ECW
Chapter 7- "Philadelphia" part 2 of 2
The time had come for the debut everyone was waiting impatiently for. Hopes were high, the standard had already been set for this young man. Expectations were at a level higher than any other newcomer to have stepped through the ECW ropes. The time had come for him to begin. Everyone stood, staring at the stage and entryway. Smoke started rising to emphasize his entrance. The music hit, everyone paid even more attention to the small stage. Then... there he was. Almost all in attendance applauded because they had heard so much about him beforehand. He could only hope and wish that his performance tonight would live up to the hype placed upon his debut.
"There he is, Styles. I got goosebumps 'cause I have the distinct feeling this cat here has just found his new home." said Tazz.
Joey agreed. "For ECW fans to embrace him like this is phenomenal in its own right."
Punk stepped into the ring, bouncing around and shaking out a few nervous kinks. He then set his eyes on the stage. The music hit, pyro went off, and there was Rob Van Dam emerging to triple the cheers that Punk got on his way in. RVD, as always, was his usual self. Smiling, pointing to himself, clapping hands with the fans in attendance. It seemed as if he truly was the whole fucking show.
When Rob got in the ring he was still gesturing to the crowd and smiling, not really paying much mind to CM Punk at all. The rookie looked a bit offended but nothing came of it. A minute or so later, the bell sounded and they started to circle each other. The anticipation mounted for this epic match. They both motioned for a collar and elbow tie-up but Punk stepped the game up with a sudden arm drag. The crowd applauded as RVD looked a bit suprised on the mat. The two got ready for another collar and elbow tie-up but this time RVD was the one looking to surprise with an arm drag but Punk reversed it into a hip toss! Punk smiled and did RVD's signature pose which the crowd did not like one bit. Rob didn't appear to pleased either.
On the third try, they locked horns and RVD backed Punk into the corner then smacked him across the face after releasing the hold. Then he did his signature pose and the crowd lit with excitement. Punk nodded but didn't much care. He came out of the corner quickly with lefts and rights that found their mark but Rob retaliated with some punches of his own. Then Punk went for a clothesline but it was ducked, and RVD came around with a leg sweep followed by a spinning leg drop. He attempted a quick pin but Punk kicked out and backed into a corner to regain composure. RVD eyed his opponent, waiting for his next move like a game of chess. Punk came out of the corner and went for another punch but RVD ducked again and sidekicked Punk in the back sending him face first into the turnbuckle. This action caused him to back out of the corner in a weary state, giving Van Dam the chance for a nice back suplex into a bridging pin but Punk kicked out again.
Punk slid under the bottom rope and out of the ring, looking to adjust his gameplan. From behind, a fan started yelling at him. He turned and a little arguement started. This gave RVD the chance for a baseball slide that knocked Punk over the rail and into the first row of seats! RVD smiled, did his pose then performed a huge somersault senton splash into the first row on CM Punk!
"OH MY GOD!" Styles screamed.
"HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!"
"We gotta take a quick break, do not move from your seat we're coming right back!" Tazz exclaimed.
ECW on SciFi broke to commercial. Upon its return, Van Dam and Punk were both in the ring. Punk was on the mat with a chair on his belly, RVD was preparing for a rolling thunder. Rob did his pose and went through the motions but Punk put his knees and the chair up! Rob landed awkwardly on the steel and folded up like an accordion. CM slowly got up and bashed the chair across Rob's back... twice! Then stomped down a few times. He then dropped a couple elbows and went for the pin but to no avail. Punk then locked RVD into an arm lock and seemed to be looking for a choke out but he then turned the move into a facebuster. Punk went for another pin but RVD kicked out again. CM sat up, put his hands on his hips and cursed. He got an idea on what to do next. Punk picked up RVD, hooked the arms and executed a perfect double underhook backbreaker! He went for another pin but still to no avail! Rob Van Dam refused to be defeated in Philly.
