for outside interference at 5:54

Post-Match;
Despite Alex Wright leaving the ringside area in frustration, Voight got a maniacal look on his face and continued to work over Knoble (albeit without the chair as it was removed by Appleseed). Voight slammed Knoble back first into the ring apron, then into the ringpost. He then "rockbottomed" him onto the arena floor. Voight yelled at Knoble and spat on him before leaving the ring area.


Backstage;
The announcers inform us that there is some sort of altercation going on backstage, and that a camera is capturing the action.

The feed changes to the staging area where we see Eddie Chavez who is up next in his match arguing with Derek St. Holmes, ESQ.

Holmes] But I'm still your manager right? You want me, scratch that, you NEED me out there to help you. You CAN'T do this alone.

Chavez looks mad and pokes his finger into the chest of Holmes.

Chavez] LOOK - HOLMES - I'll spell it out for you. Last time, you and Evergreen screwed things up for me so bad that I wasn't really wanted back here. I had to do a lot of ass kissing to get this job back, and I'm not going to let some two bit hustler like you, or Asp Evergreen screw things up for me - again. Now hit the road..before the road hits you.

Holmes looks confused, and backs away from Chavez, allowing him to disappear through the curtain and to the ring.

Asp Evergreen walks into the feed.

Evergreen] Holmes, I've been looking all over....hey, what's wrong?

Holmes] I think Eddie Chavez, just fired us.

Evergreen] You mean, fired you.

Holmes just nods and stares at the curtain.

Evergreen] Don't sweat it my friend, we don't need a two-bit piece of trash like Chavez. Come on, let's go for a soda.

The two walk away from the camera.


Bout #5
Eddie Chavez v Raymond Bingham
Bingham began the match by playing mind games with Chavez, refusing to lock up, and then slapping him in the face. Chavez lost his temper, and then when he was tied up with the ref Bingham struck with a poke to the eye. Bingham followed up with a hotshot, and then poured on the offense. It was strictly a squash from here and in the end Bingham used the figure-four leglock in the middle of the ring to get the win.
Raymond Bingham defeated Eddie Chavez by submission to the figure-four leglock at 4:22


Post-Match:
Raymond Bingham remains in the ring with a microphone.

Bingham] River City the pleasure was all yours. But next time send something better down the aisle. I'm the 2001 PWI Rookie of the Year, the 2003 WWA wrestler of the year, and a former WWA United States Champion. I have credentials and potential far superior to any other wrestler in this hick promotion, and if you don't start feeding me titles I'll take my road show somewhere else.

Bingham throws down the mic and leaves the ring amidst a chorus of jeers.



Taped Promo:
The scene is a warehouse loft, looking rather spacious, semi-dark, candles providing only flickers of light. The floors are brightly polished hardwoods, in contrast we hear the hiss of steam from old radiators. It's dark outside the windows but we see the lights of the city, and hear the noise of traffic and sirens.

In the middle of the room is a metal poster-bed, with white sheets hanging from the side. In the bed is a leather clad woman, with chains binding her to the bedposts as well as to shackles built into the floor itself. However, she does seem to have enough freedom of movement to be doing some simulated bumping and grinding alone on the bed.

We hear a voice speak from the shadows and we can see a high backed velvet chair, a pair of legs, but the rest of the body lost in shadows.

Voice] Diamonds are forever, but you already know that. But did you know that they are also the HARDEST substance on earth? They are used industrially for all types of drilling applications. Diamonds are also a girl's best friend. But, alas, you also know that opposites attract, and every action has an equal and opposite reaction. That is why I am coming to River City, to find the opposite who will compliment my immense talents. All things that are build eventually decay...rot...rust. Except for diamonds of course. Middle America I am coming. I am forever.

The figure steps out of the darkness, as the woman on the bed's squirming increases. He sits on the edge of the bed, puts a gloved hand on the small of her back and slowly she begins to relax. The figure turns to the camera and we see it is Dustin Rhodes in white face-make-up.


Back to the announce crew:
Aiello] Phew..talk about a weirdo!!!

Tolbert] A cosmopolitan fellow like him should go over quite well with the Iowa farmers and Wisconsin cheeseheads. But I do like his taste in women.

Aiello] You would! Let's go to the ring now, for our main event. Sam Holiday has a chance here to beat Manny Silva and to take his spot in next week's match for the RCW Heavyweight title.


MAIN EVENT
WINNER FACES VENDETTA NEXT WEEK FOR THE RCW HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE
Sam Holiday v Manny Silva
Silva is in a bad mood, and harnesses it to start strong going right after Holiday. He pounds in him in the corner before bieling him to the middle of the ring where he slaps on a reverse chinlock. He's not playing around tonight as he takes the Texan to his feet, slaps on a 3/4 facelock and then brings him back down to the mat with a Russian legsweep. Silva throws Holdiay over the top rope crashing to the floor below, and then risks DQ when he pushes referee Buddy Lane out of the way so he can go right after Holiday.
Outside he throws the Texan into the ringsteps, but when he lifts them up to use as a weapon Lane steps into the way and forces the Hawaiian to put them down. Silva goes after Holiday again but a whip into the guardrail is reversed by Holiday. The Texan recovers enough to roll back into the ring and Silva follows suit.
It's a real slobberknocker now inside the ring as the two big men exchange punches and kicks that bring the fans to their feet. Holiday gets the better, comes off the ropes and nails Silva with a clothesline which knocks the villain straight off his feet. Holiday separates Silva's legs and then drops a knee just above the groin.
Holiday punishes Silva for a couple of minutes but when he goes to the top rope for the Holiday legdrop, Silva gets there in time to catch Holiday with a shot to the gut and then slams him down to the mat. It's Silva's turn to lay out some punishment and he does so with gusto. Powerslam, piledriver, and then he leaves the ring to deal out a snap ring rope clothesline. Silva wastes time to jaw at the crowd before returning to the ring.
That delay costs him as Holiday fires back, but falls victim to an eye gouge and then Silva nails a devastating looking front layout suplex. Silva slows things down for a bit with a neck twist which fails to get the desired submission from Holiday. Frustrated Silva takes the action outside the ring again.
The two men battle outside, both taking their share of lumps, and Silva comes back to the ring busted open from a shot into the ringpost. Holiday is on fire with a series of running clotheslines, and then a bulldog. He goes for the pin but only gets a 2 count. Holiday nails 4 straight kneedrops and then bodyslams Silva into position. He climbs to the top and attempts the Holiday leg drop, only to have Silva roll out of the way. The Mad Dog pounces right away with a vicious looking running kneesmash into the face of Holiday, who was still in an upright position after the failed legdrop. Silva picks up Holiday and delivers a T-bone suplex. Holiday manages to get himself into a sitting position but Silva is waiting behind him, and finishes the match with a well executed grounded crucifix cradle.
Manny Silva defeated Sam Holiday by pinfall with a grounded crucifix cradle at 13:10

