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WPW Sunday Night on ESPN2 - April 9th / 2000! -==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==- The show faded in
from black to 'No One's Real' by Powerman 5000 blared in the background as we
saw a logo plastered on the screen reading 'WPW Sunday Night' with the 'ESPN2'
logo underneath it. The scene then cut
into the arena as fireworks blasted from the ceiling and the camera panned
across the crowd. We then went to the
announcers table at ringside where Scott Hudson, Mike Tenay and Tony Schiavone
sat. The three welcomed us to World
Professional Wrestling on ESPN2 in this debut show as lots of great matches are
in store for us tonight as tournaments for the World Heavyweight Title, World
Tag Team Titles and Intercontinental Title begin right here! "Sprach
Zarathustra" began playing ... With that, "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair clad
head-to-toe in Armani stepped through the curtain to a huge reaction from the
crowd on hand. Flair stopped and
acknowledged the crowd then continued down into the ring where he took a
microphone... Ric Flair: "WHOOOOOOOO! Finally, The Nature Boy is FREE! WHOOOOO! Finally, Ric Flair is free of Eric
Bischoff, free of Vince Russo, free of WCW and finally, The Nature Boy is in a
promotion that isn't about politics but about proving yourself. In the WPW, it's not about how much you get
paid or who you're friends with, it's about getting it done in this very
ring. For twenty years, I've been the
man and am I still the man? I need to
prove that to myself but not in the politic heavy WCW but right here in World
Professional Wrestling! Tonight, I face
a man that I've faced many times before and a man I have the utmost respect for
and that's Sting but Stinger, all bets are off because tonight, you're my first
test. I'd like to turn my attention to
something else and that's a symbol of excellence, The Four Horsemen. For years, The Horsemen were the elite in the
world of professional wrestling until WCW attempted to destroy us so I put the
Horsemen name out of commission for awhile but when I got the call from WPW, I
knew this was the right place and tonight is the right time to re-introduce the
world to the most elite group of wrestlers in the world today. I have searched the world long and hard for
the best, for Horsemen material, and for a diverse mix worthy of carrying the
Horsemen name. These three men each have
unique qualities so let me tell you a bit about them then we'll bring them on
down here. The first man is a martial
arts expert, a no nonsense, shoot first, ask questions later type competitor,
he is 'The Lethal Weapon' Steve Blackman!
The second man is a bit of a funny man which often overshadows his
all-around wrestling ability and knowledge for the sport like no other, he is
Al Snow! The third and final man is my
acquisition that I am most proud of. He
is a man feared by all and a man that will simply tear you apart. He is worthy of his title as 'The World's
Most Dangerous Man' , he is KEN SHAMROCK!" "Keep Away [Inst.]" by Godsmack by blared over
the loudspeakers as "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock,
"The Lethal Weapon" Steve Blackman and Al Snow came through the
curtain and made their way into the ring shaking hands with Ric Flair as in the
ring stood the new Four Horsemen... Ric Flair: "I've just got one last message for all
the wrestlers in the back who are doubtful about The Four Horsemen's
eliteness. You don't have to like us but
you better learn to love us because we're the best thing goin' today,
WHOOOOO!" That's when, "The Kings" by Run DMC cut-in over
the loudspeakers as out of the green haze of the entrance came Triple H, Road
Dogg and X-Pac, D-Generation X. DX stood
at the top of the entrance as Road Dogg had a microphone.. Road Dogg:
"Cut it...Oh...if you think I'm gonna do that schtick so all you
redneck, trailer park trash, spam sucking hicks can chant along like little
girls in pampers watching Barney then you've got another thing comin'! Ya see, ya see, this D-O-Double G doesn't
give a DAMN ABOUT YOU!" Triple H:
"Ric Flair, we were watching on the monitor, almost falling asleep from your lie filled lecture, we couldn't help but
livening up this show a little bit with some DX green. The Four Horsemen, that's so 80's Ric, just like you, living in the past, trying to
recreate your glory days. I
mean, I loved watching you Ric, when I was a KID! Now as you stand in that ring, a pathetic shell of your
former self, I'm going to take it upon myself to put you out to the pasture but
first I will become the World Heavyweight Champion because I am the GAME! You may be the man, Ric Flair but I AM THE
GAME! And D-Generation X is the symbol
of excellence in the new millennium because we are that damn good..." X-Pac: "Now
suck on THAT, Denture Boy!" Ric Flair: "You
selfish, ungrateful, overhyped pieces of ****! Shut the hell up and get your
asses down in this ring and prove yourselves against the best! You call
yourself the Game, Triple H, and to you this may all be a game but to me, this
is no game so if your so confident that you can kick my ass then bring it! WHOOOOO!" Triple H: "Not tonight, Ric, I know you've got a big
