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. 

Ruthless C Shows WWE Velocity 1/10/2004 & WWE Sunday Night Heat 1/11/2004

                                                 

Check out the Ruthless Podcast discussing this week's Raw and Smackdown on the North South Connection Network.

It's Saturday Night which means it's time for some WWE Velocity!

                                       Match #1                                       

Billy Kidman vs Sakoda

Kidman monkey flips Sakoda.  Kidman hits a springboard headscissors but Sakoda quickly hangs Kidman's arm over top rope.  Sakoda ties Kidman's arm in the rope and wrenches on it a few more times.  He locks in a weak looking arm bar.  Kidman freaks free from the hold and attempts a BK bomb but his arm gives out.  Sakoda throws Kidman's arm into the turnbuckle and works on the arm even more. Kidman gets a sky high drop kick, followed by a flying forearm, and a turnbuckle vaulted bulldog.  Sakoda nails a single arm DDT to regain control.  Sakoda follows up with a rolling top rope flip into an arm bar.  Kidman gets to the ropes.  With Kidman down, Sakoda grabs Kidman's leg.  Kidman one leg kips up to his feet and hits an enziguri.  Kidman heads up top for the shooting star press to finish off Tajiri's henchman in 5:52.  (***)

Match #2

Shannon Moore vs Matt Morgan

Moore kick the larger man in the stomach and bails.  They cat and mouse around the ring.  The cat eventually wins and tosses the mouse into the barricade from the apron.  Morgan brings Moore back into the ring for hard irish whips into the turnbuckles and stands on Moore's throat.  Morgan hits a pair of back breakers separated by some strikes.  He knees Moore in the face and locks in a bear hug.  Morgan misses a clothesline, Moore lands a few strikes but a crossbody attempt is caught, and Morgan drops him on the top rope.  Morgan misses a charge allowing Moore to try a tights aided rollup for two.  Moore hits a corkscrew top rope dive, but Morgan hits a big boot to the flurry.  Sit down power bomb keeps Moore down in 4:30.  (*3/4)

Match #3

Rhyno vs Funaki

Funaki starts hot with punches, a high crossbody, and a pair of arm drags.  Rhyno bails to regroup.  Back in the ring, Funaki gets a head scissors but misses the follow up drop kick.  Rhyno crushes Funaki's midsection between his legs in a body scissors.  Rhyno gets up and lays in some strikes to Funaki's back.  Rhyno misses a charge and Funaki hits a bulldog.  The trade stiff chops until Funaki gets an enziguri.  Rhyno answers with a belly to belly suplex.  Funaki dodges the gore.  Funaki gets a school boy for 2.  Rhyno sheds Funaki on a tornado DDT attempt and plants him with a spinebuster.  A gore from Rhyno breaks Funaki in half and picks up the win in 5:00.  (**1/4)

Match #4

World's Greatest Tag Team of Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas vs Paul London and Spanky

Shelton Benjamin starts with some knees to Paul London. London stomps his foot, hits him with a drop kick and attempts a crucifix pin for a two count.  Benjamin comes back with an exploder suplex and grinds his forearm into London's face.  Blind tag to Haas, who clobbers Paul London from behind.  London flips his way free from an arm bar and tags in Spanky.  The hit a double fist drop onto Haas.  Shelton attempts a gorilla press, but Spanky escapes and attempts a rollup, followed by a drop kick.  Haas comes in and sends Spanky to the outside.  Blind tag to Benjamin, who gets a scoop slam, tags Haas back in for a double team back breaker.  Charlie Haas grabs an abdominal stretch, Spanky reverses into his own ab stretch.  Tag is made to Shelton who puts Spanky in a surfboard but Paul London breaks it up.  Haas is tagged back in for a dragon sleeper.  Benjamin gets tagged back in but just gets kicked in the face by Spanky.  Spanky ducks a clothesline and finally makes the hot tag to London.  London hits kicks, a dropsault, and a hurricanrana to clean house.  London hits a top rope stun gun followed by a spring board moosault.  The pinfall is broken up by Haas.  Haas then drops London on the top rope.  The heels attempt a broken arrow double team but Spanky breaks it up.  Haas hits an inverted atomic drop and Benjamin nails a super kick to out London's lights to get the win in 6:29.  (***1/2)

The only footage of this episode I can find joins the first match in progress.  Johnathan Coachman and Al Snow on the call. 