Post-Match
Silva does not take any time out to celebrate his victory, instead he lays right into Holiday with more kicks and punches before throwing the Texan once again over the top rope. He brushes off Lane's attempt to stop him, and follows his prey outside the ring. He gets a chair and nails Holiday with a running chairshot. He picks the chair up again, and prepares to deliver another chairshot as we see Holiday is now busted open too.

<<< cue "Dirty Deeds" by AC/DC >>>
The announce crew are very excited and confused as we were led to believe that Vendetta was not here tonight. However, the fans are on their feet, all eyes to the ramp, the lights are dimmed and his music plays. Silva readies his chair and turns to face the ramp. After a few seconds nothing happens and Silva turns around to face Holiday...too late...as he is rocked by a running clothesline! Holiday picks up the discarded chair and ~waffles~ Mad Dog across the back of the head, sending him flaying face down into the floor.

Holiday celebrates his revenge, but not a victory, and there is no sign of the Haitian Warrior Vendetta, as we


FADE TO BLACK

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #985
2 Hour edition of Rage in Syndication
Taped Wednesday May 26th, 2004
Air Date, Saturday May 29th, 2004

MidWest Wireless Civic Center
Mankato, MN

Attendence; 2,195


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

RCW RAGE is on the air. We go to the announce table for the introductions.

Joe Aiello] Welcome fans to another fantastic edition of RAGE. Tonight we come to you from the picturesque little city of Mankato, Minnesota, the home of the training camp for the 2004 Minnesota Vikings.

Linley Tolbert] Over 2,000 strong here tonight Joe. You know what else Mankato is famous for? It's the big city mentioned in Little House on the Prairie which was set in Walnut Grove, less than an hour's drive west from here. What do you think Joe? Perhaps we'll see Charles Ingolls and Merlin Olson go at it tonight?

Joe] I doubt that Linley but we have a great main event of our own, featuring two RCW stars battling for the Heavyweight championship - Vendetta faces off against Manny Silva!

Linley] Yeah, yeah, sounds great but any chance that Reverend Alden could serve as guest referee?

Joe] What's with you? Really stuck on that show aren't you? How much do you watch it?

*awkward silence*

Joe] Well I guess that answers my question. Without further fanfare lets go to the ring for our first match.


Opening Bout
Jody Christmas & Chris Jons v Dan Severn & Alex Wright (/w Jack Voight)
Last week we saw Severn interrupt an interview with Jons and ridicule the veteran cruiserweight. Jons responded with fists but Severn got the better of him and JC came to the rescue of the Lethal one. That set up this tag match for tonight. 
Chris Jons insisted on starting the match, and it was against Wright. Jons got control with an armbar and then punished the German for a couple of minutes before both men tagged out, and the crowd rose to their feet to see the two icons meet again in the ring to renew bad blood. Severn struck first with a blatant kick to the groin and then laughed at the attempts by referee Jimmy Appleseed to admonish him. JC fought back though and the two exchanged kicks and punches, not something Christmas is going to win. Christmas played Ricky Morton for a few minutes before getting a tag into Jons. Christmas feigned leaving the ring, and when Wright turned to take on Jons, JC struck with a standing side kick to the back of the German. This brought Jack Voight to the ring apron but Christmas took him out with a running forearm smash. Jons hooked on the cross face chickenwing but Severn entered the ring and broke it up with a kick to the head. This turned into a 4 man brawl, with JC and Wright spilling out of the ring. Voight nailed Christmas in the back, and then Wright returned to the ring to make it two on one on Jons. Severn nailed a pair of German suplexes, and then handed Jons off to Wright who nailed another pair. Jimmy Appleseed counted, 1, 2, KICKOUT!!
Jons ducked under a clothesline, rolled up Wright with a crucifix. Severn looked to interfere but Christmas grabbed his ankles reaching in under the bottom rope and tripped him up. Voight then nailed Christmas from behind, but it was too late for inside the ring where Jons had Wright pretzeled for the 1, 2, 3.
Jody Christmas & Chris Jons defeated Dan Severn & Alex Wright by pinfall when Jons pinned Wright with a roll up crucifix at 7:17


Recorded Promo Segment;
We see Jody Christmas in street clothes in the ring, his arms draped over the top rope, the arena empty and silent. He speaks, looking into the camera below him. He speaks softly, his voice carrying and echoing in the arena.

