Ruthless C Shows WWE Velocity 2/14/2004 & WWE Sunday Night Heat 2/15/2004 No Way Out Edition

 

Check out the audio podcast Ruthless with an in depth breakdown of the week's Raw and Smackdown on the North South Connection podcast network.

It's Saturday Night so it's time for some Velocity. What better way to spend your Valentine's Day.   Tonight we get Bill Demott back in the commentary booth with Josh Mathews.  

Match #1

Billy Kidman & Paul London vs The FBI (Nunzio & Johnny Stamboli)

Chuck Palumbo is not out with his pizons as he is preparing for his match later.  Nunzio flexes and challenges Kidman to a test of strength.  Nunzios immediately tries to kick Kidman who catches his foot for an atomic drop followed by an arm drag.  A tag to Paul London, who sunset flips on his way into the ring for a 2 count.  London gets an inverted arm drag and tags out for a double team drop toe hold and elbow drop combo.  Nunzio escapes to make the tag to The Bull.  London goes up top and stomps the back of a standing Stamboli.  London heads up top again, but Nunzio distracts him allowing Stamboli to whip him off to the mat.  The FBI tag back and forth in the conrner stomping London.  Nunzio snapmares Lodon and grabs a headlock.  Stamboli gets a cheapshot on London behind the ref's back.  Nunzio taunts Kidman in the corner and chokes London before drop kicking him right in the mush.  Nunzio grabs another chinlock.  London almost escapes but he is cut down by a knee to the face.  Nunzio misses a punch and hits the ropes, hurting his hand.  London holds the ropes and Nunzio yanks him off in a spot that I assume was meant for London to kick Nunzio but he misses and Nunzio still sells it.  The Bull is tagged back in but London kicks him in the back of the head and finally makes the tag to Kidman.  Kidman gets a double head sciossors to both FBI members and then a single head scissors to Stamboli followed by an enziguri for 2.  He recovers and breaks Kidman in half with a neck breaker.  London is able to break the fall and planchas Nunzio on the outside.  Kidman hits a drop kick and climbs up for a shooting star press but Stamboli gets up so Kidman tries a crossbody which Stamboli catches.  Kidman wriggles free for a sunset flip attempt and London aids him with a drop kick to get the win in 9:34.  (**3/4)

Dawn Marie is trying to help Paul Heyman with his spear induced injuries from Monday Night on Raw.  (Check out the podcast linked above)  She starts rubbing him and Heyman says she is making it worse.  Heyman says that Goldberg has made history with that spear.  Goldberg wants to ruin Paul Heyman's first Smackdown Pay Per View.  Either Goldberg lives up to the hype or Brock Lesnar will make Goldberg pay, prove Smackdown is superior to Raw, and that Brock Lesnar is superior to Bill Goldberg.  

Match #2

Shannon Moore vs Ultimo Dragon

A side headlock takedown by Dragon, school boy, and another head lock takeover.  He hits a tilt-a-whirl head scissors and drop kick sends Shannon Moore to the floor.  Moore yanks Dragon off he apron to gain his first advantage of the match and hits a back suplex.  Dragon gets several hamstring kicks til a kick in the back of the head.  A up and oer in the corner leads to a dragon kick to the gut.  Moore drop kicks Dragon on Asai DDT attempt.  Moore gets a neck breaker but Dragon rolls through and kicks Moore in the chest.  Moore goes to the top and hits a top rope floatover reverse bulldog for a near fall.  Dragon hits an Asai DDT out of nowhere after a back elbow for the flash win in 5:11. (**1/4)

Match #3

Chuck Palumbo vs Orlando Jordan

Palumbo is sans Nunzio and Stamboli.  They grapple for control which is eventually won by Jordan.  Jordan jams his knee on a leap frog attempt.  Palumbo chop blocks and then kicks out the knee.  Palumbo locks in a figure four.  He repeatedly grabs the ropes for extra leverage until Nick Patrick finally catches him allowing Jordan to reverse the pressure on the hold.  Jordan school boys and back slides Palumbo for 2.  Palumbo gets up and boots Jordan's head off for 2.  Jordan gets a drop kick but the move hurts his knee more.  He then goes for Johnson shuffle to damage his knee more for no reason just so he could dance.  He hobbles to the top rope but Jordan just falls off from his bad wheel.  Palumbo goes for the figure four and Jordan rolls him up for 2.  Palumbo takes him down with a huge right hand.  He picks OJ up for a powerslam, but Jordan slides out the back and he rolls up Palumbo for the three count in 5:15.  Nunzio and Satmboli breat down Nunzio in the aisle.  Palumbo gives Jordan a somoan drop and Stamboli nails a top rope leg drop.  (3/4*)

Match #4

Billy Gunn vs A-Train

Billy Gunn gets a head lock but Train throws him off and hits a big clothesline, followed by a standing splash and an elbow drop.  Gunn fires up with punches but Train runs through him.  Train grabs a bear hug.  Gunn bites Train to break the hold but immediately eats a back elbow.  Gunn hits a drop toe hold into the second turnbuckle. He hits two clotheslines and diamond cutter for 2.  A corner splash but Train dodges a famouser.  He nails a bicycle kick and with the help of the ropes pins Gunn in 4:20. (*).

