ECW Barely Legal

Let’s not kid ourselves. This show is definitely rated TV-MA . Please put the kiddies to bed prior to reading.

As the ECW faithful chant “E-C-Dub,” Styles welcomes us to the ECW Arena. Suddenly, the Dudley family interrupts him. While the ECW faithful chant “Fuck you, D-Von,” D-Von instructs us to “testify.”

Match 1 for the ECW tag team titles: The Dudley Boys (champions w/ Joel Gertner & Sign Guy Dudley) versus the Eliminators

The self-proclaimed “Quintessential Stud Muffin” made his team’s introduction.
While the Eliminators made their entrance, Sign Guy tapped them with his sign. Immediately, the Eliminators destroyed him with Total Elimination.
The Dudleys returned to the ring, and D-Von gave Saturn an inverted DDT.
As Buh Buh Ray yelled “motherfuckers” to the ECW faithful, he delivered a powerbomb to Kronus.
D-Von then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a diving head butt for 2.
After Buh Buh Ray gave Saturn a tilt-a-whirl slam, D-Von delivered a splash for another 2.
The Dudleys then hit a Rockerplex to Kronus but only got 2 thanks to a save by Saturn.
Upon ducking a double clothesline, Saturn moonsaulted over them and delivered a dropkick.
Buh Buh Ray then hit a Bossman slam on Saturn.
When the Dudleys attempted 3-D, Kronus gave Buh Buh Ray a spinning heel kick.
The Eliminators then delivered a double kick combo to D-Von.
Upon giving Buh Buh Ray a double superkick, the Eliminators slammed both Dudleys.
They then mounted opposite top turnbuckles and hit stereo corkscrew splashes. Wow!
As the ECW faithful chanted “E-C-Dub,” the Eliminators delivered a Kronus-assisted springboard moonsault to the Dudleys on the concrete floor.

Kronus then hit a Space Flying Tiger Drop onto the Dudleys. Woohoo!

Upon tossing D-Von back into the ring, Saturn delivered a springboard spinning heel kick.
Kronus then gave Buh Buh Ray a cross corner whip followed by a handspring elbow.

After Kronus slammed Buh Buh Ray, Saturn mounted the top turnbuckle and delivered the big elbow.

Saturn then slammed Buh Buh Ray and hit a top rope Lionsault.

As Kronus slammed D-Von, he mounted the top turnbuckle and delivered a 450° splash. Impressive!
The Eliminators then gave Buh Buh Ray Total Elimination.

1-2-3.
WE HAVE NEW CHAMPIONS!

Summary: While the transition between moves was lacking, the Eliminators were AWESOME in their reclaiming of the titles.

After the match, Gertner gets on the microphone while the ECW faithful chant “Fuck him up!” When he claims that the Dudleys are “the best tag team in the world,” the Eliminators give him Total Elimination. Sweet!

A video featuring Sandman airs. While the WWE Network won’t provide his entrance music, here ya go:

Styles then informs us that Chris Candido can’t compete tonight due to a partially torn bicep. In the meantime, Candido cuts an intense promo in the ring.

Van Dam substituted for Candido as a portion of the ECW faithful chanted “You Sold Out.”
After Van Dam gave Storm a cross corner whip, Storm floated over.
Storm then clotheslined him, but Van Dam came back with a springboard cross body block for 2.
As Van Dam tossed Storm outside the ring, he hit a somersault plancha. Woohoo!
He then slammed Storm, leaped to the top turnbuckle, and hit a guillotine leg drop for 2.
When Van Dam gave him another cross corner whip, Storm leaped to the top turnbuckle and delivered a flying back elbow.
He then hung Van Dam out to dry on the top rope and dropkicked him to the concrete floor.
As Storm attempted a plancha, he ate concrete because Van Dam evaded him. Unless it had Heinz 57 on it, it could not have tasted good.

Van Dam then whipped Storm back-first into the steel railing, pushed Bill Apter out of the way, and hit a springboard moonsault using the steel railing.