"Teddy Hart and Michael Shane. You wanted a response from me, the main event, the icon, well, here I am. You know it would be easy for me to board a plane, catch up to you boys, and kick your asses all over the NWA. It would be even easier for me to invite you over here to the Heartland, and in the small chance that you might muster up enough spine to actually show up, I would knock your block off right here. But boys, I am a future hall of famer for a reason. I have been on the top of this industry for nearly a decade, for a reason. My back has been broken, my head concussed many times, for a reason. I am simply the best. I'm not going to chase down every backyarder with a dream of beating up the icon. Win, lose, or draw, and make no mistake about it, it would be a loss for you, you would get the rub from greatness that you desire. You see Hart, Shane, you have already forgotten more about putting up and taking down rings than I will ever learn. When you have established yourself, when your fingers grasp and claw at the pinnacle, at the top where I stand, then and only then will I step forward and squash your fingers, and your dreams and send you once again tumbling down the ladder of success. It will take better men than you two to knock me off my perch. So, that's it boys, I tell you what, when you capture some gold, say the NWA Tag Team titles, then you will be worthy of my attention, and then I will reconsider your pompous challenge. But I do wish you boys all the best in your efforts to beat up Bret Hart, and his legacy of shame".

Christmas motions for the camera man to cut it off, and we see the picture fade. But then we hear JC's voice speak again, "wait, turn it back on". Then more forceful a second time, "turn it back on, I'm not done." The camera indeed does come back on and JC is still in the ring.

"You know what, that was okay, what I had wanted to say, what I discussed with management. But something still bugs me, sticks in my craw about this whole situation. Michael Shane. It's one thing to make a name off of a legacy, to get the rub, wrestling has always been like that. But it's quite another to ally yourself with a Hart, of all people. I can't express to you Michael how disappointed I am, how this slaps me in the face. You didn't need the Heartbreakers to make it big, you have talent all your own. You don't need to work the internet smarks like Annis does because you have more talent than him, and much more charisma. You are taking the easy way out, and it disgusts me. I tell you what, you couple of little shits, I still dont' believe you are worthy of stepping in the ring with me, the icon, but to tell you the truth, the idea of coming to New York and wiping those stupid smiles off your faces is beginning to grow on me."

Christmas tells the camera man to cut, and this time the camera fades and goes to black.


Bout #2
Triple Threat Match
Tiger Khan (/w Sammy Yip) v Vincent Regliatti v Greg Pawluk
This match was the story of Pawluk surviving and overcoming adversity long enough to wait for a mistake. The error occurred when Sammy Yip interfered to knock out Regliatti, thinking this would allow his man Khan to finish off a dazed Pawluk. But when Khan tried to lock in the cobra clutch, Pawluk countered into a hammerlock and ran Khan face first into the turnbuckle. The two men bounced off and Pawluk ducked under a back elbow and then took Khan down with a back suplex, putting Khan's shoulders to the mat.
Greg Pawluk defeated Vincent Regliatti and Tiger Khan by pinfall when he pinned Khan after a back suplex at 9:50


In-ring Interview:
Joe Aiello is in the ring with Raymond Bingham.

Aiello] Mr. Bingham, an impressive start to the new RCW campaign for yourself.

Bingham] What did you expect Aiello? For me to lose to a bunch of ham and egger, nobodies in buttshot Midwest? Give me a break, and give me some competition. I am the future of pro wrestling, and the grey beards in charge have been trying to keep the future back so long that it might never get a chance to shine.

Aiello] The future is fine, but let's talk a bit about the past. Specifically, 2003, and your supposed award for WWA Wrestler of the year. What is that all about?

Bingham] What do you mean Joe? I won an award voted on by wrestling journalists as the top performer in the WWA for the year 2003! And I'm almost as proud of that achievement as I am of my PWI Rookie of the Year award from 2001.

Bingham points out his t-shirt which is the "PWI 2001 Rookie of the Year Raymond Bingham" t-shirt that he seems to have been wearing every day since receiving the award.

Aiello] The WWA suspended operations in 2003, there were no awards given out to my knowledge.

Bingham] Well I would figure that you being a wrestling journalist might be able to keep on top of your own industry, but I guess I was wrong! You are clueless Joe, just like these fans here tonight. But let me clue you in on this fact Joe. Raymond Bingham is sick of waiting for top flight talent to be given to me to beat. There are more ducks here than in a Minnesota fall. So, I'm taking steps into my own hands.

Bingham pulls out a piece of paper from his back pocket and hands it to Aiello.

Bingham] As you can see Joe, that is a current roster of the RCW. Now I want you Joe to have the priveledge of picking my next opponent. I will call out any of these smucks to meet me in the ring next week. Anyone Joe. So who will it be?

Aiello scans the list as the fans shout out various names.

Aiello] Here's a good one. Put your money where your mouth is Mr. Bingham, and step into the ring next week, if Mr. Backlund can make the match, against the World's Most Dangerous Man, Ken Shamrock!!

The crowd erupts, but it doesn't seem to phase the cocky Bingham.

Bingham] Excellent choice Joe. Next week I will beat Shamrock. In fact Joe, I will make him tap out to his own hold, the ankle lock, and then I will have to finally be regarded as the top challenger for the RCW Heavyweight title!


Bout #3
Menele v Ryland Roxbury
The manbeast Menele was all over Roxbury from the start. He never let the youngster get any breathing room, working him over from in close, and then punishing him with a variety of suplexes. Squash.
Menele defeated Roxbury by pinfall after a T-bone suplex at 4:51


In-ring interview;
Linley Tolbert is in the ring, flanked by Ken Shamrock & Ron Waterman.

Tolbert asks Shamrock first off if he will face the challenge of Raymond Bingham next week, to which Shamrock replies "positively". Then Tolbert tries his best to stir up the competitive juices between these two lethally trained fighters, but gets nothing but statements of mutual respect. The two end up shaking hands and express a desire to work together in the future. Tolbert makes a gagging motion into the camera.


<<< cue "One Big Rush" by Joe Satriani >>>
The commissioner of RCW Mr. Bob Backlund makes his way to the ring. Inside the ring he has a mic and calls to the back "ladies".