Match #1

Lance Storm vs Matt Hardy

Lance Storm hits a plancha and is fired up so I believe we might be hitting the home stretch.  We shall see.  Storm gets a springboard sunset flip back into the ring.  Hardy sends Storm to the apron by the tights and rams him into the turnbuckle.  Hardy gets a snap suplex for 2.  Matt locks in an arm and back stretch.  Storm breaks free with a jaw breaker, back elbow, clothesline, and a high knee for a 2 count.  Storm goes up and over in the corner and gets roll over fireman's carry for another 2 count.  Storm walks into a side effect for a 2 count.  Storm walks into a side effect for 2.  He misses a second rope leg drop.  Storm gets an Oklahoma roll and a clothesline.  Hardy follows Storm to the top rope.  Storm pushes him off, Storm misses a drop kick.  Hardy hits a twist of fate to pick up the win.  (** for what I saw)

Match #2

Mark Jindrak & Garrison Cade vs John Hennigan & Matt Cappotelli

The Season 3 Tough Enough champs make their debut here.  Snow is continuing his gimmick of calling Cade and Jindrak, Jade and Cindrak.  Cade and Cappotelli trade headlock takeovers.  Tag to Jindrak for a double ax handle to the arm.  Cappotelli gets a crossbody and Hennigan blind tags to get a rollup for 2.  Cade levels Hennigan with a back elbow.  Jindrak hits a back breaker.  Hennigan counters a powerbomb with a hurricanrana. Tags to Cappotelli for a double hip toss followed by a double kip up.  Cappatelli hits an elbow drop.  Jindrak nails a great flying clothesline.  He tags in Cade for an arm wringer who immediately tags out.  Jindrak hits an inverted atomic drop. Cappotelli flips out of a slam to get the hot tag to Hennigan.  He hits a series of drop kicks, flying forearm, and spin kicks.  Jindrak stun guns Hennigan with an assist by Cade to put away the rookie in 4:43. (**1/4)

Match #3

Randy Orton vs Val Venis

Orton gets a drop toe hold and grabs a head lock.  Val Venis gets two hip toss and grabs an arm bar.  He follows up with knees to the gut and a Russian leg sweep.  Val locks in an octopus lock but Orton gets to the ropes.  Orton grabs a headlock takeover.  Val escapes and works on Orton's left arm.  Val's boots come untied and Orton kicks him in the face when he goes to retie it.  They both attempt a move on the run at the same time and conk heads putting both men down as we go to commercial.  Back from break, Venis attempts a back slide for 2.  The match goes outside and Orton rams Val into the apron twice.  Back in for European uppercuts, hard irish whip.  Orton bends Val at the spine around ring the post.  Val attempts a suplex but his back gives out, which allows Orton to hit a back suplex of his own.  Orton continues to attack the back.  A Val sunset flip is followed by a neck breaker.  Venis continues with a half nelson slam and a spine buster.  He blocks an RKO attempt but he is able to get a spike DDT.  Orton lands some chops and locks in a sleeper.  Val slips out and hits a sit down powerbomb and three consecutive elbow drops. Val goes for the money shot off the top, but Orton intercepts.  Val is able to push him off and launches for the money shot only to land on Orton's raised knees.  Orton stalks and hits the RKO to get the win in 10:07.  (***1/4)

Orton will go on to defend the Intercontinental title against Rob Van Dam, tomorrow night on Raw. 

  

Ruthless C Shows WWE Velocity 1/3/2004 & WWE Sunday Night Heat 1/4/2004

                                                   

                        Check out the podcast of Raw and Smackdown on the North South Connection!

Josh Mathews and Bill Demott will be doing the commentary on this episode of Velocity and welcome us to 2004!

The only video of this show that I could find had the top caught off.  Don't worry, Josh and Bill were not in a terrible Final Destination style accident.  

Match #1

A-Train vs Funaki

During the introductions, Josh Mathews jokes that this is the 2,385th meeting between to the two.  According to cage match this is their 28th and final meeting, including battle royals and house shows.  Ten of those matches were tag matches.  Of the 15 total televised non battle royals, this is their 8th singles match on Velocity.  Until this point, Funaki had managed to win one bout in the series which was on the 9/17/02 Velocity. 

Funaki kicks A-Train in the legs to break free of a choke slam attempt.  Funaki tries to control the Train with armbars but gets mowed down with a clothesline.  Funaki rolls away from several stomp attempts and exits the ring.  A cat and mouse game begins with Funaki getting the edge when Train gets back into the ring.  He jumps on Train's back and grabs a sleeper hold. Train smashes him into the corner turnbuckles.  A-Train misses a charge and Fuanki gets a roll up attempt for 2.  A-Train recovers with a big shoulder block to a sprinting Funaki.  He immediately follows up with the Train Wreck back breaker for the win a brisk fun 1:16. (* 1/2)  Final head to head record A-Train 7 Funaki 1.

