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WARNING! Results includedÖif you donít want to know, go back now!
Federation: ECW
Pay-Per-View: Barely Legal
Date: Sunday April 13th 1997
Venue: The ECW Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Format: DVD
Running Time: 160 Mins
The Card:
ECW World Tag Team Title Match
The Dudleys (C) (With Joel Gertner & Sign-Guy Dudley) Vs. The Eliminators
Chris Candido Vs. Lance Storm
The Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada & Gran Naniwa Vs. Taka Michinoku, Terry Boy and Dick Togo
ECW TV Title Match
Shane Douglas (C) (With Francine) Vs. Pitbull #2
Taz (With Bill Alfonso) Vs. Sabu
ECW World Title Contenders Elimination Match
Terry Funk Vs. Sandman Vs. Stevie Richards
ECW World Title Match
Raven (C) Vs. The Winner Of The ECW World Title Contenders Elimination Match
Review:-
ECWís first ever Pay-Per-View from itís home arena opens with Joey Styles traditional introduction to the show. He is interrupted by the Dudley Boys making their way to the ring. The crowd reacts with a number of derogatory chants directed towards the Tag Team champions. The Dudleyís proceed to insult the sold out crowd.
ECW World Tag Team Title Match
The Dudley Boys (ECW Tag Team Champions) Vs The Eliminators
Joel Gertner introduces the Dudleys and manages to get some of his trademark explicit rhymes in. The Eliminators (Perry Saturn and John Kronus) come out to a huge ovation from the crowd. The Eliminators run Buh Buh and Dívon out of the ring, but sign guy tries to creep up and hit them from behind with his sign. The Eliminators cut him off though and hit him with ëTotal Eliminationí, a move which has to be seen to be believed, which involves Saturn sweeping away the legs of his opponent, whilst Kronus simultaneously his them in the face with a spin kick. The Dudley Boys take advantage of this distraction though and hit the Eliminators from behind.
The match begins with the Dudleysí physically dominating their smaller opponents but the eliminators hit back with some high-flying and innovative offence and they proceed to dominate most of the match. Highlights include Perry Saturn getting a leg up from Kronus to hit a somersault Saturn-sault to the Dudleyís on the outside, Kronus follows this up with a death-defying leap over the top rope on to all three competitors on the outside. Perry Saturnís perfect spring board spin kick from the apron. Kronus showing great agility for a 260 pound plus wrestler and performing a hand-spring back elbow into the corner. Perry Saturn executes a double-jump springboard moonsault, which took my breath away. Kronus hits a 450-degree splash on Dívon from the top rope.
The eliminators finally hit Buh Buh with Total Elimination to re-claim the ECW tag team belts and begin their third and final title reign. Joel Gertner enters the ring and attempts to award the match to the Dudleyís under the ëStudmuffin Scoring Systemí and also gets hit with Total Elimination for his trouble.
Interlude:- The Sandman.
A Highlights package of the Sandman is shown intercut with an interview with him discussing the three way dance taking place later in the night. Concludes with the Sandman declaring himself the Beer-drinkingist, Chain Smokingist, Politically Incorrect son-of ña -***** to ever be in ECW.
Rob Van Dam Vs. Lance Storm
ëNo Gimmicks Neededí Chris Candido makes his way to the ring to bemoan the fact that he is injured and cannot compete in his scheduled match with Lance Storm. Talks about being in ECW when it was Eastern Championship Wrestling, his Tag Team Title reign in the WWF (as Marc Mero) and how ECW donít value his wrestling abilities anymore since it went ëExtremeí in his absence. Lance Storm makes his way to the ring to face his replacement opponent, Rob Van Dam. Storm shakes Candidoís hand. RVD comes out to a mixture of cheers and ëYou Sold Outí chants, referring to his recent fleeting appearences on WWF Raw.
A technically proficient match follows, as the combatants push each other to the limit. RVDís high-flying and educated feet allow him to gain the early advantage. He even hits a somersault plancha from the ring to Storm who was out on the floor. Storm comes back with some high-flying of his own. But RVD recaptures the advantage when Storm misses a pescato to the floor. RVD takes adavntage by hitting a moonsault off the guardrail.
The advantage swings back and forth until RVD brings a chair into play, howvere this backfires on him when Storm plants him with a burning spear (Inverted Dearh Valley Driver) on RVD on to this chair for a near fall. An interchange of technical wrestling follows. Storm scores another near fall with a Tiger Bomb on RVD onto a chair. The fans get in their first ìYou f***** upî chant when RVD botches a top rope back elbow on Storm whom he had crotched on the top rope.
Storm rings RVDís bell with a couple of stair chair shots between the eyes, but RVD shoots up and hits the Van-Daminator, he follows up with a standing back-flip splash to score the 1-2-3. RVD then grabs a mike addressing the fans who accuse him of selling out, by saying that he sold out to himself by wrestling in place of someone who was injured and that he only did it to make himself worth more money.
Interlude:- Terry Funk
Footage is shown of Terry Funkís locker room scuffle with Raven earlier that week. Footage is also aired of a ceremony held in honour of ëthe Funkerí recently to honour his lifetime of giving to wrestling. He dedicates this Pay-Per-View to his recently deceased father Dory Funk Jnr.
6 Man International Tag Team match.
Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada and Masato Yakishigi Vs. Taka Michinoku, Terry Boy and Dick Togo.
Something a bit different. The combatants in this match were all on loan from Japanís leading wrestling federation ëMichinoku Pro Wrestlingí. What results is a match in the traditional Japanese style, highly-technical and high-flying. This match also marked the American debut of Taka Michinoku, His team came out wearing ìBlue World Orderî (Stevie Richardsí version of the New World Order) T-shirts. Gran Naniwa, who was due to compete in this match was injured and replaced by Masato Yakishigi. Terry Boy (Mans Tao), grew up idolising Terry Funk and uses a number of the Hardcore legends moves during the match, including the spinning toe hold. The match switches in momentum quickly and is a generally good presentation, but was not helped by the fans lack of knowledge of the competitiors or by the fact it probably went on a little too long as well. Great Sasuke picks up the win for his team by hitting a Tiger Suplex on Taka Michinoku. A scuffle breaks out after the match, but is eventually seperated by the comically fat Japanese referee.
Interlude:- Big Stevie Cool
Stevie Richards talks about how has been abused all his life, and how the three-way-dance later will help him regain his dignity whatever the result. The Blue Guy (later known as the Blue Meanie), interrupts to praise the leader of the Blue World Order.