Dawn Marie talks about how turned on she is by hot action on a Saturday night.  Heyman is ignoring her as he is on the phone booking their flights to San Fransico for tomorrow No Way Out.  Pay per view.  Heyman yelps in pain and curses Goldberg as he tries to get up.  He has Dawn Marie pick up his phone which he dropped.  She does so in a seductive manner but Heyman just wants her to hurry up so they can catch the flight.  Maybe we can tagalong to the Cow Palace as well for No Way Out.

Funaki who is of course Smackdown's number 1 announcer is interviewing Jaime Noble.  He wants his thoughts on being blindfolded in his match with his girlfriend Nidia.  Noble thinks it is unfair.  Nidia has blondfolded him before in the bedroom, but this is different.  How can he even defend himself.  He didn't blind her in the first place.  Why should she get the advantage.  She could attack him from anyhwhere.  Jaime by God Noble can't be beaten by a girl.  That would be embarrassing.  I couldn't look in the mirror.  It's unfair, it ain't right, it's BS.  Noble storms off.  

Big Show is being interviewed by Rue DaBona.  She wants to know if Rue was in involved with the attack on Kurt Angle on Smackdown.  Big Show says that while Rue may be beautiful, she is not very smart.  He is 7 feet tall and 500 pounds.  If he attacked Kurt, Angle wouldn't even be here right now.  Tonight my focus is to win the Triple Threat and face Lesnar for the title.  Rue clarifies, "If he beats Eddie Guerrero tonight."  Big Show laughs as he is imagining a giant battling Eddie Guerrero at Madison Square Garden at WrestleMania 20.  

Match #1

Ultimo Dragon, Paul London & Billy Kidman vs Kyo Dai (Tajiri, Sakoda, and Akio)

Akio hits a shoulder block and taunts Paul London who someone manages to get a head scissors from his back.  He stomps Akio on the back of the neck from the top rope and follows with an arm drag.  The faces double team with a side walk slam by London and leg drop by Kidman.  Akio gets a jawbreaker to create space to tag in Sakoda for a headscissors.  Akio gets a cheap shot knee from the apron.  Tajiri tagged in but the ref didn't see it and kicks him out but is okay with Akio who was the not the legal man coming in.  So whatever.  Now Akio tags Tajri in for some patented kicks and grabs a headlock.  Triple drop kick to Kidman face by Kyo Dai but London is able to break up the fall.  Akio in for more kick and chokes Kidman in the ropes.  Akio misses a spin kick and Kidman capitalizes with a drop kick of his own.  He gets the hot tag to Ultimo Dragon for tons of kicks to Tajiri, a springboard moonsault to Akio.  Tajiri accidently kicks Sakoda in the face.  Tajiri hits a spring board elbow but London breaks the fall.  Akio clotheslines him to the outside. Kidman sends Akio to the floor with his own clothesline.  Sakoda lifts up Ultimo Dragon onto his shoulders, Tajiri boots him in the face and Sakdoda immediately hits a twisting powerslam, as Tajiri covers to pick up the win in 5:35. (**3/4).

It is time for the PPV can Eddie Guerrero feed his addiction?

Ruthless C Shows WWE Velocity 2/7/2004 & WWE Sunday Night Heat 2/8/2004

Check out the audio companion podcast for this week's Raw and Smackdown on the North South Connection Network!

It's Saturday night so that means it's time for Velocity on Slamming Saturday Night on Spike TV.  Our announcers are Josh Mathews and Tazz. No establishment shot was done so that means that all of commentary was done in post production.  

Match #1

Nunzio with Chuck Palumbo vs Paul London

Nunzio gets on all fours and challenges London to an amateur wrestling contest.  London goes for an Oklahoma roll for a 2 count.  London grabs a head lock but Nunzio is able to turn it into a leg scissors.  London kips out.  London goes to the top and stomps on a standing Nunzio's shoulders from the top and then rolls him up for 2.  Nunzio pulls London off the top with a dragon screw and wrenches a leg lock.  London escapes but is mowed down with a clothesline followed by a chop block.  Nunzio goes back to wrenching the leg.  London kicks Nunzio in the head from his back.  London dodges a kick to the knee and hits an enziguri and a front salto suplex for 2.  London's knee gives out on a back body drop but immediately hits a dropsault.  London's knee caves again allowing Nunzio to hit a stiff drop kick to the face from the top rope to pick up the win in 6:40.  (**3/4)

Match #2

World's Greatest Tag Team (Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas) vs Funaki & Ultimo Dragon

