For those not in the know on this, the WWE roster is divided into three separate brands.  They are Raw, Smackdown and ECW.  What this is supposed to mean is that wrestlers are unique to their own brand and only appear on that TV show.  Of course that is often not the case, and especially lately we have had guys going from show to show without any real explanation.

In the fall, Smackdown moved from the CW to MyNetwork and has lost a good 25% of their audience.  That said, the general consensus and logical move would be to move the bigger draws to Raw and leave Smackdown with a younger base with a couple big names capable of working with the younger talent.

Anyhow, here are the moves I would make:

Jim Ross (Smackdown to Raw)
Jerry Lawler (Raw to Smackdown):
Possibly an unpopular move, but to me this makes the most sense.  This week, the WWE moved JR to the color position on Smackdown, so as long as he’s doing color, might as well be doing it live on Raw where he can also step up when Michael Cole screws up.  The King on the other hand has seen his stock steadily drop and I think a move to the taped show would be beneficial to him.  That leaves us with Cole & JR on Raw, Grisham & Lawler on Smackdown and an interesting duo of Josh Matthews & Matt Striker on ECW.  I’m being realistic that JR & Lawler won’t be around forever, and you want to keep them apart working their experience with the less established names.

Triple H (Smackdown to Raw):  This seems extremely obvious.  Bringing the WWE Championship with him back to Raw, the Triple H to Smackdown experiment is pretty much over and it ended months ago.  I can honestly say I saw far less Triple H this year because I seldom watch Smackdown compared to Raw, so it has to hurt the PPV buys having him main event and less eyes on him.  Plus with John Cena doing a movie in the summer, you’ll want somebody capable of carrying the show without him.  As we saw in the fall with his injury, Batista isn’t the answer.

Edge (Smackdown to Raw):  This one I could go either way on, but I think he’d work better on Raw.  With Vickie Guerrero there now, it lets him work all that stuff over there.  You have a feud lined up with Triple H for when his Orton stuff dies down with the Stephanie McMahon dual wives factor playing a role.  Not to mention the occasional Rated RKO reunion and an eventual match with Orton that’d go over big, I think there’s a lot you can do here.

CM Punk (Raw to Smackdown):  This guy will not be holding the World Title on Raw again.  It was initially a good idea, but that roster is far too stacked for Punk to succeed in 2009.  Move him and he can use the Money in the Bank to bring a World belt back to Smackdown, probably screwing Edge again being the most likely scenario since it develops a pattern for the eventual day when Punk and Edge are working the top program on a brand (which could very well end up this year).

Chris Jericho (Raw to Smackdown):  Jericho was without a doubt the MVP of the WWE in 2008.  They had a hard time exploiting his talents on Raw to the levels it deserved before, so I think after this draft that will be even more true.  With a move to Smackdown, you give him a potential feud of the year with The Undertaker and names like Jeff Hardy & CM Punk.  If he does end up on Smackdown, I see a long reign in store for him.

Rey Mysterio (Raw to Smackdown)
MVP (Smackdown to Raw):
A flip flop of the Intercontinental and United States champions.  Mysterio on Raw has been a complete waste so far.  He doesn’t work there, won’t work there now (though I’d love to see a 20-30 minute match with Shawn Michaels), and has more guys that work well with him on Smackdown like Jericho, Punk, the Hardyz, Shelton Benjamin.  MVP is more of a default move because I moved Mysterio, but he’s been on Smackdown for what feels like ages now and a change of scenery would work for the guy as he hasn’t had programs with any of Triple H, Cena, Orton, Edge, Michaels and is prime for advancement as a face or with a heel turn.

Kane (Raw to ECW):  We got a taste of Kane on ECW a year ago, but it was cut short for seemingly no reason.  He has served no real purpose on Raw and could be far better utilized on ECW.  A move to Smackdown just blends him in with all the other giants there and he’d probably end up doing nothing.  At least with ECW, the guy could elevate younger talent.  Plus, he also fits in with the whole Sci Fi channel motif, or SyFy as it’s now spelled.

The Big Show (Smackdown to Raw):  With Kane off Raw, it leaves Big Show room to go over there and keep working the main event scene.  There’s a lot you can do with him there as a heel against Triple H, Batista or Michaels, or as a face against Orton or Edge.  Plus having neither Show or Kane on Smackdown lets a guy like Umaga move up on the brand.

John Morrison (ECW to Raw)
The Miz (ECW to Smackdown):
They were the tag team of the year in 2008 and probably the most heavily pushed tag team in the WWE since the early 2000′s, but they can do more.  As long as they are in a tag team, they aren’t being fully utilized, and an immediate break up and feud just buries one of them.  This way they go their seperate ways and avoid that.  Morrison arguably has more main event potential, something that could easily lead one to make the case to reverse them, but we’ve seen Morrison and Jeff Hardy and CM Punk and I think Morrison vs. Michaels is THE program that can finally move him to a main event level talent.

Christian (ECW to Raw):  We’ve all heard the stories that Vince McMahon is not high on the guy.  I think his position in the #2 slot is pretty much ensured, but it would be guaranteed on Raw.  Feuds and matches with guys like Morrison, Kofi Kingston and MVP would keep the secondary title fresh, while you can still use him for the occasional feud or match with a name like Edge, Orton or Michaels.  He works on ECW, I just think it serves no purpose having him there.

R. Truth (Smackdown to ECW):  He clearly is one of those guys with a cult following.  That combined with his potential to move up, I think he’d be a great fit on the third brand and could really shine there.  We’ve seen Lashley, CM Punk and Matt Hardy all benefit from their time on ECW, and I think between R. Truth, Evan Bourne and Jack Swagger, at least one of them would be in a much better position come 2010.

William Regal (Raw to ECW):  In the same way you have Finlay helping the young names work and develop themselves right now, why not have two?  The company is clearly very high on Regal as seen with his King of the Ring tournament win not even a year ago, and programs with Bourne, R. Truth and Swagger would greatly help them out.  Plus for the heck of it, revisiting his WCW era feud with Finlay because they could have some amazing matches with each other.

And there’s a lot more changes I’d make.  Mike Knox from Raw to Smackdown, Michelle McCool from Smackdown to Raw, Cryme Tyme from Raw to Smackdown, Candice Michelle from Raw to Smackdown, Chavo Guerrero from Smackdown to Raw, Jamie Noble from Raw to ECW, Natalya from Smackdown to Raw, Layla El from Raw to ECW, Katie Lea from ECW to Smackdown, and maybe some more.

That makes 10 new faces on Raw, 10 new faces on Smackdown, and 5 new faces on ECW.  The top roster depth would be something close to …

Raw:
John Cena, Triple H, Randy Orton, Edge, Batista, Shawn Michaels, The Big Show, John Morrison, MVP and Christian

Smackdown:
The Undertaker, Chris Jericho, Jeff Hardy, Rey Mysterio, CM Punk, Matt Hardy, Shelton Benjamin, Umaga, The Miz and Mr. Kennedy (assuming he can ever wrestle again)

ECW:
Jack Swagger, Evan Bourne, R. Truth, Kane, William Regal, Finlay, Mark Henry, Jamie Noble, Tyson Kidd and Tommy Dreamer (until his likely retirement at which point you could move him to GM of the brand)

I’d spend time discussing who I’d then move up from developmental and where, but realistically I’ll just save that article until after the real draft has actually happened.  I’ll also be back after the draft looking at the changes they do make and how it effects the roster.

- Show opens with Bill Dundee on the phone. The person the other end is reassuring him as he prepares to enter the building.

- In the ring, David Webb welcomes us to the show. He is joined by David Jett. Jett introduces Memphis legend Lance Russell as a special guest commentator for tonight’s show. Lance enters the ring, says it’s a pleasure to be here and that it’s great to have Memphis wrestling back. Webb says Memphis wrestling will be #1 in the mid south area just like Lance. Lance plugs Sam’s Town a bit before bringout Superstar Bill Dundee. Webb & Jett are gone from the ring leaving Lance to interview Dundee.

Interview with Bill Dundee

- Dundee starts ripping on the commissioner. Lance says this isn’t the time for that and brings up first seeing Dundee with George Barnes. Dundee says that was then, but he’s trying to talk about now. Says Elvis is dead, he’s the king and he wants to be the new commissioner of MCW. Lance says he’s not the right guy to be talking to. Dundee says he asked Buddy Wayne and got no answers, so he figured Lance was the guy to go to. Lance says that people are ready for some action, while Dundee continues asking about who to talk to. As he throws it to commercial.

- Out back, Bull Pain & Todd Morton are shown having pulled up to the arena and David Jett informs us they are not with Memphis wrestling. They enter the building as the show goes to break.

– Commercial break –

- Back from break, former KAW commissioner Van Harden is shown. He is lobbying for the job of MCW commissioner and trying to put together a card for today’s show as David Jett informs all the WWE talent was stranded in a snow storm and couldn’t make the taping. Alkie Holic, a KAW mainstay, shows up and Harden has him thrown out of the building. On his way out, Holic runs into Bull Pain & Todd Morton.

Gangsta B.I.G. vs. Brickhouse Brown

- In the ring, David Jett introduces Brickhouse Brown. Lance Russell puts over Brickhouse as always being in good shape and David Webb says he was a good collegiate athlete. Next out is Gangsta B.I.G., or Harry Del Rios, better known in Memphis as Spellbinder, better known nationally from his very brief WWE stint as Phantasio. Brown gets on the mic and says that when he asked for an opponent, he didn’t mean B.I.G. Says he’s not afraid of him, bbut gives B.I.G. the chance to leave. B.I.G. turns as if to walk away, but immmediately turns back around to start hammering on Brickhouse, but Brickhouse catches him.