Punk went out of the ring, found a table from under it then set it up ringside and got up on the ring apron waiting for RVD to get to his feet. Once he did, Punk grabbed him and was looking for a vertical suplex over the top and through the table but RVD fought out of it. Rob hit a couple forearm shots then jumped onto the turnbuckle and came off with a sidekick that knocked Punk down right through the wood of that table!
"ECDUB! ECDUB! ECDUB!"
"Rob Van Dam out of pure desperation.." Styles commented.
Van Dam slid out of the ring momentarily. He picked up Punk and whipped him into the safety rail. He ran for a clothesline but Punk ducked and backbody dropped Van Dam over the rail and into the first row of fans. Punk them climbed back into the ring and to the top rope where he went for the big move! A suicide splash into the first row!
"CM PUNK! CM PUNK! CM PUNK!"
"WELCOME TO ECW!" Styles screamed to the tv audience.
After a bit, both men made it back to the ring by crawling. Once inside, Punk went for a punch but it was blocked and Rob went for a kick but CM grabbed his foot. This was no obstacle though because RVD came around with a heel kick. The crowd applauded and Rob whipped Punk into the corner then got a nice monkey-flip in but CM Punk landed on his feet! Punk the grabbed that chair, waited for RVD to turn around, tossed it, RVD caught it, then Punk hit his own version of the Van Daminator! The crowd roared and RVD was knocked out of the ring to the floor and almost in the aisle. Punk took the initiative, got out on the arpon and was looking for a reverse crossbody but RVD ducked and Punk hit nothing but concrete in the aisle! RVD then grabbed a chair from one of the fans, waited for Punk, tossed the chair and hit his trademark Van Daminator! This move knocked Punk out cold!
"THIS IS AWESOME! THIS IS AWESOME!"
RVD then put Punk in a fireman's carry and lifted him into the ring. From there, Rob executed a slingshot leg drop from the apron. He went for the pin but Punk kicked out. RVD then layed in a few shots, and performed his rolling thunder move. It went off without a hitch and he covered. 1... 2... but NO! Punk got a shoulder up somehow. Rob Van Dam then quickly jumped up to the top rope and leaped off with his five-star frog splash! After struggling to get back for the pin after the bouncing impact, RVD hooked the leg! 1... 2 ... 3! Rob Van Dam wins! The crowd cheered very loudly and applauded.
"Oh man, that match kicked ass!" Tazz exclaimed excitedly.
As the music played and RVD caught his breath while celebrating, CM Punk managed to weakly get up to a standing position. The music stopped as CM Punk and Rob Van Dam came face to face in the moment of truth. Had Punk gotten the respect he craved for? RVD gestured to Punk, looking at the crowd and they all started to applaud. Punk smiled and raised his hand, feeling blessed. Rob then took Punk's hand and raised it for him. They quickly hugged and RVD raised Punk's hand once more but this time Punk brought him in for a backhandes slap, followed by another and a straight jab to the jaw!
"What the hell?" Styles and Tazz both asked in unison.
Punk started laying a beating down on Van Dam! The crowd erupted in boos, some even throwing in pieces of trash. Punk then brought RVD up to the top turnbuckle and drove him down to the canvas with a thunderous pepsi plunge! ECW on SciFi went to commercial with the fans booing and Punk's hands raised in the shape of an X.
Tommy Dreamer vs. Stevie Richards in a First Blood match...
Time for another moment of truth, time for the first blood match. The object of this contest was simple, the man to make his opponent bleed first is the winner. Out first, Stevie Richards came down with an arrogant and cocky demeanor about him. This was the new Stevie Richards, and he was destined to make a name for himself in this new ECW. Out next, Tommy Dreamer. This mini fued had started a couple weeks ago when Richards attempted to make a name for himself at the expense of Dreamer. It escalated further when Richards brought in Joey Matthews and Mike Knox. It was capped off by Stevie starting the rumor of Raven's return to ECW. But for now, it was one on one. After a bell ring, Stevie charged Dreamer but Dreamer ducked and attacked with a few jabs, pushing Stevie into a corner. He layed in a few more shots then whipped Richards into the opposing corner. He came in with a clothesline and a few stomps to the midsection. Only seconds into this match, Stevie was already hurting. Tommy saw this as a perfect opening for his death valley driver but Stevie worked out of it and went for a sidekick. But Dreamer caught his boot and got him in another dvd, though this time looking to fling Stevie over the top rope. Richards managed to grab onto the tope rope, though, and prevent himself from going over the top by flipping back into the ring. But, when he turned around, Tommy was ready and the fists were flying. Stevie was backed up against the ropes. Dreamer took the chance for a clothesline but Stevie ducked in time and Tommy was backdropped to the floor with a rough landing.
