Rating: **** 1/4
* * * * *
["The Crippler" Chris Benoit is standing by with GCW interviewer Mario Riviera. Benoit has the GCW World Heavyweight Title over his shoulder and a big toothless smile.]
MR: Chris Benoit, a lot of people are saying that you're in over your head when you defend your World Heavyweight Title against Brock Lesnar, especially after you caused Lesnar his first loss in a GCW ring last week against Tommy Dreamer. How do you respond to that?
CB: My entire career, I've told myself that when I become the World Heavyweight champion, I'm not going to be a paper champion. I've worked far too hard and for too long to just phone it in now. I'm going to defend this title against the best the world has to offer, and that includes Brock Lesnar. Brock Lesnar is a tremendous athlete, and a scary, scary man. But he's not the best damn technical wrestler in the world today, he's not the Crippler, and he's not the World Heavyweight champion! And to show him exactly what kind of champion I am, tonight I will be defending my title against Hardcore Holly. When I say I'll take on all comers, I mean everybody. Hardcore Holly, just like everybody else, you're going to have your chance to PROVE ME...
[Suddenly, Brock Lesnar walks into the area. Mario Riviera looks petrified as he stands between Lesnar and Benoit.]
BL: Benoit, you might think you're a funny guy, that you got the better of me last week when you cost me that match. You probably went home, laughed it up, thinking, "Oh, Brock Lesnar will never beat me after a loss like that." That's where you're wrong, Benoit. All you've done is make me angry. All you've done is unleashed a monster. You better savor for title defense against Hardcore Holly. Fight really hard, impress the crowds, defend that title proudly. If you manage to get by Holly tonight, I guarantee you that you're not going to get by Brock Lesnar.
CB: Talk is cheap, Lesnar.
BL: You're right: talk is cheap. That's why I want you to watch what I'm about to do to your boy Tommy Dreamer. Benoit... here comes the pain.
[Lesnar and Benoit lock in a staredown before Lesnar turns and heads to the ring for his match.]
* * * * *
"The Innovator of Violence" Tommy Dreamer vs. Brock Lesnar
Unlike the match between these two last week, it was Brock Lesnar who had something to prove, not Tommy Dreamer. Brock Lesnar bumrushed Dreamer, not even letting Dreamer get out of the blocks. Lesnar quickly squashed Dreamer with a spinebuster before tossing Dreamer to the floor. Lesnar hoisted Dreamer up and planted him with the F-5 right on the floor! Needless to say, Lesnar could have pinned Dreamer right then, but Lesnar was proving a point. Lesnar threw the limp Dreamer back in the ring where he dropped him with another F-5 and thankfully, this massacre was over.
Brock Lesnar pinned Tommy Dreamer with the F-5 in 0:01:25.
Rating: **
That was an impressive display by the monster that is Brock Lesnar. Lesnar's destruction wasn't over yet, as he stayed around the ringside area as our next match was supposed to start, Randy Orton taking on Goldust in non-title action. Goldust was introduced first, and there's no question about how little Goldust and Brock Lesnar like each other. After a little bit of jawjacking, Goldust passed Lesnar and was heading to the ring, but Lesnar jumped him from behind! Lesnar pounded on Goldust as the Bizarre One was defenseless against this onslaught. Lesnar dropped Goldust throat first on the guardrail outside. Lesnar finished Goldust off by dropping him with the F-5 on the floor! Lesnar had a huge sadistic smile on his face as he went to the back while the GCW Official Brigade checked on Goldust's condition.
Goldust was in no condition to wrestle tonight as medical personnel helped him to the back. Randy Orton was introduced and he had a huge smile on his face, obviously quite happy that he wasn't going to have to wrestle tonight... or so he thought.
* * * * *
[Randy Orton's music plays as the cocky North American champion swaggers by the officials as they help Goldust to the back. Orton gets into the ring and plays to the crowd for a bit. After his music dies down, Orton has the microphone in hand.]
RO: Awww... and I as so looking for to kicking Goldust's freak ass tonight!
[The crowd is all over Orton with boos.]
RO: But that's okay... you fat slobs don't deserve to see me wrestle anyway!
[Crowd boos. Orton smiles before indicating referee Antonio Santangelo who is in the ring.]
RO: Hey ref. Ref, you're already down here. Why don't you go ahead and start the count, because I don't think Goldust is getting in this ring tonight. So why don't you just count to 10 and raise Randy Orton's hand in victory? [The crowd boos as Santangelo reluctantly starts to count. He gets up to 8 when suddenly, GCW President Ryan Niemiller appears on the GCW VideoTron.]
