ECW - 26/09/06
New Alhambra Arena - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
An updated version of the ECW title sequence with focus on Big Show, Test, and crucially, John Cena rolls. We begin tonight's proceedings with a lone shot of Tony Chimel in the ring, in front of what is a very hostile Viking Hall crowd to say the least.
Chimel: Ladies and Gentlemen, would you please rise in a show of respect for the chairman of WWE, Vincent Kennedy McMahon and your NEW ECW CHAMPION... JOHN CENA!
*NO CHANCE IN HELL*
Vince McMahon, chest puffed out as ever, enters the arena flanked by his son Shane, the Big Show, Test and the ECW Champion John Cena, who is modelling his own custom spinner ECW Championship belt. Vince looks delighted with himself at what went down 2 weeks ago. John Cena, ever the professional, stops to sign an autograph for a planted kid in the front row. All 5 men make their way into the ring to deafening boos. Vince McMahon begins to speak.
McMahon: What you saw 2 weeks ago...
The boos don't let up for a second. Shane asks them to quieten down and show some respect. They don't.
McMahon: What you saw 2 weeks ago was a statement. The ultimate powerplay. What you saw was the greatest leader this industry has ever seen, Vincent Kennedy McMahon, teaching every extreme ingrate a lesson they will NEVER forget.
Somewhere there's a censor having a mental breakdown as "BULLS**T" chants flood the arena, unbleepable.
McMahon: You can chant all the witty remarks you like, but it doesn't the fact that I hold ALL the leverage in the company you love. Just like WCW, just like the AWA, just like the entire goddamn territorial system, I looked on as ECW challenged me and dared to offer an alternative. I SMASHED ECW into tiny pieces and swept it up, just like every other promotion that's attempted to take me on.
Vince McMahon showing his humanitarian skills and ingratiating himself with the ECW fans impeccably there. His entourage look on uncomfortably as the crowd bay for his blood. "WE WON'T DIE" starts to reverberate around the New Alhambra Arena.
McMahon: You say you won't die, but the truth is I hold this organisation, this entire subculture, in my hands and if I see fit, I could crush it in an instant. And there is nothing any of you can do about it. I rule this company. And I will continue to rule it with an iron fist. And do you want to know what the greatest irony of all this is?
The crowd certainly don't want to hear anything more from Vince, not that that'll stop him.
McMahon: The great irony of it all is that it was you fans who persuaded just how lucrative this business venture could be. First, it was the moronic "E-C-DUB" chants. Then it was guys like RVD, the Dudley Boyz and Rhyno becoming fan favourites. Then it was the fan letters in crayon to Titan Towers asking for DVD re-releases. Then it was the DVD sales and the PPV buyrates. It convinced me that I could make a cheap dollar or two out of this, so I would like to thank each and every one of you for contributing to the death of this wrestling fad.
McMahon: Now, I know there may be many sad, desperate people out there who loved ECW for the fact that it gave them an escape from their pitiful, meaningless lives. They worked in a low-pay job at a gas station in New Jersey, devoid of a meaningful relationship because their poor hygiene and hyper-obesity made them physically disgusting to women and those women who WERE willing to swallow the vomit back down would ultimately be unsatisfied by said ECW fan's lacklustre performance and miniscule genitalia.
McMahon: But fear not, because while in the past you had fellow ingrates to look up to, in the new era of ECW, you will have a role model you can be proud of. VINCENT KENNEDY MCMAHON. THE GENETIC JACKHAMMER. I'm a self-made millionaire. I've never had a woman turn me down, and I will never have to worry about paying for something for the rest of my life. So I hope that, when times are hard for you, you will look at a man such as myself who defines success and think "What Would Vincent Kennedy McMahon Do?". And to help you with this, our colleagues will begin to distribute to yourselves a gift from myself...
The security begin to distribute black wristbands with the words "ECW" and "WWVKMD?" to the crowd. There isn't many takers as the audience actually throws them back in the face of the security and at Vince McMahon.
McMahon: Now, I know that you are as excited for this new era of Extreme entertainment as I am, so we thought "Why not start it off with a bang?". And that's exactly what we will do, because tonight the Big Show will get his contracted rematch for the ECW Championship against John Cena!
The crowd, having just been through a metaphorical slap in the face, aren't thrilled by this news. McMahon and his cohorts leave the ring to a mass of boos. We get our first comments from this week's McMahon sympathisers on commentary, Josh Matthews and Todd Grisham.