One by one Tylene Buck, Sable, Kimberly Page, Kim Kanner, and Debra McMichael make their way to the ring. All the ladies are looking lovely in summer dresses and high heels.

Backlund] Ladies first of all..audience, don't they look absolutely marvellous?

The crowd cheers the divas of the RCW.

Backlund] And each and every one of you is also very intelligent as well as wise to the ways of the wrestling industry. Any of the 5 of you would make a wonderful executive assistant for RCW. And quite frankly, I would love to see all of you on my staff! But theres only room for one. So, starting next week, three of you will take a turn working as the assistant for a week of Rage. Based on what I know of you so far, as well as your performance in your weeks apprenticeship, we will name a winner. But, as for now, I am afraid that I am going to have to eliminate two of you immediately. The two I have chosen to eliminate from consideration are both lacking in one key aspect that makes a good executive assistant. Two of you have shown by past actions that you do not have loyalty as a core value. So, I am sorry to say that as of today, Sable and Kimberly Page are no longer in the running for the job as executive assistant. I am truly sorry ladies.

The crowd cheers for some reason. Sable is furious and tells off Backlund. While the mic has been turned off so we can't hear the words they are enough to make him turn red in the face. She leaves in a tantrum, while Kim Page crosses her arms and leaves in a snit.

Backlund] Well, thats never pleasant is it? Okay ladies one more thing. When it is not your week, I do request that you do not come to Rage. Just to make sure everything is on the up and up. So, next week we will see you Tylene Buck, as the apprentice to the executive assistant position.

With that each of Kim Kanner, Tylene Buck, and Debra McMichael take turns giving Backlund a peck on the cheek and exiting the ring.


Bout #4
RCW Semi-Final Tag Team Title Match
The Sheepherders: Jim Nancy & Sexton Cage v Al & Luke Hardamann
Well it didn't take long for the fans of Mankato to take a disliking to the Sheepherders who got on the mic and ran down Minnesota, former Governor Jesse Ventura, and the Vikings.
In the ring Nancy proved to be the better wrestler and veteran, while Cage looked every bit the younger understudy. Any civility bore by the eloquent speaking of the Sheepherders went straight out the window once the bell rang. The New Zealand duo challenged referee Melissa Coates every step of the way to DQ them, refusing to break, double teaming, and using illegal moves. The Hardamann's fought back but always seemed to be short handed, with Luke spending an extended stint playing Ricky Morton.
Finally with Coates in a confrontation with Jim Nancy trying to get him out of the ring, Luke Hardamann had seen enough and seized on the distraction to retrieve a steel chair and wrap it around the skull of Sexton Cage. The younger 'herder dropped like a stone, and Al pinned him to get the win.
The Hardamann Brothers defeated the Sheepherders by pinfall when Al pinned Cage after Luke nailed Cage with a steel chair at 10:55

Post-Match
Al Hardamann seemed to be pretty pissed off at Luke for his actions, using the steel chair to secure the win, but the two left side by side, celebrating together. In the meantime inside the ring Nancy spoke quietly but earnestly to Cage going over what just happened.


Backstage;
We see a camera following Sable apparently leaving the arena in a huff. She isn't looking where she is going and bumps right into Al Collins who is being interviewed by a media personality.

Sable] You big lummox, why don't you look where you are going!

Collins] Me? I was just standing here!

Sable turns her head and when she turns back to Collins she looks like she is about to break down and cry.

Collins] What's the matter? I'm sorry if I upset you Sable.

Sable] Oh it wasn't you Al, you're always such a nice guy. I've probably never told you that before, but I've always liked you. You're so sweet and honourable, and such a good wrestler. Any girl would be lucky to have you.

It's like sweet honey dissolving in hot tea, as Al self-consciously pushes back his comb-over hairdo.

Al] Well..umm...thanks. So what has got you so upset?

Sable] Mr. Backlund, he promised me the job as the Executive Assistant, as long as I did what I told him. I did his errands, I got his coffee, make his phone calls, I even..put my hands on him.

Al] WHAT?!?

Sable] Yes, I gave him several shoulder and scalp massages. But, I guess that wasn't enough. I shudder to think what the other girls must have done to get his attention more than I.

Al] They're not worthy to walk in the same room as you dear. They are just girls of bad repute, you Sable are a true lady.

Sable] Well I hope that is how you will remember me Al.

Sable leans forward and gives Al a kiss on the cheek. He blushes and then suddenly looks like he figured something out.

Al] What do you mean remember you?

Sable] Well, I don't have a job anymore in the RCW, so I guess I'm going to have to go to the NWA and beg for work. I can't bear to think of the degrading and awful angles those brutes will make me do!

Al] Well what if you had someone here to manage? Would you stay?

Sable] I guess, as long as he was an honourable man, and a good wrestler.

Al] Leave it to me Sable, now go and unpack your bags.


