* * * * *
[We open the show up with clips from last night. We see Eddie Guerrero holding down Chris Jericho's foot so that he gets eliminated. We see Shawn Michaels blindsiding Guerrero with the Sweet Chin Music to take him out. Then we see Randy Orton's interference costing Shawn Michaels the fall to Kurt Angle as Angle became the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Title. We then cut to clips from the World Heavyweight Title match where Booker T attacked Brock Lesnar, causing a disqualification and allowing Chris Benoit to keep the title. After that, we cut to the opening of Monday Night Explosion. As we pan over the raucous crowd in Buffalo, New York, the camera stops on the ring where GCW President Ryan Niemiller is already standing in the ring.]
RN: Good evening, Buffalo, New York!
[A huge hometown pop as we are indeed live in Buffalo.]
RN: I'm glad you all came out here tonight for Monday Night Explosion. You see, it's a very special Explosion tonight. Everyone, my birthday is tomorrow, May 25. [Polite applause] Now since we obviously broadcast this show on Monday and not Tuesday, we can't have this show on my birthday. So I'll do the next best thing and bring my birthday to the show. Tonight, we're going to have the Ryan Niemiller Birthday Bash! Now on most people's birthdays, it's customary to receive gifts. But not me. For my birthday, I'm giving all of you, the fans of Global Championship Wrestling a few gifts. Tonight, right here on Explosion, four titles are going to be on the line. We already know that because of their victory last week, Rey Mysterio Jr. and The Amazing Red will be wrestling for the World Tag Team Titles against the new champions, the Basham Brothers.
[The crowd pops for this match.]
RN: In addition to that, AJ Styles will defend the Television Title against the man who has been on a tremendous roll recently, Lance Storm! [Crowd pops again.] Randy Orton, the North American champion, will be putting his championship on the line against the man who never got his fair shot last week, Goldust! [Crowd pop] And finally, we were all robbed last night of a clean finish in the World Heavyweight Title match last night, and I'm not going to let that happen! So right here, in this very ring, we are going to see a rematch as Chris Benoit puts his World Heavyweight Title on the line against Brock Lesnar!
[A huge crowd pop for this announcement. These are four major matches we are going to see here on Explosion. Niemiller is about to speak again when "Medal" plays over the loud speaker, causing Buffalo to erupt in a wave of boos. Out from the back come the Sensationals, North American champion Randy Orton, "Y2J" Chris Jericho, along with his lackey Justin Credible, and the new number one contender for the World Heavyweight Title, Kurt Angle. Kurt Angle is all smiles as he defeated Shawn Michaels, Eddie Guerrero, and his own stablemate Jericho last night to earn a shot at the World Heavyweight Title at Super Cade. Jericho, however, doesn't look nearly as happy. They all get in the ring where Angle snatches the microphone away from President Niemiller.]
KA: Niemiller, nobody in this building, or watching at home, and especially standing in this ring, cares about what you have to say. It's your birthday? Well whoopty-freakin'-doo! Chris Benoit vs. Brock Lesnar isn't the story here tonight; it's the number one contender Kurt Angle, oh it's true! So why don't you just take your fat ass out of this ring so I can give these people exactly what they came to see?
[Niemiller stares at Angle for a bit as the crowd boos the number one contender. Niemiller eventually decides staying and arguing isn't worth it, leaving the ring and heading to the back.]
KA: Now that that is out of the way, the Sensationals need to take care of a little business. For starters, we have to address our ltitle buddy here, Justin Credible. Justin, you fought hard last night. You really took Lance Storm to the limits. I think I speak for myself, for Orton, and for Jericho when I say we were all very, very impressed.
[Justin Credible smiles and nods his fans. Jericho gives Credible a big cheesy thumbs up.]
KA: But, you lost, didn't you, Justin? You couldn't beat Lance Storm last night! You couldn't cut it! You didn't show integrity, intensity, or intelligence last night! In fact, you were downright stupid to lose last night! Because you know what? Tell him, Chris.