- The match starts with B.I.G. at the disadvantage as Brickhouse works him into the corner. After a couple of knees, he hiptosses B.I.G. to the middle of the ring. Brickhouse hits a couple of dropkicks and then goes to the top rope, but B.I.G. catches him and throws him off. B.I.G. hits a couple clotheslines sending Brickhouse to the outside. Brickhouse starts stalling, trying to call for a time out before walking back onto the ring apron. B.I.G. catches him and slingshots him in. Brickhouse begs off and extends his hand, only to have B.I.G. give him a kiss my ass gesture. Brickhouse shoves him, only to get shoved back and sent to the corner. B.I.G. lets him get back up and the two lock up with Brickhouse gaining the advantage. Brickhouse takes him down after a snapmare, followed by a fistdrop. B.I.G. gets up, gets in some punches and takes him to the corner. B.I.G. hiptosses him out, slams him, and then hits a 180 somersault drop into a two count. Brickhouse goes to the outside and pulls B.I.G. to the floor. He slams his leg into the ring, goes back in and waits for B.I.G. and then hits a slam. Brickhouse goes for an elbowdrop, but misses. Back up, B.I.G. sends him into the ropes, drops him with an elbow and hits an elbowdrop of his own with a two count. Once up, B.I.G. goes for a wristlock, but Brickhouse counters with an eye gouge. Brickhouse then throws him to the floor before bringing him back in and hitting a swinging neckbreaker with a two count. Brickhouse then hits a Russian legsweep, climbs to the top rope and dives off, but misses. B.I.G. starts working him over, sending him into the ropes and hitting a back bodydrop. He throws Brickhouse into the corner and charges in, but Brickhouse moves. At this point the referee is tending to B.I.G. as Brickhouse pulls out a chain and starts wrapping it around his fist. B.I.G. hits the ref for some reason. Brickhouse goes to hit B.I.G., but he ducks and hits him causing Brickhouse to drop the chain. B.I.G. picks it up and uses it, followed by a cover with a three count.

Gangsta B.I.G. pinned Brickhouse Brown in 5:17.

- Before commercial break, there is an insert promo from the Rock. He very briefly puts over Memphis wrestling with some catchphrases closing with the classic “if you smell what the Rock is cooking.”

– Commercial break –

- Back from commercial, Kevin Christian catches up with Todd Morton, Bull Pain and Alkie Holic in the back. Christian says this isn’t KAW as they yell amongst themselves in a very short segment.

The Littles (w/ Hollywood Little) vs. Swole & Hammer

- In the ring, David Jett introduces the Littles – Itty, Bitty & their sidekick / midget wrestling Hollywood. Their opponents Swole & Hammer are already in the ring, receiving a very minimal introduction.

- The match starts with all four men going at in the ring. The Littles get sent into the ropes and do stereo leapfrogs. Itty gets taken down with a russian legsweep, while Bitty is taken over with belly to back suplex. Not sure how that worked out. At this point, the KAW crew of Todd Morton, Bull Pain & Alkie Holic rush the ring with steel chairs and start attacking everybody as the ref throws the match out as fast as it started. Alkie takes out a KAW banner as the Littles get beat down with the chairs. Hollywood runs in, but Morton stops him and hits him with a piledriver. Pain hits a top rope splash onto one of them. The three then drape them in the KAW banner as Morton grabs a mic. He starts ripping on the Littles and says that while everybody is saying KAW is dead, they say it’s living and that KAW rules. The three then leave the ring as Lance seems disgusted with their actions and says to take a commercial.

The Littles and Swole & Hammer fought to a no contest in 0:22 when the KAW crew interfered.

– Commercial break –

- Back from commercial, Lance Russell is sitting backstage. He talks about the history of Memphis wrestling. Says all the classic footage shows the heart & fight. Says he’ll quit talking and throws it some film.

Classic footage: Jerry Lawler vs. Terry Funk (w/ Jimmy Hart)

- The match is already in progress and I have no clue of the date of this match, though a guess would be early 80s. The quality is a bit grainy. Anyways, match starts with Lawler chasing after Funk and catching him in the corner. Irish whips him into the opposite corner with Funk flying upside down as Lawler starts laying in with some boots. I’d be ignorant not to mention how insanely hot and lively this Mid-South Coliseum crowd is. Funk goes to the outside, comes back in, tripping in the process. He rolls back out with Lawler chasing him. A bit of footage is cut as they are now back in the ring again. They lockup with Funk backing Lawler to the corner and gaining the advantage with some elbows. Funk then throws him out and goes after him, hitting an atomic drop before re-entering the ring. Lawler gets back in as Funk starts hammering away with some taped fists. Funk drops a leg and then misses a fist drop. Lawler starts mounting a comeback, eventually knocking Funk to the outside. The action continues out there with Lawler slamming his head into the timekeeper’s bell. Another bit of footage is cut and now Lawler is hammering Funk’s right eye which has been split open from the bell shot. Funk goes back into the ring, with Lawler closely following and keeping the pressure on. Lawler hits a stomp from the second rope and then covers him, but Jimmy Hart enters and breaks up the count with a stick. Lawler starts chasing Hart, who escapes under the ring. Lawler goes after Funk again, but Funk low blows him and then floors him with a headbutt. Both men are on the mat and Funk does some JYD like crawling headbutts. Funk bites Lawler’s face drawing blood taking him into the corner. Both men bleeding now; again, can’t get over through description how hot the crowd is. Funk keeps the pressure on Lawler. The match slows with the story now being how bloody both men are. Lawler starts no selling Funk’s punches with Lance saying he can no longer feel pain he’s so out of it. Lawler pulls down the strap and starts whaling away on Funk. Lawler eventually goes up to the second rope and hits a fistdrop and covers him. Hart enters again with a chair, but this time Lawler catches him. Lawler backs Hart into the corner, at which point Funk gets up and grabs the chair, nailing Lawler’s right knee with it. He starts focusing on Lawler’s leg with the chair before the ref is able to take it away from him. Funk is now ripping at Lawler’s right knee pulling on the tights. He then locks in the trademark spinning toe hold. Lawler is reaching for the ropes, selling it for a while, before breaking it up with a right to Funk’s face. Hart hands Funk the chair again and the ref tries to stop him, but this time Funk just shoves him away. Funk goes to hit him with the chair, but Lawler rolls out of the way and is able to take the advantage and grab the chair. He starts hitting Funk’s right leg with chair repeatedly until Funk rolls out of the ring. Lawler follows him, continuing to lay in the chair shots on the floor. At this point, Lawler rolls in and wins the match by countout at 14:16. Awesome storytelling here with the Mid-South Coliseum crowd really adding to it.

Classic footage: Jerry Lawler beat Terry Funk by countout at 14:16 (11:38 is shown).

- Harvey Wippleman cuts an insert promo and says he’s better known in Memphis as Downtown Bruno and that he’ll be here every week on UPN 30 before the show cuts to commercial.

– Commercial break –

Bill Dundee vs. Todd Morton

- Back from commercial, David Jett is in the ring and introduces Bill Dundee. Dundee calls out the KAW crew. Todd Morton comes out accepting the challenge.

- Match starts with Dundee hammering on Morton. He sends him into the ropes and hits back bodydrop on him. He picks up Morton, but Morton starts a comeback. He backs Dundee into the corner and hits him with some shoulder blocks to the midsection. Dundee kicks him low and then floors him with a boot to the face. Dundee then hits a piledriver and gets a near fall before going into an arm submission and another cover that Morton breaks up with an eye rake. Morton on the offense again, bringing him back into the corner. Lance puts over how cheap Morton is being with the eye rakes, though I could swear Dundee just used a lowblow not even 30 seconds ago. Anyways, Morton hits him with a clothesline, an elbow drop and then chokes him. He keeps stomping on Dundee. Dundee gets up, the two fight into the corner, and Dundee gains an advantage. With a hard punch, Dundee gets a two count. Dundee slams him and hits an elbow drop. About this time, the KAW music hits and Bull Pain runs out with Alkie Holic. Morton & Pain start double teaming Dundee as Alkie rolls out the KAW banner. Gangsta B.I.G. hits the ring with a 2×4 and clears the ring of KAW. kAW retreats to the staging area. Dundee grabs the mic and lays out a challenge for later that night at the live show on Beale St. at the New Daisy. The show goes to commercial.

Bill Dundee beat Todd Morton by DQ at 2:56 when Bull Pain interfered.

– Commercial break –

- Back from commercial. Lance Russell & David Webb talk about what a great first show this was, but that it was a shame Jerry Lawler couldn’t be there due to a snowstorm. They then throw it to a “live satellite hookup” with Lawler, which is actually just a pretaped video of Lawler outside in the snow. Lawler talks about the WWE tour of the week with a 20 inch snowstorm in Baltimore for the Smackdown tapings. Says he’ll be back for the next taping though. Says the new Memphis wrestling will be great. He then acknowledges the problems today with KAW. Tells them to face the facts that there is no more KAW no matter what they do, and if they can’t get over it, they’re going to get hurt. Says the fans are there for MCW, not KAW. Throws it back to Lance and says he’ll see the fans at Sam’s Town on February 9 for the next taping. Back at ringside Lance says some final words before ending the show.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

- Pretty bland show. Not much they could do with the WWE talent snowed in for the tapings, but it was still not too great. The first match was about what you’d expect from Gangsta B.I.G. and Brickhouse Brown, but the other two matches were beyond short and awful. The show did do a really good job at putting over the KAW crew as the top heels, so it’ll be interesting to see where that angle goes in the coming weeks, especially once Jerry Lawler & Brian Christopher are actually live and in attendance. The Classic match saved the show though as it was a great piece of footage. Hopefully they air some of it every week. Also Lance Russell on commentary was a nice touch, though there’s only so much you can do with the matches they had.

Quick Results:

1) Gangsta B.I.G. pinned Brickhouse Brown in 5:17.
2) The Littles and Swole & Hammer fought to a no contest in 0:22 when the KAW crew interfered.
3) Classic footage: Jerry Lawler beat Terry Funk by countout at 14:16 (11:38 is shown).
4) Bill Dundee beat Todd Morton by DQ at 2:56 when Bull Pain interfered.

On the flip side, there is a feeling of emptiness now that the event is over and done with.  The event did little by way of building up new stars.  It would appear CM Punk is in line for a second run at the World Title, but beyond that, the younger talent has little to celebrate.  With Punk winning, obviously that means that MVP, Kofi Kingston, Shelton Benjamin or even Christian did not.  The Tag Team Title unification match pitting the Colons vs. John Morrison & The Miz was moved off the PPV and will not be seen until the DVD release later this spring (though for the record, the Colons won when Primo pinned Morrison).  Santino Marella became Miss Wrestlemania winning a battle royal over 24 divas.

Besides all that, there was also the huge waste that was ECW’s lack of representation on the show.  Vince McMahon had lost faith in ECW champion Jack Swagger in recent weeks so he was completely moved off the event.  Despite their excellent performances of late, Evan Bourne & Tyson Kidd were also both left off the event.