ECW TV Title Match
Shane Douglas (ECW TV Champion) (With Francine) Vs Pitbull #2
A strong storyline leading up to this match, revolving around Shane Douglas twice breaking the neck of Pitbull #1 and Pitbull #2 being out for revenge. Also a masked man who had been dogging Shane in recent weeks, promised in return for taking Francine and Shane winning this match he would unmask himself. Shane has to be lead out by the Philadelphia police riot squad, due to the fans hatred of him. Shane takes the mic and the first ever ECW world heavyweight champion, takes the credit for leading ECW to the ëpromised landí of pay-per-view.
The match starts and Pitbull #2 goes straight after Douglasís neck attempting to extract exact revenge. The fans cheer these attempts on with chants of ìBreak His Neckî. Pitbullís strength advantage allows him to take the early momentum of the match, he even mixes in some more technical manoeuvres. Douglas shows great strength of his own though, hitting a stalling vertical suplex on the near 300 pounder. Shaneís mini-come back is cut off, though by Pitbull throwing him out of the ring and through a table. A section of steel guard-rail is brought into the ring, but Shane comes back, with the help of a number of outside objects, including a steel chair, brass knucks, ring bell, title belt and a section of the table he went through earlier. Each time though, the Pitbull kicks out. Douglas attempts to use a chain, which he had stashed in his bott, but Pitbull cuts him off and hits him with his own chain. Pitbull would have scored the pin at this point, but Shaneís fellow triple threat member Chris Candido runs out for the distraction. Allowing Shane to hit his Belly-to-Belly suplex and claim the victory.
The ëMasked Maní now comes out to the ring, wearing a Rick Rude robe, seemingly confirming everyonesí suspicions and plants a smacker on Francineís lips. Shane starts beating on the masked man, but a member of the riot police enters the ring, removes his helmet and revelals himself as Rick Rude. Rude and the Masked Man run Douglas out of the ring. The masked man then reveals himself as the final member of the triple threat ëBulldozerí Brian Lee.
Interlude ñ Taz.
The human suplex machine talks about his upcoming match with Sabu.
Taz (With Bill Alfonso) Vs Sabu.
Billed by Ecw as ëThe Grudge Match of the Centuryî. Taz comes out first flanked by Bill Alfonso and ëTeam Tazí. Sabu immediately follows him out, not bothering to wait for his music. The match opens with a long staredown, but a brutal encounter soon follows. Tazís ground wrestling style is highlighted by a number of extremely painful looking Taz-plexes. Sabuís style in contrast is full of high-spots and death-defying high-flying. Taz also uses a number of submission holds, but cannot get Sabu to tap out.
Taz bloodies Sabu with some vicious cross-face shots. The match features some incredible moves performed on the floor, and itís a miracle someone wasnít seriously hurt in this one. These include, Sabu drop-kicking Taz into the front row, through the ropes and following up by launching himself off a chair, via the top rope and on to Taz in the front row. Taz gets revenge by Belly-To-Belly suplexing Sabu over the guard rail into the audience, later in the match. Taz bridges the ring and the guardrail with a table and procedes to put Sabu through it.
Sabu comes back to hit a huge leg-drop (3/4) across the ring, but Taz kicks out. Taz then hits a series of brutal suplexes on Sabu, continually dropping him on his neck. But Sabu comes back and locks the Tazzmission on Taz! Taz counters this with another tazplex, before locking the Tazmission on Sabu. The referee raises Sabuís arm three times and it falls to the mat three times, giving Taz the victory.
After the match Tazm gets the mic and complimets Sabu for pushing him to the limit, before shaing his hand. Sabu then raises Tazís hand in victiry, but Rob van Dam, Sabuís tag-team partner comes to the ring and attacks Taz. Taz is promptly put through a table, before Bill Alfonso removes his Taz shirt, revealing a Sabu T-Shirt!!!
ECW World Title Contenders Elimination Match.
Terry Funk vs Sandman vs Stevie Richards (with the Blue World Order)
If I had to sum this match up in one word then it would be, ëbloodbathí. Stevie Richards was accompanied to the ring by his Blue World Order (ëHollywoodí Nova, The Blue Guy and Thomas Rodman). The Sandman enetered next accomapnied by his customary cigarette and six-pack, which he proceeded to drink before crushing the final can and head-butting it till he bled. Terry Funk entered last to a huge ovation from the crowd.
The match which followed was virtually impossible to describe, but needless to say there was much switching, double teaming and lots of butt being whupped. The match takes a turn for the ugly about a quarter of the way in, when the Sandman suddenly disappears to the back and return carrying a ladder. Which he proceeds to whack the living daylights out of his opponents with. At one point Funk gets his head caught in the ladder and spins around wiping out his opponents in true comedy style.
The Sandman dissapears into the back again leaving Funk and Richards to fight it out, this time rturning with a pair of trash cans. Stevie Richards is soon suplexed by the Sandman on to the trashcan. Funk and Sandman now team up on Richards hitting him first with a spike-piledriver and then setting him up under a ladder for Sandman to hit a slingshot leg-drop onto him. A double team powerbomb and double pin later and ëBig Stevie Coolí is eliminated from the match.
Sandman now fetches a coil of barbed-wire into the match, but after his attempt to hi Funk with it fails, he wraps it around himself, turning his whole body into a dangerous weapon. Itís at this point that the blood begins to flow freely. Funk manages to place the trashcan over Sandmanís head, knock him down and hit a moonsault to pick up the victory though.
ECW World Title Match
Raven (ECW World Heavyweight Champion) vs. Terry Funk
Raven hits the ring literally as the referees hand hits the mat for the third time, giving a freely bleeding Terry Funk no chance to even get to his feet. ECWís head doctor spends most of the match attempting (and failing to get some tape on to Funkís wounds). Raven proceeds to brutalise Terry Funk. Tommy Dreamer, on commentating duty explains that he cannot help his mentor, because Funk made him promise to let him do it on his own.
Ravenís nest now hit the ring and help him beat on Funk, Dreamer has seen enough and attempts to leave the elevated commentary position, but is stopped by the returning Big Dick Dudley, it becomes apparent the three tables are stacked up on each other below the commentary position and Big Dick attempts to chokeslam Dreamer through these tables but Dreamer fights him off and pushes Dick through the tables himself before hitting the ring. Dreaner fights off the remainder of the nest, before hitting Raven with a DDT. A groggy Funk rolls on top of Raven and picks up the pin to be crowned NEW ECW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, at the age of 53!!!
Dreamer and Funk celebrate with the fans as Barely Legal comes to an end.
This time next weekÖmy review of Hardcore Heaven í97.