Match #2

Doug and Danny Basham with Shaniqua vs Joel and Jose Maximo 

This match is very hard to writeup with the matching gear and their heads not shown on the screen, I will have the correct participant occasionally when commentary mentions it.  A Basham tosses a Maximo back after a few collar and elbow tie up attempts.  He hits a scoop slam but misses the elbow drop follow up and Maximo is able to scurry away and tag his brother.  Maximo is immediately driven into the corner and the Bashams tag.  A tilt-a-whirl head scissors allows for a tag to Jose Maximo who hits a top rope high crossbody for a 2 count.  Maximo grabs a head lock but the other Basham pulls the ropes down and he crashes to the floor.  Shaniqua gets a few shots in.  Back in the ring Doug Basham gets a leg drop and a hard irish whip.  The Bashams tag with some corner strikes and cheap shots and a headlock.  Jose Maximo gets jawbreaker on Danny to break free and tag out.  Joel Maximo cleans house with drop kicks.  The Maximos attempts a poetry in motion is stopped and caught mid air as one Maximo is slammed on the other.  High leg lariat after a switheroo to win for the tag champs after 4:48. (**1/2)

Jamie Noble is speaking to Nidia backstage.  

Jaime Noble tells Nidia, he doesn't know what Rey Mysterio said to her a few weeks ago on Smackdown, but since it came from Rey, it's a lie.  Nidia doesn't know what to think, because she loves Jaime very much but what Rey said makes a ton of sense.  She feels lost.  Noble can't believe that Nidia would believe a man in a mask over him.  He can't believe how much of his money he has had to spend on doctors only to get no where with her recovery.  Noble says there is a chance that she might not be able to ever see again.  Nidia says no, she will see again. She promises.  Noble says that if you want to promise something, promise you won't get involved in my match tonight.  She agrees.  

Match #3

Jaime Noble vs Brandon Groom

As Noble makes his entrance, Josh Matthews comments on the ridiculousness of not trusting wrestlers in masks.  DeMott says that the real people you shouldn't trust are people who don't speak English.  To start, Noble backs the larger Groom up and sweeps the leg and controls Groom with a headlock.  Groom gets a toss and a drop kick.  Groom tries to control but gets sent into the the turnbuckles hard and Noble lays in stomps in the corner.  Noble hits a suplex and locks in a arm and back stretch.  Groom escapes with a back suplex and follows it up with some clotheslines.  Noble lands a back elbow and attempts a neck breaker but Groom grabs the top rope causing Noble to crash and burn.  Groom gets an Oklahoma roll for 2.  Noble escapes hits his DDT and a dragon sleeper for the submission win in 3:35.  (*3/4) 

Match #4

Orlando Jordan & Shannon Moore vs Akio & Sakoda

Orlando Jordan takes down Sakoda, but Sakoda grabs an arm as they trade holds.  Jordan gets a shoulder block, hip toss, and a head lock takeover.  He tags in Shannon Moore who somersaults over the top rope into a sunset flip for a one count.  Sakoda tags out.  Moore gets a shoulder block a back leg sweep.  Moore goes up and over in the corner and nails a spinning heel kick for 2.  Akio turns a springboard crossbody into a rib breaker.  Sakoda tagged back in to stomp on the ribs, hit a back breaker, and hangs Moore in the tree of woe.  Orlando tries to come into the ring, which allows Tajiri's henchmen to lay the boots in the corner.  Akio hooks Moore in an abdominal stretch.  He sends Moore into the corner and Akio runs up his back and lands on his feet.  He charges again but Moore side steps and hip tosses Akio into the turnbuckles.  Hot tag to Jordan who has drop kicks and back body drops for everybody.  His Johnson shuffle homage gets interrupted and his gets taken out with a little high low from Akio and Sakoda.  Moore breaks up the fall.  Moore moonsault planchas outside onto Akio.  Jordan grabs Sakoda for a running powerslam to pick up the win in 4:57. (**3/4).