Funaki school boy's Benjamin to begin the bout and follows up with a tilt a whirl head scissors before Shelton can get his bearings.  Dragon dives at Benjamin but is caught, Funaki dropkicks Dragon in his arms to send Benjamin to the mat.  Mathews tells us that this match is happening under Lucha Libre rules with lax tag rules.  Haas is tagged in for knees to Dragon's head, but a kick to the back of the leg brings him down.  Swift kicks to Haas.  Mid Asai DDT attempt, Funaki tries to enter the ring for reasons that don't make sense.  Now the ref strictly enforces the tag rules and tries to send Funaki back to the corner.  This allows Benjamin to come in a grab Dragon midair and drop him on Haas' knee for a back breaker.  WGTT combines for a double suplex.  A hard Irish whip by Benjamin and tags Haas back in to lay a beating in the corner.  Dragon goes get a sunset flip but is leg laced and Benjamin is tagged in to grab a rear naked choke.  Dragon escapes and nails a springboard moonsault.  The hot tag should have been made when Dragon slipped free from Haas but clearly he wasn't supposed to as Dragon and Funaki don't make the tag despite being in position to do so for awhile.  Haas gets a double underhook suplex on Ultimo.  He tags Shelton in but Dragon hits a thrust kick.  Dragon finally tags out to Funaki who kicks Shelton and turns Haas inside out on a enziguri.  Bulldog to Shelton for a 2 count.  Dragon grabs Haas leg from the apron.  Funaki baseball slides Haas out of the ring.  Funaki reverses a Benjamin slam to an inverted DDT.  The fall is broken up by Haas.  Dragon planchas to the outside on Haas.  A dragon whip kick by Benjamin finishes off Funaki in 7:46.  (**3/4)

Match #3

A-Train & Rhyno vs Bobby Rude & Jon Murray

  

Rhyno dominates Roode to start until a series of arm bars and hip tosses.  Tag is made to Jon Murray who is quickly dominated by A-Train.  Train misses a splash and Murray makes the tag.  Rude nails a missile drop kick.  Rude escapes a press slam but gets run over and squished in the corner.  Tag to Rhyno for a cover and then a corner beating.  Tag to A-Train for an abdominal stretch, but Train misses the Vader Bomb. Rude gets drop toe hold into the turnbuckle and follows up with an enziguri.  Rude makes the tag and Rhybo gets Murray with a few clotheslines.  He hits a desperation drop kick to Train but Rhyno crushes him with a spinebuster and a Gore in 5:36.  (*3/4).

Match #4

Bradshaw vs Johnny "The Bull" Stamboli

The match begins with a collar and elbow tie up.  Bradshaw gets a shoulder tackle, hip toss, Russian leg sweep, and the Last Call fallaway slam.  Stamboli misses a desperation charge but is able to bail from the ring to avoid a clothesline from hell.  Bradshaw pursues outside but gets caught on the way back in.  He fights back immediately with a shoulder block and an elbow drop.  The Bull rakes the eyes and nails a top rope shoulder tackle.  He military presses Bradshaw and drops him throat first on the top rope.  He follows up with a neck breaker and back suplex.  He grabs a head vice.  Bradshaws breaks free but Stamboli grabs a sleeper hold.  Bradshaw back suplexes Stamboli to break the hold.  Bradshaw nails a big boot, shoulder block, swinging neck beaker for 2.  The Bull misses a big clothesline, but Bradshaw doesn't miss a clothesline from Hell to pick up the victory in 6:24. (**1/2).

We head 24 hours later to Sunday Night Heat with Johnathan Coachman and Al Snow at the desk.  

Match #1

Rob Van Dam vs Jon Heidenreich

Strike exchange won by Heidenreich but RVD quickly fires back with a spin kick and shoulder blocks in the corner.  RVD backflips back for one more but Heidenreich clotheslines him down exploding out of the corner.  He then hits a back breaker and grabs a bear hug.  Heidenreich rams him in the corner, but RVD gets a boot up on a charge.  RVD's top rope sommersault senton, but Heidenreich is up first and hits a clothesline and grabs the bear hug again. RVD punches free and hits a heel kick, drop toe hold into the turnbuckle, and a spin kick.  He goes up top for a missile drop kick and rolling thunder for 2.  Heindenreich does bounce back with a sidewalk slam and lays in some forearms to the back.  RVD escapes the vertical suplex hits springboard drop kick and a 5 star frog splash for the victory to win in 5:02 (*3/4)

Match #2

Hurricane & Rosey vs Pat Cusik & Robbie Rude

Cusik eats a few Rosey shoulder blocks and tags in Rude in a panic.  Rude demands to face off with Hurricane and Rosey obliges.  The Hurricane hits a pair of arm drags and grabs an arm bar.  Rude is able to make it to the corner so Cusik can hit a few cheap shots in and Rude is able to hit a back suplex.  Cusik tags in for a side slam and tags back to Rude for a suplex.  Rude grabs a back stretch, but Hurricane fights out, flips out of a suplex attempt and creams Rude with a back elbow.  The hot tag is made to Rosey.  Rosey cleans house with a side slam to Cusik and a scoop slam to Rude.  Rose hits a massive leg drop but the pin is broken up.  He spinebusters Rude and Hurricane climbs Rosey's shoulders in the corner for the splash to win in 5:09.  (*1/2)