Federation: ECW
Pay-Per-View: Barely Legal
Date: Sunday April 13th 1997
Venue: The ECW Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Format: DVD
Running Time: 160 Mins
The Card:
ECW World Tag Team Title Match
The Dudleys (C) (With Joel Gertner & Sign-Guy Dudley) Vs. The Eliminators
Chris Candido Vs. Lance Storm
The Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada & Gran Naniwa Vs. Taka Michinoku, Terry Boy and Dick Togo
ECW TV Title Match
Shane Douglas (C) (With Francine) Vs. Pitbull #2
Taz (With Bill Alfonso) Vs. Sabu
ECW World Title Contenders Elimination Match
Terry Funk Vs. Sandman Vs. Stevie Richards
ECW World Title Match
Raven (C) Vs. The Winner Of The ECW World Title Contenders Elimination Match
Review:-
ECWís first ever Pay-Per-View from itís home arena opens with Joey Styles traditional introduction to the show. He is interrupted by the Dudley Boys making their way to the ring. The crowd reacts with a number of derogatory chants directed towards the Tag Team champions. The Dudleyís proceed to insult the sold out crowd.
ECW World Tag Team Title Match
The Dudley Boys (ECW Tag Team Champions) Vs The Eliminators
Joel Gertner introduces the Dudleys and manages to get some of his trademark explicit rhymes in. The Eliminators (Perry Saturn and John Kronus) come out to a huge ovation from the crowd. The Eliminators run Buh Buh and Dívon out of the ring, but sign guy tries to creep up and hit them from behind with his sign. The Eliminators cut him off though and hit him with ëTotal Eliminationí, a move which has to be seen to be believed, which involves Saturn sweeping away the legs of his opponent, whilst Kronus simultaneously his them in the face with a spin kick. The Dudley Boys take advantage of this distraction though and hit the Eliminators from behind.
The match begins with the Dudleysí physically dominating their smaller opponents but the eliminators hit back with some high-flying and innovative offence and they proceed to dominate most of the match. Highlights include Perry Saturn getting a leg up from Kronus to hit a somersault Saturn-sault to the Dudleyís on the outside, Kronus follows this up with a death-defying leap over the top rope on to all three competitors on the outside. Perry Saturnís perfect spring board spin kick from the apron. Kronus showing great agility for a 260 pound plus wrestler and performing a hand-spring back elbow into the corner. Perry Saturn executes a double-jump springboard moonsault, which took my breath away. Kronus hits a 450-degree splash on Dívon from the top rope.
The eliminators finally hit Buh Buh with Total Elimination to re-claim the ECW tag team belts and begin their third and final title reign. Joel Gertner enters the ring and attempts to award the match to the Dudleyís under the ëStudmuffin Scoring Systemí and also gets hit with Total Elimination for his trouble.
Interlude:- The Sandman.
A Highlights package of the Sandman is shown intercut with an interview with him discussing the three way dance taking place later in the night. Concludes with the Sandman declaring himself the Beer-drinkingist, Chain Smokingist, Politically Incorrect son-of ña -***** to ever be in ECW.
Rob Van Dam Vs. Lance Storm
ëNo Gimmicks Neededí Chris Candido makes his way to the ring to bemoan the fact that he is injured and cannot compete in his scheduled match with Lance Storm. Talks about being in ECW when it was Eastern Championship Wrestling, his Tag Team Title reign in the WWF (as Marc Mero) and how ECW donít value his wrestling abilities anymore since it went ëExtremeí in his absence. Lance Storm makes his way to the ring to face his replacement opponent, Rob Van Dam. Storm shakes Candidoís hand. RVD comes out to a mixture of cheers and ëYou Sold Outí chants, referring to his recent fleeting appearences on WWF Raw.
A technically proficient match follows, as the combatants push each other to the limit. RVDís high-flying and educated feet allow him to gain the early advantage. He even hits a somersault plancha from the ring to Storm who was out on the floor. Storm comes back with some high-flying of his own. But RVD recaptures the advantage when Storm misses a pescato to the floor. RVD takes adavntage by hitting a moonsault off the guardrail.
The advantage swings back and forth until RVD brings a chair into play, howvere this backfires on him when Storm plants him with a burning spear (Inverted Dearh Valley Driver) on RVD on to this chair for a near fall. An interchange of technical wrestling follows. Storm scores another near fall with a Tiger Bomb on RVD onto a chair. The fans get in their first ìYou f***** upî chant when RVD botches a top rope back elbow on Storm whom he had crotched on the top rope.
Storm rings RVDís bell with a couple of stair chair shots between the eyes, but RVD shoots up and hits the Van-Daminator, he follows up with a standing back-flip splash to score the 1-2-3. RVD then grabs a mike addressing the fans who accuse him of selling out, by saying that he sold out to himself by wrestling in place of someone who was injured and that he only did it to make himself worth more money.
Interlude:- Terry Funk
Footage is shown of Terry Funkís locker room scuffle with Raven earlier that week. Footage is also aired of a ceremony held in honour of ëthe Funkerí recently to honour his lifetime of giving to wrestling. He dedicates this Pay-Per-View to his recently deceased father Dory Funk Jnr.
6 Man International Tag Team match.
Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada and Masato Yakishigi Vs. Taka Michinoku, Terry Boy and Dick Togo.
Something a bit different. The combatants in this match were all on loan from Japanís leading wrestling federation ëMichinoku Pro Wrestlingí. What results is a match in the traditional Japanese style, highly-technical and high-flying. This match also marked the American debut of Taka Michinoku, His team came out wearing ìBlue World Orderî (Stevie Richardsí version of the New World Order) T-shirts. Gran Naniwa, who was due to compete in this match was injured and replaced by Masato Yakishigi. Terry Boy (Mans Tao), grew up idolising Terry Funk and uses a number of the Hardcore legends moves during the match, including the spinning toe hold. The match switches in momentum quickly and is a generally good presentation, but was not helped by the fans lack of knowledge of the competitiors or by the fact it probably went on a little too long as well. Great Sasuke picks up the win for his team by hitting a Tiger Suplex on Taka Michinoku. A scuffle breaks out after the match, but is eventually seperated by the comically fat Japanese referee.
Interlude:- Big Stevie Cool
Stevie Richards talks about how has been abused all his life, and how the three-way-dance later will help him regain his dignity whatever the result. The Blue Guy (later known as the Blue Meanie), interrupts to praise the leader of the Blue World Order.
ECW TV Title Match
Shane Douglas (ECW TV Champion) (With Francine) Vs Pitbull #2
A strong storyline leading up to this match, revolving around Shane Douglas twice breaking the neck of Pitbull #1 and Pitbull #2 being out for revenge. Also a masked man who had been dogging Shane in recent weeks, promised in return for taking Francine and Shane winning this match he would unmask himself. Shane has to be lead out by the Philadelphia police riot squad, due to the fans hatred of him. Shane takes the mic and the first ever ECW world heavyweight champion, takes the credit for leading ECW to the ëpromised landí of pay-per-view.