Our Sunday Night Heat cold open is a closeup of an ambulance logo with a piece of blue duct tape labeled Stevie Corp.  The camera pulls back reveals that it is not ambulance but a golf cart with the self proclaimed general manager of Sunday Night Heat, Steven Richards sitting proudly in the drivers seat.  Test arrives and he is not pleased.  Richards asks if he needs a ride.  Test does not in fact needs a ride.  He would however like to take Victoria for a ride.  The only reason Richards defeated him last week was because Victoria distracted.  She was in tight spandex, so Test just wanted to go up behind her and say, "yeah baby, it's me Test" while making his "o" face. Tonight, Test is going to beat up Richards so badly in their match tonight that he will never be able to please a women again that's where Test will step in, because once you go Test you forget about the rest.  Richards completely no sells this and says you sure you don't need a ride?  Test gets frustrated and kicks the cart only to hurt his foot and hop off upset.  

Match #1

Test vs Steven Richards with Victoria

On his entrance, Test flexes and licks his bicep.  Victoria gets her own entrance for this match.  Test clobbers Richards from behind while he admires his "Flower" on the ramp.  Test blows Victoria kisses.  Test tosses Richards into the ring and starts raining down fists.  Test locks in an odd for lack of a better term, sideways torture rack.  Richards pushes off the turnbuckles with his feet to escape.  Test attempts a full nelson slam, but Richards slips out of that.  Richards scores with a snap suplex, swinging neck breaker, and a bulldog for a 1 count.  Test takes over but Richards escapes a pump handle attempt, but this time falls victim to the pump handle.  Test ties him in the ropes, Andre the Giant style.  Victoria enters the ring and Test grabs her and plants one on her.  Victoria smiles, rubs his chest and kicks Test square in his quiz.  The referee has freed Richards, who gets a sloppy roll up while holding the ropes to pick up the victory in 3:30. (1/2*)

Match #2

Rico with Miss Jackie vs Brandon Groom

Rico spanks Groom.  Groom grabs a go behind and Rico bends over in a three point stance and grinds his buttocks into Groom's privates.  Rico goes on the attack with fists but falls victim to two hip tosses, scoop slam, and drop kick. Miss Jackie gets on the apron. Brandon Groom heads over to her but is still
able to duck Rico's clothesline attempt.  Groom charges Rico but Rico low bridges him to the outside.  Rico slams his head into the barricade ringside and then drapes him on the apron to kick Groom in his mouth.  Once in the ring again, Rico elbows Groom repeatedly in the head and hits a lifting kick.  Rico hits a sexualized elbow drop and pin cover for 1.  They trade chops.  A step up corner kick to the mush but Grooms down to the mat.  Rico heads to the top for a dive, but Groom gets the knees up. Three separate roll up attempts by Groom fail. Groom hits a spinning powerslam and heads to the top.  He misses a top rope crossbody and Rico finishes him with a devastating neck breaker in 3:48.  (*)

Match #3

Tommy Dreamer vs Matt Hardy

Matt Fact #1: Matt's first job was at a carwash.

Matt Fact #2 Matt is more extreme than Tommy Dreamer.

They trade slaps to begin.  Dreamer gets a scoop slam but Matt Hardy sends him to the outside by the tights and rams Tommy into the ring apron spine first.  Back in the ring, Matt gets a scoop slam, followed by a series of boots to Dreamer's gut.  Hardy heads to the top turnbuckle, but Dreamer pulls his leg and crotches him.  A Hardy back elbow sends Dreamer to the mat so that Hardy can miss a moonsault.  They reset with a strike exchange that Dreamer wins.  Dreamer delivers two separate styles of neck breakers, first swinging and then fall away. Dreamer hits a follow up death drop DDT.  Hardy turns a death valley driver into a side effect for a 2 count.  Hardy grabs Dreamer's kendo stick but misses with it.  Dreamer hits a sit out powerbomb.  Dreamer takes the cane up to the top and show boats to the crowd.  Hardy follows him up there and hits a twist of fate from the top to pick up the victory in 4:26.  (*1/2)

Match #4

Val Venis and Lance Storm wtih three ladies of the night vs La Resistance (Rene Dupree and Rob Conway)

Storm and Conway trade control holds, until. Lance goes up and over and nails a big punch to the face.  Conway scurries away to tag Dupree.  Lance controls until a tag to Val.  Val comes in and gets a scoop slam and they hit stereo elbow drops.  Dupree fires back with chops and forces Venis into the corner for the tag.  Conway is tagged in and connects on a back elbow, scoop slam, and a knee drop.  Val gets the boot up on a charge by Conway. Venis tries to climb to the top himself but gets pushed off by Dupree.  Dupree is tagged in and he exchanges strikes with Venis until Venis gets a half nelson slam. Both men are down.  Val crawls over and tags in Storm.  Storm is a house of fire with clotheslines and drop kicks.  He hits a steamroller and a springboard dropkick.  Dupree breaks the pin attempt.  Lance and Val attempt a double team maneuver but Dupree breaks that up as well.  Storm flips out of a slam attempt by Conway but Dupree grabs his foot from the floor.  This allows Conway to hit a devastating DDT and get the win in 5:43. (**)

Tomorrow night it's Raw in Memphis and Steve Austin is the sheriff!  What will that mean!?