CJ: You'll never... EV-V-V-V-V-V-VAH... be a member of the Sensationals!
KA: It's true, it's true!
[Suddenly, Randy Orton strikes from behind, dropping Credible with the RKO, eliciting some boos from the crowd. The remaining Sensationals are all quite content with what they just did.]
CJ: Oh, and assclown, right before this little ass beating we gave you, I took the liberty of signing you for a match against someone who is actually worthy of being in the presence of the North American champion, the Olympic champion, and the sexiest beast this side of the Mississip!
KA: [With his face hovering over the unconscious Credible's head] That's right, you snaggle-toothed punk! We went out and we found someone who is worthy of being called Sensational! Me and this guy go back to when I was breaking into the business. We started as enemies. Believe it or not, this guy actually beat me a couple times! That's right, he beat the only Olympic gold medalist in professional wrestling, it's true. Ladies and gentleman, I introduce to you a man, who unlike your beloved Buffalo Bills, won't choke under pressure... [Cheap heat boos] ...the newest member of the Sensationals... STEVE BRADLEY!
[The crowd boos as a very cocky Steve Bradley struts and shimmies his way to the ring. Angle, Jericho, and Orton all give him a round of applause. The Buffalo fans, however, have a complete opposite reaction to Mr. Bradley. Bradley and the Sensationals seem oblivious to this. Bradley gets in the ring and after playing to the crowd is greeted by handshakes from his new stablemates. Bradley then picks Credible up, grabs him by the head, and tosses him out of the ring. After that, Bradley takes the mic from Angle.]
SB: Well look who decided to lower himself to the level of a town full of losers to make an appearance here tonight? But you know what? Not even having to come to a garbage heap like Buffalo can bring me down out of this good mood! [Boos.] You can go to hell as far as I care! [The boos grow even louder.] You can boo me all you want, but you know deep down it's merely jealousy, jealousy toward the Baddest Mofo On the Show, Steve "Who's Your Daddy?" Bradley!
[Huge crowd boos for this. They really don't like this guy already, and understandably so.]
SB: I'll admit then when a couple weeks ago, I received a phone call from Kurt Angle, I was a bit skeptical. Kurt and I go way back. Seven years ago, we were at each other's throats, beating the crap out of each other down in Memphis. But when he made me the offer to come up here, to the big time, Global Championship Wrestling, to be a member of the hottest group in wrestling today, I just couldn't refuse! But I knew that even with as great as the Sensationals are, I was going to need just a little bit more. Just that extra push to get me over the edge. I said I was going to make an impact last night at Mayhem, and that's exactly what I did when I punked out the luckiest mofo on the show, Lance Storm!
[The crowd boos this very loudly, as Lance Storm, shockingly enough, has really started to gather a following.]
SB: Lance Storm gets a couple of fluke wins and he thinks he's something special? I think not, Lance. There's going to be no more fluke wins, no more handful of tights for you. [The crowd boos Bradley's obvious lie.] I'm going to show the entire world what kind of fraud you really are! And when I'm done with you, you're gonna know EXACTLY who your daddy is!
[The crowd is all over Bradley now as he hands the microphone to Jericho.]
CJ: And Eddie Guerrero, how could we possibly forget about you? When are you going to learn, "holmes?" I figured the constant beatings would have been enough, but you kept coming. I figured putting your nephew out would have been enough, but like the dish bag you are, you keep coming. It's going to stop, Eddie! Last night, you did the only thing you're good at, CHEAT! You cost me a chance at being the number one contender because you're a dirty cheater! Your entire career, the only way you've been able to get anything done is by cheating! You're a joke, Eddie! Nobody cheats the Ayatollah of Rock 'n' Rollah! Guerrero, this has got to stop! I've got much bigger and better things to move on to, than dealing with you. We gotta finish this, and finish this soon, so that I can go on to the expected glory that a Living Legend like Chris Jericho deserves, and you can do what you've always been destined to do... be the gardener on the estate of Y-2-J!