"Tommy not expecting that one at all." Styles said. "Can Stevie capitalize?"
Richards exited the ring, stomped on Tommy, and then whipped him into the steel guard rail. Stevie then got a chair and swung but Tommy moved and the chair hit nothing but rail. Stevie then blindly swung again and Tommy ducked, this time he got nothing but ring post. Stevie dropped the chair and Dreamer connected with a few jabs, followed by a snake eyes causing Richards' face to hit the apron. Tommy tossed his opponent in the ring, but also the chair as well. The Innovator of Violence stood over Richards, just waiting for him to rise up. But, before he could bring the chair down, out came Mike Knox with a cheese shredder in hand. Tommy turned and miraciously dodged the near bullet and slammed the chair down onto Knox's skull. Mike stumbled around, dropping the shredder which Tommy picked up and used on him! The crowd cheered loudly and Knox ended up rolling out of the ring.
No sooner did Tommy face Richards again, and Joey Matthews emerged. Tommy ducked a punch and then used the shredder on him also, causing another cheer to erupt out of the fans in attendance. Dreamer turned once more to resume the fight but Stevie surprised him with a sidekick. Richards smiled to the crowd and picked up the cheese shredder, showcasing it to the fans. Slowly, Tommy Dreamer got back up to his feet, though in a wobbly stance, and Stevie looked for a shot with the weapon but Dreamer blocked with his hands, booted Stevie in the gut and gave him a spicoli driver! The crowd lit up with excitement. But, low and behold, Matthews was on the top rope. Dreamer turned just in time to toss Joey off the top rope down onto Mike Knox. He then focused in on Richards and gave him a vicious ddt down onto the shredder!
"ECDUB! ECDUB! ECDUB!"
Moments later, the bell rang due to Stevie being busted and sliced wide open. Tommy smiled, raised his hand, and picked Richards up for a repeat. But suddenly, the lights went out. The place was pitch black for a couple minutes. Flashes could be seen from cameras and many thumps and thuds could be heard coming from the ring.
"What the hell? Something's goin' on in the ring." Tazz said.
"Yea, and we have no idea what it is." Styles commented.
About a minute later, the lights came back on and it was eery to say the least. Sprawled out in a crucifix pose in the middle of the ring, Tommy Dreamer was layed out. He was bleeding profusely, his face smothered in crimson. And outlining him was a raven painted in what appeared to be blood.
"Oh my god." Styles commented, his voice very low, and obviously shaken by the sight.
ECW Heavyweight Championship, Balls Mahoney vs. Sabu...
Following a commercial break and intense ring clean-up, the stage was set for Sabu to defend his World's Title against Balls Mahoney in the big main event. Balls made his entrance first, of course with customized steel chair in hand. Up next, Sabu came out to a huge ovation from the crowd, and the ECW gold around his waist. He entered the ring and made his way to a corner. Once they were both in the ring, and the introductions had been taken care of, it was time to compete. The ref motioned for Balls to drop his chair but that wasn't happening. Sabu slipped out of the ring and came back with his own and the chair dueling commensed. One clash, another, and then another. The crowd cheered as both men tossed their chairs aside. This was Mahoney's big chance, his moment to step right in the limelight and grab something that's been elusive to him his whole career. They locked up, Balls easily powering Sabu into a corner and then whipping him into the opposite one. He then grabbed a chair and ran in but Sabu countered with a boot to the chair, which smacked into Mahoney's face. After that, Sabu came in with a punch to the gut. He then picked up the other chair and brought it down harshly across the challenger's back. Balls was on all fours until Sabu came down with an arabian facebuster to the spine which sent Balls flat to the canvas. Thinking quick win, Sabu made a cover. 1... 2... no, Balls was out.
