* * * * *
[Backstage before the show. Kurt Angle is in his locker room getting his gear ready. In walks "Y2J" Chris Jericho.]
CJ: Hey there, Kirk.
KA: That's Kurt. Kurt Angle, Olympic gold medalist?
CJ: Right, that's what I said. Kirk, listen, I have a proposition for you. Now you're probably wondering why the Ayatollah of Rock 'n' Rollah came out and saved you from Shawn Michaels' brutal onslaught.
KA: First of all, you didn't save me. I had Shawn Michaels exactly where I wanted him! And secondly...
CJ: Whoa, calm down, Kirk. I know you had him, I know that. But Kirk, here's my proposition. With maniacs like Shawn Michaels running around, it's not safe for SUPA-STARS to be running around. Who knows when Shawn Michaels is going to try to latch back on to his lost youth and attack you or me again!
KA: Okay... so where are you going with this, Chris?
CJ: All I'm saying, Kirk, is that for guys like us, it's not safe alone. Everyone is going to be out to get us. They can't hold a candle to Chris Jericho and Kirk Angel, so they attack us, like cowards! Just like Shawn Michaels did you last week!
KA: Yeah... everyone is jealous of us, so they're going to try to take us down through sneak attacks and cheating. It's true, it's true...
CJ: That's why I'm saying we form an alliance. Chris Jericho and Kirk Angel!
KA: Hrm... Kurt Angle and Chris... Chris... Chris whatever your name is.
CJ: We'll work on that part. Deal?
KA: Oh it's true.
[Angle and Jericho shake hands as we cut to the opening of Explosion.]
* * * * *
* * * * *
[After the intro to Monday Night Explosion, the crowd pops huge as they hear "OOOH! OOOH! SHAWN!" followed by "Sexy Boy." Out dancing to the ring comes "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels. Despite HBK's dancing, you can tell he is not at all thrilled. After slapping a few hands, he takes the microphone for GCW ring announcer William Buck.]
HBK: It didn't take long, did it? After one night of Global Championship Wrestling, I am the number one target of the lowest of the low. I know I'm not the spring pup I used to be, but Shawn Michaels is still the showstoppa! The icon! The main event! People can call me a lot of things, but one thing you'll never be able to call me is a coward! But the same can't be said for Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho, now can it?
[The crowd gives a moderate pop.]
HBK: If you two think it's that easy to get rid of me, you got another thing coming to ya! My back isn't what it used to be. But where the body lacks, the heart and mind more than make up for it. So you know what, cats? Instead of jumping me from behind, attacking me when my back is turned, why don't you two bring your backfighting asses down here and meet me eye-to-eye?!
[The crowd pops HBK's challenge. After a few moments, "Medal" blares to a big mixed reaction. Kurt Angle brings himself down to the ring a microphone in tow. He tries to speak but he can't as the "YOU SUCK!" chants are loud.]
KA: Now now, Shawn. What seems to be all the trouble? Let's face it, Shawn. Last week, me attacking you was just my way of acting out on what everyone you've ever come in contact with has wanted to do, and that's slap the taste out of your mouth! It's true! Face facts, Michaels! You're not 25 anymore! You're still parading in these glittery pants, coming out here claiming to be a sexy boy, dancing around for all the girlies out here. It's sad, Shawn, it's truly truly sad. I'm just trying to speed up what time has started. You don't belong here. Nobody wants you here, Shawn. You're washed-up, you're a has-been. 2004 isn't about the showstopper, the icon, the main event. It's about intensity, integrity, and intelligence! It's true! Oh goodness, it's true!
[At this point Shawn Michaels gets right in Angle's face. The crowd pops as they stare each other down for a moment.]
HBK: I'm washed-up? I'm a has-been? Well, if I'm such a has-been, it's going to be very sad for you when I kick your teeth down your damn throat!
[The crowd pops as Angle looks startled by this.]
KA: You want some of me, punk?!