[The crowd really gets on Jericho for that borderline inappropriate comment. Jericho hands the mic back to Angle one last time.]
KA: And not only do we have the North American champion, not only do we have the man who will end Eddie Guerrero's tainted career, not only do we have the Baddest Mofo On This or Any Show, but the Sensationals have the number one contender, and that's me, a true American hero, Kurt Angle! I'm so glad that I became number one contender last night, because now as a true American hero, I can destroy the evil that is our World champion, some dumb Canadian named Chris Benoit! Whoever heard of a Canadian World Heavyweight champion? It's absurd!
[The Buffalo crowd, who are very familiar with Canada based on proxy, boo this, knowing there have been several prominent Canadian champions.]
KA: Super Cade is my chance to save Global Championship Wrestling from imminent demise if Chris Benoit remains the champion! I sometimes here that Benoit likes to refer to himself as the best technical wrestler in the world today. Well, Benoit, if that's true, where is the gold medal around your neck, JACK!? NOWHERE, because athletes from Canada are far more inferior than great American athletes like myself, oh, it's damn true!
[Even if Angle is defending their home country, Buffalo is tearing into Angle with boos now because he presents himself like a pompous jackass.]
KA: Benoit... if Brock Lesnar lets you survive tonight, know that I won't. And you, Brock, don't think I'm at all intimidated by you. You may have won two national wrestling championships in college, a very impressive feat indeed, but let me help you with a simple math equation, Brock: two national championships are still less than one Olympic gold medal. Oh, it's true. Buffalo, say hello to the next World Heavyweight champion, Kurt Angle! Thank you!
["Medal" starts up again to a huge round of boos. The Sensationals, like them or not, are on a roll for sure. When they're this strong and this confident, it may be quite the uphill task trying to beat them.]
* * * * *
Booker T is back after a knee injury, and boy is he back with a fire under him. If you'll all remember, it was Hardcore Holly who got what many considered to be an upset victory over Booker T in the first round of the North American Title Tournament, and Booker T was obviously not happy about this. Holly tried to get some offense in early, but that just wasn't in the cards as Booker never gave him a chance. Booker gets a dominant victory over Hardcore after a spinebuster slam.
Booker T pinned Hardcore Holly after a spinebuster slam in 0:01:46.
Rating: ** 1/4
After the match, the GCW Official Brigade came down to ringside and informed Booker T that he was to leave the building after this match. GCW President Ryan Niemiller wasn't too thrilled with Booker T interfering in the World Heavyweight Title Match last night, and after signing the rematch with Chris Benoit and Brock Lesnar for tonight, Niemiller wasn't going to take any chances. Booker T was escorted out of the building without incident.
A huge tag team match was contested here as the two teams who walked out of Mayhem without the World Tag Team Titles squared off once more in a match that will definitely reflect upon who becomes the next in line for a World Tag Team Title shot. The World's Greatest Tag Team was noticeably upset about the way they lost the titles last night, and Rob Conway and Nick Dinsmore weren't all that happy either as they became innocent victims of Shaniqua's seemingly twisted obsession with Shelton Benjamin. This was a very hotly contested matchup with very solid work from all four men involved. I believe that in the future these two teams have the potential to be the best teams of this era. Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin showed no signs of dissension in the ranks that were creeping up last night after their title loss, as they worked very well together. And Rob Conway and Nick Dinsmore are always on top of their games teamwork wise, as these two have been both friends and foes for so many years that they know each other very well. In the end of this very competitive match, it would be Charlie Haas locking Rob Conway in the Haas of Pain after Shelton Benjamin caught the Ironman in the chops with the Dragon Whip. A huge win for the former World Tag Team champions.
The World's Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) defeated Rob Conway and Nick Dinsmore when C. Haas made R. Conway submit to the Haas Of Pain in 0:15:13.
Rating: *** 1/2
After the match, the World's Greatest Tag Team grabbed the house mic.
* * * * *
[A tired World's Greatest Tag Team, Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas, grab the mic after a hard fought victory.]
SB: Bashams! We just beat Rob Conway and Nick Dinsmore. That should solidify us as the number one contenders.