Match #3

Molly Holly & Test vs Victoria & Stephen Richards

Molly is out first but Test is jumped by Richards and Victoria during his entrance.  Victoria chases Holly into the crowd.  Test and Victoria turn back to Test and attack.  Several refs come out and pull Richards and Victoria off.  Test heads up the ramp.  The match never officially started as the bell never rang. 

Match #4

Dudley Boys (Bubba Ray & Devon) vs Mark Jindrak & Garrison Cade

The Dudleys are beaten, battered, and bandaged from their run in with Kane combined with their tables match from the Rumble.  Devon's ribs are taped up and Bubba has a large bandage on a bruised and swollen eye.  Bubba gets a head lock take over on Cade twice.  Tags are made to Devon and Jindrak.  Devon hits a flying forearm and a scoop slam.  Bubba is tagged in for a neck breaker.  Jindrak tags Cade in and Bubba is caught in the injured eye with knee lift.  Bubba is beaten in the corner with focus being paid to his eye.  The younger team takes turns grinding Bubba's eye.  Bubba strikes back to get some space and makes the tag to Devon.  Devon cleans house with a neck breaker and powerslam.  Cade accidentally clothesline Jindrak.  Devon hits a splash in the corner.  Devon attempts to superplex Cade but Jindrak gets a cheap shot in the ribs.  Devon falls to mat and Cade follows with a top rope elbow to get the win in 7:43. (**1/2).

Coach and Snow remind us to tune into Raw tomorrow for the WrestleMania contract signing between Triple H and Chris Benoit.  Plus Benoit will battle Ric Flair, 1 on 1!  Check out the Ruthless podcast to here all about that great night of sports entertainment.  

 

Ruthless C Shows WWE Velocity 1/31/2004 & WWE Sunday Night Heat 2/1/2004

Check out the audio companion podcast for this week's Raw and Smackdown on the North South Connection Network!

 

We start our weekend with the slamming Saturday Night on Velocity. 

Cole is filling in for Bill Demott.  He spends the entire show crapping on Josh and the matches and their competitors which on this evening all happen to be cruiserweights.

Match #1

Ultimo Dragon vs Shannon Moore

Dragon controls the arm and gets a snap mare.  Shannon escapes and grabs a headlock, followed by a shoulder block, and slaps Ultimo Dragon out of the air.  Dragon comes firing back with a leg sweep, running kick to Moore's back and then the chest.  He tosses Moore to the outside, but Moore pulls his legs out from Dragon on the Asai moonsault attempt.  Moore grabs a silly looking submission attempt that does not look painful, see above. Dragon breaks free and misses a leg lariat. Shannon hits a flurry of elbow strikes to Dragon's neck.  He follows it up with a snap suplex and a chin lock.  Dragon fights out but gets caught with an enziguri.  Dragon eventually gets a hurricanrana and both men are down.  A strike exchange is won by Ultimo.  The Japanese star hits a springboard moonsault right into Moore's skull with his knee.  Moore recovers and hits a neck breaker, drop kick, and a float over top rope neck breaker for 2.  Mathews tells us that move is called the Mooregasm.  If I have to know that so do you.  Dragon gets a kick to the gut and attempts the Asai DDT, Moore counters with a sleeper.  Dragons escapes via a jaw breaker and into an Asai DDT to pick up the win in 6:16.  (***)

Match #2

Akio vs Funaki

They trade go behinds and Funaki gets a head lock takeover, hip toss and a drop kick.  This entire time Cole is loudly mooing because Josh mentioned that No Way Out is at the Cow Palace.  Akio finally gets on the offensive with a jumping leg lariat and a surfboard.  Funaki counters it into a backslide for a pin attempt.  Akio grabs a front face lock.  Funaki after escaping gets a enziguri, followed by a back body drop and a bulldog.  Akio misses an up and over, but hits a leg lariat. Funaki catches Akio on the top for the Rising Sun DDT for the upset win in 5:01.  (*3/4)

Match #3

Scotty 2 Hotty vs Sakoda

Sakoda grabs an armbar.  Scotty escapes and gets a shoulder tackle. Sakoda tries to throw him over the top, but Scotty skins the car and does the crane poise all Karate Kid. A pair of arm drags and head scissors by Scotty.  Sakoda nails a drop kick to the knee and begins to go to work on the joint.  Multiple submission holds used by Sakoda.  Scotty uses his good leg to push Sakoda into the ring post.  Scotty hits a back body drop before Sakoda hits a second drop kick into the knee.  Mr. Hotty comes back with a superkick and then jumps on his bad leg to perform the W-O-R-M.  Cole even mentions, "Well so much for the knee injury."  Sakoda gets his arm under the ropes to break the pin.  Scotty argues with the ref for a very long time.  When he goes back to Sakoda, he gets raked in the eyes and rolled up with feet on the ropes but just barely as Sakoda only gently places his feet there for half a second in 5:38.  (3/4*)

Things when downhill fast on this episode.  Let's see how Sunday Night Heat treats us.