What all of this shows is very little growth at a time when the company clearly needs it.  JBL “quit” following his embarassing loss to Rey Mysterio (in actuality, JBL’s injury history is forcing him into retirement).  John Cena will be leaving to film another movie in May or June.  While amazing, the match between The Undertaker and Michaels really drove home the point that we the fans are on borrowed time with enjoying them as  their careers are both winding down.

Hopefully with the draft taking place on April 8 on a special three hour edition of Monday Night Raw, we will see some changes that better address the need to elevate new talent.  Traditionally, post Wrestlemania also sees some call ups from developmental and with the new Superstars show premiering on WGN in the near future, there will be a need for new talent.  Who can forget the three months following Wrestlemania in 2002 with the epic debuts of Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton, Batista & John Cena?  While I can’t accurately predict anybody reaching that level, you never know.

That said, I’ll be back later this week with a look at the changes I would make in the draft and why.  Also I’ll take a look at some of the developmental talent that I feel is ready for the big time.  Plus, always keep your eyes open as I’ll continue uploading Florida Championship Wrestling TV show recaps and classic developmental TV show recaps.  I have a couple episode #1′s ready to go from the early 2000′s.

Here are the full Wrestlemania 25 results from Houston, TX:

1) The Colons beat John Morrison & The Miz to unify the Tag Team Titles when Primo Colon pinned Morrison.
2) CM Punk won the Money in the Bank match.  Other participants included Shelton Benjamin, Christian, Finlay, Mark Henry, Kane, Kofi Kingston and MVP.
3) Santino Marella won a 25 diva Battle Royal last eliminating Beth Phoenix & Melina.
4) Chris Jericho beat Ricky Steamboat, Roddy Piper & Jimmy Snuka in a Gauntlet match.  After the match, Jericho beat up Ric Flair before Mickey Rourke came into the ring and laid out Jericho.
5) Matt Hardy pinned Jeff Hardy in an Extreme Rules match.
6) Rey Mysterio pinned John Bradshaw Layfield to capture the Intercontinental Title.  After the match, JBL quit.
7) The Undertaker pinned Shawn Michaels.
8 ) John Cena beat Edge and The Big Show to capture the World Heavyweight Title when he pinned The Big Show.  Following the match, the 2009 Hall of Fame class was introduced, and then Steve Austin came out to the ring and toasted before having one last beer for the WWE fans at the top of the staging area.
9) Triple H pinned Randy Orton to retain the WWE Championship.

– Show opening –

- Josh Mathews welcomes us to this week’s FCW. Yes, Josh Mathews, not Todd Grisham. This can be explained by the last two shows being taped before Grisham replaced Mike Adamle on ECW. And hey, I for one am not going to complain. He is joined by Dusty Rhodes on color. Sheamus O’Shaunessy is announced as being the new FCW Heavyweight champion, having defeated Jack Swagger.

TJ Wilson vs. Dolph Ziggler

- ECW’s Tiffany is ring announcing this week as well. Dolph Ziggler is out first. This is more interesting that it seems as this exposes that this show was taped on or after his Raw debut in mid September, while last week’s was taped sometime in mid July, meaning TWO MONTHS have passed between last week and this week and there is pretty much zero mention of this, aside from announcing O’Shaunessy as the new champion. Anyways, out next is the Stampede Kid TJ Wilson.

- The match starts with Ziggler waving off a lockup attempt and then immediately shooting for the leg of Wilson. A couple of reversals into go behinds leads to a headlock takeover by Wilson, head scissors by Ziggler, a kip up by Wilson, and both men staring at each other and starting over. Ziggler feigns a test of strength into a go behind, which Wilson turns into a wristlock. Ziggler gets the ropes forcing the break. The two finally lockup with Ziggler backing Wilson into the corner. The ref breaks them as Ziggler goes for a cheap shot, but Wilson blocks and connects with several right hands backing Ziggler into the corner. Wilson charges, Ziggler back body drops him over the top, but Wilson lands on the apron. Wilson goes for a springboard slingshot, but Ziggler catches him with a right. Ziggler with some boots and elbow drops followed by a one count. Ziggler into a headlock, but Wilson rolls through. Ziggler goes in for a clothesline, but Wilson ducks and hits a dropkick. Ziggler charges in, but Wilson just throws him up in the air like a pancake doing a belly flop into the mat. Wilson back into the ropes, Ziggler charges but gets kicked in the face with Wilson going backwards over the top at the same time landing on his feet on the apron. Wilson up and springboard slingshots off the top over Ziggler, but appears to hurt his knee allowing Ziggler to capitalize. Ziggler goes for a kick, but misses, allowing Wilson to hit a spinning back kick. Wilson off the ropes with a dropkick to the face sending Ziggler to the floor. Wilson then baseball slides under the bottom rope, catching Ziggler in a head scissors, and twisting over into a hurricanrana taking Ziggler down with him. Wilson throws Ziggler in the ring, but Ziggler catches him on his way into the ring. Ziggler tries suplexing him in, but Wilson gets out of it and kicks Ziggler in the face. Wilson springboards off the top rope into a somersault neckbreaker and this is enough to put Ziggler away for the three count. Very nice showing by Wilson.

TJ Wilson pinned Dolph Ziggler in 4:01.

– Commercial break –

Gabe Tuft vs. Drew McIntyre

- Back from break. Tiffany announces this is a #1 contender elimination match for the FCW Heavyweight Title. Drew McIntyre is out first. out next is Gabe Tuft. I’ll assume Tuft threw together an impressive series of wins in the two months since last week, since he was in a throwaway 6 man on the last show.

- Match starts with a lockup. McIntyre backs him into the corner, break, lockup again with McIntyre into a side headlock. Series of reversals led by McIntyre leads to a front facelock that Tuft gets out of by grabbing the arm in a wristlock and twisting him over. Starting from scratch, the two go into a test of strength that McIntyre cheapshots him out off, evidently exposing what the students learned this week as that’s two matches in a row with the heel going for a test of strength as a fakeout. Maybe we can hit three next match. McIntyre goes to slam Tuft, Tuft goes behind and rolls him up for a one count. Back up, Tuft gets him into a side headlock takeover. McIntyre fights out, throws him into the corner and charges in, only to be met by a boot. Tuft to the second rope, McIntyre charges in, Tuft jumps over, McIntyre turns around and is met with another side headlock takedown. Mathews tells us that Batista is in the house. McIntyre gets out and hits a big clothesline and a one count. McIntyre throws him to the ropes, puts the head down too soon and Tuft gets him with a hard right. Tuft goes to send him in, but McIntyre reverses it and lands a kick to the midsection. A big punch to the face, followed by a knee and snap suplex and McIntyre gets a two count. McIntyre chokes Tuft against the ropes before snapmaring him over, hitting a legdrop and another two before going into a modified standing crossface. McIntyre puts his neck on the ropes and then kicks him as the ref admonishes him. McIntyre grabs the arms in a double underhook, lands a knee, before hitting a butterfly suplex into a one count. Tuft gets an inside cradle out of nowhere, but McIntyre is up before even a one count. Tuft with a dropkick as they get up. Tuft with an inverted atomic drop, followed by a regular atomic drop, before hitting a low swinging Angle slam. Tuft hits an elbow and gets a two count. McIntyre in the corner, Tuft charges and gets a boot to the face, but is able to back bodydrop McIntyre as he comes out of the corner. With McIntyre down, Tuft goes for a springboard moonsault, but misses, and predictably McIntyre gets his finisher out of this, a reverse STO and a three count. McIntyre wins and advances on in this #1 contender mini tournament.

Drew McIntyre pinned Gabe Tuft in 5:08.

– Commercial break –

Comments from Sheamus O’Shaunessy

- Back in the ring, Tiffany announces the FCW Heavyweight champion Sheamus O’Shaunessy. O’Shaunessy takes the mic and reminds the fans of who he is and where he’s from. He is carrying the FCW Heavyweight Title on his shoulder and says he’ll stay that way for a long time. He says the real reason he came out here was because Batista came into FCW a few weeks ago and tried to embarass him. Unfortunatly we aren’t given video footage of this as he speaks and unless you’re one of the 100 people in the building, you would have no idea what he’s talking about given how many weeks they jumped over, but … yeah. He calls out Batista to come to the ring and apologize for what he did as the fans start chanting Batista’s name. Batista’s music hits as he comes to slap hands with the ringside fans before entering the ring. Batista asks him how he can be the champion of Florida, yet be so pasty white, and tells him to get a tan. O’Shaunessy tells him how dare he say that when he was asked out here for an apology and he wants it now. Batista says he can’t give him an apology but can give him an ass whipping. The two put down their mics as out from the back comes Black Pain, attacking Batista from behind. Pain sends him to the ropes, Batista ducks, bounces off the other side and hits a spear. O’Shaunessy leaves the ring as Batista approaches him. Clothesline for Black Pain over the top. Batista’s music hits as he takes off his shirt and poses in the ring, begging them to come back in. See my closing thoughts for my opinion on this segment.

– Commercial break –

Joe Hennig & Heath Miller vs. Jake Gabriel & Mike Kruel

- Back from break, Tiffany announces a tag team match. Out first is Jake Gabriel with Alicia Fox and his partner Mike Kruel. Gabriel and Fox do some cheesy dance routine where Gabriel pretends to shoot her and then she drops down and … can’t explain really. Their opponents are the FCW Tag Team champions Handsome Heath Miller, still an Edge Head in training it looks like, and Joe Hennig. And yes, apparently Hennig & Miller won the belts at some point in the last two months but of course, we aren’t being told how it happened or who they beat, and quite frankly I’ve stopped caring at this point as basically I’m now realizing I should pretend the first two shows just flat out never existed.

- Match starts after about 30 seconds of guys standing around. Miller & Gabriel start out with a lockup and Gabriel taking him into a side headlock. Miller shoots him into the ropes, but Gabriel shoulder blocks him to the mat, followed by a pose that makes Alicia Fox go wild. If only it were that easy. Kruel then tags in. The two lockup with Kruel into a side headlock. Miller sends him into the ropes, but gets in an armdrag takeover. Another armdrag follows into an armbar. Miller into a wristlock, tags in Hennig. The two send him into the ropes and get in a pair of back elbows and a one count. Hennig keeps on the arm with an armbar. Kruel sends him into the ropes, but Hennig stops himself as Gariel goes to hit him, only to have Kruel knee him from behind. Gabriel tags in, gutwrench and poses again, prompting Kruel to tag himself back in. Kruel turns around, boot from Hennig, followed by a perfect plex, and the match is over just like that. The champions pose with the belts.