match against Sting and I wouldn't want to give Sting an unfair advantage by
kicking your ass." D-Generation X turned tail and headed back to the locker
room as "Keep Away [Inst.]" by Godsmack played again and The Four
Horsemen worked up the crowd a little
bit and we took our first commercial break of the show... "Dope"
by Debonaire brought the self-proclaimed 'Super Heavyweight' Crash Holly out to the ring for our opening match of the
evening. Then, "Up In Here" by
DMX blasted over the PA as Booker T headed out to the ring with a blast of
pyro. This was a first round WPW I-C
Title Tournament matchup. The match
started out with Crash Holly trying to brawl with Booker T because Holly thinks
he's a big man but Booker T just overpowered him. To his credit, Crash Holly put up one hell of
a fight against Booker T until he tried to power bomb Booker T, a dumb move,
and Booker T backdropped him then hit a Harlem Sidekick. Booker T then headed up to the top rope and
came off with a Missile Dropkick for the one, two, three. Booker T moves on in the Intercontinental
Title Tournament. Booker T pinned Crash Holly with the Missile Dropkick in
4:09. Rating: ** 1/2 We returned with
the instrumental version of 'Can't Get You Out Of My Heart' was playing as
3Count's Evan Karagias, Shane Helms and Shannon Moore came out to the ring and
set up their green circles. They then
began to perform their 'hit' (i.e. lip synch the song while dancing). Momentarily, "This Is How We Do It"
by Montell Jordan interrupted as Rikishi and Too Cool came out to the cheers of
the crowd. They rushed the ring and
kicked out 3Count then began performing for the crowd for a few moments until
they stopped and Too Cool left as our next match got underway with Rikishi
taking on Evan Karagias in an Intercontinental Title Tournament. The referee sent Too Cool and Helms & Moore
to the back. Evan Karagias laughed at
Rikishi's ass and Rikishi decked him with a clothesline. Rikishi dominated Evan Karagias for a few
moments until Evan came back with an eye gouge then some high flying offense
but that was shortly thwarted by Rikishi.
In the end, Evan went for a flying clothesline but Rikishi caught him in
a powerslam. Rikishi then spiked
Karagias with the Rikishi Driver for the one, two, and THREE! Rikishi moves on to the next round in the I-C
Title Tournament with his win over Evan Karagias. Rikishi pinned Evan Karagias with the Rikishi Driver in
5:04. Rating: * 1/4 It was time to
change pace a little bit next as we had a WPW World Tag Team Titles Tournament
match as "Millennium" by Killing Joke played and Disco Inferno led
The Mamalukes out to the ring first.
Then, "Break Stuff" by Limp Bizkit blared over the
loudspeakers and The Hardy Boyz came out to a big pop. This was a matchup of the power and brawn of
The Mamalukes against The Hardy Boyz high risk, daredevil style. The closing moments of the match would see
Matt Hardy hit the Twist Of Fate on Big Vito then tagged in Jeff Hardy. Disco Inferno came up on the apron to
distract the referee but Matt Hardy hit him with a dropkick knocking him down. Johnny the Bull came in to clothesline Jeff
Hardy but Hardy ducked and Johnny hit Big Vito.
Matt Hardy took out Johnny the Bull as Jeff went up top and came off
with the Senton Bomb on Vito for the three count and the win as The Hardy Boyz
advanced in the tournament. The Hardy Boyz defeated The Mamalukes when J. Hardy
pinned Vito with the Senton Bomb in 6:40. Rating: ** 3/4 "Back In
Black" by AC/DC sounded over the loudspeakers as Tammy Lynn Sytch led "No Gimmicks Needed" Chris Candido
out to the ring for another Intercontinental Title Tournament matchup. His opponent, Eddy Guerrero came out to the
sounds of "Dead Wrong" by Notorious B.I.G. and chants of "EDDY
SUCKS!" from the crowd. This would
be a really solid matchup with lots of great technical wrestling and high
flying from both men. The final moments
of the match would see Guerrero attempt a Black Tiger Bomb but Candido slid
down the back and hit a reverse neckbreaker.
Candido then took Guerrero up top for the Blond Bombshell but Guerrero
countered it in mid-air with a huracanrana.
Guerrero quickly headed back up top and connected with his Frog Splash
for the one, two, three on Candido. Eddy
Guerrero advances to the next round... Eddy Guerrero pinned Chris Candido with the Frog Splash
in 7:10. Rating: *** 1/2 We flashbacked to
earlier in the evening when Rikishi defeated Evan Karagias and Too Cool interrupted 3Count's
performance. We then went to the ring as 3Count's Shane Helms and Shannon Moore
made their way out to the ring pretending to be pop music heartthrobs. Then, "This Is How We Do It" by Montell Jordan once again
came over the loudspeakers as Too Cool made their way out to the ring for this
World Tag Team Titles Tournament matchup.
This would be a very good and entertaining tag team matchup that could
have gone either way as "Sugar" Shane and "Sweet" Shannon
showed loads of talent as did 'Grandmaster Sexay' and 'Scottie Too Hottie'. The
final moments of the match would see Too Cool get some momenteum and go for the
Hip Hop Drop but Evan Karagias snuck down and shoved Grandmaster off the top
rope. Shannon Moore came in and nailed
the Shannon Slicer on Scottie Too Hottie.