Ruthless C Shows WWE Velocity 12/20/2003 & WWE Sunday Night Heat 12/21/2003

 

If you would like to check out the audio podcast Ruthless discussing the previous click here to access the North South Connection's pod feed.

The weekend kicks off with Velocity on Slammin' Saturday Night.

Match #1

Tajiri vs Paul London (non-title)

Tajiri yanks London down by his hair and then mockingly blows London a kiss.  Tajiri catches a kick attempt by London, but London flips out and gets a crucifix pin for 2.  London attempts a sunset flip for another 2 count.  Paul London hits a headscissors and a spinning heel kick.  Tajiri escapes a suplex and lands a few stiff strikes to the back.  Tajiri grinds London with some heel tactics and locks in a camel clutch.  London stands up out of it and rams Tajiri into the turnbuckles but the Japanese star quickly grabs London for the tarantula.  London lands on his feet on a release German suplex and hits the dropsault.  London clotheslines Tajiri a few times before a climb up enziguri and springboard moonsault for a 2 count.  Tajiri comes back with a springboard back elbow.  London is able to duck the buzzsaw kick and hits a waffle face in response.  A missile drop kick to the back of Tajiri's head causes a stalemate as both men struggle to their feet.  Tajiri gets a crescent kick out of nowhere and follows it up with the buzzsaw kick as the kill shot to pick up the win in 5:33.  (***)

Match #2

Matt Morgan vs Funaki

Funaki starts with a game of cat and mouse, trying to avoid the big fella.  Funaki low bridges the top rope and Morgan spills to the outside.  Funaki hits a baseball slide but it doesn't knock Morgan off his feet and the chase is back on.  The chase is back on til a big boot stops Funaki dead in his tracks followed by a scoop slam.  Josh Matthews call Morgan the blueprint of a professional wrestler, which I believe is the first mention of that nickname on the main roster. He locks in a standing single leg crab which looks zero percent painful.  Josh tells us that he Morgan has defeated Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, and Elton Brand in basketball at various camps.  Demott could not care less and dismisses this as worthless information.  Morgan gets a corner clothesline and a rope choke.  Funaki attempts a desperation crossbody but gets caught.  Funaki wriggles free and kicks the back of Morgan knee, followed by a drop kick to the face.  Morgan press Funaki off the cover and decapitates Funaki with a clothesline.  Funaki tries to punch his way free from a powerbomb but Morgan powers through and the sit out powerbomb ends it in 2:45 for the Morgan win.  (*1/4)

Match #3

Johnny "The Bull" Stamboli vs Spanky

The action starts before the bell as Spanky gets nose to nose as the teams have been feuding on Velocity as of late.  The Bull grabs a head lock and hits a shoulder block and taunts Spanky for being too small.  An awkward step over attempt on a drop down, so they do it again and Stamboli shakes his leg free from a drop toe hold attempt.  Stamboli pitches Spanky to the outside, but Spanky is right back in for a series of punches.  Stamboli bails.  He comes right back in himself for a charge but Spanky drop toe holds him.  Spanky attacks the knee with strikes and twists and elbow drops.  Spanky gets a drop kick to Stamboli's mush and continues to attack the knee.  The Bull uses his boot to send Spanky shoulder first into the ring post. Stamboli slams Spanky's arm into the post and then a crushing clothesline.  Stamboli has been completely no selling the knee.  It's like that whole segment of the match did not happen.  Spanky tries to fight back but gets cut down.  The Bull military presses him onto the top rope and then flips the cruiserweight back into the ring.  An arm bar is locked in.  Kendrick kicks out and uses several forearm strikes into a spinning head scissors, a spinning back elbow, and spinning heel kick.  Stamboli kicks out of a non spinning pinfall cover.  The Bull dodges an attack in the corner and hits an Impaler DDT to pick up the victory in 4:25.   (*)