Joe Hennig & Heath Miller beat Jake Gabriel & Mike Kruel in 2:35 when Hennig pinned Kruel.

– Commercial break –

Scotty Goldman vs. Sinn Bowdie

- Time for more name changes. Sinn Bowdie is out first. Clearly this being taped before his Smackdown debut as Kizarny since they have no problems changing everybody else’s names around here. Example, out comes his opponent, Scotty Goldman, formerly Colt Cabana. Again, first two shows just don’t exist. Tell yourself that and this is much easier to take.

- Match starts with a lockup. Kizarny go behind and nails Goldman. Choke on the ropes. Front facelock is countered into a suplex by Goldman. Goldman with a wristlock into a go behind, and some sloppy maneuvering that Goldman at least has a good finish on leads to a pin attempt with no count. Back up, Goldman with some more fancy footwork into a wristlock, Kizarny takes out his leg, but Goldman kicks him from his back. Goldman off the ropes, Kizarny with a knee to the midsection. Bowdie then goes off the ropes and lands a low leg lariat across Goldman’s neck as he lays against the ropes. Kizarny, Bowdie, it’s all the same. Bowdie with some kicks, and then a nice move of dropping back with his feet putting pressure on his arms (very hard to describe). Bowdie with a double underhook, but Goldman lifts him up into an airplane spin. Goldman leap frogs over the dizzy Bowdie and drops down and cardles into a pin, but only manages a one count. Goldman with some Dusty style elbows. Bowdie into the corner, reverses it. Goldman to the middle rope as Bowdie charges in and jumps over him, but Bowdie charges out with a clothesline. Back up, Bowdie with a double underhook into a DDT and a three count. Better known apparently as the Tallulah Bell. Outside, Tiffany interviews Bowdie after the match. Bowdie says it felt good to win, before breaking into Kizarny speech mode and me having no clue what he said.

Sinn Bowdie pinned Scotty Goldman in 2:41.

– Commercial break –

Eric Escobar vs. Johnny Curtis

- Tiffany introduces us to the other half of the elimination tournament for the #1 contender. Johnny Curtis is out first. Out next is Eric Escobar, known last week and to Deep South Wrestling fans as Eric Perez. Mathews says Escobar doesn’t like the next generation stars because he’s worked for his spot and this and that, possibly having something to do with his recent teaming with Primo Colon, but I guess we aren’t privy to their breakup from winning the Tag Titles last week.

- The match starts with the two locking up. Escobar go behind, but Curtis with a takeover with an armbar. Escobar up, reverses the armbar, only to have it reversed back by Curtis. Escobar counters with a wristlock, but Curtis backs him into the corner, and a ref break. That was a minute of wrestling right there. Escobar goes for the test of strength!!!, no, into a lockup instead. Curtis into a side headlock, eventually landing a series of moves into a rollup and a one count. Back up and another lockup. Curtis with a side headlock takeover. Escobar head scissors out of it, both men up and Escobar with a side headlock takeover. Curtis head scissors, Escobar kip up, and then Curtis takes out his leg and a one count. Escobar with an identical leg sweep and cover for a one count. No, you’re not imagining things, this is as repetitive as it sounds. Back up, Curtis with a snapmare, goes for a kick but misses and a nice rollup by Escobar for a one count. A couple ducks and both men go for the dropkick at the same time. Back up and we are at a stalemate, very stale. The two lockup again, Escobar into a wristlock, backed into the corner and Curtis with a knee and a right. Curtis sends him across and Escobar reverses it, charges in, but Curtis moves and lands an arm twist takedown. Curtis continues working on the arm and goes into an armbar. Curtis then adds pressure on the wrist. Curtis temporarily releases it, before going back into the armbar. Curtis steps over and puts his weight on top of Escobar. Back up to their feet and Escobar gets out of it with a knee into a backslide and a two count. Back up and Curtis takes him down and gets a one count. Curts kicks the arm again, back into an armlock and throws him shoulder first into the turnbuckle and a one count. Curtis twists the arm behind the back again. Nice story being told with Escobar’s arm here, though starting to drag on and become boring. Escobar fights up to his feet, pulls out his leg, but can’t capitalize. Curtis snapmares him over, and back to the arm again, this time with a modified cobra clutch headlock. Escobar up again, throws Curtis into the ropes, Curtis reverses. Escobar goes over for a sunset flip, but Curtis blocks it and drops a knee on his arm. Curtis twists the arm around into a wristlock, but thankfully Escobar drives him to the corner. Escobar with a jumping kick to the face. Both men down and the ref is counting. Back up and Escobar blocks some shots from Curtis and responds with ones of his own. Escobar hits the ropes and takes Curtis down. Escobar lands a reverse STO and a two count. Escobar sends Curtis into the ropes, goes down and Curtis catches him with a kick to the head. Curtis with a spinning kick and a cover for a two count. Back up and Curtis with a side russian legsweep. Curtis to the top rope, but Escobar catches him. Escobar goes up, but Curtis catches him and does a sunsetflip slam off the top and gets a two count. Curtis goes for a suplex, but Escobar hops over and catches a full nelson slam with a cover and the three count. Decent match, but not without it’s faults. So we have Eric Escobar vs. Drew McIntyre next week to determine the #1 contender to Sheamus O’Shaunessy. Show closes with a video recap.

Eric Escobar pinned Johnny Curtis in 9:31.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

- This may have been one of the most frustrating shows to watch as from an organizational standpoint, jumping that many weeks and giving no explanation on things is hard to take. Pro wrestling should always be an episodic show that goes from week to week, not changes overnight because they decided to cut out 8 episodes or so without a recap of anything. I thought TJ Wilson looked good in his match, as did Drew McIntyre. The main event was alright. Good storytelling within the match, but it reached a point where Escobar should have to have his arm amputated or something because that’s all they seemed to do the last 2/3s. The thing with WWE stars is getting a bit old too. At least last with Jericho, it gave a rub to Joe Hennig vs. Nic Nemeth, which we likely missed, but what purpose does it serve to have Cena destroy Shawn Spears or Batista destroy Black Pain and send the FCW champion running. There’s never going to be a Batista vs. Sheamus O’Shaunessy match on FCW. I understand it makes them look important by association, but did O’Shaunessy, the FCW champion really need that? It just made him look bad. At week three, this show is very obviously the most WWE controlled of any past developmental territories and there is almost zero emphasis on week to week storylines on the show and WWE main eventers are put over at every turn. Hopefully that starts changing soon. Also, the guys are starting to look like cardboard cutouts of each other, all doing the same movesets. If this is what Raw is going to look like in 5 years, might as well save yourself the time and stop watching now. Again, hopefully this changes and the wrestlers develop their own personalities and characters more because right now, aside from a few moves, everything looks the same.

Quick Results:

1) TJ Wilson pinned Dolph Ziggler in 4:01.
2) Drew McIntyre pinned Gabe Tuft in 5:08.
3) Joe Hennig & Heath Miller beat Jake Gabriel & Mike Kruel in 2:35 when Hennig pinned Kruel.
4) Sinn Bowdie pinned Scotty Goldman in 2:41.
5) Eric Escobar pinned Johnny Curtis in 9:31.

– Show opening –

- The camera pans the crowd as Todd Grisham welcomes us, joined by Dusty Rhodes. Rhodes says wrestlers’ careers are on the line tonight as this is make it or break it for them in FCW.

Ricky Ortiz vs. Sheamus O’Shaunessy

- Ring announcer Justin Roberts introduces Sheamus O’Shaunessy. Grisham draws a comparison to Finlay, while Dusty says O’Shaunessy takes exception to that comparison feeling Finlay gives Ireland a bad name. Next out is ECW’s Ricky Ortiz, rally towel and all.

- The match starts with the two men getting in each other’s face. O’Shaunessy shoves back Ortiz, who just takes it. The two lock up with O’Shaunessy backing Ortiz into the corner. Ref break, another lockup with O’Shaunessy into a side headlock. Ortiz eventually sends him into the ropes, but is met with a shoulder block to the mat. Ortiz does a kip up as O’Shaunessy hits the ropes and this time it’s Ortiz with the shoulder block. Ortiz gets in another one before a poorly timed spot where O’Shaunessy side steps Ortiz and throws him over the top rope. Ortiz hangs on though, flips back in and connects with a dropkick. Ortiz gets in a somersalt kick as O’Shaunessy recovers in the corner, throws him across, charges in, only to have O’Shaunessy back bodydrop him over the top with Ortiz possibly hitting his head on the ring steps. O’Shaunessy goes to get him, throws him in, picks him up and drives him back first into the turnbuckle. A snapmare and a legdrop later, O’Shaunessy gets in a cover but Ortiz easily gets out. O’Shaunessy throws him into the ropes, Ortiz reverses it and ducks his head, but O’Shaunessy catches him with a forearm to the back. O’Shaunessy gets in a double underhook, some knees and two weak one counts. Ortiz is thrown corner to corner and is then met with a bearhug. Ortiz breaks it with an eyerake, followed by some fists, a bodyslam, a dropkick, and a cross bodyblock. Ortiz then goes to the top, but misses a legdrop as O’Shaunessy rolls out of the way. O’Shaunessy then hits the Fiery Red Hand, a legtrap chokeslam, and gets the three count. The ref raises O’Shaunessy’s hand. Ringside interviewer Angela then congratulates him on the outside and grabs some words with him. O’Shaunessy says he’s here to clear up some conceptions about Ireland and says Finlay has created a cartoon image of the Irish, and that while Finlay loves to fight, he loves to win.

Sheamus O’Shaunessy pinned Ricky Ortiz in 4:49.

– Commercial break –

Evan Bourne vs. Afa

- Up next, out comes ECW’s Evan Bourne, the former Matt Sydal. Next out is Afa aka Manu on Raw. The camera shows Afa & Rocky Johnson in the crowd getting ready to watch family compete.