CH: We're not called the World's Greatest Tag Team for nothing! We got cheated out of our World Tag Team Titles last night, and we want them back. We want our rematch!
SB: And Shaniqua... you like pain? The Bashams like to suffer? The World's Greatest Tag Team will make them suffer! I guarantee you that!
[The WGTT drop the mic and head to the back, both men looking very focused.]
* * * * *
Eddie Guerrero sure came into Buffalo being mighty fired up as he took on Sean O'Haire. O'Haire is a youngster with a heap of talent, but he simply hasn't been able to put it all together yet. It didn't help him tonight that he was fighting a motivated veteran in the form of Latino Heat. O'Haire pushed Guerrero around a little bit early on with his strength and size advantage, but Guerrero was way too crafty for O'Haire tonight. In the end, it would be Guerrero taking the win via the Frog Splash.
Eddie Guerrero pinned Sean O'Haire with the Frog Splash in 0:06:39.
Rating: ** 1/4
As Eddie Guerrero was celebrating his victory, suddenly the lights went off before the Y2J Countdown appeared on the GCW VideoTron. The crowd booed loudly as "Break the Walls Down" played and "Y2J" Chris Jericho stood at the top of the aisleway. Eddie Guerrero got in a fighting position as Jericho started to head toward the ring. As Jericho climbed up on the apron, Guerrero made a lunge at him, but Jericho dropped back down to the floor. The crowd booed Jericho mercilessly as he threw his hands up and waved Guerrero off as he turned around and went right back to the locker room! Jericho is obviously trying to use Guerrero's rage and hatred toward him to his advantage, getting into Latino Heat's head. This one is going to explode again sooner or later.
* * * * *
[In the locker room of The Amazing Red. Red is tying up his boots and getting ready for his match tonight, Rey Mysterio Jr. and he taking on the Basham Brothers for the World Tag Team Titles. Suddenly, a man dressed up as an old-style news reporter enters the locker room. He has on a hat with a button that reads "PRESS" on it and he's carrying a small notepad and pencil. Red eyeballs this man strangely.]
GH: Hello, Mr. Red. I am mild-mannered reporter, Gregory Helms with the Daily News. May I ask you a few questions?
R: Uh....
GH: Last night, you participated in the Cruiserweight Chaos match after someone heinously attacked everyone's favorite superhero, The Hurricane.
[Helms looks toward the camera and does a big cheesy thumbs up and smile.]
GH: Rumor has it that you, Mr. Red, are the one responsible for the attack. Is there any truth to this rumor?
R: Listen, pal...
GH: Just answer the question, Mr. Red.
R: .... No, there isn't any truth to his rumor.
GH: Well, Mr. Red, when you take a look at the facts...
[Helms reaches off screen and sets up a poster board with various charts on it.]
GH: Okay... here's the participants in the Cruiserweight Chaos match.
[Helms points to a section on the chart of eight stick figures clumped together, all labeled with the names of the participants.]
GH: Now, here's you, Mr. Red.
[Helms points to a single stick figure set apart from the previous ones labeled "Red."]
GH: As we move on, you can see here that The Hurricane is down.
[Helms points to a new section of the chart where the seven remaining stick figure participants are standing but to the side, the one labeled "The Hurricane" is on its side.]
GH: And if you'd look at this final picture...
[Helms points at the bottom picture, which shows The Hurricane stick figure on a stretcher and now the Red stick figure standing with the other Cruiserweight Chaos stick figures.]
GH: As you can see, Mr. Red, all the signs point to you. Any response to this?
R: You're a weird guy, do you know that?
GH: Mr. Red, why do you continually skirt around my questions?
R: Listen, buddy! I didn't attack you last night!
GH: Attack me? No one is saying you attacked me... I'm wanting to know if you attacked The Hurricane!
R: I didn't attack you, The Hurricane, or anything else! I was talking with Rey Mysterio right before that match! A GCW official came in and told me something happened to you... [Helms gives Red a funny look.] ...to The Hurricane, and told me to go to the to take your... [Another funny look.] ...HIS place. Okay?