Upon tossing Storm back in, Van Dam grabbed a chair, gave him a cross corner whip, and tossed the chair at him. OUCH!
With Storm slouched in the corner, Van Dam hit a dropkick with the chair.
Van Dam then delivered a gutwrench pancake as the ECW faithful chanted “sell-out.”
Next, he mounted the top turnbuckle and hit the ***** frog splash for 2.
Van Dam then retrieved the chair and tossed it in Storm’s face.
After giving Storm a cross corner whip, Van Dam attempted a somersault monkey flip, but Storm evaded and gave him an inverted slam on the chair.
Van Dam then missed a spinning heel kick, but Storm didn’t.
Upon giving Van Dam a cross corner whip, Storm delivered a handspring avalanche.
He then leaped to the top turnbuckle and hit a cross body block for 2.
Following that, Storm hooked a Boston crab, but Van Dam grabbed the ropes.

With Storm on the apron, Van Dam pulled his legs under the bottom rope and hit a slingshot leg drop on the apron.
Van Dam then tossed a chair to Storm but missed a kick.
Weakly, Storm hit Van Dam on the head with a chair. That will NOT please the ECW faithful.
Storm then delivered a sit-out powerbomb on the chair for 2.
When Van Dam tried to set up the chair, Storm mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a leg drop for another 2.
As Van Dam crotched Storm on the top rope, he botched a springboard back elbow. The ECW faithful informed him that he “fucked up.” It still got 2.
Storm then delivered a German suplex with a bridge for 2.
Following that, Storm gave Van Dam another weak shot with the chair to a chorus of boos.
Van Dam then delivered the Van Daminator followed by a standing moonsault.
1-2-3.
Van Dam won.

Summary: While the spots and athleticism were great, the chain wrestling barely existed.

After the match, the ECW faithful informs Van Dam that he “sold out” again. Van Dam then thanks Storm and then heels it up by stating that he “doesn’t give a shit” about respect. When Storm calls him an asshole, Van Dam agrees. Next, Van Dam’s PISSED OFF about not being chosen to wrestle on the PPV. (Side note: he’s been heavily rumored to jump to either WCW or WWF.) To finish his promo, he states he’s worth more money here and elsewhere.

Match 3 (six-man): Dick Togo, Terry Boy, & Taka Michinoku versus the Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada, & Masato Yakushiji

Michinoku’s team wore bWo shirts to the ring.
Also, Yakushiji substituted for Gran Naniwa.
After all six wrestlers came to the ring, the ECW faithful celebrated their involvement by tossing streamers at them.
Hamada dropkicked and slammed Michinoku.
When Yakushiji tagged in, he gave Michinoku a leg drop for 2.
Sasuke tagged in, but Michinoku’s team hit a leg drop on him followed by a senton.
After Togo slammed Sasake, he delivered another senton for 2.

Michinoku tagged in, slammed Yakushiiji, and tagged in Terry Boy.
As Terry Boy gave Yakushiji a delayed vertical suplex for 2, Togo tagged in and delivered a flapjack to Yakushiji.
When Yakushiji came back with a flying headscissors, he gave Togo a Mexican arm drag that sent himi to the concrete floor.
Michinoku came in but also received a Mexican arm drag that sent him to the concrete floor.
While Hamada hit a belly-to-back suplex to Michinoku, Sasake tagged in.
He and Hamada then delivered a double clothesline to Michinoku.
As Styles mentioned that Sasuke had beaten Ultimo Dragon, he noted that WCW “incorrectly” pronounced his name by calling him Ultimate Dragon.
Sasake then hit a handspring cross body block to Terry Boy for 2.
When Yakushiji came in, he dropkicked Michinoku.
Terry Boy then tried to toss Yakushiji outside the ring, but he returned quickly and dropkicked Terry Boy to the concrete floor.
Next, he delivered a baseball slide into a flying headscissors on the concrete floor.
Hamada and Togo came in, and Togo hit a dropkick.
After Togo missed a clothesline, Hamada gave him a huracanrana for 2.
Michinoku then attempted a vertical suplex, but Hamada countered with an inside cradle for another 2.
As Sasake came in, he applied a single-leg crab, but Michinoku escaped and delivered an enziguri.
Michinoku then gave Sasake a cross corner whip followed by a corner forearm.
When Togo and Terry Boy came in, they gave Sasake a double face plant.
They then held Sasake upside-down so Michinoku could dropkick him.
As the ECW faithful chanted “b-W-o,” Michinoku’s team “grandstanded” atop Sasuke.