Main Event
RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Vendetta (C) v Manny Silva
The fans were anxiously awaiting this match. Prior to his arrival in the ring a public service announcement was played on the JumboTron with Vendetta urging people to donate to the Red Cross who have been involved in the recent flooding tragedy that claimed hundreds of lives in both Dominican Republic as well as Vendetta's homeland of Haiti. It quieted the crowd for a couple of seconds until "Dirty Deeds" played and the fans went nuts for the return of the dark prince of voodoo, Vendetta!
These men know each other too well, and went at it right from the opening bell, with fists and kicks. Vendetta gained control early and did a stint around ringside introducing Silva to various parts of the ring and announce tables. Then it was Silva's turn to control the brawl and returned the favour smashing Vendetta into most of the same items that had been used against him earlier.
Back inside the ring head referee Buddy Lane let the two men go at it, without restraint. Vendetta nailed two consecutive piledrivers yet Silva still managed to kick out.
Silva retaliated with a duo of wheelbarrow suplexes, showing some tremendous strength but it wasn't enough to get the pin. Mad Dog slowed things down a bit, tired, breathing through the mouth, and wore the Haitian down with a reverse chinlock and a headscissors. Silva had the cobra clutch locked in but Vendetta worked to the ropes and then both men got tangled up with referee Lane, and all 3 men spilled to the floor below.
With Lane knocked out all hell broke loose, as both men grabbed chairs and smashed them together. Silva scored first jabbing his chair into the midsection of Vendetta, before nailing him again in the head. He then dragged his opponent over to the broadcast table and proceeded to deliver a piledriver that broke the table.
Silva woke up Lane and then returned to the ring where he tried to pin Vendetta. However, the time lapse had been too long and Vendetta managed to kick out.
Both men were on their feet exchanging punches, with Vendetta getting the better of Silva. The crafty Hawaiian however ducked under and smashed his head into the chest of Vendetta, and then tried to backflip him over. However, Vendetta managed to counter it by wailing away on the back of Silva, dropping him back down, and then locked the arms of Silva. The Haitian nailed Silva with a double underhook piledriver that brought the fans to their feet.
Vendetta came off the ropes with a running kneedrop that popped Silva's head up, only to crash back down to the mat in la-la land. Vendetta howled to the crowd, picked up Silva and tossed him like a rag doll into the corner. He followed him into the corner with a flying clothesline, and then springboarded off the second turnbuckle, spun in the air, and took a staggering Silva down with a flying bulldog.
Referee Buddy Lane counted, the 1, 2, 3 !!!
Vendetta defeated Manny Silva by pinfall after a spingboard bulldog at 13:05
[Vendetta retained the RCW Heavyweight Title]

Post-Match
Vendetta celebrates in the ring with the RCW Title,

<<< cue "Phenomenon" by LL Cool J >>>
Celebration turns into disbelief and quiet as the fans turn to the entrance way. Down the ramp comes a man that most fans hoped to never see again except on the back of a milk carton, Adam Riggs!!! And he is accompanied by the sensual and tough April Hunter.
The cocky looking duo make their way to the ring, and enter, putting up their hands like they don't want any trouble. As Vendetta is pre-occupied with Riggs and Hunter he is attacked from behind by Silva, who lays the boots to him. However, the fans are shocked as Riggs then clotheslines Silva to the ground. He scoops him up and then delivers a jack-knife powerbomb. Cheers though turn to jeers as Riggs turns his attention back to the champion Vendetta, scooping him up and delivering another jack-knife powerbomb! Both Silva and Vendetta are laying prone on the mat.
Hunter passes Riggs a mic.

Riggs] "God I can't believe I am back in front of you bleep pigs! What a bleep hole this place is. If you're listening out there Vince McMahon and who ever is in charge of the NWA, I'm available. Give me a call."

Riggs then gives each of Vendetta and Silva a kick.

Riggs] "Silva! You must remember me? I was on the short end of a beating from Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. You remember, me, you, them, the Wolfpack! One big happy family. Thanks for standing back and watching as they lay the boots to me and then buggered off to Europe."

Riggs lays a few more boots into Silva, then takes Hunter by the arm and leaves the ring, as we

Fade to Black

[jacklarkin]

River City Wrestling #986
2 Hour Edition of Rage
Taped Wednesday June 2nd, 2004
Air Date Saturday June 5th, 2004

From the campus of Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa
Hilton Coliseum

Attendence; 3,806


The NWA logo flashes quickly on the screen, followed by the RCW logo..followed by,

"Tomorrow America and its neighbour Canada and the rest of the free world, remember the fallen heroes of 60 years ago, who stormed the beaches of Normandy, and took back our freedom, paying the ultimate price."

A silhouette is on a lovely anthem singer in the middle of the ring. The arena is dark except for the occasional flash bulb as she belts out "America the Beautiful."

Silence. Close up of a waving American flag.


Joe Aiello] Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the company that believes in tradition, where old school is not used as a gimmick or a punch-line. Welcome to the heartland of America, welcome to Ames, Iowa, and the campus of Iowa State University!!!

Linley Tolbert] Thats right, only in America do we have the freedom to name a village like this one after a failed TV sitcom actor like Willie Aames.

Aiello] You really have no idea what you are talking about do you?

Tolbert] Do you?

Aiello] Ames has consistently made prestigious lists of the top 50 places to live in America,

Tolbert] ...you mean if you're dead right?

Aiello] And is a world renown center of biotech research and development...

Tolbert] And Charles is in charge right?

Aiello] Oh give me a break,

Tolbert], is this where I'm supposed to call someone a ham and egger?

Aiello] Folks, we have a lot of great action coming your way tonight, not the least of which will be the crowning of our tag team champions, as the Hardamann brothers clash with the Spinebusters.

Tolbert] And don't forget Joe we have the pleasure of hosting an NWA Heavyweight Tournament match here tonight as Nic Cross tangles horns with Orlando Jordan.

Aiello] So without further fanfare lets go to the ring.