Matthews: Well, you heard it here first. The Big Show and John Cena will clash here tonight in what is guaranteed be a huge main event!
Grisham: It sure i...
~~~~~STATIC~~~~~
~~~~~STATIC~~~~~
~~~~~STATIC~~~~~
We see a return of last week's ominous videos, with more blood, fire, violence and profanity than the average Smackdown PPV condensed into a 30 second clip.
~~~~~STATIC~~~~~
~~~~~STATIC~~~~~
~~~~~STATIC~~~~~
THE REVOLUTION IS COMING. THE REVOLUTION IS COMING. THE REVOLUTION IS COMING. THE REVOLUTION IS COMING.
~~~~~STATIC~~~~~
~~~~~STATIC~~~~~
~~~~~STATIC~~~~~
Grisham: Stay tuned, because we've got the Spirit Squad up next ready to take on the challenge they laid down 2 weeks ago to the ECW Originals.
*COMMERCIAL BREAK*
We return to ECW to find Rob Van Dam walking through the backstage area, and new interviewer Jack Korpela begins to walk and talk...
Korpela: Rob, you were in the midst last week when Vince McMahon turned ECW on it's head and placed John Cena as the new face of the company. I just wondered what you have to say about all this?
RVD: I think I was as best placed as anyone to comment on what happened. Yeah, I'm pissed off that he took the title shot that I had worked so hard to get away from me, but this is about more than my title shot. This is about ECW as a whole. This is about our way of life, our entire legacy. It's been trampled on by Vince McMahon and it's something I feel we need to realise is too big to just stand back and allow.
Korpela: And what of John Cena as ECW Champion?
RVD: Well, what can I say? John Cena's a good guy, I have a lot of respect for him because he works hard. But he knows how much we treasure ECW and how much of a slap in the face him being our champion is. To many of these guys, he's the Antichrist, and he knows that.
Korpela: So what will you be doing? You say this is something that the Extremists shouldn't sit back and allow... Is that a declaration of revolt?
RVD: Woah, I never said anything like that. And I know exactly what you're going to ask me next... Those videos last week? I don't know where they came from, what they mean, but it seems someone else out there shares my feelings. All I'm saying is that this is something that ECW guys like Sandman and Dreamer are not going to take lightly. Me? I'm focused on one thing, winning back my ECW title. Vince McMahon wants to move the goalposts around? Fine. It adds to the challenge, but don't think this will stop me from getting what I rightfully earned... The ECW Championship shot. I seriously think Vince has underestimated the lengths ECW will go to stop him. Maybe if myself or another extremist were to make a statement, something that really made him sit up and take notice, then he'd finally realise the war he's got himself into I don't care if I have to go through 1 guy, 10 guys or 100 guys, it doesn't matter because I'll still, in the end, become ECW Champion because I'm the Whole F'n Show. Rob. Van. Dam.
Rob Van Dam walks away as we go to the ring with the Spirit Squad already there. The crowd aren't making it easy for them, berating them incessantly. Mitch doesn't look very confident, in fact he looks terrified at the prospect of facing ECW originals in their own backyard in an Extreme Rules match.
Kenny: ALRIGHT, SANDMAN. WE'RE HERE AND READY, SO COME ON OUT AND WE'LL KICK ALL YOUR ASSES AND SHOW YOU WHAT EXTREME REALLY MEANS...
As Kenny says this, the old ECW theme strikes up to a rapturous applause. The Spirit Squad dash from the ring out to the entrance way, ready to go straight for Sandman and co. At that moment, Sandman comes out with his 4 hand-picked teammates, Sabu, Tommy Dreamer, Balls Mahoney and Stevie Richards, each wheeling a shopping trolley of plunder with them. As the Spirit Squad rush them, the ECW Originals push their shopping trolleys down the ramp at high speed, crashing into all 5 of the Spirit Squad.