Togo then dropkicked Sasake in the face while Michinoku and Terry Boy held him.
After a vertical suplex from Togo to Sasake, he got 2.
Terry Boy tagged in and hooked the spinning toe hold. The Terry Funk fans among the ECW faithful ate it up with a spoon.
Following that, he countered a hip toss into a DDT.
Michinoku tagged in and gave an incoming Yakushiji a brainbuster for 2.
As Terry Boy tagged in, he gave Yakushiji a big boot.
While Terry Boy catapulted Yakushiji, Togo clotheslined him.
Subsequently, Michinoku mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a flying knee drop for another 2.
Togo then slammed Yakushiji, mounted the second turnbuckle, and hit a somersault senton.
When Terry Boy tagged in, he gave Yakushiji a belly-to-back suplex but only got 2 thanks to a save by Hamada.
Michinoku then gave Hamada a back drop followed by a spike piledriver with Togo’s assistance.
As Yakushiji came in, Michinoku’s team gave him a triple powerbomb for only 2 because Sasake made the save.
When Michinoku’s team attempted another triple powerbomb to Sasuke, they lost their grip on him.
Sasake then countered their second attempt with a huracanrana to Terry Boy for 2.
After Sasake ducked a double clothesline, he hit an Asai moonsault and got 2.
He then hit a handspring back elbow to Togo sending him down to the concrete floor.
Afterward, he delivered another Asai moonsault to Togo on the floor.
Hamada then placed Terry Boy atop the top turnbuckle but received a super inverted atomic drop.
Immediately, Michinoku hit a tope onto Hamada’s team on the concrete floor.
Yakushiji then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a missile dropkick to Terry Boy for 2.
After a snap suplex, Yakushiji mounted the second turnbuckle and hit a moonsault for another 2.
Terry Boy then reversed an Irish whip and delivered a tornado DDT.
After a chokeslam/powerbomb combination maneuver, Terry Boy only got 2 thanks to another save by Hamada.
Togo then powerslammed Hamada for 2.
Upon giving Hamada a cross corner whip, Togo ate a mule kick on his follow-through.
Hamada then leaped from the second turnbuckle and hit a tornado DDT on Togo for 2.
After Togo reversed an Irish whip, he gave Hamada a powerbomb for 2.
He then slammed Hamada, mounted the top turnbuckle, but Sasake stopped him.
As Hamada joined Togo, he delivered a super huracanrana.
Yakushiji then mounted the top turnbuckle and gave Togo a flying headscissors.
Following that, he hit a tope suicida to Togo on the concrete floor.
Michinoku then delivered an overhead belly-to-belly suplex to Sasake.
After he mounted the top turnbuckle, he hit a missile dropkick.
He then delivered the Michinoku driver but only got 2 thanks to a save by Yakushiji.
When Michinoku mounted the top turnbuckle again, he leaped but ate a dropkick by Sasake.
Speaking of Sasake, he hit another Asai moonsault but only got 2.
He then powerbombed Michinoku and followed with a German suplex with a bridge.
1-2-3.
Sasake, Hamada, and Yakushiji won.

Summary: Spectacular high-flying, action-packed, chain wrestling that blew my mind. Bravo, gentlemen!

As a pre-recorded black-and-white promo by Stevie Richards airs, he wants to shed the “loser” label to+ gain respect. The Blue Meanie then touts his fellow bWo member.