The match starts and Pitbull #2 goes straight after Douglasís neck attempting to extract exact revenge. The fans cheer these attempts on with chants of ìBreak His Neckî. Pitbullís strength advantage allows him to take the early momentum of the match, he even mixes in some more technical manoeuvres. Douglas shows great strength of his own though, hitting a stalling vertical suplex on the near 300 pounder. Shaneís mini-come back is cut off, though by Pitbull throwing him out of the ring and through a table. A section of steel guard-rail is brought into the ring, but Shane comes back, with the help of a number of outside objects, including a steel chair, brass knucks, ring bell, title belt and a section of the table he went through earlier. Each time though, the Pitbull kicks out. Douglas attempts to use a chain, which he had stashed in his bott, but Pitbull cuts him off and hits him with his own chain. Pitbull would have scored the pin at this point, but Shaneís fellow triple threat member Chris Candido runs out for the distraction. Allowing Shane to hit his Belly-to-Belly suplex and claim the victory.
The ëMasked Maní now comes out to the ring, wearing a Rick Rude robe, seemingly confirming everyonesí suspicions and plants a smacker on Francineís lips. Shane starts beating on the masked man, but a member of the riot police enters the ring, removes his helmet and revelals himself as Rick Rude. Rude and the Masked Man run Douglas out of the ring. The masked man then reveals himself as the final member of the triple threat ëBulldozerí Brian Lee.
Interlude ñ Taz.
The human suplex machine talks about his upcoming match with Sabu.
Taz (With Bill Alfonso) Vs Sabu.
Billed by Ecw as ëThe Grudge Match of the Centuryî. Taz comes out first flanked by Bill Alfonso and ëTeam Tazí. Sabu immediately follows him out, not bothering to wait for his music. The match opens with a long staredown, but a brutal encounter soon follows. Tazís ground wrestling style is highlighted by a number of extremely painful looking Taz-plexes. Sabuís style in contrast is full of high-spots and death-defying high-flying. Taz also uses a number of submission holds, but cannot get Sabu to tap out.
Taz bloodies Sabu with some vicious cross-face shots. The match features some incredible moves performed on the floor, and itís a miracle someone wasnít seriously hurt in this one. These include, Sabu drop-kicking Taz into the front row, through the ropes and following up by launching himself off a chair, via the top rope and on to Taz in the front row. Taz gets revenge by Belly-To-Belly suplexing Sabu over the guard rail into the audience, later in the match. Taz bridges the ring and the guardrail with a table and procedes to put Sabu through it.
Sabu comes back to hit a huge leg-drop (3/4) across the ring, but Taz kicks out. Taz then hits a series of brutal suplexes on Sabu, continually dropping him on his neck. But Sabu comes back and locks the Tazzmission on Taz! Taz counters this with another tazplex, before locking the Tazmission on Sabu. The referee raises Sabuís arm three times and it falls to the mat three times, giving Taz the victory.
After the match Tazm gets the mic and complimets Sabu for pushing him to the limit, before shaing his hand. Sabu then raises Tazís hand in victiry, but Rob van Dam, Sabuís tag-team partner comes to the ring and attacks Taz. Taz is promptly put through a table, before Bill Alfonso removes his Taz shirt, revealing a Sabu T-Shirt!!!
ECW World Title Contenders Elimination Match.
Terry Funk vs Sandman vs Stevie Richards (with the Blue World Order)
If I had to sum this match up in one word then it would be, ëbloodbathí. Stevie Richards was accompanied to the ring by his Blue World Order (ëHollywoodí Nova, The Blue Guy and Thomas Rodman). The Sandman enetered next accomapnied by his customary cigarette and six-pack, which he proceeded to drink before crushing the final can and head-butting it till he bled. Terry Funk entered last to a huge ovation from the crowd.
The match which followed was virtually impossible to describe, but needless to say there was much switching, double teaming and lots of butt being whupped. The match takes a turn for the ugly about a quarter of the way in, when the Sandman suddenly disappears to the back and return carrying a ladder. Which he proceeds to whack the living daylights out of his opponents with. At one point Funk gets his head caught in the ladder and spins around wiping out his opponents in true comedy style.
The Sandman dissapears into the back again leaving Funk and Richards to fight it out, this time rturning with a pair of trash cans. Stevie Richards is soon suplexed by the Sandman on to the trashcan. Funk and Sandman now team up on Richards hitting him first with a spike-piledriver and then setting him up under a ladder for Sandman to hit a slingshot leg-drop onto him. A double team powerbomb and double pin later and ëBig Stevie Coolí is eliminated from the match.
Sandman now fetches a coil of barbed-wire into the match, but after his attempt to hi Funk with it fails, he wraps it around himself, turning his whole body into a dangerous weapon. Itís at this point that the blood begins to flow freely. Funk manages to place the trashcan over Sandmanís head, knock him down and hit a moonsault to pick up the victory though.
ECW World Title Match
Raven (ECW World Heavyweight Champion) vs. Terry Funk
Raven hits the ring literally as the referees hand hits the mat for the third time, giving a freely bleeding Terry Funk no chance to even get to his feet. ECWís head doctor spends most of the match attempting (and failing to get some tape on to Funkís wounds). Raven proceeds to brutalise Terry Funk. Tommy Dreamer, on commentating duty explains that he cannot help his mentor, because Funk made him promise to let him do it on his own.
Ravenís nest now hit the ring and help him beat on Funk, Dreamer has seen enough and attempts to leave the elevated commentary position, but is stopped by the returning Big Dick Dudley, it becomes apparent the three tables are stacked up on each other below the commentary position and Big Dick attempts to chokeslam Dreamer through these tables but Dreamer fights him off and pushes Dick through the tables himself before hitting the ring. Dreaner fights off the remainder of the nest, before hitting Raven with a DDT. A groggy Funk rolls on top of Raven and picks up the pin to be crowned NEW ECW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, at the age of 53!!!
Dreamer and Funk celebrate with the fans as Barely Legal comes to an end.
This time next weekÖmy review of Hardcore Heaven í97.
How come the matches we write get deleted, but the one's we review don't? And if i'm pushing my luck with that...read this quick before it gets deleted!!!
Thanks for all the positive comments, i intend to post a review each week if my workload lets me until they are all up. Even if you've read the spoilers, i would still recomend buying the video, as i knew most of the results before i bought any of the videos, it's not this that matters it's the stuff in the matches that has to be seen to be belived.
ECW FOREVER!
ECW FOREVER!
I would probably call it a good review, but I can't read it due to the spoilers.
I intend to get this at some point.
I intend to get this at some point.
That was an awsome review Cong Man. Well done.
If you've never seen an ECW event this is by far the best video to begin with.
