My Take On The Original ECW 04.02.08: ECW Hardcore TV (3.11.96)
Posted by Larry Csonka on 04.02.2008
The “Lionheart” Chris Jericho debuts with a huge win over Cactus Jack, while Bam Bam Bigelow becomes just another victim…
Introduction:
Welcome back to the latest edition of My Take On! With the addition of WWE 24/7 to my cable system, I have decided to have some fun and do some columns on "The Original ECW." I plan to work this similar to the "My Take on MMA/The Monday Night Wars" columns, where it isn't a recap as much as it is an analysis piece. Much like the Monday Night Wars pieces I am running, this is for entertainment purposes. I loved ECW back in the day, sitting with friends and watching the Monday Night Wars, and also have a love for the original ECW. I remember finding it at 2am back in the day in Pittsburgh and was just amazed at what I saw. I even went to a few shows in Pittsburgh. So with 24/7 jumping into my cable lineup, this will be another thing I bring you. I hope that you enjoy it.
For those that have asked, these columns don't have a set schedule. They will appear as a fill in for when another 411 writer needs the day off.
Match/Segment: Opening Final Thoughts: Styles kicks off the show by introducing Shane Douglas, with some horrible dubbed in music. Wow that's bad, it's like they aren't even trying. This sounds like something that would be played in a gay bar. Anyway, Douglas plans to win the ECW title and party with some bitches. Rock on brother, rock on. Pillman is in the crowd, he did the old "bought a ticket" deal and is trying to piss off Douglas. And when he does piss him off, Douglas challenges him to come over the rail or take the beating in the crowd. Pillman is a complete pussy here as he pulls his "cousin and her kid" in front of him to protect him self. What a douche bag, I mean, this is great, they al hate him so much. He then proceeds to run down Douglas' record for quitting in WCW and WWF. ZING~! We get a big pull apart with Styles going wild on the mic, "Jesus Christ get Pillman out of here!" As they take Pillman away Douglas demands that he is brought back and argues with Tod Gordon, who calls for security to escort Shane to the back. Crowd is hot, chanting, "Fuck them up" regarding security. Douglas calls Pillman a piece of shit no less than 50-times during all of this. Fonzie then comes out to the ring, "YEAH DADDY" for the continuous opening angle that ECW was famous for. He slaps Gordon and they end up brawling. Taz is out to stop that, which leads to BAM BAM BIGELOW coming out, no selling a Taz chair shot and running him off. The crowd popped huge for that and that was a damn good opening segment. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 8.0
Match/Segment: The Headhunters vs. The Dudleys (Bubba and DW)/Open Challenge Final Thoughts: Short match and just about what you would expect. DW plays Ricky Morton, the Headhunters are slow, they get a top rope spot, there are chairs used and then Bubba gets a schoolboy for the win @ 2:36 or so. Seriously. The Headhunters are pissed, they run wild after the match and Big Dick kills one of them with his crutch. It was what it was. Damien Cane then sent out an open challenge, and Mustafa answers the call. Just when you think it is 2 on 1, New Jack appears and we get ever "Gangsta's Brawl" you've ever seen. It was fine, but I never need to see it again. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 4.5
Match/Segment: Cactus Jack vs. "Lionheart" Chris Jericho Final Thoughts: This is one day away from Cactus leaving ECW. Stevie and Meanie come out and invite Cactus to be part of the Fabulous Ones, and they STRUT~! Jericho says fuck that and sends Stevie and Meanie to the floor. They work a very "Foley style" match here, which was a good idea to introduce Jericho to the ECW crowd. Stevie and Meanie get involved through out the bout, helping Cactus to maintain an advantage. These guys bust their ass and end up having a good match. Jericho gets the big win with a SICK German on Cactus, which was the right call as Jericho was going to be staying and winning the TV Title. This was good stuff here, and it is so much fun to go back and watch Jericho then and watch him now to see how he has evolved as a worker. You could see he had all of the tools back then, but didn't know how or when to use them at times. Foley set up everything very well, Jericho got over big, the job helped him and it just worked. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 8.00
Match/Segment: Taz vs. Mikey Whipwreck Final Thoughts: Mickey is a house of fire early, survives a TAZPLEX and starts to counter everything and the crowd is rocking because they believe in the crazy little bastard. Taz then suplexes him to the floor and I thought Mickey was dead, I mean, this was sick looking. Mickey comes back continuously but then takes a SICK suplex on his head, and then taps to the Tazmission. That was a great little 4-minute sprint, the crowd bought Mikey could beat him for a bit and it worked. Taz then decided to be an asshole as he held the submission until Bam Bam comes out and stops that. Just as Bam Bam was about to press slam Fonzie, Taz clips the knee and gets the Tazmission on Bam Bam. The goof troop tries to help, but they fail as Taz keeps the hold and Bam Bam is out in the ring. Taz has choked out Bam Bam Bigelow as Styles puts it over as a big deal, which it really was. Taz just made Bam Bam Bigelow, a dude that main evented WrestleMania his bitch. This rocked hard. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 8.5
The Overall: Best Match/Segment: Taz vs. Mikey Whipwreck/Bam Bam Get Choked Out 8.5 Worst Match/Segment: The Headhunters vs. The Dudleys (Bubba and DW)/Open Challenge (Gangsta's/Headhunter's Brawl) 4.5 Final Thoughts: Another good hour of TV from ECW. Not only did we get the debut of Chris Jericho in a really fun match and win over Cactus Jack, but we got the continuation of Shane Douglas's quest for the title and his beef with Brian Pillman. Bam Bam Bigelow finally popped back into the picture, but unfortunately for him he became just another victim. The good was really good and the blah was minimal, but at least made sense. I am thoroughly enjoying reliving these old episodes of ECW Hardcore TV. Show Score: 8.0