Opening Bout
NWA Heavyweight Tournament Preliminary Match
Nic Cross v Orlando Jordan
This match started with Cross in control, but Jordan soon roared back and picked the tempo up a notch. Both men seemed very uncomfortable facing each other, and the match was very tight with little fluidity. However, tempers soon began to rage and the match spilled out of the ring. Referee Jimmy Appleseed got knocked out when Cross reversed a whip and sent Jordan flying into the RCW referee. Cross seized the opportunity to nail a distracted Jordan with a running clothesline. He then set up the PCW star for piledriver on top of a steel chair outside the ring. However, the crowd erupted when Adam Riggs came flying out from the back. Cross saw this in time and released the hold, and Riggs and Cross exchanged punches. Riggs got the better of it by poking Cross in the eyes. By this time Jordan had recovered, grabbed the steel chair and would have wrapped it around the head of Cross if it weren't for Riggs who shocked the crowd by grabbing the chair away from Jordan. Cross flew into the picture and took Jordan down from behind clipping his leg. Cross then rolled Jordan back inside the ring and went to work on the leg for a minute before nailing a high knee lift, and then the finisher. Riggs had already left for the back, and Appleseed regained his consciousness to officiate the end of the match.
Nic Cross defeated Orlando Jordan by pinfall with the double underhook piledriver at 11:07

The announce crew make mention of our own RCW stars who will be traveling around the globe to participate in NWA World Tournament matches this week. They wish the best to Adam Riggs, Jody Christmas, Vendetta, and Manny Silva.


In-Ring Interview;
Joe Aiello is in the ring with the West Hollywood Blondes, Lenny Lane & Lodi. Usual stuff about challenging the winner of tonight's tag team championship match, claiming to be the #1 contenders. The fans cheer them on and they thank the fans for their support. This brings out the Sheepherders, Jim Nancy and Sexton Cage. Nancy tears into the WHB calling them a bunch of west coast idiots, and says they will beat the tar out of them, and then go on to win the belts. Cage tells Nancy to be careful as that ain't tar coming out of them. The fans get on the 'herders case chanting "Naaannncyyy Booyyyy". The WHB have seen and heard enough and attack the 'herders. But in this kind of brawl they are no match for the double tough New Zealanders who quickly introduce Lane to the steel post, and then Lodi to the broadcast table.


The next match was set-up last week when Raymond Bingham told Joe Aiello to pick any name from the RCW roster and he would beat him the following week to prove he deserves to be the #1 contender for the Heavyweight title. Aiello picked the "World's Most Dangerous Man", Ken Shamrock, and Bingham was either too stupid or too cocky to show any displeasure at the choice. In fact he claimed he would make Shamrock tap out to his own Ankle lock submission hold.

Prior to the match tonight, Commissioner Bob Backlund sent out his assistant for the week, Tylene Buck, one of 3 lovely ladies taking a turn as apprentice, and all vying for the position as Executive Assistant. Buck energizes the crowd with her camouflage bikini top which quite clearly does not do the intended job of making anything hard to see, and a pair of tight white shorts, Buck announces that this match has so intrigued Mr. Bob Backlund that he has decreed that in fact, the winner of tonight's match will get a shot at the RCW Heavyweight champion!!

Raymond Bingham comes to the ring wearing his "2001 PWI Rookie of the Year" t-shirt and reminds the audience of not only that prestigious award but also the 2003 WWA wrestler of the year award.

Bout #2
Raymond Bingham v Ken Shamrock
This may have been the best match we have seen in this short re-birth of RCW as Bingham pulled out all the stops to try and get the win over Shamrock. A flurry of flying, standing, and missile dropkicks, aided by a handful of tights or a well placed boot on the bottom rope rendered a couple of near falls. Shamrock had his moments and dealt out some punishment too with German suplexes, a superplex, and several variations of armbars and armwringers, but overall Bingham won the first 15 minutes of this match on points. Bingham rocked Shamrock with a jawbreaker, a jumping neck snap reminiscent of Curt Hennig, and a pair of swinging neckbreakers but could still not get Shamrock to stay down for the count. Bingham seemed to be on the verge of one of his usual temper tantrums which would see him lose control and likely the match, but much to everyone's shock he regained his composure. He applied a front facelock, then a DDT, and got another 2 count. At this point we were 16 minutes into a 20 minute time limit match. He nailed a snap suplex and then his front faceslam finisher, but again only got a 2 count. This time Bingham did lose his temper, kicking the bottom rope and screaming at referee Buddy Lane, threatening him with a closed fist. Shamrock pounced on Bingham from behind delivering a kick to the back of the thigh, and then a short kick to the ribs, and another to the back of the head. Buddy Lane counted, 1, 2, kickout. Shamrock stomped repeatedly on the ankle and the fans cheered in anticipation of what was next, the ankle lock submission. However, before he could apply it Shamrock fell victim to a sneaky kick to the groin and then a leg whip. Bingham rolled towards Shamrock, grabbed a leg, and remarkably got to his feet in the middle of the ring with the ankle lock submission firmly locked on the "World's Most Dangerous Man". Referee Lane asked Shamrock who kept saying "no", but he got too close and as Shamrock managed to topple Bingham, the cocky young star's head smacked into Lane's head. Shamrock recovered and locked the ankle lock submission on Bingham a few seconds after the announcers had called out last minute remaining in this match. The fans went nuts as Bingham began to tap wildly on the mat, but Lane was out cold. Finally Shamrock gave up, released the hold and tried to revive Lane. However, it was futile as the last few seconds ticked off the clock, Bingham managed to literally crawl away as he couldn't stand on his ankle, and the bell sounded with Shamrock still trying to wake up Lane. Shamrock called for help from the back and the paramedics came to attend to the fallen referee.
Raymond Bingham and Ken Shamrock battled to a 20-minute time limit draw


Backstage:
We see NWA young stars, the Hartbreakers, Michael Shane & Teddy Hart walking around backstage, being followed by a cameraman who they are prompting to follow along. They walk to the dressing room door of Commissioner Bob Backlund and knock rather loudly.

Backlund from far inside the room] Who the hell is it?

Hart] Ahh..just a couple of jobbers from up north you ordered. We just need help finding something.

Backlund] I'm kind of busy right now boys, why don't you come back later? Much later.

Hart] Oh this won't take long, and we don't want to tie up your valuable time Mr. Backlund, I'm sure your assistant Tylene Buck could help us out just fine.

Hart & Shane giggle to themselves and pat each other on the back.