- Match starts with a lockup. Afa overpowers Bourne into the corner and goes for a forearm, but Bourne moves. Another lockup, leads to a takeover into a headlock by Bourne. Afa gets out with an armbar, which Bourne impressively counters into a side headlock. Afa sends him into the ropes, goes for a hiptoss but Bourne lands vertical, ducks a clothesline attempt from Afa and hits a dropkick and a spinning back kick before a two count. Bourne on the mat into an armbar, which Afa breaks going to the ropes. Bourne charges at Afa in the corner, but is back bodydropped to the apron, only to land on his feet. Bourne goes to the top, but Afa knocks him off. Afa gets in a ground and pound, followed by a slingshot catching Bourne’s neck under the bottom rope. Back up, Bourne is sent corner to corner and Afa charges in with a back first avalanche and a two count. Afa goes into a headlock, Bourne fights up, but Afa hits a russian legsweep, does a kip up and a headbutt to the mid section. Bourne in the corner, Afa charges and misses. Afa goes for a slam, but Bourne is able to go behind and get in a low dropkick to Afa’s left knee. Bourne with some kicks and then a head scissors takedown. Afa is bleeding from the mouth. Bourne off the ropes, Afa catches him, goes for a tilt a whirl, but Bourne going every which way here turns it into an armbar slam. Bourne goes to the top and misses with the shooting star press. Back up, Afa connects with the Samoan Storm, a modified F-5 going into into a wheelbarrow facebuster for the three count. The replay is shown as his father looks on from the crowd pleased with his son’s efforts.

Afa pinned Evan Bourne in 4:52.

– Commercial break –

In ring promo by Chris Jericho

- Back from break and the familiar music of Y2J Chris Jericho hits. Jericho comes out and gets in the ring with the crowd solidly behind the familiar face. He puts over the fans before calling them hypocrites, liars, cheaters and people that don’t deserve to cheer for him. Says that backstage, the wrestlers are just like Shawn Michaels, except one of them that wants to follow the Chris Jericho path to greatness. He then introduces Nic Nemeth aka Dolph Ziggler from Raw, who comes out and gets in the ring. Nemeth has a mic and thanks Jericho saying it’s an honor and that he’s the only one in FCW that understands him. Says guys like Evan Bourne & TJ Wilson don’t get it thinking fan support is what they need. Jericho then starts pointing at fans criticizing them as dishonest people. Jericho then calls out Joe Hennig, third generation wrestler and son of Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig. Hennig comes out and enters the ring. Jericho says he makes him sick and dislikes how he carries himself. He says Hennig can go the Jericho way or down the path he’s headed of pleasing the fans that will get him nowhere. Hennig grabs the mic and says he doesn’t know which way he’ll go, but knows he won’t be a loud mouth punk like Jericho. Jericho asks Hennig if he thinks he’s a tough guy and if he has what it takes to beat him. Hennig says for a fact he can beat Nemeth and that he knows somebody that can beat Jericho, Shawn Michaels. Jericho shoves him, Hennig shoves him back, and Nemeth gets him from behind. The two start kicking the fallen Hennig. Nemeth hits his trademark leaping neckbreaker type move that he used to beat Greg Jackson last week. The two look over Hennig as Jericho raises Nemeth’s hand and his music hits.

– Commercial break –

Gabe Tuft, Johnny Curtis & Kevin Kiley vs. Brad Allen, Tyrone Jones & Jack Gabriel

- Back from break, out come the trio of Campus Legend Brad Allen, Tyrone Jones and Jack Gabriel, the former Steve Lewington from OVW. Out next is their opponents, Gabe Tuft, Johnny Curtis & Kevin Kiley.

- Match starts with Tuft & Allen. Allen takes an early advantage with a side headlock, but Tuft sends him into the ropes, only to get taken down with a shoulder block. Allen hits the ropes, goes over Tuft, leapfrog by Tuft into an armdrag takedown and a hiptoss. Tuft slams him, hits the ropes, connects with an elbow and gets a one count. Tuft with a wristlock, tags out to Curtis, but Allen quickly runs to his corner and tags in Jones. Jones charges, is met with a hiptoss and then Curtis applies pressure with a one handed test of strength into a takeover, ending with a knee drop to his shoulder. Curtis with an armbar into a takeover and a one count. Curtis armbar, tags out to Kiley. Kiley goes into a side headlock, which Jones is able to escape and take him down with some hard rights. Jones with a front facelock as Gabriel tags in. Gabriel gets in some undercut forearms before Kiley manages a backslide into a pin, which Gabriel easily escapes. Kiley with a kick to the midsection and a flying elbow. Kiley is backed into the opponents’ corner. The ref reprimands Gabriel at which point Jones & Allen work over Kiley. Gabriel then picks up and drops him neck first across the top rope and uses the reverse momentum into a slam and a two count. Gabriel drags him to the corner, tags in Allen, Allen hits a somersault plancha over the top and a one count. Allen into a necklock and tags back in Gabriel. Dusty says some people call him Jack and others call him Jack Gabriel for some pointless clarification. Gabriel scoops him up, but Kiley shifts his weight and slams Gabriel back first into the mat. Gabriel tags out to Allen, but Kiley is able to tag out to Curtis. Curtis hammers on Allen, throws him to the ropes and gets in a back bodydrop. A two count follows, but Jones & Allen both enter to break the count. Tuft & Kiley come in and all six men are going at it. Everybody is out except Curtis and Allen. Curtis goes for a suplex, but Allen goes behind, hits the ropes, only to be met with an enziguiri and a three count. The three celebrate in the ring.

Gabe Tuft, Johnny Curtis & Kevin Kiley beat Brad Allen, Tyrone Jones & Jack Gabriel in 4:42 when Curtis pinned Allen.

– Commercial break –

Diva Twist Competition hosted by Kelly Kelly

- Up next is a Diva Twist contest with all the FCW divas. Says what you will about WWE women’s wrestling, but at least they dropped the pointless crap like this on the main shows. Kelly Kelly is out first to cheers from the crowd. She grabs the mic and says it’s an honor to be in the FCW and that while she’s heard a lot about FCW, what about the divas? She brings out the FCW divas with Milena Roucka, formerly of OVW leading the way. She’s followed by Daisy, Alicia Fox, Brianna Bella (I think), Tiffany of ECW and Angela rounding up the pack. They all get in the ring. Kelly says that WWE has the hottest women in TV and that the twist was invented in Florida so they’re going to have a twist off. Some music hits as the six divas start going into convulsion like twist dancing for only seconds before the Bella accidentally bumps into Alicia Fox. Fox shoves her back. She causes Tiffany to bump into Angela, and all four of them start going at it. Meanwhile Roucka & Daisy just casually exit as Kelly Kelly tries to break up the chaos. She pulls the Bella off Fox as the other Bella twin comes out from under the ring and spears Fox and keeps hammering away on her. Grisham & Dusty act confused by the two Bellas as Kelly’s music hits and she starts twisting with the two of them to end this brilliant segment.

– Commercial break –

FCW Tag Team Title match: Eric Perez & Eddie Colon vs. Drew McIntyre & Stu Sanders (c)

- Back from commercial, Justin Roberts introduces the FCW Tag Team champions The Empire Drew McIntyre & Stu Sanders. McIntyre has had a cup of coffee on the main roster, but was quickly sent back. Sanders grabs the mic and says they are the #1 tag team in FCW and tonight the whole world will see that. McIntyre says to bring out the sacrifical lambs. The challengers are out next, Eric Perez & Eddie Colon, aka current co holder of the Smackdown Tag Team Titles with brother Carlito, Primo Colon. Again, this show was taped ages ago like last week’s, hence all the name changes and roster callups since the taping. Grisham explains The Empire beat the Puerto Rican Nightmares to capture the Tag belts, so this is a rematch and Rhodes says it might be their last chance.

- The match starts with Colon and McIntyre. Colon gets distracted by Sanders as McIntyre nails him from behind. McIntyre stomps away and tags out. Sanders continues the assault going into a chinlock. Sanders lifts him for a belly to back suplex, but Colon flips, lands on his feet and tags in Perez. Perez enters with some clotheslines, a slam and a fistdrop. Up on their feet, Perez sends him to the corner, Sanders reverses, Perez up and Sanders goes under and Perez finishes with a clothesline in the corner against the turnbuckle. Perez hits a face first slam and a one count. McIntyre distracts him allowing Sanders to connect with a big boot. McIntyre tags in and takes him into the corner. McIntyre with some hard shots before a snap suplex, settling on a crossface armbar. Sanders tags back in as the two get in a double headbutt and a two count. Sanders applying pressure with a front facelock, but Perez slams his way out of it and hits an elbow. Before he can tag, McIntyre tags in, races across and nails Colon and keeps the pressure on Perez. McIntyre gets a two count before going back to the crossface armbar. Sanders tags back in and gets in some knees before a headlock. Perez fights out and goes to the ropes, ducks Sanders clothesline attempt and gets a leg lariat. McIntyre tags in as Colon tags in across the ring. Colon takes it to McIntyre hitting a flying elbow, a dropkick, a series of run arounds and reversals leads to a cross bodyblock out of the corner onto McIntyre for a two count. McIntyre gets a headbutt to the midsection, perches Colon on the top turnbuckle and goes for a superplex. Colon knocks him off and then hits a big twisting DDT off the second rope with a two count broken up by Sanders. Perez in and clotheslines Sanders out over the top rope. McIntyre responds clotheslining Perez out over the top. Perez then surprises McIntyre with a double knee facebreaker, or Jericho’s codebreaker, and gets in a three count to capture the FCW Tag Team Titles! Perez & Colon celebrate with the belts in the ring. The announcers then thank the fans for watching as the show closes.

Eric Perez & Eddie Colon beat Drew McIntyre & Stu Sanders in 6:22 when Colon pinned McIntyre to capture the FCW Tag Team Titles.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

- Enjoyed this week’s show a bit more overall than last week’s. The Tag Title match had some good teamwork from The Empire, Evan Bourne and Manu had a good match, and the Chris Jericho segment built towards something unlike both segments last week. The six man wasn’t great, but wasn’t bad either. The opener had some poor spots, mostly Ortiz, though I did like that O’Shaunessy was able to tell a bit of a story with the working over the back during the match. The twist off was what it was, so again in week #2, still haven’t seen much out of these developmental divas. Maybe there’s a reason for that as Milena Roucka & Alicia Fox are the veterans of the lot and weren’t all that impressive when last seen on OVW TV, though that was ages ago. So again, improvement over last week, but the jury’s still out on how this show comes together since except the six man, four of eight wrestlers here are already on the main WWE roster.

Quick Results:

1) Sheamus O’Shaunessy pinned Ricky Ortiz in 4:49.
2) Afa pinned Evan Bourne in 4:52.
3) Gabe Tuft, Johnny Curtis & Kevin Kiley beat Brad Allen, Tyrone Jones & Jack Gabriel in 4:42 when Curtis pinned Allen.
4) Eric Perez & Eddie Colon beat Drew McIntyre & Stu Sanders in 6:22 when Colon pinned McIntyre to capture the FCW Tag Team Titles.