THE SPIRIT SQUAD VS. ECW ORIGINALS
Chaos. Absolute chaos. Balls Mahoney nearly kills Mitch within about 30 seconds by emptying a trolley of weapons on top of him, then dropping the trolley on his neck, an inch away from breaking it. Tommy Dreamer grabs Mikey and places him in one of the other shopping trolleys and driving him back down the ramp, crashing into the entranceway, sending poles rattling everywhere. Nicky, Kenny and Johnny are left to brawl with the Originals around the ringside area as Dreamer, Richards, Sabu and Mahoney go to work on them. Sandman grabs a cane from the strewn weapons and heard for the remaining Spiriters. BAM! 1! NICKY GOES DOWN! 2! JOHNNY'S CRACKED IN THE SKULL! 3! AND NOW KENNY'S CLATTERED TOO! Sandman looks under the ring to find... A BEER FRIDGE! WITH 6 FRESH CANS! He hands them out to his teammates, giving one to someone in the front row too. As Nicky, Johnny and Kenny get to their knees, the ECW Originals down their cans and SMASH THEM INTO NICKY, JOHNNY AND KENNY'S HEADS!
The crowd goes mental as all 5 ECW Originals gloat for the crowd. The Spirit Squad are in a bad way. Sandman and co. chase the 3 remaining Spiriters around the ringside area whilst Mikey finally clears himself from the entrance rubble. Mikey sprints down to the ensuing brawl and, without thinking, LEAPS ON TO THE SPIRIT SQUAD'S TRADEMARK TRAMPOLINE AND CATAPULTS HIMSELF WITH A CROSSBODY ON TO THE ORIGINALS AND THE SPIRIT SQUAD SENDING THEM ALL DOWN!
The crowd begrudgingly rewards Mikey for his amazing leap with a "HOLY S**T!" chant. Balls Mahoney is up first but Mitch has also recovered from his crushing and sideswipes Balls with a vicious shot to the back of the head with the Beer Fridge from earlier. Goodnight Balls Mahoney. Kenny and Nicky are now directing traffic, giving out instructions to the rest of the Spirit Squad. Mitch grabs a load of weapons from the pile at the entranceway including some trash cans, a stop sign, a fire extinguisher and some Singapore canes. Nicky sends Sabu, Stevie and Tommy right back down with several trash can lid shots. The crowd boos heavily at the 5-on-1 situation unfolding in front of them as Sandman is left to take on the whole Spirit Squad by himself.
The pack mentality kicks in as all 5 Spiriters immediately pounce on Sandman and jump him. Sandman tries to fight back, but the numbers game means it's useless and he's beaten down harshly. Each Spirit Squad member grabs a Singapore Cane and focuses straight back to their target. BANG! CANE SHOT TO SANDMAN! Each member takes his turn whacking Sandman, with the ECW legend taking at least a dozen torturous shots. Sandman is busted open, but defiant, giving the finger to Kenny and shouting a phrase at him that really shouldn't be broadcast in this timeslot.
Matthews: Sandman getting a taste of his own medicine here, feeling the pain that all those victims of his trusty Cane felt many, many times.
Grisham: And the crowd don't seem too happy about it! Sandman just won't stay down!
After this, they grab Sandman and place a trash can over his head, pinning him against the barrier. This time, Johnny bounces off the trampoline and hits Sandman with his own version of the Vanterminator dropkick! Johnny even mocks RVD by aping his famous R-V-D taunt to the crowd. The Spirit Squad begin to get complacent and cocky, with Nicky in particular showing his bravado and gloating to the hardcore fans. This, however, has given Sabu enough time to recover and grab the Fire Extinguisher WHICH HE SETS OFF IN THEIR FACE! Sabu whacks Kenny in the face with the Extinguisher and takes him out as the ECW Originals regroup. Stevie and Dreamer grab some cookie sheets and waffle Mikey and Mitch, before sending them over the barrier and following them into the audience's laps.
Sandman, Sabu and Balls Mahoney, whose hair is now covered in blood from the back of his head, get into a fist fight with Johnny, Kenny and Nicky, which the Spirit Squad simply can't win. The 3 seperate brawls fan out around the ringside area with Balls and Nicky brawling at the rampway, Sandman hitting Johnny off the barricade and Sabu smashing Kenny's head off the announce table, while the rest of their teammates battle their way around the stands. Nicky kicks Mahoney in his namesakes, before throwing him into the steel steps. Nicky then sprints across the floor, leaping back onto the trampoline and jumping at Sabu, going for the Hurricanrana. But Sabu is able to stop him and counters it INTO A POWERBOMB WHICH SENDS NICKY CRASHING THROUGH THE ANNOUNCE TABLE!