Match #1

Christian vs Lance Storm

They trade armbars and follow up with the opening match sequence taught to every contestant on Tough Enough.  Storm hits an impressive hesitation vertical suplex.  Christian shoves Lance off the turnbuckle to the floor in a hard bump.  Christian tosses Storm midsection on the ropes and quickly hits a back breaker.  Storm tries to fight back but Christian gets a bear hug.  Storm head butts free and catches a dropkick to put both men down.  Storm lands a flurry of strikes, a back body drop, and a running leg lariat for 2.  Storm goes back on the attack with a northern lights suplex, but Christian comes right back with a reverse DDT.  Storm turns an unprettier attempt into a single leg crab.  Christian fights to the ropes, rakes storms eyes on the break, and hits the unprettier to pick up the victory in 6:11. (***).

Match #2 

Hurricane & Rosey vs Garrison Cade & Mark Jindrak

     

Cade and Hurricane start the match, and Hurricane gets a quick hip toss.  A blind tag to Rosey for a double team hip toss and a diving headbutt.  Cade is able to escape and get a tag to Jindrak for his picture perfect drop kick.  He attempts to irish whip Rosey by the Somoan is too big to move.  Rosey tags out and Hurricane hits a second rope leg drop.  Behind the ref's back, Cade grabs Hurricane's leg to trip him and ram his knee into the ring post.  Jindrak works over the knee and tags out to Cade so he can work over the knee as well.  Hurricane manages to get a drop toe hold and a running uppercut.  Hot tag to Rosey to clean house with a back body drop, scoop slam, and a standing splash.  Jindrak breaks the count, Hurricane clears out Jindrak.  Rosey has Cade up in a fall away slam position, but while the ref is getting the Hurricane out of the ring, Jindrak chop blocks Rosey.  It's enough to get the win since Jindrak knocks Rosey's foot off the rope in 5:01.  (**)

Match #3

Matt Hardy vs Booker T

Matt Fact #1: Matt still has his appendix.

Matt Fact #2: Matt is a fan of miso soup.  

Commentary mentions that Hardy spent the longest of any Raw superstar in the Rumble when he was in fact third.  Matt Hardy mocks Booker's hand looking and head shaking.  Matt gets to the ropes to break an armbar.  Booker shoulder block sends Matt to the outside and allows us to take an early commercial break.  Back from the break the boys are exchanging strikes.  Booker runs into a stun gun and Matt nails a swinging neck breaker and grabs a headlock.  Booker escapes and misses a kick and Matt kicks the ropes into Booker T's little T.  Booker gets back into the only for Matt to stand on his throat. Hardy gets another neck breaker.  Matt lands a second rope leg drop for a 2 count and locks in a full nelson.  Booker rams Hardy into the corner to break free.  They exchange strikes.  Booker T nails a flying forearm, spin kick, and heel kick for a 2 count.  He goes back on the attack with a back body drop, heel kick spinarooni but misses the axe kick.  Hardy gets a side effect for a near fall.  Matt sets up for the twist of fate but Booker shoves him into the ropes for a spine buster.  Hardy crawls to the apron and when Booker heads over to follow up, Hardy guillotines him.  Hardy heads to the top rope but gets intercepted in mid air with a jumping kick to the face for Booker to pick up the win in 9:36.  (***)

Ruthless C Shows WWE Velocity 1/24/2004 & WWE Sunday Night Heat 1/25/2004 Royal Rumble Weekend Edition

 

Check out my companion podcast looking at the weekly Raw/Smackdown and PPV's on the North South Connection.

We are less than 24 hours away from the Royal Rumble, let's check out Spike TV on a Saturday Night

(This screenshot is from the previous week as they did not give Demott and Mathews their establishment shot this week.)