Prior to the next match, Douglas cuts a promo beginning with “you don’t have to like me, and I don’t give a shit if you do.” Fine, then I won’t. We then revisit Hardcore TV when Douglas broke Gary Wolfe’s neck (aired 7/16, taped 7/13). While the ECW faithful chants “Ga-ry,” Wolfe sits in the front row wearing a neck brace. Next, we revisit Hardcore TV when Douglas shook Wolfe’s halo. How dastardly!

Match 4 for the ECW World TV title: The “Franchise” Shane Douglas (champion w/ Francine) versus Pitbull #2

A riot squad escorted Douglas and Francine to the ring.
After Pitbull #2 gave Douglas a back drop, he delivered a spinning heel kick.
He then clotheslined Douglas as the ECW faithful chanted “break his neck.” While they’re vicious, I’m surprised they didn’t instruct Pitbull #2 to break something more delicate.
Shortly after, Pitbull #2 countered a front chancery by crotching Douglas on the top rope.
He then gave Douglas an inverted atomic drop and a clothesline for 2. Quite possibly, Francine’s got her work cut out for her tonight.
As Douglas countered a powerbomb with a flying headscissors, Pitbull #2 hit a clothesline.
He then attempted another powerbomb, but Douglas hit a huracanrana spilling both wrestlers over the top rope to the concrete floor.
Back in the ring, Douglas delivered a series of piledrivers while the ECW faithful chanted “she’s got herpes” at Francine. For Douglas’ sake, I hope she’s in remission.
He then dropkicked Pitbull #2 in the back of the neck causing him to seek refuge outside the ring.
Next, he returned Pitbull #2 to the ring via a vertical suplex.
As Douglas hooked a camel clutch, Pitbull #2 escaped and gave Douglas another inverted atomic drop. Now Francine needs to get some ice packs ready or she’s out of luck later.

Regardless, Pitbull #2 then clotheslined Douglas and gave him a cross corner whip. Douglas then leaped to the second turnbuckle.
When Douglas attempted a cross body block, Pitbull #2 caught and dumped him over the top rope through the timekeeper’s table. Consider Francine’s evening plans to be CANCELLED.
Pitbull #2 then joined Douglas on the concrete floor and rammed him back-first into the steel railing.
As Douglas got within range of him, Wolfe jumped the steel railing and brawled with Douglas until the riot squad broke it up.
While the riot squad removed Wolfe from ringside, Pitbull #2 tossed the steel railing into the ring.
The ECW faithful then chanted “we want blood,” when Douglas attempted to crotch Pitbull #2 on the steel railing. Unfortunately, it fell over.
Afterward, Douglas tossed Pitbull #2 outside the ring and dropped the steel railing atop him. OUCH!
He then crotched Pitbull #2 on the steel railing outside the ring and WALLOPED him in the back with a steel chair.
As Styles subtly mocked Sting, a portion of the ECW faithful chanted “bor-ing.” That cannot be good for Douglas’ ego.

Douglas then put a knee into Pitbull #2’s midsection while the ECW faithful chanted “she’s a whore” at Francine. I doubt Francine spent her Saturday nights in the red light district. Perhaps slut would be a better insult.

After a slam, Douglas mounted the top turnbuckle, leaped, but got caught.
Pitbull #2 then placed Douglas atop the top turnbuckle, but Douglas shoved him down to the mat.
Upon remounting the top turnbuckle, Douglas leaped but ate a dropkick.
A double clothesline then put both wrestlers down on the mat. That’s NOT what this match needed.
After giving Douglas an Irish whip, Pitbull #2 hit a flying shoulder block.
He then clotheslined and powerslammed Douglas for 2.
As Pitbull #2 delivered a back elbow, he got another 2.
He then hit a second dropkick but couldn’t get 3.
When the ECW faithful chanted “take it off” to Francine, Pitbull #2 gorilla-press-slammed Douglas. So now she’s a stripper?