*COMMERCIAL BREAK*
We return from the break in the most ECW fashion possible: Sabu throwing a large blunt object at someone's face as he picks up the trampoline and chucks it at Johnny's head in as ungraceful a way as you ever could. Sandman picks up a chair and sets it up beside the repositioned trampoline. Sandman picks up his trusty cane and goes for Kenny. WHITE RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP ON TO THE TRAMPOLINE... But Kenny bounces back from the trampoline AND SMASHES HIS HEAD OFF THE CHAIR! Sabu folds up the offending chair and chucks it into the ring. Nicky has barely moved since being hurtled through that table and Kenny's pretty down and out from the hit to the head. In the crowd, Mikey and Dreamer brawl as Mitch throws Stevie into a nearby merchandise stand, taking him out.
Matthews: Well, it seems that it's not just wallets that are taking a massive hit from the merchandise stand this evening.
Grisham: Stevie Richards taking the most expensive beating of his life here...
Matthews: And it's only available in one size: Extra Extra Large!
Mitch makes his way over to help Mikey fight off Dreamer, then both head back to the ring to help out Kenny and Johnny who are taking one hell of a beating at the hands of Sabu, Sandman and Balls. Sabu dropkicks a chair into Kenny's face. Mitch chopblocks Sandman and jumps him along with Mikey. Kenny and Johnny then take care of Sabu before throwing him and Mahoney out of the ring. But Sandman's grabbed one of the Singapore canes and he unloads on the Spirit Squad! Down goes Mitch! And Johnny! And Mikey! He goes for Kenny, who avoids it by collapsing to the mat with fear. He begs Sandman not to hit him, before calling the other 3 to retreat. The crowd boos as they escape the ring just as Sabu, Dreamer and Stevie arrive, with Kenny talking trash as if he's Ric Flair. The Spirit Squad climb over the barrier and stand in the first few rows gloating at the ECW crew to come get them. Sabu in the ring points to the sky much to the crowd's delight. He sets up his chair near the ropes and bounces off the opposite set of ropes, coming back to leap off the chair onto the ropes... BEFORE JUMPING ONTO THE TRAMPOLINE AT RINGSIDE AND BOUNCING OVER THE BARRIER, TAKING OUT ALL 4 OF THE SPIRIT SQUAD WITH A SUICIDE DIVE!
The crowd chant "E-C-DUB" furiously at Sabu's insane move! Sandman and co. follow out into the crowd after the Spirit Squad, but out of shot... IT'S NICKY! HE'S BACK UP FROM HIS TABLE CRASH! He smacks Balls Mahoney with the ring bell before covering him! None of the ECW Originals realise as the referee counts... 1! 2! 3!
WINNERS VIA PINFALL:
THE SPIRIT SQUAD
Nicky explodes with delight after picking up the shock victory. Sandman and crew realise what's happened and chase after him but Nicky is gone fast. Sandman fumes at the loss, smashing the ring apron with his cane. It's time to go to a commecial break, but just before we head backstage and see a raging CM Punk heading to the ring, ready to vent his fury.
Matthews: Well, what a shock result from the Spirit Squad. Sandman doesn't look too happy!
Grisham: And speaking of people who aren't too happy, CM Punk is making his way to the ring and he's got a lot to get off his chest. Stay tuned to find out what he's got to say!
*COMMERCIAL BREAK*
*THIS FIRE BURNS*
CM Punk emerges from the back, in a pissed-off mood. Despite being one of the New Breed, Punk certainly has a great number of fans in the building. He high-fives some fans in the front row before he makes his way into the ring and demands a microphone. The pipebomb is lit.
Punk: Ever since I was a snotty punk in high school, my dream has been to wrestle in this arena under the banner of those three hallowed letters E... C... W...
"E-C-DUB! E-C-DUB! E-C-DUB! E-C-DUB!" The crowd cheers like hell.
Punk: And even when I wrestled in here with Ring of Honor, it never felt the same. Now I'm here with ECW, I can finally say I'M LIVING THE DREAM! This may be a beat-ass bingo hall in the middle of a hole of a district in Philly, but damnit, this is MY bingo hall... NO! This is OUR bingo hall. Because I can safely say that nothing can ever come close to the atmosphere that you guys can stir up.
Massive show of respect from the crowd for Punk's comments.