Backlund] Well, to tell you the truth boys..she's kind of busy at the moment too.

Hart & Shane look at each other bewildered before a look of understanding crosses their face.

Shane] Okay, Mr. Backlund, it's just that my uncle Jody Christmas sent me...

Backlund] Well why didn't you just say so, wait just a minute.

There is some rustling and banging sounds like moving furniture, and then Tylene Buck opens the door just far enough to peak out, a towel covering her chest.

Buck, whispering] What do you guys need?

Shane] Oh just the key to my Uncle's dressing room. We know he's not here but I have a gift from his mother...

Shane holds up a crucifix dangling at the end of a gold chain.

Shane] ...that she wanted me to leave with his gear. I know he would be very disappointed if he didn't get it.

Buck] Sure, I understand, just a second.

Buck closes the door, and opens it a few seconds later handing them a key, and pointing across the hallway to an unmarked doorway. She closes the door.

We watch as the boys cross the hallway and open a door just a few yards down. Inside the very small room are several equipment bags, but Shane immediately spots the one he is looking for and opens it up. He pulls out some of JC's ring attire and smiles at his partner. Hart turns and smiles at the camera, turns again so his back is to the camera, and unzips his pants. We hear the unmistakable sounds of two men taking a whiz.


Bout #3
Re-Match: Grudge Match Rules (No countout, No DQ)
Ron Waterman v Bam Bam Bigelow
These two big men waste no time reuniting and the match soon spreads to outside the ring. The fans boo as Bigleow gets the upper hand smashing Waterman through a table. Jeers turn to cheers though as Waterman fights back inside the ring and denies Bigelow a victory by nailing the Waterbomb practically out of nowhere.
Ron Waterman beat Bam Bam Bigelow by pinfall after the Waterbomb at 6:49

Post-Match: A very frustrated Bigelow tastes his own blood in the ring as both his and Waterman's foreheads had been busted open. We go to break with Bigelow pounding his fists into the mat in frustration.


Backstage:
Teddy Hart & Michael Shane are getting ready to get into a rental car, and are just giving some final goodbyes to the camera and a message to JC to take them more seriously, as they are the future, he is the past. Hart laughs and says not only are they the Hartbreakers, but if need be they will be the backbreakers. But before they can exit, Pistol Greg Pawluk comes into the picture, wandering by. He says hi to Hart who bursts out laughing which stops Pawluk in his tracks. Shane asks Hart if he knows this putz, and Hart says that he was a student in the Hart Dungeon. Hart tells Shane with a lot of disdain that Pawluk tried to make a name for himself in the indy circuit for years trying to pass himself off as a nephew of the Hart family. Shane begins to laugh, which then sets Hart off laughing as well. Pawluk is insulted and starts to tell the pair off until Hart lashes out with a kick that catches Pawluk in the gut. Hart and Shane are quick to the attack laying in the punches and kicks to an overwhelmed Pawluk. Shane slams Pawluk onto the trunk of the rental car, before the Hartbreakers jump in and squeal away, sending Pawluk tumbling off the car smashing into the concrete parking lot.


<<< cue "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana >>>
The fans are shocked and get to their feet when they hear the familiar music of DDP. The air comes out of the arena like a giant balloon however when Kimberly Page makes her way down to the ring wearing shorts, a tank-top, kneepads, and wrestling boots. She gets into the ring with a mic.

Kimberly Page] Last week Bob Backlund made the biggest mistake of his stay here in RCW. He dismissed me from consideration for the Executive Assistant position, claiming I wasn't loyal enough. Well Bob, you'll have to excuse me because unlike Kim Kanner, Tylene Buck, and Debra McMichael I have gone over your head, as opposed to just reaching your head. I know a way to get onto the good side of the big guy himself, Jack Larkin. And that way is to embarrass a little twerp in the back by the name of Asp Evergreen! So Evergreen, if you're in the back, and I know you are because I can smell your Brute cologne from here, then come on down and lets get it on!

<<< cue "Nookie" by Limp Bizkit >>>
Derek St. Holmes, ESQ comes down to the ring apron with a mic. He tells Page she has no business in the ring with a great wrestler like his client Asp. He says they won't take the challenge because they have nothing to gain. Page tries to goad him into the match by calling them chickens, cowards, etc. None of this has any effect as Holmes walks away, almost reaching the top of the ramp before Page makes one last desperate attempt.

Page] I tell you what then Holmes. You tell Asp, that if he wins I will throw in a box of Oxy-Pads, and I tell you what, he can have this.,

Page bends over and touches her toes, wiggling her backside at Holmes, who trips on his jaw, and drops his mic on his toes, as the crowd cheers and whistles.

Holmes however regains his composure, wiggles his finger no, and backs of the ramp, as the crowd boos.

<<< cue "Asp" by Savatage >>>
Asp Evergreen comes walking down the aisle dressed in blue jeans and a grey hoodie, with Holmes trying to hold him back. Asp has a wild look on his face and pushes past his manager. He enters the ring and goes right after Page, grabbing an early advantage and a handful of hair.

Bout #4
Asp Evergreen (/w Derek St. Holmes) v Kimberly Page
Evergeen grabs the advantage and keeps it as referee Jurgen Hermann comes down to the ring to officiate. Asp could have tried and probably got an early pin but his fascination for Page's backside distracted him constantly. Finally Page fought back with a kick to the shin, then one to the groin, a chop to the throat, and then a "hairacarana", that left Asp grabbing at his head. He was reeling and walked right into a DDT. Derek St. Holmes tried to rush the ring but was suddenly taken out from behind as Eddie Chavez came running from the back. Inside the ring Page blew a kiss to referee Hermann and gave him a wink that caused him to count possibly the quickest, 1,2,3, in NWA history.
Kimberly Page beat Asp Evergreen by pinfall after a DDT, and assisted by a wink and a smile, at 5:12


Backstage;
A camera is set up in Bob Backlund's office, where he is seated ready to make some sort of statement. Standing over him is Tylene Buck.