- Show starts with a montage talking about the history behind Florida wrestling.   Then pushing that it’s time for a new generation of stars to emerge from Florida.

– Show opening –

- The camera pans the crowd as Todd Grisham welcomes up alongside Dusty Rhodes.  John Cena will be there live, as well as a match for the FCW Heavyweight Title with Jake Hager defending against Heath Miller.

In ring promo by Ric Flair

- Ring announcer Justin Roberts introduces the 16 time former World Heavyweight champion Ric Flair.  Flair comes out and enters the ring. The fans chant “Thank you Ric” repeatedly.  Ric thanks the fans for coming out tonight.  Says WWE has been working on development for years and now they’ve decided to make it a priority.  Puts over Steve Keirn, Dusty Rhodes, John Laurinaitis and talent relations as they will all make this product what it will be.  Says the talent in the back wants to make it and Flair wishes he had this type of thing when he started out.  Says they are better than the NBA & NFL and #1 in sports entertainment, and tonight we will see the wrestlers’ skills and afterwards he’s taking them all downtown to see what they’ve got.  Flair gives us some whoo’s and leaves the ring.  Rhodes says Flair kicking off FCW is an amazing thing.

– Commercial break –

TJ Wilson vs. Shawn Spears

- The Canadian Bad Boy Shawn Spears comes out.  This exposes how long ago this was taped as he is known now as Gavin Spears on WWE TV.  Out next is his opponent, the Stampede Kid TJ Wilson.  Grisham says Wilson was the last graduate of the infamous Hart Family Dungeon.

- The match starts with a lockup.  Wilson backs him into the corner and the ref breaks it.  They go for another lockup, but Wilson gets Spears with a go behind that Spears turns into a wristlock. Wilson rolls through it and reverses it into an armbar.  So far the match has a very moderate pace to it.  Spears tries rolling through it, eventually sending Wilson into the ropes.  Wilson baseball slides under Spears, hits a couple armdrags and goes back into the armbar. Spears back him into the corner, the ref breaks it with Spears cheapshotting Wilson in the process.  Wilson responds with some rights of his own, but Spears quickly knees him.  Wilson into the ropes, a few reversals, and Wilson ends up with Spears’ legs looking for a slingshot, but Spears crawls over to the ropes and kicks him off.  Wilson charges at Spears who goes to kick in, but Wilson catches the foot.  Spears uses the ropes and pulls Wilson back into him with a shot to the face.  Spears then hits a very dangerous and sloppy belly to back suplex with virtually no room between them and the ropes.  Wilson is hurt, the ref backs Spears off to check on him, but he seems fine so the ref okays it, and Spears goes in for a one count.  Wilson is bleeding from the mouth as Spears applies pressure on the neck by bending the head.  Wilson is up, gets a couple shots in, but Spears catches him and turns him around, hitting a knee to the back and another two count.  Spears works over the head with some stomps.  Spears then applies a headlock going under the arm of Wilson in an almost half cobra clutch, but Wilson gets out of it.  Spears goes for a backslide but Wilson gets out of it and hits a dropkick.  Wilson with an atomic drop and a spinning heel kick, followed by a dropkick and a bridge into a two count.  Wilson goes to the apron, leaps up and uses the top rope to springboard off, but Spears rolls out of the way.  Spears with another two count.  Wilson then manages a small package but only gets a two.  Back up, Spears hits a neck breaker and this time gets a three.  The ref raises Spears’ hand and walks to the back.

Shawn Spears pinned TJ Wilson in 5:54.

– Commercial break –

Ricky Ortiz, Colt Cabana & Brianna Bella vs. Jay Bradley, Sinn Bowdie & Alicia Fox

- Back in the FCW Arena, we see Afa & Rocky Johnson in the crowd.  Time for a six person mixed tag team match.  First out is Jay Bradley aka Ryan Braddock, along with Sinn Bowdie aka Kizarny, and former Edge & Vicky Guerrero wedding planner Alicia Fox.  Again this was taped ages ago.  Their opponents are Ricky Ortiz, Colt Cabana aka Scotty Goldman & Brianna Bella.

- Ricky Ortiz & Sinn Bowdie start the match locking up. Ortiz shoves him off.  As Ortiz looks over at his partners, Bowdie hits him and goes for a suplex, which Ortiz blocks and goes for one, which Bowdie prevents mid air and manages to come down and get Ortiz in the eyes.  Bowdie with another suplex attempt, Ortiz with a go behind and runs him into the corner, but he ducks causing Ortiz to slam his own head into the turnbuckle.  Bowdie then runs into an airplane slam, and tags out to Bradley.  Ortiz immediately takes Bradley over with an armdrag into an armbar then a wristlock.  Tags out to Cabana, the two send Bradley into the ropes and deliver a pair of back elbows, followed by a pair of elbow drops.  Cabana with a wristlock, Bradley reverses, Cabana rolls out but into a headlock.  Cabana changes that into an armbar but Bradley gets out, sends him to the ropes, Cabana reverses it, goes for a dropkick but Bradley catches his legs.  Cabana rolls through into a pin for a two count. Cabana goes after the arm again.  Sends him into the ropes, but Bradley hits a leg clothesline and takes him to the corner.  Bowdie tags in and works over the arm some more. Slam into a two count.  Cabana fights out into a sunset flip, but as Bowdie goes down, he tags out out to Bradley who breaks up the pin.  Bradley with a two count and then goes back to the arm.  Sends him to the corner, charges in but Cabana moves.  Cabana hammers Bowdie on the apron.  In the corner, Bradley charges but is back bodydropped out of the ring.  Cabana tags in Brianna Bella, who meets Alicia Fox mid ring with a Thesz Press into the two rolling around cat fight style.  Brianna eventually hits an X Factor and goes for the cover getting a three count and the win for her team.  She celebrates in ring with Ortiz & Cabana.

Ricky Ortiz, Colt Cabana & Brianna Bella beat Jay Bradley, Sinn Bowdie & Alicia Fox in 4:07 when Bella pinned Fox.

– Commercial break –

Greg Jackson vs. Nic Nemeth

- Back from commercial and The Natural Nic Nemeth aka Dolph Ziggler is coming out to the ring.  Rhodes says Nemeth might be the cream of the crop of the developmental talent.  Out comes Greg Jackson as his opponent.

- Match starts with Nemeth shooting for the leg and taking him down, but Jackson crawling away.  Nemeth shoots for the leg again and gets it, but as he goes to take out the other leg, Jackson jumps up and into a rollup for a one count.  Jackson with an armdrag into an armbar.  Nemeth goes between the legs and charges but does so right back into an armdrag into another armbar.  Nemeth starts hitting him, throws him to the corner and charges in, but Jackson jumps up the second rope and flips backwards sending Nemeth in.  As Nemeth turns around, Jackson greets him with a hurricanrana.  Jackson to the top rope, jumps off, but right into a standing dropkick by Nemeth and a two count.  Nemeth stomps him, hits a few elbows and another two count.  Nemeth with a headlock and eventually slams Jackson down into another two count.  Nemeth whips into the corner and grabs another two count before going back to the headlock.  Jackson fights out of it causing Nemeth to go for a belly to back suplex, but Jackson just flips out and lands on his feet and connects with a dropkick.  Jackson hits a knee in the corner followed by a clothesline and a two count.  Jackson charges at Nemeth in the corner, but Nemeth moves and connects with some sort of jumping head slam RKO type maneuver and covers for a three count.  Nemeth walks to the back.

Nic Nemeth pinned Greg Jackson in 4:46.

– Commercial break –

In ring promo by John Cena

- John Cena’s music hits as he comes out and enters the ring. Cena has the mic as the crowd chants his name.  He says he’s excited to be there tonight.  Talks about Flair speaking about opportunity.  Says that the real opportunity is for the city of Tampa with the FCW Arena being there for the entertainment of the fans.  Says that even with everything else costing an arm & a leg, you know you can come here every Thursday and be entertained.  Says he is honored as a former developmental talent and Tampa resident and thanks the fans.  Shawn Spears’ music then hits as he makes his way out to the ring. Spears says Cena brings up a good point about opportunity because all the wrestlers in the back are hungry for that, yet there he is in an FCW ring with the risk of an FCW star wanting to make a name for themself at his expense.  Cena says he didn’t come here to fight but he’ll knock the maple syrup out of him.  Spears says he’s Cena’s friend and the last thing he’d do is try and cheap shot Cena, but that as some friendly advice Cena should watch his back.  Spears goes to leave, but stops himself and tells Cena to “remember that Shawn Spears is a bad boy”, and hopefully it was supposed to sound as lame as it did.  As he goes to leave, he turns and charges at Cena and gets back bodydropped and then F.U.’d.  Cena’s music plays as the fans cheer and he goes around ringside shaking hands.

– Commercial break –

FCW Heavyweight Title match: Heath Miller vs. Jake Hager (c)

- Back from commercial, Justin Roberts announces this match is for the Florida Heavyweight championship.  Handsome Heath Miller is out first looking a lot like Edge with red hair from a few years ago.  Next out is FCW Heavyweight champion Jake Hager aka Jack Swagger.  Hager is unbeaten and Rhodes puts over he is a two time All American and a throwback to Jack Brisco.  Both men are introduced once in the ring.

- The match starts with the two locking up.  Hager backs him to the corner as the ref breaks it.  They lockup again with Hager going into a side headlock.  Miller powers out and goes into his own side headlock.  Hager sends him into the ropes, Miller with a shoulder block, hits the ropes, goes over Hager, goes off the other side as Hager goes for a leapfrog but Miller catches him with an atomic drop.  Miller on the offense with some shots, but Hager shoots for the legs backing Miller into the corner, who responds by kicking Hager off him.  Hager ends up in control and lifts him up for a suplex, but drops him across the top rope instead.  Hager then hits a high knee sending Miller to the floor on the outside.  Hager goes out after him, slamming his back into the ring and his head into the steps before throwing him back in.  Hager with a two count.  Hager works over Miller in the corner before locking in an abdominal stretch.  Miller gets out of it, but Hager just drives him into the corner and follows up with a hard clothesline against the turnbuckle.  Hager goes for a Vader Bomb, but misses.  Hager charges, but Miller sidesteps and now is working over Hager with rights.  Miller manages a clothesline from the second rope.  Miller keeps the offense going with some shots and then sending him to the opposite corner and charges in, but Hager lifts the boot.  Charging out at the dazed miller, Hager is met with a spinebuster and a two count.  Hager goes for a suplex, but Miller goes behind and lands on the ring apron and connects with a right before going to the top.  In Kurt Angle like fashion, Hager quickly meets him at the top rope, but Miller throws him off.  Miller leaps and hits a sunset flip but only manages a two count.  Hager goes to send him to the corner but Hager reverses and charges in.  Hager grabs the ropes as Miller goes for an awkward bulldog variation sending Miller to the mat.  Hager connects with a gutwrench slam for the three count.  The ref hands Hager the belt and lifts his hand keeping his undefeated streak in tact.  The commentators offer thanks for watching and the show closes with a Gordon Solie clip saying so long from the Sunshine state.