Punk: I just wish that I could say that this moment could be in better circumstances, because quite frankly I don't see how it could be any worse. Vince McMahon, in the space of about 5/10 minutes, was able to destroy what was my life for so many years. Because while all my classmates were out at parties, drinking themselves to death and getting high on whatever s**t they could get their hands on, I was at home watching old ECW PPV tapes and staying up till half 2/3 in the morning on Friday nights, just to watch Hardcore TV on some low-rent cable channel. It was guys like Tazz, Sabu and Rob Van Dam who gave me a passion that would stop me from wasting my life away getting intoxicated. So while my town may be Chicago, every time I wrestle for ECW, no matter where I am, I always have the home-court advantage.
MASSIVE cheer for CM Punk pouring his heart out to the ECW faithful, with a huge "CM PUNK" chant.
Punk: So when people try to mess with this company, the company I love... I take it as a personal insult. I take it as a slap to my face, regardless of who it is that says it. And that's why I'm out here tonight, to call out a man with whom I have a strong bond, a man who I have been able to call my friend for a while now. Matt Striker.
Striker's music hits as the man himself appears to a stream of boos. He's bedecked in what looks like a very expensive suit, far from his usual attire. He requests a mic for himself which he receives, but before he can begin, Punk starts venting at him.
Punk: Matt, you and I have been friends for a few years now. Even before we came to the WWE, we were good acquaintances. We bonded over a common interest in this crazy drama-filled world we call professional wrestling. And over the years, I came to regard you as a person that I could trust. So even though now I'm the clean-cut good guy and you're hated by this crowd for pretty much everything you do, there is still a great deal of respect between us. So when I turn on my TV last week and see my friend Matt Striker front and centre as Vince McMahon destroyed one of the most integral parts of my life, it made me feel sad. Because while I expect to see Vince McMahon rape and defile anything that isn't created by himself, I never expected to see my friend Matt Striker cheering him on and sucking up to him as he does it.
The crowd revels as Striker feels the burn from CM Punk. Striker smirks at Punk's remark.
Striker: You know, Punk, you said earlier that you were a snotty punk in High School, so I'd like to know... What's changed? Because as far as I can see, you're still a snotty punk to this day.
Punk: Well, I may be a snotty punk, but at least I'm not a spineless piece of s**t who cowers at the first sign of something going wrong.
Striker: Spineless? SPINELESS? Who the hell is spineless? You think I'm afraid? The only thing I'm afraid of is being stuck in this dump, rotting away, when I could be main eventing major PPVs and winning championship gold. And, yes, I loved ECW, hell, I still do. But there's a difference between loving ECW and living ECW.
Punk: You know what, Matt, you're right. There IS a difference between loving ECW and living ECW. Because while you love ECW, when the time comes to step up and put your neck on the line for the sake of this company, you choke. I, on the other hand, and the rest of the guys in the back LIVE ECW. For us, this is all that matters and without this, we are nothing. We take care of each other and we fight to the end, no matter what. The original ECW died a painful death, but while it's top guys were being recruited for the Monday Night Wars, it was honest, hard workers like Tommy Dreamer who didn't quit, who didn't give in, who didn't jump ship even when the water was around their ankles.
The crowd roars in a roar of applause for CM Punk's continued impassioned heartfelt statement, but Striker interrupts:
Striker: And where the hell did that get them? Huh? Bounced wage cheques, debt collectors knocking at the door. That's where. Principals and loyalty are great qualities to have, but I have bills to pay and a family to feed. It's all fine and well claiming to LIVE ECW, but damnit, living a life of ECW is hell. You bust your ass, destroy yourself physically and bleed gallons of blood just to find guys with half the talent getting twice the paycheck and being lauded as icons of their generation while you rot in some baptist church or community centre. I look out for myself, and myself only.
Punk: You say you look out for yourself... But you never speak for yourself, stand up for yourself or even think for yourself. You're a puppet. A puppet of Vince McMahon with absolutely no self-preservation.
Striker: You know, Punk, you need to learn when to sit down, shut up and take what's given to you because you, more than anyone in this locker room have what it takes to make it in this conpany. You have all the talent in the world, all the raw ingredients needed to make a WWE superstar... But you also have one hell of a mouth on you. And that mouth is going to be the thing that stops you from making it in the WWE. Now, I still regard you as a friend. And it make me feel much better to see you, more than anyone, join us in accepting this new management, because I guarantee you'll see the benefits instantly. So, I'm sticking my neck out on the line for you here, because I want us to remain friends. But I have absolutely no problem in running through you, if you won't see the light. I'm giving you a helping hand, a way out, but I'm only going to give you it once. So, whaddya say, Punk?