"Close call in the early going." Styles commented. "Balls Mahoney better get it all together quick or he'll be out of this before it even gets going."
Sabu then locked in a camel clutch, really applying pressure to Mahoney's already aching back. But it wasn't too long until Mahoney was up and backing into a corner, sandwiching Sabu between himself and the turnbuckle. Mahoney then turned quickly and put in some shoulder thrusts. Then a punch, followed by a back elbow. Feeling some pain in his back, Mahoney stepped to the middle of the ring and waited as Sabu followed. Then it was the punch combo...
"BALLS, BALLS, BALLS, BALLS, BALLS, BALLS, BAAAALLLLLLLSSS!"
Dazed, Sabu hit the mat, teetering on the edge of consciousness. Balls dropped for a cover. 1... 2... and no 3. He got up, grabbed a chair, then walked back over and put it behind his legs. The crowd cheered, realizing he was going for his own arabian facebuster. He jumped but Sabu moved and Balls ended up hurting his own damn leg. Sabu rolled to the ropes and got himself up. From there, still feeling the effects a bit from those punches, he grabbed a chair and threw it directly into Balls' skull! The sound was enough to make you shiver. Balls stumbled back into the ropes and Sabu came along with a clothesline that sent them both over the top! They fell to the floor in a heap.
"Both men putting it all on the line here in Philly for the World's Title, Tazz." Styles said.
Amidst the cheers and applause, Sabu was first to his feet. Mahoney was right behind though. They exchanged a few blows then Sabu hit an uppercut to the jaw. Balls stumbled back and Sabu was handed a chair and he threw it into Mahoney's skull, much like before. Balls fell backward into a seated position, the chair actually unfolding around his head upon impact. The champion then rolled the bigger man back into the ring and came off with a slingshot somersault senton. Hook of the leg, 1... 2... no! Balls refused to stay down. Sabu then went outside, grabbed a table and came back in with it. Once in, he set it up near a corner. When he turned his focus back to the challenger, Balls was up and unloading lefts and rights like they were going out of style. He was looking to finish with a nutcracker suite but Sabu slipped out of his grip and picked up a chair once again. Before the champion could use it though, Balls executed a perfect superkick! Sabu was out like a light! Mahoney was about to make a pinfall when he noticed the table out of the corner of his eye. He pointed and the crowd reacted loudly with cheers and applause. He picked Sabu up and layed him out across the table. Smiling, he pointed to the top turnbuckle and started climbing.
"What the hell is he doing? Mahoney's gonna fly!" Tazz exclaimed.
Balls came down with an amazing splash but Sabu rolled off the table and Balls crashed hard through the table, and to the canvas!
"OH MY GOD!"
Sabu then picked up a steel chair and came off the top with an atomic arabian facebuster. Balls was out like a fat kid in dodge ball. 1... 2... 3! Your winner, and still ECW World's Heavyweight Champion... Sabu!
The Philly fans stood up straight and applauded as Sabu was handed his belt and he raised it high. They were not just applauding for this match but for the whole night in general. From the tables match, to the weapons match, to the four corners, to CM Punk's debut, to the first blood, to the main event! It was definetly a good homecoming for ECW.
"Ladies and gentlemen, all of us here at ECW hope you enjoyed this very special broadcast. We will return next week at our usual time of 10pm eastern. I'm Joey Styles, he's Tazz, thank you for watching this ECW broadcast live from South Philadelphia.
XXX
Next week, ECW returns to its normal one hour program with the debut of Shannon Moore. Also, Kevin Thorn and Ariel issue an interesting challenge for Heatwave.