Francine then handed a foreign object to Douglas who nailed Pitbull #2.
Following that, Douglas broke a piece of table over Pitbull #2’s head for 2.
He then hit Pitbull #2 in the back with a chair for another 2.
While Douglas hammered him with the bell, Pitbull #2 kicked out at 2.
After another shot with the piece of table, Douglas got yet another 2.
Pitbull #2 then gave Douglas a cross corner whip resulting in a sternum-first bump.
With the title belt hanging in the corner, Douglas clocked him with it twice.
He then attempted to pull a chain from his right boot, but Pitbull #2 delivered a pumphandle slam for 2.
As Pitbull #2 removed the chain from Douglas’ boot, he nailed Douglas with it.
Suddenly, Candido hit the ring, but Pitbull #2 hammered him.
When Francine distracted Pitbull #2, Douglas rolled him up for 2.
Pitbull #2 then reversed an Irish whip into a short-arm clothesline.
Upon ducking a clothesline from Pitbull #2, Douglas delivered a belly-to-belly suplex.
1-2-3.
Douglas retained.

Summary: Slow, boring match with no heat. While Douglas may have choice words for Ric Flair, he can’t make an audience hate him the same way that Flair does.

After the match, a familiar voice tells Douglas to give up Francine or get destroyed. A masked man wearing “Ravishing” Rick Rude’s robe (say that five times fast) comes to the ring and plants one on Francine. There’s a case of Russian roulette. As he swivels over her, Douglas hits him with the title belt. He then removes the mask to reveal Triple Threat partner “Bulldozer” Brian Lee. Meanwhile, Rude removes his riot squad helmet in the ring and nails Douglas. After Lee chokeslams Douglas, Rude swivels to the delight of the ECW faithful. WE HAVE A FACE TURN!

From the darkness, Taz with Alfonso cuts a promo on Sabu and is ready for “war.”

Taz clotheslined Sabu causing him to seek refuge outside the ring.
When Taz attempted the katahajime, Sabu countered with a keylock.
Taz then gave Sabu a series of cross-faces, and Sabu was BUSTED OPEN.
After Sabu regrouped outside the ring, he dropkicked Taz’s knee.
He then hit a springboard leg lariat causing Taz to exit the ring.
Next, Sabu delivered a baseball slide sending Taz into the steel railing.
He then dumped Taz into the front row, returned to the ring with a chair, and hit a springboard tope into the ECW faithful.
While the camera had difficulty locating them in the crowd, Sabu attempted another springboard move with a chair but hit the steel railing instead of Taz.
Back in the ring, Sabu delivered an enziguri, leaped to the second rope, and hit a somersault leg drop.
He then grabbed a chair and tossed it at Taz.
Afterward, he hit Air Sabu in the corner but missed a second attempt.
Taz then delivered a stungun using the chair rather than the top rope for 2. Innovative!
Upon hitting a clothesline, Taz got another 2.
He then reversed an Irish whip and gave Sabu a spinebuster.
After Sabu used momentum to toss Taz outside the ring, he missed a springboard dive.
Taz then delivered an overhead belly-to-belly suplex sending Sabu into the front row.
While Team Taz set up a table between the apron and steel railing, Sabu placed Taz upon it.
Sabu then attempted a tornado DDT, but Taz held the top rope causing Sabu to fall straight through the table.
Shortly after, Sabu placed Taz atop the top turnbuckle and hit a super huracanrana for 2.
Sabu then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a guillotine leg drop.
As Taz came back, he delivered a head-and-arm Taz-plex followed by another suplex.
Sabu then hit a fallaway slam and hooked the katahajime.
Will Taz submit?
No, he countered with a belly-to-back suplex.
He then delivered a T-bone Taz-plex and hooked the katahajime.
As Sabu passed out from the pain, Taz won by submission.

Summary: While this match was hyped for several months, it couldn’t live up to the hype. Despite that, each wrestler showcased himself well, and the better wrestler won.

After the match, Taz gets on the microphone and informs Sabu that he choked him out. He then respects Sabu, grants a rematch anytime, and offers to shake his hand. In sportsmanlike fashion, Sabu shakes and raises his hand. They then embrace until Van Dam hits the ring and nails Taz.