The ownly let down about this great event was the PItbull 2 vs Shane Douglas match. That match was just horrible.
I think one of the best matches that night had to be the ^ man tag featuring Taka Michinoku and the other japanese wrestlers from Michinoku Pro Wrestling, that match was awesome.
The ownly let down about this great event was the PItbull 2 vs Shane Douglas match. That match was just horrible.
I think one of the best matches that night had to be the ^ man tag featuring Taka Michinoku and the other japanese wrestlers from Michinoku Pro Wrestling, that match was awesome.
Wow, great review Cong Man!! Well done.
I've never seen an ECW event, but I would like to at some point.
I've never seen an ECW event, but I would like to at some point.
WARNING! Results includedÖif you donít want to know, go back now!
Federation: ECW
Pay-Per-View: Barely Legal
Date: Sunday April 13th 1997
Venue: The ECW Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Format: DVD
Running Time: 160 Mins
The Card:
ECW World Tag Team Title Match
The Dudleys (C) (With Joel Gertner & Sign-Guy Dudley) Vs. The Eliminators
Chris Candido Vs. Lance Storm
The Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada & Gran Naniwa Vs. Taka Michinoku, Terry Boy and Dick Togo
ECW TV Title Match
Shane Douglas (C) (With Francine) Vs. Pitbull #2
Taz (With Bill Alfonso) Vs. Sabu
ECW World Title Contenders Elimination Match
Terry Funk Vs. Sandman Vs. Stevie Richards
ECW World Title Match
Raven (C) Vs. The Winner Of The ECW World Title Contenders Elimination Match
Review:-
ECWís first ever Pay-Per-View from itís home arena opens with Joey Styles traditional introduction to the show. He is interrupted by the Dudley Boys making their way to the ring. The crowd reacts with a number of derogatory chants directed towards the Tag Team champions. The Dudleyís proceed to insult the sold out crowd.
ECW World Tag Team Title Match
The Dudley Boys (ECW Tag Team Champions) Vs The Eliminators
Joel Gertner introduces the Dudleys and manages to get some of his trademark explicit rhymes in. The Eliminators (Perry Saturn and John Kronus) come out to a huge ovation from the crowd. The Eliminators run Buh Buh and Dívon out of the ring, but sign guy tries to creep up and hit them from behind with his sign. The Eliminators cut him off though and hit him with ëTotal Eliminationí, a move which has to be seen to be believed, which involves Saturn sweeping away the legs of his opponent, whilst Kronus simultaneously his them in the face with a spin kick. The Dudley Boys take advantage of this distraction though and hit the Eliminators from behind.
The match begins with the Dudleysí physically dominating their smaller opponents but the eliminators hit back with some high-flying and innovative offence and they proceed to dominate most of the match. Highlights include Perry Saturn getting a leg up from Kronus to hit a somersault Saturn-sault to the Dudleyís on the outside, Kronus follows this up with a death-defying leap over the top rope on to all three competitors on the outside. Perry Saturnís perfect spring board spin kick from the apron. Kronus showing great agility for a 260 pound plus wrestler and performing a hand-spring back elbow into the corner. Perry Saturn executes a double-jump springboard moonsault, which took my breath away. Kronus hits a 450-degree splash on Dívon from the top rope.
The eliminators finally hit Buh Buh with Total Elimination to re-claim the ECW tag team belts and begin their third and final title reign. Joel Gertner enters the ring and attempts to award the match to the Dudleyís under the ëStudmuffin Scoring Systemí and also gets hit with Total Elimination for his trouble.
Interlude:- The Sandman.
A Highlights package of the Sandman is shown intercut with an interview with him discussing the three way dance taking place later in the night. Concludes with the Sandman declaring himself the Beer-drinkingist, Chain Smokingist, Politically Incorrect son-of ña -***** to ever be in ECW.
Rob Van Dam Vs. Lance Storm
ëNo Gimmicks Neededí Chris Candido makes his way to the ring to bemoan the fact that he is injured and cannot compete in his scheduled match with Lance Storm. Talks about being in ECW when it was Eastern Championship Wrestling, his Tag Team Title reign in the WWF (as Marc Mero) and how ECW donít value his wrestling abilities anymore since it went ëExtremeí in his absence. Lance Storm makes his way to the ring to face his replacement opponent, Rob Van Dam. Storm shakes Candidoís hand. RVD comes out to a mixture of cheers and ëYou Sold Outí chants, referring to his recent fleeting appearences on WWF Raw.
A technically proficient match follows, as the combatants push each other to the limit. RVDís high-flying and educated feet allow him to gain the early advantage. He even hits a somersault plancha from the ring to Storm who was out on the floor. Storm comes back with some high-flying of his own. But RVD recaptures the advantage when Storm misses a pescato to the floor. RVD takes adavntage by hitting a moonsault off the guardrail.
The advantage swings back and forth until RVD brings a chair into play, howvere this backfires on him when Storm plants him with a burning spear (Inverted Dearh Valley Driver) on RVD on to this chair for a near fall. An interchange of technical wrestling follows. Storm scores another near fall with a Tiger Bomb on RVD onto a chair. The fans get in their first ìYou f***** upî chant when RVD botches a top rope back elbow on Storm whom he had crotched on the top rope.
Storm rings RVDís bell with a couple of stair chair shots between the eyes, but RVD shoots up and hits the Van-Daminator, he follows up with a standing back-flip splash to score the 1-2-3. RVD then grabs a mike addressing the fans who accuse him of selling out, by saying that he sold out to himself by wrestling in place of someone who was injured and that he only did it to make himself worth more money.
Interlude:- Terry Funk
Footage is shown of Terry Funkís locker room scuffle with Raven earlier that week. Footage is also aired of a ceremony held in honour of ëthe Funkerí recently to honour his lifetime of giving to wrestling. He dedicates this Pay-Per-View to his recently deceased father Dory Funk Jnr.
6 Man International Tag Team match.
Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada and Masato Yakishigi Vs. Taka Michinoku, Terry Boy and Dick Togo.
Something a bit different. The combatants in this match were all on loan from Japanís leading wrestling federation ëMichinoku Pro Wrestlingí. What results is a match in the traditional Japanese style, highly-technical and high-flying. This match also marked the American debut of Taka Michinoku, His team came out wearing ìBlue World Orderî (Stevie Richardsí version of the New World Order) T-shirts. Gran Naniwa, who was due to compete in this match was injured and replaced by Masato Yakishigi. Terry Boy (Mans Tao), grew up idolising Terry Funk and uses a number of the Hardcore legends moves during the match, including the spinning toe hold. The match switches in momentum quickly and is a generally good presentation, but was not helped by the fans lack of knowledge of the competitiors or by the fact it probably went on a little too long as well. Great Sasuke picks up the win for his team by hitting a Tiger Suplex on Taka Michinoku. A scuffle breaks out after the match, but is eventually seperated by the comically fat Japanese referee.