Match #4

Akio and Sakoda vs Ultimo Dragon and Kidman

Ultimo Dragon and Akio start the action with trading arm bars.  A sunset flip attempt by Akio and Ultimo Dragon kicks him in the chest and back for a two count.  He tags in Kidman, and Ultimo Dragon does a drop toe hold while Kidman baseball slides, Akio in the shoulder in a double team move.  Akio tags out to Sakoda but the heels double team move attempt is turned into combo head scissors head lock takeover by Kidman.  Kidman sends Sakoda off the ropes, Akio gets a kick to the head to the back through the ropes, which lets the heels hit stereo enziguris upside Kidman's head.  Akio is in for stomps into a seated camel clutch.  Kidman escapes but runs into a spinning heel kick.  Sakoda tags in and puts Kidman in the tree of woe. Sakoda taunts Dragon who takes the bait so Akio can choke away on Kidman.  Kidman hits a desperate drop kick.  Hot tag to Dragon who comes in for a clothesline and a drop kick.  Dragon is held by Akio, but Dragon is still able to hit both Sakoda and Akio with kicks.  Dragon pieces up Sakoda's legs and ribs.  Akio eats a Asai moonsault for a 2 count.  Tag into Kidman but the faces miss a double clothesline attempt.  Sakoda pulls Dragon out.  Kidman tries a springboard bulldog to Akio but Sakoda catches him and plans Kidman with a power bomb.  Dragon is able to get in and break up the fall.  Sakoda drops Dragon on a sidewalk slam so Dragon gives him a spin kick to the back of the head.  Dragon hits a top rope crossbody to the floor on Sakoda.  Meanwhile in the ring, Akio misses a spin kick on Kidman.  A Kidman enziguri turns Akio inside out.  Kidman heads to the top for the shooting star press, Matthews, in a eye rolling comment, says, "Kidman is about to press the R trigger on his Gamecube controller."  Kidman hits it for the win in 5:36. (**3/4)

Sunday Night Heat

Coachman selling a separated shoulder from the Goldberg locker room assault which led to Goldberg being not suspended for 30 days but deactivated for 30 days which everyone knows is way way worse. 

Match #1

Victoria vs Ivory

#1 Contender Match for the Women's Title

Test of strength that Ivory turns into a pin attempt, which Victoria rolls into her own pin attempt.  They roll around the ring trading two counts until Ivory gets a head scissors.  Molly Holly heads out on the stage to observe rocking a Tori from Saved by the Bell look.  Victoria hits shoulder blocks in the corner.  Ivory slips out of a vertical suplex for a roll up.  Ivory grazes Victoria with a drop kick.  Victoria grabs at the ropes to try to get away so Ivory rips her off to pancake slam her.  Victoria bails to the outside to regroup.  Ivory whips Victoria back into the ring by her hair, but gets caught in a powerslam.  Victoria puts Ivory into a surfboard.  Ivory turns a Samoan drop into a rollup attempt. When that didn't work, she tries a backslide pin.  Ivory crashes and burns on a top rope crossbody.  Victoria picks up her carcass and puts her away with the widow's peak in 4:05.  (*1/4)

Molly comes to ring and congratulates Victoria.  Victoria pats the title on Molly's shoulder.  As she goes to exit the ring, Molly cracks her in the back of the head with the belt. 

Match #2

Rosey & Hurricane vs The Shane Twins

Rosey starts with a Shane twin.  Snow and Coach call them the running gag of local competitors being called Babacanoosh.  So these are the Babacanoosh twins who Snow says are cloned from the same petri dish like Dolly the sheep.  Rosey clotheslines him down and lets the twin tag, they other one in, who gets immediately belly to belly suplexed by Rosey.  Hurricane is in for a top rope crossbody for 2.  A twin misses a charge but other twin gets a clothesline on the apron.  They double team Hurricane in the corner.  Twin suplexes Hurricane across the ring.  The twins tag and hit a double clothesline, followed up by snap suplex and a neck vice.  Hurricane reverses a suplex.  Both tag out.  Rosey clotheslines, shoulder blocks, sidewalk slam, scoop slam, a huge leg drop.  The twins miss a double clothesline, only for Rosey to double clothesline them and hits a spinebuster.  Hurricane mounts Rosey's shoulders who is sitting on the top turnbuckle and splashes the prone twin for the win in 4:15.  (*1/2)

Earlier today, Test is leering at Victoria stretching for her match.  He starts talking to himself about how he wants to get her to replace Stacy.  He says of course she would want him. Everybody wants him.  Richards comes up for behind upset that he would talk that way about his flower, Victoria.  He says that he has someone who wants to be with him and if Test wants to try to get her, he can try, but he'll see what happens.