When Taz tries to tie up Van Dam, Sabu hits him. They then double-team Taz as Sabu delivers an Arabian facebuster. After Van Dam places Taz on a table between the apron and steel railing, Sabu almost botches his first attempt and then puts Taz through the table on his second try. Afterward, he hooks the katahajime as an insult to Taz.

When Sabu confronts him, Alfonso removes his orange button-down and Team Taz t-shirt to reveal a Sabu t-shirt. WE HAVE A DOUBLE TURN! Alfonso then gets on the microphone and runs down Taz. To finish the segment, Van Dam states that he “loves to work Mondays.” Add an extra ½* for the aftermath.

Styles then introduces his color commentator for the next match—Tommy Dreamer. As Beulah accompanies him, the ECW faithful chant her name.

Match 6 (three-way dance): Terry Funk versus the Sandman versus Big Stevie Cool (w/ 7-11, the Blue Meanie, Hollywood Nova, & Thomas Rodman)

As the bWo hit the ring, the ECW faithful chanted its name.
During Sandman’s entrance, he smoked a cigarette, guzzled a beer, and smashed the can against his own forehead.
Sandman was BUSTED OPEN!
Upon circling the ring, Sandman guzzled a second beer and smashed it against his head again.
Sandman then offered Funk his third beer, but Funk told him to have it; thus, Sandman guzzled his third beer and spat some of it at Stevie.
After a chop-fest by both Sandman and Funk, Stevie rolled up Sandman for 2.
Funk then hooked the spinning toe hold on Sandman, but Stevie clotheslined him.
Upon giving Funk a series of elbow drops, Stevie hit a Sandman-assisted leg drop for 2.
Dreamer then promised that he would not interfere in this match.
When they attempted another assisted leg drop, Sandman swerved Stevie and gave him a belly-to-back suplex. Crafty!
Funk then delivered a series of hangman’s neckbreakers to Stevie for 2.
Suddenly, Sandman brought a ladder to the ring and tossed it at Funk.
He then gave Stevie a ladder suplex and nailed Funk with it for 2.
After Sandman hit a DDT, he mounted the top turnbuckle and met Funk at the top of the ladder.
Stevie then made it to his feet in time for Funk to hit him with a moonsault off the ladder.

From the second turnbuckle, Sandman leaped and dropped the ladder upon Stevie. OUCH!
When Styles dissed tomorrow night’s episode of WCW Monday Nitro, Sandman slammed Stevie atop Funk.
Sandman then got 2 on Stevie.
After Stevie delivered a superkick to the ladder into Sandman’s face, he got 2.
Funk then gave Stevie a head butt for 2.
As Stevie reversed a cross corner whip, Sandman flipped into the ladder for another 2.
Stevie then slammed Funk for 2.
While Sandman and Stevie nailed Funk, Stevie got 2 on Funk.
Both Stevie and Sandman climbed the ladder and brawled with one another until Funk toppled the ladder. That sprawled Stevie and Sandman down to the mat.
When Funk placed the ladder on his shoulders, he swung around to hit both Stevie and Sandman.
Funk and Sandman then took turns ramming one another into the ladder as Stevie mounted the top turnbuckle, leaped, and used the ladder as a teeter-totter to nail them with it.
After Stevie hit the Steviekick to Sandman, he only got 2.
He then delivered one to Funk but only got 2.
While Sandman tossed him outside the ring, he thrusted the ladder atop Stevie on the concrete floor.
Sandman then launched Stevie into the front row, set up the ladder, leaped from the ring, and hit Stevie with it.
While the ECW faithful chanted “E-C-Dub,” Funk CROWNED Sandman and Stevie with a steel chair.
He then brought Stevie back into the ring and delivered a vertical suplex.
Meanwhile, Sandman obtained a steel-wrapped trash can and heaved it directly at Funk.
Funk then got 2 on Stevie.
After Sandman walloped Stevie with the trash can, he suplexed Steve atop it. OUCH!
Funk then got another 2 on Stevie.
Next, Sandman and Funk delivered a spike piledriver on Stevie.
Funk then hit Stevie with the trash can twice.
Upon returning the ladder to the ring, Sandman placed it atop Stevie. Funk then slingshot him onto the ladder.
He then got yet another 2 on Stevie.
As Sandman mounted the top turnbuckle, he attempted another see-saw shot with the ladder, but it went flying.