Jake Hager pinned Heath Miller in 5:20 to retain the FCW Heavyweight Title.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

- Not the greatest thing I’ve ever seen.  A lot of sloppy ring work and very repetitive action.  Hager looked good, as Dusty said “a throwback to Jack Brisco”.  TJ Wilson didn’t look bad, though that careless Spears backdrop in the corner could have resulted in severe whiplash, if not worst, so sort of hard to ignore that.  The Nic Nemeth match felt like a glorified squash where they let the opponent get in too much offense.  The Ric Flair & John Cena segments were good, albeit didn’t accomplish much.  Definitely a lot of room for improvement, though that’s probably not a good thing when over half the talent is already on the main roster from when this was taped.  I’ll give the two divas in training a pass on criticism since they were only in the ring a short time and weren’t given the chance to do anything.

Quick Results:

1) Shawn Spears pinned TJ Wilson in 5:54.
2) Ricky Ortiz, Colt Cabana & Brianna Bella beat Jay Bradley, Sinn Bowdie & Alicia Fox in 4:07 when Bella pinned Fox.
3) Nic Nemeth pinned Greg Jackson in 4:46.
4) Jake Hager pinned Heath Miller in 5:20 to retain the FCW Heavyweight Title.

- Show starts with footage from last week. Jim Cornette is interviewing Flash and tells him that no matter who is OVW champion, they will defend the belt on June 27th against Chris Jericho at The Last Dance event at the Louisville Gardens. Flash tells Jericho he’s not coming into his backyard and taking what he’s worked for. Says he needs a WWE contract and Jericho will have to pry the belt from his dead hands if he wants it. Rico Constantino is then out with manager Kenny Bolin. Rico says he’s not going to let a guy like Flash represent OVW against Jericho, so he should be made #1 contender and can win the belt. Nick Dinsmore is out and says he hasn’t forgot about how Rico screwed him in his match against Chris Benoit and that Flash wouldn’t be the champion if it wasn’t for his help, so he is the one deserving of the title shot so he can wrestle Jericho. Randy Orton is out and says everybody’s forgotten him, but as the Hardcore champion, he’s already beat Rico and last week beat Flash on TV (May 5th show). Flash shoves Orton, Orton shoves him back, Rico hits Orton with the briefcase, Flash hits Dinsmore. Cut to Flash complaining to Cornette about being put in a tag match for next week and says he’ll take care of all his problems in one night.

– Show opening –

Nick Dinsmore & Randy Orton vs. Flash & Rico Constantino (w/ Kenny Bolin)

- Nick Dinsmore & Randy Orton enter the ring. Cornette runs down tonight’s show and announces Jim Ross is here live to announce Undertaker’s opponent for the Last Dance event and that there are new Tag Team champions as well. Dean Hill introduces Dinsmore & Orton. OVW Heavyweight champion Flash then comes out as Cornette tells us that the two heels demanded seperate entrances. The Role Model Rico Constantino then comes out with manager Kenny Bolin. The crowd chants Rico sucks as Cornette tells us Dinsmore graduated college last week with a degree in communications.

- The match starts with Dinsmore & Rico in the ring. They lockup with Dinsmore immediately applying a wristlock, but Rico reverses it. Dinsmore breaks it with a fireman’s carry into an armbar. He pulls him over to the corner and tags in Orton who lays in an elbow to the shoulder and goes into another wristlock. Throws him into the ropes, hits a hiptoss, followed by a couple nice standing dropkicks. Orton takes in the crowd a bit and then covers, but Rico kicks out. He then quickly crawls over and forcefully tags in Flash. Flash comes in, locks up with Orton and forces him back to the corner. He goes for a right hand, but Orton blocks it and connects with a couple himself, applies a wristlock and then tags out to Dinsmore. The two do a double team elbow followed by a one count by Dinsmore. Dinsmore picks up Flash, but he knees him, throws him into the ropes, Dinsmore reverses it, goes for a hiptoss but Flash counters. As Dinsmore goes up, he reverses the hiptoss into a bulldog with a two count. Flash goes to take Rico, but Rico turns to the crowd. Dinsmore grabs Flash, tosses him into the ropes for a back bodydrop, Flash flips over and lands on his feet then goes over and tags his partner Rico with a right. The referee declares this a tag as Dinsmore brings Rico in over the top rope. Dinsmore brings him back to the corner, tags in Orton. Orton sends him into the ropes and hits a cross bodyblock into a cover for a two. Orton throws him into the ropes again, but Rico reverses it and Flash kicks Orton in the lower back from the outside, causing Orton to walk into a spinning back kick from Rico. Rico picks him up, hits a sidewalk slam and then Flash forcefully tags in taking Rico by surprise. Flash hits a backbreaker, a boot to the face and nails Dinsmore for good measure. Dinsmore attempts to come in distracting the referee, but there is no double team. Flash slams Orton down, taunts him as Rico forcefully tags himself in and nails an axhandle. Rico hits a suplex and then tosses Orton into the ropes, but Orton lands a sunset flip for a two count. They get up and Rico nails a clothesline. Flash forcefully tags himself in, hits a suplex followed by a springboard legdrop and a two count. Flash goes to the second rope and jumps, but Orton moves leaving both men on the mat. Orton uses this opportunity to tag in Dinsmore. Dinsmore comes in nailing both Rico & Flash with fists and back bodydrops, followed by a flying forearm for Flash and a superkick for Rico. He lands a german suplex on Flash with a two count, but Rico breaks it up by elbow dropping the referee. All four men are now in with Orton working over Flash in the corner and Dinsmore getting Rico into a crossface. Kenny Bolin comes in and nails Dinsmore with the briefcase. A second referee Ray Ramsay comes in and checks on the other as Flash is sent into the opposite corner but reverses it and is able to hit a blockbuster DDT onto Orton. Rico goes to cover Orton to capitalize on Flash’s work as Cornette puts it, but Flash break up the count by nailing the new referee as Bolin is on the apron complaining. At this point Dinsmore is up, goes to take Flash into the ropes but Flash moves causing Dinsmore to knock down Bolin and allowing Flash to nail a superkick on Dinsmore. Rico covers Dinsmore as the original referee counts and comes up with a three count for the win. Rico celebrates, but is quickly met with a superkick from Flash. Flash goes to the outside and grabs his belt hitting Orton with it leaving all the other participants laid out.

Flash & Rico Constantino beat Nick Dinsmore & Randy Orton in 6:36 when Constantino pinned Dinsmore.

- A video of Chris Jerich is shown of him attacking Kane in the back with several weapons from WWE TV with the words “Coming June 27″ on the bottom of the screen.

– Commercial break –

Interview with Jim Ross

- Cornette is in the ring with Jim Ross. He puts over Ross as the head of talent relations for the WWE. Cornette says Ross is here to announce the Undertaker’s opponent for the main event at the Last Dance event on June 27th. Ross says they were in town Tuesday night for Smackdown and an altercation took place between Undertaker & Leviathan backstage. Undertaker demanded Ross give him Leviathan so that will be the match to settle it once and for all. Cornette then says that Brock Lesnar & Shelton Benjamin were able to regain the OVW Tag Titles from the Disciples Of Synn at the Smackdown tapings. Ross says he isn’t high on the Disciples, but thinks Lesnar & Benjamin are the tag team of the next generation and could be called up to the main roster anytime. Cornette brings up the opening tag match. Ross says Orton is a potential future Wrestlemania main eventer, Dinsmore is an overachiever and a hard worker and Rico is a great athlete despite a bad attitude. He says Flash can’t be overlooked and doesn’t have a WWE deal, but that he can look in the mirror and know why. At this point, Eric Angle is brought into the ring. Angle has an injury and says the WWE must be disappointed with the setback. Ross says he knows their family and that he’s a great man and doesn’t get the motivation of the Disciples Of Synn to put Angle’s career in jeopardy like they did. At this point Synn comes out bringing the Disciples Of Synn with her. Cornette starts yelling at her to get out. Synn says Leviathan whipped Undertaker’s ass at Smackdown and questions why Taker’d want anymore of him. She says she has the footage on tape and will bring it next week, and that when Leviathan gets through with him, Undertaker will need an undertaker. BJ Payne then gets on the mic and says that JR is talking about talent in the wrong places and while Lesnar & Benjamin beat them, it was a fluke. Says the biggest insult is them talking about Angle over them because they were the ones that put him in the hospital. Says if they aren’t getting noticed, maybe they’ll have to break one of Angle’s legs too and then threatens to break JR’s leg. Ron H2O Waterman then hits the ring and starts laying out the Disciples Of Synn. Hits them both with slams and then gets Synn into an anklelock. Dean Hill tells us that Lesnar & Benjamin defend the Tag Titles up next.

– Commercial break –

OVW Tag Team Title match: Brock Lesnar & Shelton Benjamin (c) vs. Sean Casey & Chris Michaels

- Back from break, Sean Casey & Chris Michaels are already in the ring and introduced by Dean Hill. The Minnesota Stretching Crew Brock Lesnar & Shelton Benjamin then come out with the Tag Team Titles. Casey & Michaels attack the champs from behind before referee Donna Derring can even get the belts from them.