Interlude:- Big Stevie Cool
Stevie Richards talks about how has been abused all his life, and how the three-way-dance later will help him regain his dignity whatever the result. The Blue Guy (later known as the Blue Meanie), interrupts to praise the leader of the Blue World Order.
ECW TV Title Match
Shane Douglas (ECW TV Champion) (With Francine) Vs Pitbull #2
A strong storyline leading up to this match, revolving around Shane Douglas twice breaking the neck of Pitbull #1 and Pitbull #2 being out for revenge. Also a masked man who had been dogging Shane in recent weeks, promised in return for taking Francine and Shane winning this match he would unmask himself. Shane has to be lead out by the Philadelphia police riot squad, due to the fans hatred of him. Shane takes the mic and the first ever ECW world heavyweight champion, takes the credit for leading ECW to the ëpromised landí of pay-per-view.
The match starts and Pitbull #2 goes straight after Douglasís neck attempting to extract exact revenge. The fans cheer these attempts on with chants of ìBreak His Neckî. Pitbullís strength advantage allows him to take the early momentum of the match, he even mixes in some more technical manoeuvres. Douglas shows great strength of his own though, hitting a stalling vertical suplex on the near 300 pounder. Shaneís mini-come back is cut off, though by Pitbull throwing him out of the ring and through a table. A section of steel guard-rail is brought into the ring, but Shane comes back, with the help of a number of outside objects, including a steel chair, brass knucks, ring bell, title belt and a section of the table he went through earlier. Each time though, the Pitbull kicks out. Douglas attempts to use a chain, which he had stashed in his bott, but Pitbull cuts him off and hits him with his own chain. Pitbull would have scored the pin at this point, but Shaneís fellow triple threat member Chris Candido runs out for the distraction. Allowing Shane to hit his Belly-to-Belly suplex and claim the victory.
The ëMasked Maní now comes out to the ring, wearing a Rick Rude robe, seemingly confirming everyonesí suspicions and plants a smacker on Francineís lips. Shane starts beating on the masked man, but a member of the riot police enters the ring, removes his helmet and revelals himself as Rick Rude. Rude and the Masked Man run Douglas out of the ring. The masked man then reveals himself as the final member of the triple threat ëBulldozerí Brian Lee.
Interlude ñ Taz.
The human suplex machine talks about his upcoming match with Sabu.
Taz (With Bill Alfonso) Vs Sabu.
Billed by Ecw as ëThe Grudge Match of the Centuryî. Taz comes out first flanked by Bill Alfonso and ëTeam Tazí. Sabu immediately follows him out, not bothering to wait for his music. The match opens with a long staredown, but a brutal encounter soon follows. Tazís ground wrestling style is highlighted by a number of extremely painful looking Taz-plexes. Sabuís style in contrast is full of high-spots and death-defying high-flying. Taz also uses a number of submission holds, but cannot get Sabu to tap out.
Taz bloodies Sabu with some vicious cross-face shots. The match features some incredible moves performed on the floor, and itís a miracle someone wasnít seriously hurt in this one. These include, Sabu drop-kicking Taz into the front row, through the ropes and following up by launching himself off a chair, via the top rope and on to Taz in the front row. Taz gets revenge by Belly-To-Belly suplexing Sabu over the guard rail into the audience, later in the match. Taz bridges the ring and the guardrail with a table and procedes to put Sabu through it.
Sabu comes back to hit a huge leg-drop (3/4) across the ring, but Taz kicks out. Taz then hits a series of brutal suplexes on Sabu, continually dropping him on his neck. But Sabu comes back and locks the Tazzmission on Taz! Taz counters this with another tazplex, before locking the Tazmission on Sabu. The referee raises Sabuís arm three times and it falls to the mat three times, giving Taz the victory.
After the match Tazm gets the mic and complimets Sabu for pushing him to the limit, before shaing his hand. Sabu then raises Tazís hand in victiry, but Rob van Dam, Sabuís tag-team partner comes to the ring and attacks Taz. Taz is promptly put through a table, before Bill Alfonso removes his Taz shirt, revealing a Sabu T-Shirt!!!
ECW World Title Contenders Elimination Match.
Terry Funk vs Sandman vs Stevie Richards (with the Blue World Order)
If I had to sum this match up in one word then it would be, ëbloodbathí. Stevie Richards was accompanied to the ring by his Blue World Order (ëHollywoodí Nova, The Blue Guy and Thomas Rodman). The Sandman enetered next accomapnied by his customary cigarette and six-pack, which he proceeded to drink before crushing the final can and head-butting it till he bled. Terry Funk entered last to a huge ovation from the crowd.
The match which followed was virtually impossible to describe, but needless to say there was much switching, double teaming and lots of butt being whupped. The match takes a turn for the ugly about a quarter of the way in, when the Sandman suddenly disappears to the back and return carrying a ladder. Which he proceeds to whack the living daylights out of his opponents with. At one point Funk gets his head caught in the ladder and spins around wiping out his opponents in true comedy style.
The Sandman dissapears into the back again leaving Funk and Richards to fight it out, this time rturning with a pair of trash cans. Stevie Richards is soon suplexed by the Sandman on to the trashcan. Funk and Sandman now team up on Richards hitting him first with a spike-piledriver and then setting him up under a ladder for Sandman to hit a slingshot leg-drop onto him. A double team powerbomb and double pin later and ëBig Stevie Coolí is eliminated from the match.
Sandman now fetches a coil of barbed-wire into the match, but after his attempt to hi Funk with it fails, he wraps it around himself, turning his whole body into a dangerous weapon. Itís at this point that the blood begins to flow freely. Funk manages to place the trashcan over Sandmanís head, knock him down and hit a moonsault to pick up the victory though.
ECW World Title Match
Raven (ECW World Heavyweight Champion) vs. Terry Funk
Raven hits the ring literally as the referees hand hits the mat for the third time, giving a freely bleeding Terry Funk no chance to even get to his feet. ECWís head doctor spends most of the match attempting (and failing to get some tape on to Funkís wounds). Raven proceeds to brutalise Terry Funk. Tommy Dreamer, on commentating duty explains that he cannot help his mentor, because Funk made him promise to let him do it on his own.
Ravenís nest now hit the ring and help him beat on Funk, Dreamer has seen enough and attempts to leave the elevated commentary position, but is stopped by the returning Big Dick Dudley, it becomes apparent the three tables are stacked up on each other below the commentary position and Big Dick attempts to chokeslam Dreamer through these tables but Dreamer fights him off and pushes Dick through the tables himself before hitting the ring. Dreaner fights off the remainder of the nest, before hitting Raven with a DDT. A groggy Funk rolls on top of Raven and picks up the pin to be crowned NEW ECW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, at the age of 53!!!