[Angle lowers the straps on his singlet. Michaels balls up his fist and is ready to fight. Before HBK can do anything, Chris Jericho runs out from the crowd and blasts HBK from behind as the crowd groans their disapproval. Jericho & Angle are putting the boots to Michaels. Jericho locks HBK in the Walls of Jericho. Angle gets down in Michaels' face and slaps him. This prompts Rob Van Dam to sprint to the ring, first catching Jericho with a spin kick. Angle goes for a clothesline on RVD, but the Whole F'n Show ducks and catches Angle with a spin kick as well. Jericho lunges at RVD, but RVD sidesteps and launches Y2J over the top to the floor. Angle starts at RVD, but RVD turns around and Angle bails to the floor. Angle and Jericho retreat to the back as HBK and RVD stand tall in the ring. The show cuts to commercial.]
* * * * *
Before our first match started, we learned that tonight's main event would be Shawn Michaels & Rob Van Dam taking on Kurt Angle & Chris Jericho! What a night we have already!
Last week, Rey Mysterio Jr. and Low-Ki advanced to the semi-finals of the Cruiserweight Title Tournament. In our opening contest, The Amazing Red and AJ Styles were looking to do the same. These two have wrestled each other many times on the independent scene over the past few years, so they are quite familiar with each other. They got this show off on the right foot as they dazzled the Indianapolis fans. Red is quick as a hiccup for certain; he can do some amazing things in that ring. Styles wasn't going to be outdone though, as he got a hold of Red and worked on his leg. A very sound strategy, because Red can't do any flying if he can't stand up. Styles relentlessly tore at Red's left knee, locking him in a variety of leglocks. He eventually was able to get Red in a Texas Cloverleaf, but the resilient youngster managed to pull himself to the ropes. Styles looked to be getting a little frustrated, as he couldn't put Red away. He called for the finish, setting up Red for the Styles Clash, but Red blocked it. Styles tried again, but Red used his momentum and flipped over Styles' back, taking him down wih a high speed sunset flip. Just like that, Red scored the three count, and Styles had been beaten!
[Cruiserweight Title Tournament - First Round]:
Red pinned AJ Styles after a high speed sunset flip in 0:08:49.
Rating: *** 3/4
The crowd popped huge as Styles was stunned. Styles got up and blasted Red with an enzuigiri. Styles lifted Red up and dropped him hard with the Styles Clash. One simply wasn't enough to make Styles' rage subside, as he planted Red with another Styles Clash. The crowd jeered Styles mercilessly as he stood over the crumpled Red. Medical personel came out to check on Red, as he was favoring his left knee a lot. Will Red be able to compete next week in the semi-finals? We will keep you updated.
John Cena was very interested in this match, as he would meet either Perry Saturn or Tommy Dreamer in the semi-finals next week. Cena was down at ringside to do commentary to get a closer look. Not a whole lot of technical wrestling in this match as you might expect. Dreamer came out swinging, brawling a lot with Saturn, taking him down with hard right hands, clothesline, and your other typical brawling moves. Saturn ducked a clothesline though and caught Dreamer hard under the chin with a side kick. Saturn showed that he has an aggressive streak of his own, taking the match right to Dreamer, dropping the Innovator of Violence with a variety of suplexes, including a disgusting looking T-Bone suplex that dropped Dreamer right on his head. After that T-Bone, Dreamer never seemed to fully recover, and despite a couple small flares of offense, Dreamer was out of it. Saturn picks up the win with a huge Death Valley Driver.
[North American Title Tournament - First Round]:
Perry Saturn pinned Tommy Dreamer with the Death Valley Driver in 0:04:58.
Rating: ** 1/2
After the match, Saturn jumped to the floor and got in Cena's face. Cena tried to blow Saturn off at first, but Saturn was relentless, even gonig as far as knocking the headset off of Cena's head. Saturn started for the back laughing, but he wasn't laughing so much when Cena got behind Saturn and slapped him on the back of the head. When Saturn turned around, Cena gave him the "You can't see me!" hand motion, prompting Saturn to attack him! The fight didn't last long as the GCW Official Brigade got down there to break it up. It should be interesting to see these two lock horns next week, for certain.