With a handful of tights, Shannon got the three count on Scottie as
3Count advanced. 3Count (Shane Helms and Shannon Moore) defeated Too Cool
when S. Moore pinned Scottie Too Hottie with the Shannon Slicer in 7:01. Rating: *** 1/2 After the match, Evan Karagias helped 3-on-2 attack Too
Cool until Rikishi barreled down to the ring and cleared house of 3Count
helping out his buddies. Up next, we had
another Intercontinental Title Tournament match but this was Horsemen against DX. "Keep Away [Inst.]" by Godsmack
blared over the loudspeakers as The Four Horsemen's Al Snow made
his way out to the ring to a decent pop from the crowd. Snow was sport new tights, a black singlet with the red '4H' symbol on the back and
Horses on the legs. Then,
"The Kings" by Run DMC sounded as X-Pac made his way out to the ring giving the fans at ringside crotch chops on
his way. This would be another solid match here on WPW Sunday Night as the
action continued. There was an added
intensity as the two rival factions were at war here. The final moments of this battle would see
X-Pac hit two kicks to the midsection of Snow then go for a roundhouse kick but
Snow ducked then leveled X-Pac with a clothesline. Triple H then came out of the entrance and
jogged down to ringside distracting Snow and the referee. That allowed ROAD DOGG to come through the
crowd and take off Snow's head with a lead pipe from behind. X-Pac then drove Snow into the mat with the
X-Factor as the referee turned around and counted the one-two-three! X-Pac steals a win over Al Snow and advances
in the tournament. X-Pac pinned Al Snow with the X-Factor in 7:10. Rating: ** 3/4 It was then time
for our Main Event match of the show, the World Heavyweight Title Tournament
match with the winner to go on to WPW WrestleWar 2000 live on Pay-Per-View to
wrestle either Triple H or Diamond Dallas Page for the vacant title. "Seek And Destroy" by Metallica
came over the PA first as the ever popular, Sting made his way out to the
ring. Then, "Sprach
Zarathustra" played and the fans popped for the arrival of "The
Nature Boy" Ric Flair! These two
men have met in the past many times and every time they always go all out. This time would be no different as Sting took
the fight right to Ric Flair using his strength, power and speed while Ric
Flair pulled out every dirty trick in the book showing why he is the dirtiest
player in the game. The closing moments
of the match would see Sting whip Flair into the ropes and Flair flipped over,
went up top and came off with a double axehandle but Sting punched him in the
gut and backed him into the corner and softened him up with a few shots then
jumped in with a Stinger Splash. Sting
then went for a second but Flair pulled the referee in and he got caught with
the Stinger Splash. Flair then caught Sting down low with a shot. That's when DX hit the ring and begant triple
teaming Flair until Snow, Blackman and Shamrock rushed the ring and took DX to
the outside, fighting them off. Flair
and Sting would soon begin trading chops and punches in the ring. On the outside, Triple H took a chair and
cranked Shamrock with it. HHH rolled
into the ring and came up from behind Flair to nail him but Sting hit Flair
with a hard right and Flair went down just as Triple H swung and The Game would
instead connect with Sting's head! Ken
Shamrock then pulled The Game out of the ring. Ric Flair got to his feet seeing Sting down
and locked him in the Figure Four Leglock.
The referee came too and began to count Sting's shoulders down... 1... 2... ...THREE! Ric Flair has defeated Sting and will go on
to fight for the vacant WPW World Heavyweight Title at WPW WrestleWar 2000! Ric Flair made Sting submit to the Figure-Four Leglock in
13:06. Rating: *** 3/4 After the match, DX and The Horsemen continued to battle
on the outside as Flair had his hand raised in victory in the ring. Triple H decked Shamrock and rolled into the
ring and went face to face with Flair when out of nowhere, Diamond Dallas Page
entered the ring and caught Flair in a DIAMOND CUTTER! Page then slapped hands with Triple H and the
two patted eachother on the back then in a split-second Page caught Triple H in
a Diamond Cutter! That was it for this
week as the show ended with a BANG! -==-==-==-==-==-==- WPW News & Notes-: -==-==-==-==-==-==- -Stevie Richards and The Blue Meanie were signed to
short-term deals by WPW... -WPW has WrestleWar on PPV on 05/06/00.. --TOURNAMENT UPDATE-- -==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==- WPW World Heavyweight Title Tournament-: -==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==- Ric Flair vs. Ric
Flair Sting vs. Triple H vs. Diamond Dallas Page -==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==- WPW World Tag Team Titles Tournament-: -==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==- 3Count [Helms/Moore] vs. 3Count Too Cool vs. The Hardy Boyz vs. The
Hardy Boyz The Mamalukes Road Dogg & X-Pac vs. Al Snow & Steve Blackman The Acolytes vs. Stevie & Meanie -==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==- WPW Intercontinental Title Tournament-: -==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==- Eddy Guerrero vs. Eddy
Guerrero Chris Candido vs. Booker T vs. Booker T Crash Holly Al Snow vs. X-Pac X-Pac vs. Rikishi vs. Rikishi Evan Karagias Chris Jericho vs. Norman Smiley Steve Blackman vs. Road Dogg Billy Kidman vs. Ken Shamrock Vampiro vs. Jeff Jarrett |