GH: ... You're off the hook for this now, but I will get to the bottom of this!
[And just like that, Gregory Helms is gone. Red simply shakes his head as we cut back to the ring.]
* * * * *
Lance Storm has been doing everything right as of late, picking up big victories over Justin Credible, Chris Jericho, and our new number one contender for the World Heavyweight Title, Kurt Angle. Because of his recent string of victories, Lance Storm was granted a Television Title shot here against a man who has proved to be a quality champion in the first month of his reign, AJ Styles. This one was a high quality wrestling match as both of these competitors know how to get it done in the ring. A very technically sound match that was very evenly contested. Styles is looking to start a legacy for himself, and you can tell that in the way he wrestles, wrestling in every match like it might be his last. You don't have to like the guy's attitude, but you have to respect his love for this business. However, the only thing that Lance Storm seemed to be lacking from his game was confidence, and he has gained that in recent weeks. Storm had Styles reeling in the latter stages of this match, but the tide turned for him when Styles reversed a Storm sleeper by backing him into the corner, crushing referee JD Sanders in the process. Styles went for an irish whip, but Storm reversed it, slid under Styles legs, and caught him in the Maple Leaf. Styles tapped out, but JD Sanders was still down, so he couldn't call it. Storm's luck went from bad to worse when STEVE BRADLEY ran down and got behind Storm, cracking him hard in the spine with a steel chair! Storm went down in a heap as Bradley slid out of the ring just as quickly as he had slid in. Styles recovered enough to pick Storm up and drop him with the brutal Styles Clash, and as a groggy Sanders made the count, Styles had retained the Television Title.
AJ Styles pinned Lance Storm with the Styles Clash in 0:09:41.
Rating: **** 1/4
(AJ Styles retained the GCW Television Title.)
AJ Styles remains the TV champion, but Lance Storm had this match won. The Sensationals are showing that they do not take kindly to being embarrassed. Life may be very difficult for Lance Storm in the upcoming months.
* * * * *
[We see Television champion AJ Styles walking toward his locker room backstage, the TV Title over his shoulder. He walks past the North American champion Randy Orton, who is heading to the ring for his upcoming title defense against Goldust. Orton calls back to Styles.]
RO: Hey Styles! You owe the Sensationals one. We just did you a favor, so you owe us a favor in return.
AJ: I don't owe you a damn thing, Orton!
RO: I'm going to make this very simple for you, Styles. Either you do a favor for us.... or we take back the favor, Sensationals style. Your choice. I hope you make the right one.
[Orton stares down Styles a bit before he continues on toward the ring. Styles stops and thinks for a minute, before he turns around and heads back the way he came.]
* * * * *
Goldust was set to wrestle a non-title match against North American champion Randy Orton a couple of weeks ago, but an unprovoked attack from Brock Lesnar made that impossible. To make up for that, GCW President Ryan Niemiller not only granted Goldust a rematch, but a rematch for the North American Title at that! Goldust didn't want to waste this opportunity, and he made sure Orton knew he wasn't going to waste the opportunity right off the bat, smacking Orton hard across the face right at the opening bell as Orton was taunting him! This match became much more of a hard-hitting contest than any of us anticipated. With Goldust's somewhat bizarre antics, it is often forgotten that he is a second-generation superstar with a wealth of knowledge and ability. Orton though, can never be underestimated, as he is the third generation of his family to be involved in this business, and although he's only 24 years old, he knows his way around a wrestling ring.
After a very competitive match, this one turned with the appearance of Television champion AJ Styles. Styles seemingly didn't want to be there, but the words of Randy Orton prior to the match about repaying the favor must have sank in, because Styles would blast Goldust in the back of the head late in the match with the Television Title! Goldust stumbled forward, right into an RKO from the North American champ. After that, it's elementary.
Randy Orton pinned Goldust with the RKO in 0:10:00.
Rating: *** 1/2
(Randy Orton retained the GCW North American Title.)