* * * * *
[Backstage, Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho are talking. After a couple moments, Justin Credible comes into the scene.]
KA: ...And you are...?
CJ: What do you want, assclown?
JC: Listen guys... I want to be a part of the group.
CJ: Ha... what? You?
JC: Yeah... you guys said earlier that's it's safer to travel in packs, but two guys isn't much of a pack. That's where I come into the fold. Two guys, even as great as you guys are... can't fully be a pack. You need someone else to really round out the team. Someone who's not just the coolest and not just the best, but who's... JUST... IN... CREDIBLE!
[Angle and Jericho stare at Credible for few seconds, before...]
KA: What the heck are you talking about?!
[This actually illicits a laugh from the crowd.]
KA: Get out of here, you punk!
CJ: Wait, Kirk, wait...
[Jericho whispers something into Angle's ear. Angle smiles.]
KA: Okay, tell you what we're going to do. You want to ride with us, you have to prove yourself tonight. You find some way to impress us tonight, and you can be in the group. It's true, it's true.
JC: You got it! I won't let you guys down!
[Credible leaves the room very excited. Angle and Jericho stare at each other for a bit.]
CJ: What an assclown...
KA: It's true, it's true...
* * * * *
There are a lot of people buzzing in the front office about the signing of "The Crippler" Chris Benoit. Many feel he is at the point in his career where he can be at his best, and after watching him wrestle tonight, I'd be hard-pressed to say otherwise. Sean O'Haire wasn't at all intimidated by the buzz though, as he went right at Benoit. Well, it might not be that he wasn't intimidated more than he's a little crazy so he just doesn't care. O'Haire had the obvious size and strength advantage over Benoit, and he showed it off early with a huge hiptoss out of the corner, sending Benoit flying across the ring. Benoit is not one to back down though, as he went right back at O'Haire, but received another hiptoss for his troubles. The third time O'Haire tried the hiptoss, Benoit was able to reverse it and almost got O'Haire locked in the Crippler Crossface. This was a smashmouth contest for sure. Benoit is one of the most intense wrestlers in the world today, but O'Haire didn't back down. Both men are going to be a little sore after this one. O'Haire got a good nearfall in this match after hitting a huge powerslam on the Rabid Wolverine, but Benoit kept on fighting. O'Haire went for a huge clothesline late, but Benoit ducked and caught O'Haire with a triple German suplex. Benoit then connected with a flying headbutt that brought the crowd to its feet. After that, the Crippler Crossface followed and this one was academic.
Chris Benoit defeated Sean O'Haire when Sean O'Haire passed out in the
Crippler Crossface in 0:08:28.
Rating: *** 1/4
A nice win for Chris Benoit to get his Global Championship Wrestling career going. Give credit to Sean O'Haire though, who was very competitive in defeat. O'Haire has a future in this company, believe you me.
This match would put the final man in the semi-finals in the Cruiserweight Title Tournament, and both guys were hungry for it. Unfortunately for Moore, being hungry just wasn't enough tonight. Chavo Guerrero has the experience advantage over Moore, and he is from one of the greatest wrestling families in Mexican wrestling history. Moore tried what he could, but Chavo would have none of it. Chavo hit Moore with a crisp Northern Lights suplex, and that was enough to put the youngster away.
[Cruiserweight Title Tournament - First Round]:
Chavo Guerrero Jr. pinned Shannon Moore after a Northern Lights suplex in 0:03:34.
Rating: **** 1/4
So the semi-finals are set, and they will take place next week here on Explosion. Chavo Guerrero Jr. will take on The Amazing Red, provided Red is in condition to wrestle next week in one match. The other side of the bracket will feature Rey Mysterio Jr. taking on Low-Ki of Triple X. Both matches should prove to be very exciting contests.
