My Take On The Original ECW 04.28.08: ECW Hardcore TV (3.18.96)
Posted by Larry Csonka on 04.28.2008
Rey and Juvi close out their ECW tenure with an Extreme Lucha Classic…
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: Highlights of Last Week/Styles Opens the Show Final Thoughts: We get highlights of last week's edition, with the Douglas/Pillman confrontation. Basically Douglas came out for promo time, and Pillman was in the crowd, he did the old "bought a ticket" deal and was trying to piss off Douglas. He does piss him off, Douglas challenges him to come over the rail or take the beating in the crowd. Pillman pulls his "cousin and her kid" in front of him to protect him self. What a douche bag, I mean, this is great, they all 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.
Joey then opens the show officially, from the second night of the Big Ass Extreme Bash. We get treated to footage of Pillman/Douglas from before the show went on the air. Bad Crew was killing the Extreme Rookies (Damien Stone and Another Jobber). Pillman's agent, one of the Philadelphia Eagles (Boatswain, apparently Pillman's agent represents him as well) and Pillman hit the ring and beat down the Crew and then calls Styles to the ring. Pillman assures Styles that he loves him and not to worry about anything. The rogue Horsemen is here to teach the teacher (Douglas). This brings out Douglas, and he plans to do what ever he has to, to get to Pillman. Pillman bails like the chicken shit he is. Refs and Gordon are out to calm down Douglas as the crowd chants, "Pillman is a pussy." The crowd loved it, both men did well (although Douglas was heavy with the obscenities, which he did rely on too much at times) but it was good follow up to the previous shows. Episodic TV kids, that's the way to do it. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.5
Match/Segment: The Bruise Brothers vs. The Pitbulls Final Thoughts: Dreamer cut a quick promo before the match vowing to destroy the Bruise Brothers for turning on him. We get some clipping of this match, which is likely for the best because really, look who we're working with. The Pitbulls are labeled as friends of Dreamer's by Styles, going for revenge. The Fabulous Ones (Stevie and Meanie) hit the ring and we see Francine eat another Stevie kick. Dreamer hits the ring, and has a FAKE ARM (a rain gutter shaped like an arm) in a sling and starts to kick ass. That was great because Dreamer still sells the injured arm and uses a WALL CLOCK to hit the Meanie. I believe I just saw a plate of past primavera being used as well. I'll allow it. We get no finish as it is just a big brawl. Stevie and Francine's drama keeps going, Dreamer looks for revenge and the Pitbulls look dominant as they had the Brothers beat after a super bomb. This actually worked out fine. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.0
Match/Segment: Tazz Interview Final Thoughts: Next week Taz will be facing Chris Jericho, billed as the "sole survivor of the Hart Family Dungeon." Taz actually gives a cool promo here, "Trained to wrestle by Stu Hart, trained to defend himself by Chris Benoit, trained to fly by Bryan Pillman, taught how to deal with suffering…by Taz." Larry's Enjoyment Index: 6.5
Match/Segment: Rey vs. Juvi Final Thoughts: We get highlights of a previous 2 of 3 falls match from the Los Battalions Hall. Short, sweet but a nice set up for next week's main event. Juvi won that with a SUPER-BRAINBUSTER. Jesus. I have seen and reviewed this match back in 2004, when I reviewed the ECW – Hardcore History VHS. This was their last ECW match as both men were off to WCW. The match was EXTREME LUCHA as Styles said, and in the end a tremendous match. Rey and Juvi busted their asses, and really used the ECW style to their advantage. That is one of those matches that you don't even need a good story going in, just let them go out and entertain. But they did have the feud, and the match the night before to work off of and they did so very well. You could tell it was their last appearance with ECW, as they left it all in Philly that night. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 10.0
The Overall: Best Match/Segment: Rey vs. Juvi 10.0 Worst Match/Segment: Tazz Interview 6.5 Final Thoughts: We can joke all day about Paul and how he handled a check book and we can pigeon hole ECW as trash wrestling all we want, but at this time they were presenting damn good TV. Everything made sense and worked together in such an easy to follow way. The Rey vs. Juvi match is a great one, and an excellent way for them to leave ECW. These shows have been a joy thus far to go back and revisit. Once again, another good episode of ECW Hardcore TV. Show Score: 8.0