Striker extends his hand out for Punk, who is hesitant. He looks at the crowd who chant his name. Punk takes his time making a decision before extending his hand as if to shake with Striker, BEFORE FLOORING HIM WITH A MICROPHONE SHOT! Punk inmediately unloads on a grounded Striker with rights, much to the crowd's delight. The Viking Hall fans go mental as Elijah Burke rushes down to the ring and attacks Punk! Punk is able to fight him off but Striker gets back to his feet. Punk is trapped as both men close in on him WHEN BOBBY LASHLEY APPEARS! Lashley spears Burke before he and Punk clear both of them from the ring. Our final shot is of Punk and Lashley standing tall while Striker and Burke flee, with Striker shouting to Punk repeatedly that he's made the wrong decision. We then go backstage to find Steve Romero waiting to interview a cocky Test.
Romero: Test, your comments two weeks ago provoked outrage from hardcore ECW fans as well as many guys in the locker room...
Test: OH BOO HOO, this so-called Extreme company which thrived on being so close to the knuckle has taken offence because they can't handle the truth. News Flash: I'm not here to make friends. I'm not here to win the fans over. I'm here to crush the opposition. I'm here to clear this company of the kind of no-hopers that think just because they've jumped off 30 foot balconies into stacks of flaming tables in Korean churches around the country for the last goddamn decade they're entitled to TV time and title shots. I'm here to be ECW Champion. So I would like to issue an open challenge to ANYONE from the ECW Originals for next week. If you're so offended by what I say, then come get me next week, because I will defeat you and defeat you comprehensively, and I will continue to do this every week until I finally get what I want: the ECW title. And when I win that title, I am out of here. I will rip the heart out of this company and take it over to Raw, Smackdown, I don't care who, anywhere but this dump. So Extremists... I beg you. TRY AND STOP ME!
Test thrusts the mic into Romero's chest and leaves.
*COMMERCIAL BREAK*
We return to see a not-too-happy Sandman walking to the parking lot backstage with his bag and trusty Kendo Stick in hand. Jack Korpela makes another appearance, rushing over to Sandman to get his thoughts on his defeat earlier, and everything going on in ECW.
Korpela: Sandman, very quickly. After the last fortnight's shocking events, with Vince McMahon taking over and effectively handing John Cena the ECW title and tonight, where CM Punk showed his loyalty to Extreme and Test then insulted the entire roster as well as your own defeat to the Spirit Squad, I just want to know what's going through your head right now?
WHACK! Sandman makes his answer short and sweet as he smashes Korpela in the face with the Kendo Stick to a huge applause. Korpela is out of it as Sandman continues his walk to his car. We go to the ring for our main event, a rematch from 2 weeks ago as John Cena takes on The Big Show for the ECW Championship. First out is the Big Show.
Mathews: Well, here comes the Big Show out to the ring and Todd, I have to ask, what's going to happen in this match? We all know what happened last time, will this be a repeat?
Grisham: Honestly, I don't know. I'm having a hell of a time trying to figure out what's going to happen all night, it's just been so unpredictable!
John Cena then makes his way to the ring, showing off his new spinning ECW belt. It's a silver phoenix shaped belt (A spinning version of the 2008/2010 belt basically). He enters the ring ropes and the toilet rolls begin to rain down from the stands. Massive boos for both men as the bell rings.
ECW CHAMPIONSHIP
JOHN CENA VS. BIG SHOW
The crowd s**ts on this match endlessly, making that Patterson/Brisco Evening Gown Match look like Rock/Hogan in comparison. For a moment, it looks like we're on for a repeat of two weeks ago as the two of them circle the ring, before locking up very slowly. Both men jostle for position to no avail as the tie-up ends in a dead heat, much to the chagrin of the action-seeking crowd. Cena then extend his arns and interlocks his fingers with Big Show's, in a test of strength. Somehow, Cena gets Big Show down to his knees, before hitting him with a headlock. The referee allows Cena to keep the hold in for a good while as the giant begins to fade.