* * * * *
[As we return from commercial break, "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero is standing in the ring with a microphone.]
EG: Chris Jericho! Essa! You beat me fair and square last week, but you disrespected me, mang. Nobody disrespects a Guerrero! You want to slap me when I'm down? Why don't you come down here and slap me face-to-face, holmes?
[After a few moments, instead of Chris Jericho, we hear a music we are unfamiliar with. After a few seconds, out from the back comes newly acquired Randy Orton. Orton has a huge smile on his face as he cockily struts to the ring. Guerrero seems very irritated that Orton is down here.]
EG: Holmes, what the hell are you doing here, essa?
RO: Why don't you take it easy, Eddie? You shouldn't be worried about being disrespected, or about Chris Jericho, or about anything else. What you and Global Championship Wrestling should be worried about is Randy Orton. Take a look at what stands before you. I am a third generation superstar. I am in my early 20's, and I was seemingly chiseled from the hand of God himself. The ladies love me, and the guys fear me. GCW is going to be my playground, Eddie, so you had better take warning. Don't you worry about how someone disrespected you, because quite frankly, Eddie, you're not worthy of respect. Let's face facts. You're an alcoholic, Eddie. You're an addict, Eddie. You shouldn't even be allowed to make tacos in some sleazy Mexican joint, let alone be on television corrupting these people. You make me sick... absolutely and violently sick.
[By this point, the crowd is booing Orton loudly, and Guerrero is doing everything in his power not to snap on Orton.]
RO: So I'm going to do these fans and everyone in the back a huge favor, and I'm going to eliminate you right... now.
[Orton slaps Guerrero hard across the face, which illicits a huge "OOOH!" from the fans of Indianapolis. Guerrero brings his hand to his face for a moment, and then slaps Orton hard across the face in return. The crowd pops huge for this. Orton and Guerrero begin to trade punches. Referee Jimmy Appleseed sprints down to the ring and calls for the bell. We have ourselves an impromptu match!]
* * * * *
Randy Orton is already doing a good job at making enemies, but with the mindset Eddie Guerrero was in tonight, I'm not sure if that was the best idea. These two absolutely tore each other apart. It didn't take long before Eddie busted Orton open after knocking his head into the ringpost. Orton stayed in it though as he fired back with a crossface inverted backbreaker. Orton worked on Guerreros' back at this point, locking him in a bodyscissors that drained a lot out of Latino Heat. Eddie has a lot of tenacity though, especially if you've insulted him, as he showed that Latin fire, fighting his way out of the hold. Eddie fired up on Orton with some right hands, and hit a wonderful flying dropkick. Guerrero locked Orton up and hit him with a hat trick of vertical suplexes. Guerrero headed to the top for the Frog Splash, but Orton managed to get up and fall into the ropes, causing Eddie to crotch himself. Eddie fell back into the ring, where Orton hit him with a couple kicks. Orton grabbed a hold of Guerrero and called for the RKO, but Eddie had the presence of mind to reverse it into a backslide. Guerrero, never one to claim he won't cut a corner to gain an advantage, put his feet up on the second ropes, and just like that, Guerrero had beat Randy Orton.
Eddie Guerrero pinned Randy Orton after a backslide in 0:05:15.
Rating: ***
The crowd went nuts as Guerrero started to celebrate his win, but the celebration didn't reach it's pinnacle as Chris Jericho was already in the ring, chair in tow. As Guerrero unwittingly turned around, Y2J blasted him right between the eyes, sending Guerrero down in a lump. As Guerrero lay unconscious, ominously Jericho and Orton shook hands. Is Orton now a member of this pack Jericho and Kurt Angle started earlier?