Match #1

The Basham Brothers defend the WWE Tag Team Titles with Shaniqua vs Ultimo Dragon & Funaki

Ultimo Dragon and Danny Basham start.  Danny lands a few strikes, but Dragon comes back with a hurricanrana and stiff kicks to the spine and chest.  Dragon tags in Funaki for a double team elbow.  Funaki lands some kicks til Shaniqua pulls him him off the apron.  Danny tags out as the Bashams combine for a double team stun gun. Doug starts the stomping on Funaki and grabs a neck vise.  He tags Danny back in for more strikes and an arm stretch.  Funaki gets a desperation enziguri. Doug is tagged back in, but Funaki is able to escape for the hot tag.  Dragon nails a flurry of kick to both Bashams.  He rolls up Doug for a two count, followed by a springboard moonsault.  Ultimo sets up for his Asai DDT, but Doug escapes.  The Bashams pull the twin magic switcheroo to get the rollup pin victory in 5:27 (*1/2)

Match #2 

Orlando Jordan vs Matt Longtime

Jordan gets takeover into an armbar, but he transitions into an school boy for a 2 count and right back to the armbar.  Longtime escapes the arm bar for a shoulder block and grabs a headlock take over.  Jordan escapes and hits three arm drags and goes back to the arm drag.  Longtime rams into a turnbuckle and grabs a......you guessed it, an arm bar.  Jordan punches free and nails a scoop slam, flying forearm, two drop kicks, back body drop, Johnson shuffle, and finishes him off with a running powerslam in 5:20, 4:30 of which were arm bars.  This match was Chris Jericho's list of moves come to life. (3/4*)

Match #3

World's Greatest Tag Team Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas vs Rikishi & Scotty 2 Hotty

Rikishi and Haas trade shots in the corner.  Benjamin pulls Haas to safety before he eats a big kick from Rikishi.  We head to commercial as the World's Greatest Tag Team regroups.  Back from break, Benjamin hits Scotty with a snap suplex and after watching the previous match, grabs an armbar for good measure.  Scotty reverses it and they trade athletic reversals unlike the previous match.  Eventually ending with a Scotty flying forearm.  Benjamin dodges a bulldog attempt and Benjamin gets a blind tag, that allows Haas to get the jump on Scotty and work on the arm.  Benjamin gives Haas a little extra stretch on his arm bar behind the ref's back.  Tag back to Shelton for a shoulder breaker for 2.  More focus on Mr. Hotty's arm.  They tag in and out and work the limb over.  Benjamin spits in Rikishi's face and hits Hotty with a tilt-a-whirl slam.  Haas back in but Scotty fights free from his arm bar and is able to tag in Rikishi.  Rikishi lays both opponents out with heavy strikes and a double clothesline.  He lays out Haas with a charging headbutt and a Savat kick.  He tags in Scotty for the W-O-R-M.  Benjamin breaks up the fall.  Rikishi comes in to clear out Bejanmin.  Scotty is landing mounted punches on Haas in the corner, but Haas walks out for a reverse atomic drop.  While Haas still has Scotty held, Benjamin nails him with a super kick.  Haas uses a jackknife cover to get the victory in 7:37. (**3/4)

We're on to Sunday Night Heat live an hour before the Royal Rumble in Philadelphia with Coach and Snow handling hosting duties.

Smackdown's #1 announcer Funaki is here, pulling the C show double header this weekend.  He's reporting outside the room where superstars are pulling their entry numbers for tonight's Royal Rumble.  Mark Henry and his manager Teddy Long come out and they are not happy.  Teddy says, What happened back their was straight haterization, every cracker int eh room drank hater-ade, blatant discimination, you ought to be feeling me being an oriental man.  We will no longer be bamboozled by the man, because tonight Mark Henry will win the Royal Rumble.  Mark Henry screams to a startled Funaki, "Believe That!"

Funaki now checks in on Kurt Angle, asking for an update on his eye injury for Smackdown.  He says he got poked in the eye and couldn't see for a bit.  He won a gold medal with a broken freaking neck, so don't worry about it.  Nothing is going to stop him from winning the Rumble and then winning the WWE title in the main event of WrestleMania.  He isn't just doing it for himself, he's dedicating his win to the brave men and women of the military fighting over seas.  

Tazz and Cole are in the ring and Tazz graces us with his tips to winning the Rumble.

Tazz also picks up Cole and threatens to toss Cole over the top while Cole whines to be put down.

King and JR take over

Match #1

Molly Holly vs Victoria with Steven Richards in a non title match. 

 

Test had kicked Victoria's head off a few weeks ago, cancelling her title match on that episode of Raw.  Why she doesn't get it here, I don't know.  They grapple for control, eventually Victoria gets a side headlock take over.  Molly bridges out of a pin and gets a backslide for 2.  Victoria comes back with a drop kick before Molly can get back to her feet.  Molly sends Victoria head first into the middle turnbuckle.  She follows up with a snap mare and drop kick to the face. Molly digs her fingers into Victoria's face and mouth.  Molly nails a hand spring back elbow.  Victoria is able to escape a head lock with a jaw breaker.  Victoria ties a 2 different pinning combinations to no avail.  Victoria gets fired up a hits a series of clotheslines and a scoop slam.  She lands a standing moonsault for 2.  Molly gets a knee to the stomach and plants Victoria face first into the mat.  Molly heads to the top only to be intercepted by Victoria.  Molly is able to push Victoria off the top before she can super plex her down.  Victoria sweeps Molly's legs which crotches her on the top turnbuckle.  Victoria removes her from the top and plants her with the Widow's Peak for the win over the champion in 4:58.  (**1/4)

Who will win the Rumble and head to Madison Square Garden for WrestleMania 20!?!?