"YOU CAN'T WRESTLE" chants break out as the referee finally goes in for the count. He raises Show's arm... and it falls. He raises it a second time and yet again it falls. The official raises Show's arm for the third and final time, but this time Show musters up the strength to stop his hand from falling! Show gets some steam behind him and elbows Cena in the gut a few times. Cena doesn't relinquish the hold, so Show grabs him by the waist and lifts him, running at the corner. Show SMASHES Cena into the turnbuckle with all his might, causing the ring to shake with the impact. Even the all-hating ECW fans wince with horror at the crash. Big Show thrusts his giant bear-paw-esque hand into Cena's face in the corner, smothering him, before telling the fans to quiet down. No dice, as this just spurs the ECW fans to boo him louder while Show hits Cena with some vicious slaps to the chest, turning Cena's chest bright red. Cena is allowed out of the corner, right into resthold central. Bearhug from Big Show on Cena.
Cena writhes in pain in the Big Show's vice-like grip as the referee once again goes through the whole arm-raising deal again, with Cena once again powering out after 2. Cena is able to break Big Show's grip and escape. Big Show tries to keep the momentum his way with a clothesline, but Cena ducks it and bounces off the ropes. RUNNING SHOULDER TACKLE! AND ANOTHER! The crowd boos as we all know what's to come. Cena sends Show into the ropes, hitting him with a sitout hip toss. A dazed Show tries to retaliate with a right hand, but Cena ducks it, goes behind and hits him with a side-release spinout powerbomb. Cena plays with the crowd in preparation for the Five Knuckle Shuffle with a "You Can't See Me". The smarky crowd reply with a "WE CAN SEE YOU" chant, with soon turns Stereo with an added "AND YOU SUCK".
Grisham: Here we goooo...
Matthews: "You can't see me!"
Grisham: Five Knuckle Shuff-OH! Big Show just grabbed John Cena by the throat!
Matthews: Like a zombie rising from the grave in a horror movie... Big Show's hand just shot out and stopped John Cena!
Big Show gets back to his feet, hand still wrapped around Cena's neck. He raises his arm to signal for the Chokeslam, but as he lifts Cena up, John scrambles to fight out, hitting Big Show with vicious shots to the head! Cena escapes and immediately tries to lift Big Show up for the FU, but to no avail. Both men take a moment, returning to square one, facing off in the middle of the ring before THE LIGHTS GO OUT! The entire arena is in pitch darkness! The ECW fans mark out as they know exactly what happens when the lights go out in the ECW Arena...
Matthews: What on earth is going on here? This is absolute chaos!
Grisham: We have producers shouting into our earpieces, the referee, John Cena, the Big Show... They don't have a clue what's going on.
Matthews: The crowd are going absolutely insane! The referee, the timekeeper, they're arguing about what to do.
Grisham: Well, we have no power! What can we do?
The crowd in the Asylum have boiled over with excitement and are losing their minds, chanting "E-C-DUB! E-C-DUB!" as we see a technician run past the camera with a torch. The officials are having kittens wondering where to go with no lights when, after nearly a minute of darkness, suddenly...
*ONE OF A KIND*
The lights burst on again to a massive pop from the fans as ROB VAN DAM appears at the entranceway with a chair in hand! Both Cena and Big Show fortify their positions in the ring. Van Dam is immediately forced to dodge the Big Show, who attempts a clothesline. Van Dam avoids it and clatters the Big Show with the chair, sending him through the ropes and out of the ring! Cena pounces but the quick-thinking Van Dam throws the chair at him, which Cena catches. Dropkick to the chair, WHICH SMASHES CENA'S FACE!
Van Dam tackles Cena to the ground and starts to destroy him with lefts and rights. Cena tries to cover up, but it's no use. Security comes rushing down, along with Vince McMahon. They pull Van Dam off of Cena, but they struggle to hold RVD who bursts out of their grip. He grabs the chair and starts taking random swipes at security members. The security flee to the outside to avoid being hit, which allows RVD to grab Cena and drag him over to the corner, before propping a chair in front of his face.
Matthews: Rob Van Dam is a man possessed! Someone need to stop this!
Grisham: Well, I wouldn't try it myself. You have no idea what this lunatic could do to you!
Matthews: Well if someone doesn't stop him quickly. John Cena could be seriously hurt!
The fans are chanting wildly for RVD, as they know what's to come. Van Dam climbs the turnbuckle opposite Cena... Could we be going coast-to-coast? Not if McMahon can help it. Security floods the ring again to block Van Dam's path, as various officials try to persuade Rob to come down and stop this madness. Vince McMahon shouts that if he does this, he will never work in professional wrestling again as he will bury his name in the mud. Van Dam looks to the crowd
*END*