One more spot available in the semi-finals of the North American Title Tournament, and these two wanted it. This wasn't the type of match you would expect from wrestlers the caliber of Lance Storm and Matt Hardy. Both seemed to be a little off their game tonight. Storm and Hardy worked hard, but there may have been some nerves involved in this one. The two exchanged the advantage in this match early on, but Hardy was the first to really get into a groove as he dropped the man from Calgary, Alberta, Canada hard with the Side Effect. Hardy worked over Storm for the next couple of minutes, but just like Matt Hardy has been known to do in the past, he became too arrogant, and started playing to the crowd instead of trying to finish Storm off. After a long session of mouthing off to the crowd, Hardy set Storm up in a standing headscissors. Hardy lifted Storm up, but the ever-aware Storm reversed it into a rana. Referee J.D. Sanders made the 3 count, and just like that, the semi-finals were set!
[North American Title Tournament - First Round]:
Lance Storm pinned Matt Hardy after a rana in 0:08:58.
Rating: **
Matt Hardy was in a state of shock, but he has no one to blame for this loss but himself. Storm headed to the back a winner. So the semi-finals are set. Next week here on Explosion, in our first semi-final match, John Cena will meet Perry Saturn, while in our other semi-final match, Lance Storm and Hardcore Holly go head-to-head.
It's been a long time in this sport since someone has come along as dominant as Brock Lesnar has been. Lesnar is looking to continue his streak of dominance in professional wrestling here in Global Championship Wrestling. Booker T is a lot of things, but a stepping stone is not one of them. Booker T came out a-blazing, but unfortunately for him, when Brock Lesnar gains the advantage, he doesn't like to give it back up. Lesnar may have started out slow, but he finished strong, just overpowering Booker T, throwing him around like he was a small child. After almost cracking Booker in half with a triple power bomb, the Next Big Thing lifted Booker onto his shoulders and drove him down to the canvas with the F-5. Needless to say, you could put a fork in Booker T, because he was done....
Brock Lesnar pinned Booker T with the F-5 in 0:10:50.
Rating: *** 1/2
...Lesnar was not done, however. Lesnar was looking to make an impact in his first match here in GCW, and unfortunately for Booker T, he did just that. After the contest, Lesnar grabbed referee Antonio Santangelo and tossed him over the top to the floor, which is sure to garner him a hefty fine. Lesnar then gave Booker the same treatment. Lesnar hoisted Booker onto his shoulders again, and this time, F-5'ed Booker's left knee hard into the ringpost! Booker let out a scream, but the assault wasn't done yet. Lesnar picked Booker up and F-5'ed him into the post one more time. Medical personel ran out to aid Booker T, who could possibly have a broken leg here. All Lesnar did was smile as he went to the back. This man is a monster, no doubt about it.
* * * * *
[Mario Riviera stands backstage with Brock Lesnar, who just returned from the ring.]
MR: Brock, why did you attack Booker T like that? He could have a broken leg because of what you just did!
BL: Awww... Booker T might have a broken leg? That's too damn bad! GCW, take a good look at me. I am 6'4", 295 pounds! I am the biggest, the baddest, and the worst nightmare any of you are ever going to have! Why did I do that to Booker T? Because when you introduce yourself to a new group, you have to make a strong first impression. Ask Booker T about the kind of impression I made. Mario, I'll make this very clear for you, and everyone else in Global Championship Wrestling... it's not a good time to be anybody but Brock Lesnar.
[Lesnar pushes past Riviera as he goes towards his locker room.]
* * * * *
Of the five championship titles in Global Championship Wrestling, the first to be decided would take place tonight in Indianapolis as we had the finals of the World Tag Team Title Tournament. On one side, the team of Nick Dinsmore and Rob Conway, two very talented technical performers who have cruised under the public radar for much of the last few years despite being a couple of terrific workers. On the other side, the World's Greatest Tag Team, Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin, two decorated collegiate athletes who have made the transition into the professional ranks beautifully. Despite the obvious talent of these two teams, together tonight, they just didn't mesh. Dinsmore is sort of a hometown boy, and the crowd was on the side of Conway and he early, but as the match went on, the fans seemed to get out of the action.