Dreamer and Funk celebrate with the fans as Barely Legal comes to an end.
This time next weekÖmy review of Hardcore Heaven í97.
Federation: ECW
Pay-Per-View: Barely Legal
Date: Sunday April 13th 1997
Venue: The ECW Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Format: DVD
Running Time: 160 Mins
The Card:
ECW World Tag Team Title Match
The Dudleys (C) (With Joel Gertner & Sign-Guy Dudley) Vs. The Eliminators
Chris Candido Vs. Lance Storm
The Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada & Gran Naniwa Vs. Taka Michinoku, Terry Boy and Dick Togo
ECW TV Title Match
Shane Douglas (C) (With Francine) Vs. Pitbull #2
Taz (With Bill Alfonso) Vs. Sabu
ECW World Title Contenders Elimination Match
Terry Funk Vs. Sandman Vs. Stevie Richards
ECW World Title Match
Raven (C) Vs. The Winner Of The ECW World Title Contenders Elimination Match
Review:-
ECWís first ever Pay-Per-View from itís home arena opens with Joey Styles traditional introduction to the show. He is interrupted by the Dudley Boys making their way to the ring. The crowd reacts with a number of derogatory chants directed towards the Tag Team champions. The Dudleyís proceed to insult the sold out crowd.
ECW World Tag Team Title Match
The Dudley Boys (ECW Tag Team Champions) Vs The Eliminators
Joel Gertner introduces the Dudleys and manages to get some of his trademark explicit rhymes in. The Eliminators (Perry Saturn and John Kronus) come out to a huge ovation from the crowd. The Eliminators run Buh Buh and Dívon out of the ring, but sign guy tries to creep up and hit them from behind with his sign. The Eliminators cut him off though and hit him with ëTotal Eliminationí, a move which has to be seen to be believed, which involves Saturn sweeping away the legs of his opponent, whilst Kronus simultaneously his them in the face with a spin kick. The Dudley Boys take advantage of this distraction though and hit the Eliminators from behind.
The match begins with the Dudleysí physically dominating their smaller opponents but the eliminators hit back with some high-flying and innovative offence and they proceed to dominate most of the match. Highlights include Perry Saturn getting a leg up from Kronus to hit a somersault Saturn-sault to the Dudleyís on the outside, Kronus follows this up with a death-defying leap over the top rope on to all three competitors on the outside. Perry Saturnís perfect spring board spin kick from the apron. Kronus showing great agility for a 260 pound plus wrestler and performing a hand-spring back elbow into the corner. Perry Saturn executes a double-jump springboard moonsault, which took my breath away. Kronus hits a 450-degree splash on Dívon from the top rope.
The eliminators finally hit Buh Buh with Total Elimination to re-claim the ECW tag team belts and begin their third and final title reign. Joel Gertner enters the ring and attempts to award the match to the Dudleyís under the ëStudmuffin Scoring Systemí and also gets hit with Total Elimination for his trouble.
Interlude:- The Sandman.
A Highlights package of the Sandman is shown intercut with an interview with him discussing the three way dance taking place later in the night. Concludes with the Sandman declaring himself the Beer-drinkingist, Chain Smokingist, Politically Incorrect son-of ña -***** to ever be in ECW.
Rob Van Dam Vs. Lance Storm
ëNo Gimmicks Neededí Chris Candido makes his way to the ring to bemoan the fact that he is injured and cannot compete in his scheduled match with Lance Storm. Talks about being in ECW when it was Eastern Championship Wrestling, his Tag Team Title reign in the WWF (as Marc Mero) and how ECW donít value his wrestling abilities anymore since it went ëExtremeí in his absence. Lance Storm makes his way to the ring to face his replacement opponent, Rob Van Dam. Storm shakes Candidoís hand. RVD comes out to a mixture of cheers and ëYou Sold Outí chants, referring to his recent fleeting appearences on WWF Raw.
A technically proficient match follows, as the combatants push each other to the limit. RVDís high-flying and educated feet allow him to gain the early advantage. He even hits a somersault plancha from the ring to Storm who was out on the floor. Storm comes back with some high-flying of his own. But RVD recaptures the advantage when Storm misses a pescato to the floor. RVD takes adavntage by hitting a moonsault off the guardrail.
The advantage swings back and forth until RVD brings a chair into play, howvere this backfires on him when Storm plants him with a burning spear (Inverted Dearh Valley Driver) on RVD on to this chair for a near fall. An interchange of technical wrestling follows. Storm scores another near fall with a Tiger Bomb on RVD onto a chair. The fans get in their first ìYou f***** upî chant when RVD botches a top rope back elbow on Storm whom he had crotched on the top rope.
Storm rings RVDís bell with a couple of stair chair shots between the eyes, but RVD shoots up and hits the Van-Daminator, he follows up with a standing back-flip splash to score the 1-2-3. RVD then grabs a mike addressing the fans who accuse him of selling out, by saying that he sold out to himself by wrestling in place of someone who was injured and that he only did it to make himself worth more money.
Interlude:- Terry Funk
Footage is shown of Terry Funkís locker room scuffle with Raven earlier that week. Footage is also aired of a ceremony held in honour of ëthe Funkerí recently to honour his lifetime of giving to wrestling. He dedicates this Pay-Per-View to his recently deceased father Dory Funk Jnr.
6 Man International Tag Team match.
Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada and Masato Yakishigi Vs. Taka Michinoku, Terry Boy and Dick Togo.
Something a bit different. The combatants in this match were all on loan from Japanís leading wrestling federation ëMichinoku Pro Wrestlingí. What results is a match in the traditional Japanese style, highly-technical and high-flying. This match also marked the American debut of Taka Michinoku, His team came out wearing ìBlue World Orderî (Stevie Richardsí version of the New World Order) T-shirts. Gran Naniwa, who was due to compete in this match was injured and replaced by Masato Yakishigi. Terry Boy (Mans Tao), grew up idolising Terry Funk and uses a number of the Hardcore legends moves during the match, including the spinning toe hold. The match switches in momentum quickly and is a generally good presentation, but was not helped by the fans lack of knowledge of the competitiors or by the fact it probably went on a little too long as well. Great Sasuke picks up the win for his team by hitting a Tiger Suplex on Taka Michinoku. A scuffle breaks out after the match, but is eventually seperated by the comically fat Japanese referee.
Interlude:- Big Stevie Cool
Stevie Richards talks about how has been abused all his life, and how the three-way-dance later will help him regain his dignity whatever the result. The Blue Guy (later known as the Blue Meanie), interrupts to praise the leader of the Blue World Order.