RN: Hold on, Mr. Santangelo.
RO: What do you want, Niemiller? Let the man do his job! I'm winning a match here!
RN: Well, Randy, you *MIGHT* be winning a match here. Now it's very true, Goldust isn't going to be wrestling tonight, but nobody said you wouldn't be wrestling a match.
[The crowd pops as Orton is getting irritated in the ring.]
RO: What are you trying to do here, Niemiller?
RN: I'm just giving the people what they want. I think I've found somebody who would make an excellent replacement for you to wrestle here tonight in Baltimore, Maryland!
[The crowd pops at the mention of their hometown.]
RO: Fine! You want to make me wrestle? Fine, I'll wrestle, because I'm the North American champion! Whoever you want to send out here, I'll kick their ass! Who is it, Niemiller? Who is it!?
RN: Good luck, Mr. Orton.
[The VideoTron shuts off. After a few moments of Orton pacing in the ring, "Sexy Boy" blares over the PA as the Baltimore blows the roof off of the arena! Right on cue, "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels steps out from the back and he's fired up as the crowd gets even louder. Randy Orton is not at all happy about this turn of events. Michaels jumps into the ring and Orton goes right on the attack with a right hand, but Michaels blocks it and fires back with a punch of his own. Antonio Santangelo calls for the bell.]
* * * * *
Non-Title Match
Randy Orton (North American Champion) vs. "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels
This night didn't turn out the way Randy Orton expected, I'm sure. Not to say that Goldust isn't a difficult opponent, but Shawn Michaels is an entirely different animal, especially when you're not prepared to wrestle the legend. Orton's unpreparedness was quite evident here, as HBK got on him early and didn't let up. Randy Orton held his own though, showing us why many consider the 24-year old to be the future of this business. Orton tried to wear Michaels out with a variety of holds, but HBK was way too fired up to be stopped tonight. Orton would go for the RKO, but HBK shoved him into ropes. When Orton bounced back, Michaels caught him with a little Sweet Chin Music. Three seconds later, and Shawn Michaels was having his hand raised in victory.
Shawn Michaels pinned Randy Orton with the Sweet Chin Music in 0:07:23.
Rating: *** 3/4
Shawn Michaels wasn't able to relish in victory long as Chris Jericho, Kurt Angle, and Justin Credible were all in the ring beating the Heartbreak Kid down! The 4-on-1 attack continued until EDDIE GUERRERO was down to the ring again, his trusty steel chair in hand to an enormous ovation. Guerrero started by clocking Credible in the back with the chair sending him to the mat and out of the ring. Guerrero nailed Angle from behind with a forearm, and as Angle turned around and saw the chair, quickly bailing out of the ring. Guerrero reared back to nail Jericho with the chair, but Y2J moved and for the second time tonight, Eddie Guerrero smashed Shawn Michaels with a chair inadvertantly! The Sensationals all took off to the back as Guerrero once again looked at Michaels apologetically. At this point, we cut to a commercial.
* * * * *
[Backstage in the trainer's room where Barry Tarver, GCW's head trainer, is wiping blood off the forehead of Shawn Michaels. HBK is not at all pleased to be there. Eddie Guerrero is also there, explaining his side of the story to the Heartbreak Kid.]
EG: Yo holmes, listen, man. That was an accident.
HBK: It's an accident if it happens once. But it's happened twice tonight, Eddie. TWICE!
EG: I know, mang, I know...
HBK: It makes me wonder what side you're on here! It is every man for himself at Mayhem. One can't help but think that maybe you're trying to soften me up before the pay-per-view!
EG: I don't know who you think you are, "Sexy Boy," but you better watch your tongue! The first two were accidents, but I could make sure the third time isn't, essa!
HBK: Don't talk about it, JACK, just do it!
[Guerrero and Michaels get into a brief shoving match before officials are in to break it up. Guerrero leaves in a huff as Michaels has a sour look on his face. Cut to the ring.]
* * * * *
Shelton Benjamin (1/2 World Tag Team Champions) (w/ Charlie Haas) vs. Danny Basham (w/ Doug Basham/Shaniqua) vs. "Ironman" Rob Conway (w/ Nick Dinsmore)
A big match here as Shelton Benjamin, Danny Basham, and Rob Conway all represented their respective teams in a triangle match. Whoever won this match would have a clear advantage going into the World Tag Team Title Triangle Match at Mayhem. Benjamin knew that with he and Charlie Haas losing singles matches to Conway and Nick Dinsmore respectively in recent weeks, an impressive performance was vital. And Benjamin did just that; he wrestled a sound and smart match. Problem was, Danny Basham and Conway weren't going to go down without a fight. The World's Greatest Tag Team would show, however, why they are the World Tag Team champions. Late in the match after Basham had been dumped to the floor by a Conway clothesline, the Ironman turned around right into a gutwrench suplex from Benjamin. Normally, this wouldn't be a move that would put a man of Conway's caliber down, but as Benjamin made the cover, Charlie Haas on the outside grabbed Conway's foot and held it down, preventing Conway from being able to kick out.