Funk then tossed the chair at Sandman on the floor.
Afterward, he got 2 on Stevie.
Funk and Sandman then hit a double powerbomb on Stevie and pinned him.
With Funk leaning against the ropes, Sandman charged, but Funk backdropped him atop Stevie on the concrete floor.
Sandman then retrieved barbed wire from under the ring, but Funk nailed him with the steel wrapping.
Upon pulling Sandman’s t-shirt over his head, Funk whipped Sandman with the barbed wire.
Sandman retaliated with a shot with the steel wrapping and wound the barbed wire around his torso.
As he gave Funk a running body block, Sandman mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a leg drop for 2.
Stevie then got up on the apron, but Sandman used barbed wire on him.
When Funk placed the trash can on Sandman’s head, Stevie delivered a Steviekick to it.
Funk then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit the moonsault on Sandman.
1-2-3.
Funk won.

Summary: Hardcore match with some great spots. Funk made both Sandman and Stevie look really good.

Immediately, Raven came to the ring and nailed Funk with the title belt.
He then procured a chair and gave Funk a drop toe hold onto it.
As Raven hammered Funk with a chair shot to the head, Funk was BUSTED WIDE OPEN!
Referee John Finnegan summoned Dr. Mark Allen to check Funk for a concussion as well as the open wound.
While Funk somehow passed the medical test, Raven set up a table at ringside.

He then dragged Funk outside the ring and delivered a table suplex.
After Raven set up another table, he placed Funk atop it, leaped from the ring, and put Funk through the table.
When Dr. Allen tried to stop the match, Raven nailed him.
Suddenly, Reggie Bennett came out and gave Funk a sit-out powerbomb.

Raven then got on the microphone and swore to end Funk’s career.
Although he swore not to interfere, Dreamer removed his headset.
Suddenly, Big Dick Dudley CREAMED him with a trash can to the head.
Raven then delivered a DDT to Finnegan while Dreamer blocked a chokeslam from Big Dick.
Next, Dreamer chokeslammed Big Dick through a stack of tables down to the floor.

He then came to the ring and gave Raven a DDT.
Meanwhile, Finnegan was OUT COLD.
When he revived, Funk covered Raven for 2.
He then hooked an inside cradle.
1-2-3.
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Summary: While not pretty, the fact that an extremely bloody 53-year old Funk could survive those matches and come out victorious amazes me.

After the match, Dreamer and Funk celebrate among the ECW faithful. Supposedly, after the show left the air, a generator blew causing the building to lose power.

Conclusion: Well, I expected blood, mayhem, weapons, and chicanery. What I didn’t expect was some talented performers busting their asses to showcase ECW. First, the opener astonished me with how fluid the Eliminators were with their high-flying. Second, the Dudley Boys were OVER as heels. Third, Van Dam was a force to be reckoned with. Fourth, the Michinoku Pro match was OFF THE CHARTS.

While the Douglas-Pitbull match stunk on Melba toast, the double-turn angle following the Taz-Sabu match was executed extremely well. Also, the main event epitomized ECW in a nutshell, but considering the value of Funk’s contributions to ECW, his winning the title represented a tremendous honor to bestow upon him.

With coarse language, heavy amounts of blood, and unmitigated violence with weapons, this isn’t your daddy’s ‘rasslin’ show. The intended audience for this show is 18-35-year-old males, so I wouldn’t feast this show upon the kiddies. Without question, this show exceeded my expectations, and I recommend it to the appropriate audience; otherwise, enjoy at your own risk.