Match #3

Test vs Steven Richards

Test begs Richards to hit him.  Richard obliges.  Test hits a short arm clothesline and stomps.  Richards tries to get mounted punches in the corner twice but Test tosses him off.  Richards attempts a bronco buster but Test moves and Richards busts himself.  Test begins laying in the punches, followed by a scoop slam.  He misses an elbow drop, but Richards can't take advantage as he runs into a sidewalk slam.  Test gets caught on a corner charge and Richards hits a bulldog.  They both escape each others finisher slams.  Test misses a boot and gets hung up on the top rope.  Stevie takes too long to capitalize and gets rammed into the corner.  Test tries a running powerslam but Richards escapes and slides down Test's back for a roll-up to get the upset win in 2:27. (*)

Match #4

Garrison Cade & Mark Jindrak vs Lance Storm & Val Venis with ladies.

This entire match Snow call them Jade and Cindrak.  Val Venis and Garrison Cade start out.  A collar and elbow tieup turns into a shoving match.  Cade gets heavy forearm strikes and stomps.  Cade argues with the ref after being in the ropes allowing Val Venis to get a few clotheslines, a back elbow and a scoop slam.  Lance Storm is tagged in for a springboard ax handle and a northern lights suplex.  Cade backs into the corner for a tag.  Lance Storm gets an arm drag and tags in Val for a top rope ax handle, European uppercut and chops.  Lance Storm back in now for a scoop slam and double team elbow drops.  Storm foils Cade's attempt for a cheap shot from the outside but falls victim to a Jindrak baseball slide.  Cade then rams Storm head and shoulder first into the post.  Back in the ring, Cade gets a hammerlock on Storm and rams him shoulder first into the turnbuckle.  He knocks Val off the apron adn tags in Jindrak for a picture perfect drop kick.  Cade tags back in for an arm bar.  Storm breaks free and gets a jumping leg lariat and makes the hot tag.   Val wrecks shop with clotheslines, a back body drop, gut wrench powerbomb, and a half nelson slam.  A fisherman's suplex to Jindrak is broken up by Cade.  Lance Storm gets a blind tag and nails a top rope crossbody for a near fall.  He tries a springboard sunset flip that gets reversed by Jindrak.  Cade assists with the pin from the outside to gain leverage but doesn't actually get ahold of Jindrak's hands until 2.75 of the 3 count so it loses some of it's effect. The heels win in 6:30.  (**1/2)

Ruthless C Shows WWE Velocity 12/13/2003 & WWE Heat 12/14/2003 pre Armageddon edition

 

Check out the audio Podcast Ruthless on the North South Connection, for a breakdown of the week's Raw and Smackdown.  

We start the weekend with Velocity on Saturday Night on Spike Tv.  

Match #1

Full Blooded Italians (Chuck Palumbo & Nunzio) with Johnny 'The Bull" Stamboli vs Paul London & Spanky

Paul London and Nunzio start out.  They come nose to nose and Nunzio slaps Nunzio in the face and retaliates with a punch to the face to knock down Nunzio.  Nunzio tags Palumbo in who over powers London in the corner.  London fights out with a head scissors take over, but quickly mowed down with a clothesline.  Tag to Nunzio, who immediately goes down via drop toe hold that allows London to tag to Spanky.  A Russian leg sweep/clothesline double team by the faces.  Spanky hits a dropkick.  Johnny the Bull gets on the apron after a Spanky head scissors, which lets Palumbo sneak in to decapitate Spanky with a big boot. Palumbo tagged in a nails a spinal tap kick and puts in a chin lock.  He tags in Nunzio.  Nunzio and the Bull stretch Spanky's legs around the ring post while Palumbo stomps him.  The ref misses a blind tag and Spanky pays for it by falling victim to a Samoan drop.  Spanky dodges a charge in the corner and gets tornado DDTed.  Both men tag out.  London gets a back body drop, spinning heel kick, and a waffle face to Nunzio.  Palumbo breaks up the fall.  A drop kick disposes of Palumbo.  Stereo northern lights suplex to Nunzio transitioned into a double gut buster.  Stamboli pulls London off the cover from the floor.  A missile drop kick by Spanky to Palumbo and then planca to Stamboli on the floor.  London is held up by Nunzio to get Whack Kicked by Palumbo for the FBI to pick up the win in 6:45.  (***)

Match #2

Ultimo Dragon vs Tony Santarelli

Ultimo Dragon gets a headlock to start.  Quick slaps by Dragon but Santarelli catches him with a back elbow.  Santarelli is quickly sent flying with a leg sweep, head scissors, and a plancha to the outside.  Back in the ring for a scoop slam and a half crab.  Santarelli misses an enziguri.  Ultimo Dragon gets kicks in the corner.  Santarelli gets a sunset flip but Dragon rolls and kicks Santarelli face off for a two count.  Dragon gets caught with his head down but several strikes by Santarelli are blocked each one is returned with a kick.  Dragon nails Santarelli with an Asai DDT to win in 3:22.  (*1/2)