Triangle Match:
Shelton Benjamin defeated Danny Basham and Rob Conway when S. Benjamin pinned R. Conway after a gutwrench suplex in 0:13:09.
Rating: ***
Quite the resourceful win for Shelton Benjamin. The World's Greatest Tag Team look to be the favorites to retain their titles at Mayhem.
Television Title Match
"The Role Model" AJ Styles (c) vs. Diamond Dallas Page (w/ Kimberly)
His work ethic can't be questioned, but it's hard not to notice that since Diamond Dallas Page's return to wrestling last month at Deadly Draw, he has been on a losing streak. He's come close a number of times, but his sense for finishing off opponents still hasn't clicked back on yet. DDP was hoping to change all of that tonight and silence his critics, which he would do if he were to take the Television Title away from AJ Styles. Styles has been an impressive Television champion so far, despite his ruthless attacks on The Amazing Red, who he will defend the Television Title against at Mayhem. The veteran Page wrestled a very aggressive match, and he had to: Styles seemed quite adamant on using his championship advantage to its fullest by attemtping to walk to the back for the countout not once, but twice. Both times, DDP caught him and brought him back to the ring, but it was a great strategy by Styles, as the second time Page threw him back in the ring, Styles clipped DDP's leg and went to work.
A good portion of this match featured Styles working on DDP's leg, which haven't been built completely back up to ring shape since Page's return. DDP has a huge heart though, and he showed it by powering Styles off with his legs into the corner. Page built a little momentum and had the champion reeling, but that didn't last long as Hardcore Holly was down at ringside, but it wasn't to attack Dallas but rather to harass Kimberly! As DDP was going for the Diamond Cutter, he saw Holly on the outside taunting his wife, and Page wasn't going to stand for it. Page dropped Styles and jumped out of the ring, nailing Hardcore with a right hand! Hardcore quickly retreated up the aisleway. When Page got back into the ring, Styles caught him with a boot to the gut, and just like that, had nailed DDP with the Styles Clash! To use an old cliche, nobody gets up from that.
AJ Styles pinned Diamond Dallas Page with the Styles Clash in 0:08:58.
Rating: ** 3/4
(AJ Styles retained the GCW Television Title.)
Styles grabbed his TV Title, looking quite relieved that he got past Diamond Dallas tonight. DDP wasn't happy with Hardcore Holly to start with, and I don't think this is going to help develop a friendship between the two.
Lance Storm vs. "Y2J" Chris Jericho (w/ Justin Credible)
Lance Storm scored a huge victory last week as he upset Kurt Angle (albeit with an assist from Shawn Michaels). The Sensationals were none too happy to be embarrassed like that, and Chris Jericho was looking to score a little revenge for his stable. Jericho, of course, had his trusty lackey Justin Credible with him in hopes of preventing a repeat performance of last week. These two have a lot of history together that not many are aware of, having both graduated from the same training class at the legendary Hart Family Dungeon. The familiarity and similarity in styles between the two was very apparent, which led to a very technically sound match between the two. Admittedly, Jericho has developed more of a killer instinct than Storm, and he used it to go for the kill. Jericho worked over Storm's back through much of this match, knowing he would fall easy prey to the Walls of Jericho. Jericho went for the Walls on a couple of occasions, but he managed to escape out of it both times. Jericho nailed Storm with the Lionsault, but before he went for the cover, EDDIE GUERRERO ran out, grabbed Justin Credible by the head, and threw him hard into the ringsteps! Guerrero pointed up at Jericho as the two Y2J yelled at Latino Heat to "get the hell out" of there. Guerrero, surprisingly, listened and started to head to the back. Jericho turned his attention back to his opponent Lance Storm, but Storm was up and he planted a superkick right under Jericho's jaw! Storm made the cover, and made it two upsets in a row!
Lance Storm pinned Chris Jericho after a superkick in 0:08:39.
Rating: *** 1/2
Lance Storm was ecstatic as he slipped out of the ring and celebrated his victory. Justin Credible jumped in the ring to check on the condition of his liege. When Jericho regained his bearings, he was fuming that Eddie Guerrero had gotten the better of him. Jericho gave Credible a small shove to get him away and then stomped to the back where he met Kurt Angle and Randy Orton in the Sensationals locker room.