Backlund] Next week on Rage...

The door bursts open and referee Jimmy Appleseed enters.

Appleseed] Boss, boss,

Backlund] Calm down Johnny, calm down, what's wrong?

Appleseed] It's Jimmy sir, not Johnny.

Backlund] You interrupted me to tell me your name?

Buck] No Bob, he interrupted you first, then you got his name wrong, but then he thought...

Backlund gives her a quizzical look that causes her to stop talking.

Backlund] Haven't you done enough damage already for one night?

Backlund turns to Appleseed and mutters] If only those were brains. Now what the hell is wrong?

Appleseed] It's Buddy, they had to take him to the hospital, he might have a concussion. He's scheduled to referee the main event tonight between the Hardamann's and the Spinebusters for the tag titles.

Backlund] Oh dear that is a problem isn't it...CONSIDERING I HAVE 3 OTHER REFEREES...

Appleseed] Well I guess there is that but,

Backlund] But your right Johnny, those Spinebusters are a devious lot aren't they! I need a man inside the ring that can keep control, that can dish it out as well as take it, a man of integrity.

Appleseed has a big smile, and is puffing out his chest.

Backlund] But where could I possibly find such a man?

Buck] Well I know one man, who is strong, fair, and as tough as the day is long.

Backlund] Yes I know but I am far too busy with administrative matters to ref a match!

Buck] I meant Sam Holiday, I saw him wandering around backstage earlier tonight.

Backlund] That's brilliant!! You may just have turned this night from being a total disaster for your job chances to being a possible home run! Sam Holiday will be the referee for tonight's main event. Thanks for dropping by Johnny.


Bout #5
"Extreme" Jack Voight v Al Collins (/w Sable)
Sable wore a devious smile, and very little else down to the ring. Collins seemed taken aback and embarrassed by Sable's outfit and her flirting with the crowd, but still helped her into the ring feeling sorry for her after her act last week that seems to have made him smitten.
As the match began Sable took a seat at the announce table, actually on the announce table, actually it turned into a bit of a table dance. She did manage to speak enough to tell Bob Backlund to take his Executive Assistant job and shove it up his backside, and that he could eat his heart out, cause there was nothing on her that he could, that sentence was cut short by Joe Aiello.
Inside the ring Collins would have a tough time with such a ruthless animal like Voight on the best of days, but add in the distraction of his own new valet and he was lost in this match. Voight punishes Collins with a bearhug, continues working on the back with a couple of backbreakers, and takes Collins down with a short lariat that literally knocks one of Collins' boots off and tumbles out of the ring. Voight locks on the cobra clutch and Collins submits.
Jack Voight defeated Al Collins by submission with the Cobra Clutch at 4:35

Post-Match:
Sable joins a dazed Collins in the ring and helps him to the back, looking very concerned about his well-being, or at least she would if it wasn't for the smirk on her face which seems to come and go.


In-ring promo;

<<< cue "Diamonds and Rust" by Judas Priest >>>
Mist, darkness, mixed with flashes of light bring Diamond "Dustin" Rhodes and Paisley to the ring. He is dressed in a black trenchcoat and boots, she is wearing a purple latex catsuit. Once in the ring she gets down on all fours and cozies up to his leg as he speaks. He mutters more of the same stuff about being the hardest force in the universe, and about being every women's best friend. Then Rhodes says that he has spotted the "Rust" that will ideally compliment his own agenda. Soon enough he promises his new partner will be unveiled. The crowd doesn't really seem to care though, and chants of "freak" are heard sporadically throughout the venue.


Main Event
RCW Tag Team Championship Match
Special guest referee Sam Holiday
Al & Luke Hardamann v The Spinebusters; Bryan Caruthers & Jerry Orth
The Hardamanns start strong, taking the style of the Spinebusters and shoving it right back down their throat with quick tags, cutting the ring in half and using some double-teams on the tags. Caruthers plays Ricky Morton for a few minutes until the Spinebusters manage a double team hotshot on Al and take control. Now it's the Spinebusters turn to use the same tactics, and Luke begins to lose his temper on the apron. He misses a sure tag when Al finally does fight free because he was inside the ring trying to intefere but Holiday would have none of it.
Soon the match deteriorated into a four man brawl, a series of 2 on 1's, and then some real good tag team chain wrestling that brought the fans to their feet. The Spinebusters managed to grab control again when Orth held Al's neck under the bottom rope, yanking up in a slingshot position, and then Caruthers came off the apron with a knee drop right onto the prone forehead of the "Wild Thing".
Luke lost his temper and tried to interfere again, and once again Sam Holiday called it right down the middle struggling with Luke to put him back out of the ring. However, while his back was turned Orth put Al into a piledriver position, Caruthers slid a steel chair into the ring and then climbed to the top rope. "Plan B" Caruthers then came off the top to aid Orth in piledriving the younger Hardamann brother onto the steel chair. After that the pin was a foregone conclusion.
The Spinebusters beat the Hardamann Brothers by pinfall when Jerry Orth pinned Al Hardamann after a stuffed piledriver onto a steel chair at 13:45
[The Spinebusters win the RCW Tag Team Titles]

Post-Match
Luke continues a heated debate with Sam Holiday, and when the two get into a shoving match a bloodied and wobbly Al has to try and step between them. Immediately both men forget their differences for a minute to help Al, only to begin to argue again over who is going to help him to the back. Finally Sam Holiday throws his arms up and leaves it to Luke.

Meanwhile, the Spinebusters grab their newly won tag team belts and celebrate standing on top of the announce table, as we

Fade to Black