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 1/10/2004 & 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.