* * * * *
[Chris Jericho and Justin Credible burst into the locker room of the Sensationals. Kurt Angle and Randy Orton are both there, Orton with his North American Title over his shoulder.]
CJ: Did you see that!? How could I lose to that ass clown!? This has got to stop! I'm the King of the World!
KA: This is becoming a habit that we need to nix right now. People are starting to get the idea that's it's okay to mess with the Sensationals. Don't worry, Chris. In just six days, both Eddie Guerrero and Shawn Michaels will be eliminated. They'll know that we're not to be taken lightly, oh it's damn true!
CJ: Something's gotta be done about Lance Storm, too. Nobody embarrasses us like that!
RO: Why don't you make your bitch do it for you?
[Angle, Jericho, and Orton all look at Justin Credible.]
JC: Me?
RO: Yeah you. You can earn your keep for once, prove that you belong with us.
CJ: Yeah, it's perfect. Justin, you beat Lance Storm, and we'll make you a full-fledged member of the Sensationals! How's that hit you?
JC: Consider Lance Storm beaten. And it won't just be the coolest and it won't just be the best, but it will be JUST-IN-CRED... KA: Just make it happen, funny head.
[Credible stops dead in his tracks and kind of hangs his head as Orton is seen trying to stifle his laughter. Cut back to the ring.]
* * * * *
MAIN EVENT
World Heavyweight Title Match
"The Crippler" Chris Benoit (c) vs. "The Big Shot" Hardcore Holly
Chris Benoit was taking a huge risk by defending his World Heavyweight Title so close to Mayhem with his huge title defense against Brock Lesnar. Benoit's said he is going to be a fighting champion, and he was proving it tonight by defending the title against Hardcore Holly. This match turned out to be a lot more competitive than a lot may have originally thought, as when you get a title shot, you generally bring your A-game, and Holly did just that. However, throughout this match, it always seemed like the Rabid Wolverine had things under control. That is, until referee Jimmy Appleseed got sandwiched in the corner when Holly reversed an irish whip, causing Benoit to crush the head referee of GCW.
Holly quickly capitalized by hitting his amazing dropkick on Benoit. Holly saw the ref wasn't getting up any time soon, so he slid outside and grabbed the World Heavyweight Title belt from the timekeeper's table. Hardcore got back in the ring obviously with cruel intentions, but he was stopped when BROCK LESNAR of all people ran in the ring and nailed Holly from behind! Lesnar picked Hardcore Holly up and spun him down with the F-5, as the fans of Baltimore had no idea what was going on! Benoit had been down and didn't see any of this as he crawled over to Holly and put him in the Crippler Crossface. Jimmy Appleseed recovered enough to see Holly not moving and called for the bell.
Chris Benoit defeated Hardcore Holly when Hardcore Holly passed out in the Crippler Crossface in 0:08:28.
Rating: ** 1/4
(Chris Benoit retained the GCW World Heavyweight Title.)
Benoit retained his title, but the question still remained, why did Brock Lesnar help him? Lesnar grabbed the house mic before heading to the back and flat out told Benoit, "If anyone's going to beat you for that title, it's going to be me!" Benoit gave Lesnar one of the coldest stares I have seen in quite some time as we went off the air.
The card for this Sunday's Mayhem pay-per-view from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is set. From top to bottom, we have quite the lineup in store for our GCW fans.
World Heavyweight Title Match - Chris Benoit (c) vs. Brock Lesnar
Number-One Contender Match - Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho vs. Eddie Guerrero
North American Title Match - Randy Orton (c) vs. Rob Van Dam
World Tag Team Title Match - The World's Greatest Tag Team (c) vs. The Basham Brothers vs. Rob Conway/Nick Dinsmore
Television Title Match - AJ Styles (c) vs. The Amazing Red
Cruiserweight Ttile Match - Low-Ki (c) vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.
Diamond Dallas Page vs. Hardcore Holly
And two more matches have just been signed for this event!
Lance Storm vs. Justin Credible
Cruiserweight Chaos Match - The Hurricane, Shannon Moore, Shark Boy, Christopher Daniels, Elix Skipper, Teddy Hart, Billy Kidman, Paul London
Rules - All 8 wrestlers are in the ring at the same time. Eliminations are made via a pinfall or a submission. The last man remaining will receive a Cruiserweight Title shot at our big June extravaganza, Super Cade!
Folks, don't miss out on any of the great Global Championship Wrestling action. Order today!