ECW TV Title Match
Shane Douglas (ECW TV Champion) (With Francine) Vs Pitbull #2
A strong storyline leading up to this match, revolving around Shane Douglas twice breaking the neck of Pitbull #1 and Pitbull #2 being out for revenge. Also a masked man who had been dogging Shane in recent weeks, promised in return for taking Francine and Shane winning this match he would unmask himself. Shane has to be lead out by the Philadelphia police riot squad, due to the fans hatred of him. Shane takes the mic and the first ever ECW world heavyweight champion, takes the credit for leading ECW to the ëpromised landí of pay-per-view.
The match starts and Pitbull #2 goes straight after Douglasís neck attempting to extract exact revenge. The fans cheer these attempts on with chants of ìBreak His Neckî. Pitbullís strength advantage allows him to take the early momentum of the match, he even mixes in some more technical manoeuvres. Douglas shows great strength of his own though, hitting a stalling vertical suplex on the near 300 pounder. Shaneís mini-come back is cut off, though by Pitbull throwing him out of the ring and through a table. A section of steel guard-rail is brought into the ring, but Shane comes back, with the help of a number of outside objects, including a steel chair, brass knucks, ring bell, title belt and a section of the table he went through earlier. Each time though, the Pitbull kicks out. Douglas attempts to use a chain, which he had stashed in his bott, but Pitbull cuts him off and hits him with his own chain. Pitbull would have scored the pin at this point, but Shaneís fellow triple threat member Chris Candido runs out for the distraction. Allowing Shane to hit his Belly-to-Belly suplex and claim the victory.
The ëMasked Maní now comes out to the ring, wearing a Rick Rude robe, seemingly confirming everyonesí suspicions and plants a smacker on Francineís lips. Shane starts beating on the masked man, but a member of the riot police enters the ring, removes his helmet and revelals himself as Rick Rude. Rude and the Masked Man run Douglas out of the ring. The masked man then reveals himself as the final member of the triple threat ëBulldozerí Brian Lee.
Interlude ñ Taz.
The human suplex machine talks about his upcoming match with Sabu.
Taz (With Bill Alfonso) Vs Sabu.
Billed by Ecw as ëThe Grudge Match of the Centuryî. Taz comes out first flanked by Bill Alfonso and ëTeam Tazí. Sabu immediately follows him out, not bothering to wait for his music. The match opens with a long staredown, but a brutal encounter soon follows. Tazís ground wrestling style is highlighted by a number of extremely painful looking Taz-plexes. Sabuís style in contrast is full of high-spots and death-defying high-flying. Taz also uses a number of submission holds, but cannot get Sabu to tap out.
Taz bloodies Sabu with some vicious cross-face shots. The match features some incredible moves performed on the floor, and itís a miracle someone wasnít seriously hurt in this one. These include, Sabu drop-kicking Taz into the front row, through the ropes and following up by launching himself off a chair, via the top rope and on to Taz in the front row. Taz gets revenge by Belly-To-Belly suplexing Sabu over the guard rail into the audience, later in the match. Taz bridges the ring and the guardrail with a table and procedes to put Sabu through it.
Sabu comes back to hit a huge leg-drop (3/4) across the ring, but Taz kicks out. Taz then hits a series of brutal suplexes on Sabu, continually dropping him on his neck. But Sabu comes back and locks the Tazzmission on Taz! Taz counters this with another tazplex, before locking the Tazmission on Sabu. The referee raises Sabuís arm three times and it falls to the mat three times, giving Taz the victory.
After the match Tazm gets the mic and complimets Sabu for pushing him to the limit, before shaing his hand. Sabu then raises Tazís hand in victiry, but Rob van Dam, Sabuís tag-team partner comes to the ring and attacks Taz. Taz is promptly put through a table, before Bill Alfonso removes his Taz shirt, revealing a Sabu T-Shirt!!!
ECW World Title Contenders Elimination Match.
Terry Funk vs Sandman vs Stevie Richards (with the Blue World Order)
If I had to sum this match up in one word then it would be, ëbloodbathí. Stevie Richards was accompanied to the ring by his Blue World Order (ëHollywoodí Nova, The Blue Guy and Thomas Rodman). The Sandman enetered next accomapnied by his customary cigarette and six-pack, which he proceeded to drink before crushing the final can and head-butting it till he bled. Terry Funk entered last to a huge ovation from the crowd.
The match which followed was virtually impossible to describe, but needless to say there was much switching, double teaming and lots of butt being whupped. The match takes a turn for the ugly about a quarter of the way in, when the Sandman suddenly disappears to the back and return carrying a ladder. Which he proceeds to whack the living daylights out of his opponents with. At one point Funk gets his head caught in the ladder and spins around wiping out his opponents in true comedy style.
The Sandman dissapears into the back again leaving Funk and Richards to fight it out, this time rturning with a pair of trash cans. Stevie Richards is soon suplexed by the Sandman on to the trashcan. Funk and Sandman now team up on Richards hitting him first with a spike-piledriver and then setting him up under a ladder for Sandman to hit a slingshot leg-drop onto him. A double team powerbomb and double pin later and ëBig Stevie Coolí is eliminated from the match.
Sandman now fetches a coil of barbed-wire into the match, but after his attempt to hi Funk with it fails, he wraps it around himself, turning his whole body into a dangerous weapon. Itís at this point that the blood begins to flow freely. Funk manages to place the trashcan over Sandmanís head, knock him down and hit a moonsault to pick up the victory though.
ECW World Title Match
Raven (ECW World Heavyweight Champion) vs. Terry Funk
Raven hits the ring literally as the referees hand hits the mat for the third time, giving a freely bleeding Terry Funk no chance to even get to his feet. ECWís head doctor spends most of the match attempting (and failing to get some tape on to Funkís wounds). Raven proceeds to brutalise Terry Funk. Tommy Dreamer, on commentating duty explains that he cannot help his mentor, because Funk made him promise to let him do it on his own.
Ravenís nest now hit the ring and help him beat on Funk, Dreamer has seen enough and attempts to leave the elevated commentary position, but is stopped by the returning Big Dick Dudley, it becomes apparent the three tables are stacked up on each other below the commentary position and Big Dick attempts to chokeslam Dreamer through these tables but Dreamer fights him off and pushes Dick through the tables himself before hitting the ring. Dreaner fights off the remainder of the nest, before hitting Raven with a DDT. A groggy Funk rolls on top of Raven and picks up the pin to be crowned NEW ECW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, at the age of 53!!!
Dreamer and Funk celebrate with the fans as Barely Legal comes to an end.
This time next weekÖmy review of Hardcore Heaven í97.