Both teams did show that they know their respective partners well, as both teams worked flawlessly in the ring. Both teams used tag team strategy and double team moves to their advantage, but in the end, this night belonged to Haas and Benjamin. This one ended when Haas nailed Conway with a picture perfect power bomb. Dinsmore ran in trying to break up the count, but Benjamin cut him off with a superkick under the chin. Haas was able to keep Conway's shoulders down for just long enough, and we had ourselves the first World Tag Team champions.
Match for the vacant GCW World Tag Team Titles:
The World's Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) defeated
Rob Conway and Nick Dinsmore when C. Haas pinned R. Conway after a power bomb
in 0:18:45.
Rating: * 1/2
(The World's Greatest Tag Team won the GCW World Tag Team Titles.)
Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin grabbed their belts and celebrated. The World's Greatst Tag Team have established themselves as the standard in tag team wrestling in Global Championship Wrestling; it's up to the other teams in GCW to step up to the plate.
It was main event time, and it was sure to be a good one as Shawn Michaels and Rob Van Dam joined forces to take on the newly formed alliance of Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho. Angle and Jericho individually are World Heavyweight champion quality competitors, but with their skills honed in a single direction, they could prove to be an extremely dominating faction. They haven't done themselves any favors though as they've made quite a few enemies already, two of them being their opponents tonight. This match took awhile to develop any kind of rhythm, as HBK and RVD went right at Jericho and Angle before they got to the ring, jumping on them with double planchas. HBK and RVD were taking it right to their opponents, tossing them into the ring, only to subsequently knock them back out with dropkicks. In the early moments, Shawn Michaels and Rob Van Dam ruled the ring.
After taking a breather outside, Jericho finally got back into the ring, matching up with Rob Van Dam. Jericho went for the eyes right away, giving him the advantage. For the next couple of minutes, Y2J and Angle showed great tag team continuity, cutting the ring in half and wearing RVD down. Angle made a mistake though, getting cocky after catching an RVD kick attempt, but the Whole F'n Show showed how versatile he is by countering with a stepover spin kick, catching Angle hard in the jaw. Van Dam was able to make the hot tag to Shawn Michaels as Angle tagged Chris Jericho back in. HBK fired away at Jericho with right hands and chops. Michaels hit the ropes and exploded off with a flying forearm. HBK kipped up, which brought the crowd to their feet in anticipation, as they knew the Sweet Chin Music was next. However, as Michaels went for it, Kurt Angle ran in and plowed him with a clothesline. Rob Van Dam wasn't going to stand around and watch this, as he tackled Angle and unloaded on him with some right hands. Angle and RVD rolled to the floor, still fighting. Referee Jimmy Appleseed was quickly losing control as he went to the floor, trying to separate Angle and RVD.
At this point, Justin Credible sprinted to the ring with a kendo stick in hand. Jericho hit a low blow on HBK, and then saw Credible anxious to use the weapon. Jericho held HBK up and directed Credible to smash him. However, as Credible reared back, HBK fought his way out, causing Justin Credible to plant Jericho instead! Credible rushed to Y2J to make sure he was okay, but Shawn Michaels greeted him with a little Sweet Chin Music. Credible rolled out of the ring as the Heartbreak Kid went up top. One flying elbowdrop later, and with Appleseed paying attention, this one was over!
Rob Van Dam and Shawn Michaels defeated Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle when
S. Michaels pinned Jericho after a flying elbowdrop in 0:14:28.
Rating: ** 3/4
What a big win for Shawn Michaels and Rob Van Dam! As we went off the air, we were left with an image of a triumphant HBK and RVD being praised with a standing ovation from the Indianapolis, Indiana crowd.
Be sure to join us next week for Monday Night Explosion! We will see the semi-finals of both the North American and Cruiserweight Title Tournaments, as well as hear from GCW President Ryan Niemiller who will have information on our first pay-per-view event, Deadly Draw, which takes place on April 25th! You won't want to miss this one! See you all next week!