Ruthless C Shows WWE Velocity 1/17/2004 & WWE Sunday Night Heat 1/18/2004

 

We are week away from the Royal Rumble and we get a pair of qualifying matches, a match that is part of a several week build, and a rematch from Smackdown in a grudge match. So you could say it's a pretty big week here in C show land.  If you want to find out what happened on Raw and Smackdown this week check out my comedic podcast Ruthless on the North South Connection.  

First it's Velocity on Saturday Night

Match #1

Ultimo Dragon vs Shannon Moore

During Dragon's entrance Josh Mathews goes full Beavis and shouts, "Fire, Fire" Dragon starts out with a snap mare, but Moore fires back with a pair of hip tosses.  Dragon hits a back leg sweep and two hard kicks to the chest for 2.  Dragon's head scissors is countered and Moore gets a back suplex for a 2 count.  Dragon fights out of an arm bar and gets a springboard crossbody but Moore lays him out.  He follows with a snap suplex and grabs a chin lock.  Dragon gets free and hits a springboard moonsault.  He adds a flurry of kicks and a hurricanrana.  They both trade some pinning combos.  Moore gets his boots up on 2 consecutive charge attempts follows up with a top tope float over bulldog.  Moore hits a scoop slam but the his top rope dive gets met with a drop kick mid air.  An Asai DDT finishes off Moore in 5:54 (**1/4)

Match #2

Orlando Jordan vs Matt Morgan

Royal Rumble Qualifying Match

Jordan grabs a waist lock but Morgan gets to the ropes to break it.  Morgan starts nailing shoulders in the corner.  Misses a few power moves and Jordan hits a springboard high crossbody, and follows with a drop kick.  Morgan swats aside a missile drop kick.  Morgan mows Jordon down with a short arm clothesline.  He stands on OJ's neck and chokes him with his boot in the corner.  Jordan strikes back but runs into a sidewalk slam.  Morgan grabs a single leg crab.  Jordan makes it to the ropes, but Morgan immediately transitions into a heel hook.  Jordan boots Morgan in the face to break free.  Morgan misses an elbow drop, allowing Jordan to hit a flying forearm.  Jordan repeatedly kicks Morgan in the thighs and hits a spinning neck breaker.  Jordan runs into the a big boot.  Morgan nails his sit down powerbomb to get the win in 5:20 to clinch his entry into the Royal Rumble.  (*1/4)

Match #3

Billy Kidman vs Arch Kincaid

Kincaid immediately grabs the ropes to get some heel heat.  Kidman flips him over with a head scissors but misses a corner splash.  Kincaid gets a back suplex for a 2.5 count, which is yelled to the crowd as a brag to the crowd by Kincaid.  He sends Kidman into the turnbuckle with a hard Irish whip.  Kincaid snap mares him and grabs a back and arm stretch.  Kincaid then hits a back breaker.  Kincaid begins to work over the back of Kidman and then hits a second back breaker. He plants Kidman with a scoop slam and grabs a chin lock.  Kidman gets free for a desperation turnbuckle run up bulldog.  He sends Kincaid chest first into the corner for a clothesline and a back body drop.  Kidman runs into a powerslam.  Kincaid this time boasts that he got a "2 9/10!" count.  He eats a drop kick and Kidman finishes him off with the shooting star press in 5:45.  (**1/2)

Match #4 

Bradshaw vs A-Train

We are the shown the fallout from Train's victory a few weeks ago on Smackdown.  Train starts with a shoulder block and they exchange shots in the corner.  They move to the center of the ring to exchange more stiff strikes. Bradshaw hits a Russian leg sweep and a swinging neck breaker.  A-Train misses a corner splash, but is able to get his forearms up to block to block the Clothesline from Hell.  He punts Bradshaw in the stomach and gets a few short arm shoulder blocks.  He throws the Texan shoulder first into the ring post which causes Bradshaw to fall to the outside.  A-Train follows and slams his shoulder into the post one more time, and rolls him back inside for a 2 count.  He slingshots Bradshaw into the bottom rope for a guillotine. Bill Demott says that Train has been working with Arn Anderson and Fit Finlay every single day. Train gets an armbar, but Bradshaw is able roll his legs over to the ropes.  Train puts Bradshaw down again with a back breaker.  Bradshaw gets his boot up on a Vader bomb attempt and plants Train with a DDT.  After some strikes, Bradshaw gets a shoulder block and big boot.  Bradshaw goes to the top rope and hits a shoulder block for 2.  Train misses a charge and hits a clothesline from hell for the win in 5:35.  (**3/4).

On to Sunday Night Heat!