Match #3

Orlando Jordan vs Kanyon

Kanyon is aggressive at the bell with strikes and a headlock.  Mathews and Demott discuss that these two have battled several times on Velocity with Jordan winning every single time.  They talk about Kanyon's success in WCW and the Invasion, but since returning from injury, Kanyon can't put it all together.  Jordan gets a drop toe hold, fireman's carry, shoulder block, and a hip toss.  Kanyon stun guns Jordan off the top rope and gets a swinging neck breaker.  Kanyon gets a jumping corner bulldog for 2.   After the kick out, Kanyon grabs a chin lock.  Jordan breaks free and gets a flying forearm, several drop kicks, back body drop, and the Johnson shuffle series of punches.  Kanyon comes back with a side Russian leg sweep, but gets caught trying to go up and over in the corner for a running power slam with gets the pinfall for Jordan in 5:05.  (*1/2).

Match #4

Tajiri with Akio and Sakoda defends the cruiserweight title vs Billy Kidman

Billy Kidman starts with float over into head scissors followed by a baseball slide.  Akio distracts the ref as Sakoda takes out Kidman with a clothesline.  Back in the ring, Tajiri gets a scoop slam, knee drop, and locks in a cross face.  Kidman fights out but gets caught on Tajiri's shoulders and the champ stun guns Kidman on the top rope.  Tajiri snap mares the challenger and catches a head lock.  Kidman gets Irish whipped but reverses it.  Tajiri grabs the ropes to stop short and Kidman crashes and burns on a drop kick.  Tajiri misses a hand spring elbow.  Kidman's drop kick is successful this time.  He follows it up with a back elbow, clotheslines, spring board, and a bulldog for 2.  Tajiri dodges a clothesline and hits a kick to the mush for 2. Kidman gets a rollup for a 2 count.  Tajiri kicks Kidman into the corner so he can apply the tarantula. Tajiri sizes Kidman up for the buzzsaw kick but he misses and eats an enziguri for his trouble. He goes for the shooting star press but Akio pulls him down to crotch Kidman on the top turnbuckle.  In the ring with the referee busy with Sakoda, Akio attempts to spin kick Kidman but hits Tajiri on accident.  Kidman nails a BK bomb for a near fall.  Billy Kidman hurricanranas Tajiri over for a cover but Tajiri bridges out and buzzsaw kicks Kidman to gain the pinfall in 6:27. (***) 

It's the pre Armageddon edition of Sunday Night Heat.  

Teri interviews Trish Stratus and Lita before their match with Chris Jericho and Jericho dubbed Eric Bishoff's battle of the sexes.  Trish is hurt that she fell for Chris because she believed him.  Lita says now we know the truth.  Christian says he was rounding 3rd, heading home, but the truth is, he never even picked up a bat.  We don't want the match, but we'll do our best and go down swinging.  

Matt Hardy is in the locker room enjoying what is happening to Lita.  He says she deserves all of this for not keeping V1 #1 in her life.  Maven buts in saying, "Oh you really taught her a lesson, huh."  Matt Hardy thinks Maven might be being sarcastic and Matt is not a fan of it.  Maven tells, Hardy that he thinks he is a big man but he's actually a punk coward.  Hardy suggests that they go into the ring a settle it.  So this match appears to be happening in the future. 

Match #1

Jon Heidenreich vs Rico with Miss Jackie

Al Snow and Johnathan Coachman throw it to Jr and the King for commentary for this match. King and JR shit on the Heat team like the heels they are.  Rico go behind, and Heidenreich gets a back elbow.  Rico jumps into Heidenreich's arms Bugs Bunny style and plants a kiss on the big fella. Heidenreich complains to the referee but nowhere in the rule book does it say that you can't kiss your opponent.  Rico gets caught and takes a reverse atomic drop for his troubles and gets clotheslined out of the ring.  Heidenreich follows him outside and to throw Rico back into the ring for a shoulder block and a clothesline.  Miss Jackie distracts Heidenreich on the apron, and Rico immediately hits a neck breaker to win in 1:30.  (1/2*)

Evolution is getting hyped for the night.  Flair wants Orton to win the Intercontinental Title, Batista to destroy Shawn Michaels and choke him out, and Triple H to bring home the World Heavyweight Championship.  Triple says that tonight is new beginning for Evolution.  They take it to the next level.  Will they?  Find out by listening to the podcast!