- The match starts with Benjamin sent to the outside and both men double teaming Lesnar in the corner. As they beat on him, Benjamin goes up to the top rope in the opposite corner. The two high five as Benjamin hits a big double cross bodyblock onto both men, followed by a double clothesline from Lesnar as they both get up. Michaels is then clotheslined out of the ring and then Casey is double teamed, sent into the ropes and hit with a double flapjack followed by a two count from Benjamin. Benjamin gets him in a wristlock, but Casey knees him and tags out to Michaels. Michaels sends him into the ropes and a quick series of reversals and misses ends with a gut wrench suplex on Michaels. Benjamin goes for a side headlock but Michaels gets out of it. Michaels sends Benjamin corner to corner, but he reverses it and nails Michaels with a dropkick after he hits the opposite turnbuckle. Benjamin then hits Casey on the apron for good measure, locks in a sideheadlock, but Michaels sends him into the ropes. Casey grabs Benjamin’s leg from the outside and then snaps his neck over the top rope sending Benjamin back into Michaels for a swinging neckbreaker. Michaels taunts Lesnar who comes in only to distract the referee, allowing for a double team ending with a spinebuster and a two count on Benjamin. They tag out and send Benjamin into the ropes going for a double back bodydrop, but Benjamin counters into a rare double sunsetflip. He then tags in Lesnar who starts laying into both men with a press slam for Michaels, but the two are eventually able to hit a double superkick onto him. Michaels goes for the cover as the ref tries to send Casey out of the ring. Behind her back, Benjamin hits a sunset flip onto Michaels with a three count. The ref raises the champs’ hands as they retain their Tag Titles.

Brock Lesnar & Shelton Benjamin beat Sean Casey & Chris Michaels in 3:19 to retain the OVW Tag Team Titles when Benjamin pinned Michaels.

- Back at the broadcast table, Jim Ross & Eric Angle are there. Angle says after what happened, he made a phone call. JR says he’ll be ready by June 27th and wants the Disciples Of Synn in a tag match. Cornette says he doesn’t know about a 1 on 2 match, but Ross says Eric called his brother and the match will be for the first time ever, Kurt Angle teaming with his brother Eric as they take on the Disciples Of Synn.

– Commercial break –

- Back from commercial, footage is shown from last week. During a tag match, Johnny Spade nails the Damaja from behind, allowing Mike Hard to get a cheap win. After the match, the Machine hits Trailer Park Trash from behind and the three men double team Trash & Damaja. Nick Dinsmore eventually comes in for the save and cleans house on all three of them. Sly Skraper eventually comes in though to regain the advantage for the heels. The four continue working over them until Rob Conway comes out and cleans house on all of them with a road sign sending them running from the ring. Conway grabs the mic and challenges any three of them to a six man tag match for next week. Conway says if he loses, he’ll leave OVW.

Rob Conway, The Damaja & Trailer Park Trash vs. The Machine, Sly Skraper & Mike Hard (w/ Johnny Spade)

- Back to this week, Conway is in the ring with the Damaja & Trailer Park Trash as Dean Hill introduces them all. Out next are the Revolution with the Machine, Sly Skraper & Mike Hard taking to the ring, escorted by Johnny Spade. Cornette reiterates that if any member of the Conway team loses tonight, he’s out of OVW.

- The match starts with Mike Hard & Damaja locking up. Hard gets in a boot, Damaja reverses it, but Hard eye rakes him and goes into a side headlock. Damaja sends him to the ropes but Hard shoulder blocks him to the mat. Hard into the ropes, Damaja down, off the other side Damaja with a drop toe hold. Damaja into a rollup, but only a two count. To the corner, Damaja tags Trash in, the two send him into the ropes, followed by a double clothesline. Trash with a hard chop in the corner, a wristlock and a tag out to Conway. Conway into a wristlock, but Hard knees him to the midsection and drives him back to his corner. Machine tagged in as Conway goes for all three of them and then brings in Machine in with a snapmare. Machine into the ropes, reverses, but is nailed with a flying elbow from Conway. A nice looking backbeaker onto the knee gets a two count for Conway. Damaja is tagged in. A couple of quick reversals leads to Damaja getting Machine into a rollup, but during the series Skraper tags himself in and comes in with a a gourdbuster onto Damaja. Skraper seems sloppy in the ring and eventually tags out to Hard. The two double team him and hit a double flapjack. Hard hangs Damaja in their corner. A taunt leads Conway into the ring distracting the ref and allowing all three men to work over Damaja. Machine is now in, snapmares him over and tags out to Skraper. Skraper drops a knee and then hits a modified pump handle slam before tagging out to Machine. Machine goes to the top, but misses a diving headbutt. Hard tags in and grabs Damaja’s leg, but gets kicked in the face as Damaja tags out to Conway. Conway gives Hard a back elbow and a fist drop before the other two come in. Conway stays in control knocking Skraper out of the ring, hitting Machine with a back bodydrop and a neckbreaker onto Hard followed by a two count that Machine breaks up. Trash comes in and throws out Machine, and takes Skraper into the corner distracting the referee. Conway holds Hard and Damaja goes to hit him, but Hard moves causing Damaja to nail Conway. Machine then comes in and holds Damaja as Conway takes out a pair of knucks. Conway goes to hit Damaja, Damaja moves and then Conway pauses and hits Machine. Nice tease of problems there. Damaja then covers Machine for the three. All of them keep brawling as Johnny Spade comes in and hammers Damaja with a chair shot. The Revolution takes the advantage. Trash is thrown to the outside. Machine & Hard then give Trash a spike piledriver on the floor. Nick Dinsmore is out now and clearing the ring. Dinsmore & Conway go to check on Trash.

Rob Conway, The Damaja & Trailer Park Trash beat The Machine, Sly Skraper & Mike Hard in 4:55 when Damaja pinned Machine.

- Footage is shown of the Undertaker from I believe Survivor Series 2000. He rides his bike out with the words “Coming June 27th” across the bottom of the screen.

– Commercial break –

- Back from commercial. Footage is shown from the Louisville Gardens show on June 23, 2000. Kenny Bolin is in the ring with Mick Foley. Foley nails Bolin and then pulls out socko. He then gives Bolin the mandible claw as Kane chokeslams his opponent while the Damaja hits the Brain Damage on his, followed by a stereo three count.

Interview with Bolin Services

- Back live, Kenny Bolin is in the ring with Rico Constantino & Thurston Thockmorton doing his Randy Savage gimmick. Bolin is on the mic and says he’s sick of hearing about Randy Orton. Says he’s gotten a geneoligical profile to expose Orton’s real family roots. Says his great great grandmother was a woman of loose morals. Rico then says his great grandfather was a town drunk single handedly responsible for prohibition. Bolin goes to his grandmother Virginia saying they called her Virgin for short, but not for long. Rico says his mother was like June Cleaver saying “Bob, you were a little hard on the Beaver last night, but the problem was the Orton’s had no son named Beaver.” Bolin then brings up “Heidi Fleiss Orton” who worked for Federal Express and she had to be there over night. Rico then says that when bob quit wrestling, he opened a St. Louis shoe store and it did so well that when the people of St. Louis think of black loafers, they think of Bob Orton. Orton comes in and chases them all out of the ring.

– Commercial break –

Brian Keck vs. Mr. Black (w/ Kenny Bolin & Thurston Thockmorton)

- In the ring already are all the participants of this match. Mr. Black is introduced first, followed by Brian Keck.

- The match starts with Black attacking Keck in the corner. He sends him turnbuckle to turnbuckle a couple times, into a slam and a two count. Cornette tells us that Trailer Park Trash has been taken to the hospital and he’ll be getting x rays tonight. Back up, Black sends Keck to the corner again and charges in, but this time nobody’s home. Keck hts a clothesline and then goes into a wristlock. Russian legsweep takedown and a two count. Keck gets in some headbutts, sends Black to the ropes, reversed, but Keck nails a flying headbutt to the chest. Keck off the ropes with a standing diving headbutt and a two count. Keck sends him into the ropes, another reversal, Black hits a the Blackout, a spinning sidewalk slam, and gets a three count for a very short match. Bolin & Thockmorton in and kicking Keck. The Big Show & Mark Henry enter the ring, going after Black. They send him to the corner and then Show hits a chokeslam, followed by a big splash from Henry. Show grabs the mic and apologizes for Henry’s lateness but says he had a 500 pound special delivery to make. Show says that despite their differences, they agree that nobody hates Bolin Services more than them. Says Henry is through with Bolin. Tells Bolin to bring whatever he’s got on June 27th for a tag match.

Mr. Black pinned Brian Keck in 1:31.

– Commercial break –

Ron Waterman vs. Jason Lee

- Back from commercial, and with only minutes remaining so this should be a very short match. One half of the Suicide Blondes Jason Lee already in the ring. UFC veteran Ron H2O Waterman is out looking more like Scott Steiner by the minute.

- Match starts with Lee jumping Waterman. Backs him to the corner and whips him across. Goes for a kick, Waterman blocks it and goes into an ankle lock submission. Lee almost immediatly taps with one of the shortest matches I’ve ever seen. The Disciples Of Synn are out as is Leviathan. The big Demon from the Deep nails Waterman with a spear and then a big slam. The three men work over Waterman. Brian Keck tries for the save, but fails. The Disciples are working over Watmerna’s leg. They keep going for a while taking out any official that tries to intervene. Brock Lesnar & Shelton Benjamin come in for the save taking out the Disciples, but Leviathan takes both of them out with a double clothesline. As Leviathan poses, they get up and surprise him with a double rock bottom. He starts getting up again though, but the show fades to black and goes off the air.

Ron Waterman beat Jason Lee by submission in 0:15.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

- This show did a lot to build towards the Last Dance on June 27th. Not only do we have a big match announced with the Undertaker vs. Leviathan, but also Kurt Angle & Eric Angle vs. The Disciples Of Synn and The Big Show & Mark Henry vs. Bolin Services. Plus the already announced match with the OVW Heavyweight champ defending against Chris Jericho. This is shaping up to be a huge event. The opening tag match was good with a lot of fast action and dribve by a good storyline with all four men wanting to be the one to face Jericho. The six man was also really good with the angle really gaining a lot of momentum lately; though Sly Skraper, better known as Sylvester Terkay, looked bad and out of place in there. Also, the Jim Ross live appearance was a nice touch and helped put over Eric Angle and his feud with the Disciples Of Synn. Good show!

Quick Results:

1) Flash & Rico Constantino beat Nick Dinsmore & Randy Orton in 6:36 when Constantino pinned Dinsmore.
2) Brock Lesnar & Shelton Benjamin beat Sean Casey & Chris Michaels in 3:19 to retain the OVW Tag Team Titles when Benjamin pinned Michaels.
3) Rob Conway, The Damaja & Trailer Park Trash beat The Machine, Sly Skraper & Mike Hard in 4:55 when Damaja pinned Machine.
4) Mr. Black pinned Brian Keck in 1:31.
5) Ron Waterman beat Jason Lee by submission in 0:15.