Match #1

Hurricane and Rosey vs Mark Jindrak and Garrison Cade

Hurricane and Jindrak start the match as Snow does his usual reversal of their names schtick.  (Cindrak and Jade)   Hurricane gets a go behind and rolls Jindrak up.  He follows it up with a head lock, an arm drag, and an arm bar.  He tags in Rosey for a double hip toss.  Rosey hip tosses Hurricane on top of Jindrak.  He is able to immediately tag to Cade however.  Rosey grabs a headlock.  Cade's head butt attempt fails since Rosey is the tribal chief and has a hard head.  Rosey gets a scoop slam but misses the elbow drop.  Rosey forces Cade into the corner but Jindrak pulls Cade free so Rosey's shoulder dive only meets ring post.  Cade holds Rosey's arm out so Jindrak can give it a shot off the top rope.  Jindrak grabs an arm hold and drops Rosey with a single arm DDT.  He tags in Cade, who allows Rosey to escape and get the hot tag to Hurricane.  He hits a few drop kicks and reverses a slam into a cross body.  He hits a top rope float over bulldog on Jindrak but Cade breaks up the fall.  Rosey clears out Cade but while the ref is trying to get Rosey back to his corner, Cade clobbers Hurricane with a forearm to the head.  Jindrak covers for the three count in 5:07.  (**)

Match #2

Rico with Miss Jackie vs Tommy Dreamer

Royal Rumble Qualifying match

Rico gets a leg sweep and then rides Dreamer like a pony.  Dreamer slaps Rico in the face and scoop slams him.  Dreamer clotheslines Rico to the floor and once he gets back on the apron, Dreamer uses the ropes to flip Rico back to the mat.  Dreamer grabs his Singapore cane but Miss Jackie gets a hold of it.  Dreamer drags the cane along with Jackie into the ring.   Rico is able to sneak in behind and hit a back stabber followed by a scoop slam and pins Dreamer in a sexually suggestive cover.  Jackie steals Dreamer's cane and adds insult to injury and chokes him on the middle rope.  Dreamer is able to reverse an Irish whip into a sit down powerbomb.  Dreamer follows up with a sidewalk slam.  Dreamer nails a top rope clothesline but Jackie puts Rico's foot on the rope during the cover attempt.  Dreamer pulls Jackie up to the apron, Rico charges but Tommy moves.  Rico is able to stop short from trucking Miss Jackie but falls victim to a rollup for 2.  Dreamer goes for a DDT but Rico pushes him into the ropes which allows Jackie to hit him in the back with the cane.  Rico levels Dreamer with a spin kick and picks up the victory in 4:19.  Rico is now qualified for the Royal Rumble.  (*3/4)

Match #3

Spike Dudley vs Rob Conway with Rene Dupree

Spike gets a headlock take over to begin.  Conway attempts a leap frog but Spike counters into an inverted atomic drop.  Spike tries for the Dudley dog but Conway shifts enough to prevent it but Spike is able to maintain his head lock.  Conway charges but is sent up and over to the outside Dudley.  Once back inside Conway is on his knees begging but Spike drop kicks him in the face. Spike runs on Conway's chest in the corner.  A second Dudley dog is attempted but Conway shoves him into the turnbuckle.  Dupree is able to get in a cheap shot.  Conway connects with a series of elbows and grabs an arm lock.  Spike fights out for a flying head scissors.  Conway bails to regroup with Dupree outside.  Spike goes to the top and hits both of them with a crossbody to the floor.  Back in the ring, Conway stops Spike on the top.  He attempts a superplex but Spike bites his forehead and shoves him to the mat.  Spike hits a two footed stomp to chest from the top.  A third Dudley dog attempt is abandoned by Spike to go knock Dupree off the apron.  Conway misses his sneak attack and Spike rolls him up for two.  The kick out sends Spike into the ropes for Dupree to forearm Spike in the face.  Conways plants Spike with a rope aided spinning neck breaker to gain the victory in 4:19.  (**3/4)

Match #4

Steven Richards vs Scott Steiner

Richards is wearing a an armbar that says "Flower" in recognition of Victoria who was taken out by Steiner's partner Test.  Scott Steiner hits a fireman's carry and amateur wrestles Richards on the mat to assert his dominance.  Steiner throws Richards with a belly to belly suplex and then punishes leader of Sunday Night heat with cross face forearms.  Steiner stands and flexes before punting Richards in the gut.  He stands Stevie up for some chops to the chest followed by some push ups.  Richards escapes a powerslam and hits a stun gun.  He rolls Steiner up for 2.  Steiner gets up and turns Richards' lights out with a Steiner Flatliner to win in 2:04.  Test appears out of nowhere to celebrate with Steiner.  He says some choice words to Stevie's carcass.  Once Richards gets to his feet Test, decaptiates him with a big boot just like he did to Victoria.  Richards has defeated Test three weeks in a row on Heat and Test wants his revenge.  (*1/4)

Steiner rolls into Raw tomorrow for his match against Goldberg.