Randy Orton and AJ Styles weren't done yet though, as they began to put the boots to Goldust. This prompted "THE HEARTBREAK KID" SHAWN MICHAELS to sprint to the ring and start pounding away at Orton. Styles nailed HBK from behind and whipped him into the ropes, but Michaels bounced back with a flying forearm, causing Styles to roll out of the ring. Orton charged Michaels, but was sent to the floor via a backdrop. Michaels is obviously fuming over Orton costing him the chance to be the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Title last night. Orton may have bitten off more than he can chew in angering a man with a known meanstreak like Shawn Michaels.
Our next match let us get our first real in-ring look at the Sensationals' new prodigy, Steve "Who's Your Daddy?" Bradley, who does done nothing but attack wrestlers brutally and from behind, namely Lance Storm and his opponent tonight, Justin Credible. To say that Bradley's debut was impressive would be an understatement. This guy thinks a lot of himself, and tonight, at least, he backed it up. Of course, Credible wasn't exactly at 100%, either mentally or physically. For some reason, Credible followed Chris Jericho around like a little brother would an older brother, and Jericho beat on Credible instead, rejecting him from the Sensationals. Credible just wasn't all there tonight, as he fell easy victim to Bradley's Smashmouth.
Steve Bradley pinned Justin Credible with the Smashmouth in 0:04:25.
Rating: *** 1/4
Bradley seems to have this thing with making very physical points, as the onslaught on Credible continued, as the self-proclaimed Baddest Mofo On The Show hit another Smashmouth on Credible. Bradley still wasn't done though, as he set up Credible for yet another Smashmouth, but LANCE STORM ran in and nailed Bradley with a springboard dropkick. Bradley got back to his feet fairly quickly, only to be brought down with a jumping side kick. Bradley got up once more and was sent over the top rope with a clothesline. Bradley slapped the ring apron hard in frustration as Storm called him into the ring for more, but Bradley quickly thought better of it as he saw Justin Credible get back to his feet. The Sensationals are just making enemies left and right these days.
Normally this would be a lot more of an even matchup, but with the roll that the Sensationals seemed to be on tonight, Chris Jericho had a little extra hitch in his step. Not that Rob Van Dam didn't come to fight. RVD's efforts to take the North American Title last night fell just short, so he was looking to get a victory back over an accomplished star in Chris Jericho. A pretty well wrestled match from both men. RVD surprisingly worked more of a ground based attack on Jericho, which I think threw the King of Bling-Bling off his game, as RVD is known more for his unorthodox high-flying offense. In turn, Jericho went to the air a little more often than he usually does, giving us an interesting match that I don't think anybody predicted we'd see. In the end, this one would go in favor of Chris Jericho, who ducked a spin kick from RVD, and countered it into a crucifix, which was just enough to hold RVD down for the 3 count.
Chris Jericho pinned Rob Van Dam after a crucifix in 0:09:21.
Rating: *** 1/4
Rob Van Dam immediately sprung to his feet, obviously very frustrated that he came out on the losing end of this one. Jericho got back into a fighting stance, preparing for an RVD attack, but instead, RVD just left the ring and headed to the back, kicking the ring steps hard as he went. Things haven't exactly been going RVD's way as of late. Chris Jericho continued to strut his way around the ring, but his cocky demeanor quickly turned as the crowd exploded at the sound of, "VIVA LA RAZA!" EDDIE GUERRERO sprinted to the ring, and before Jericho could react, Guerrero had tackled Y2J to the mat and was nailing him with a flurry of right hands. Jericho turned the odds in his favor, managing to get on top of Guerrero and hit him with a few punches. As these two just absolutely beat the crap out of each other, the GCW Official Brigade rushed down to the ring and finally managed to pull these two apart. These two need to settle their differences once and for all before this gets a lot uglier than it already has.
The brand-new Cruiserweight champion Rey Mysterio Jr. and The Amazing Red earned this World Tag Team Title shot by winning a Fourway Dance last week. They would be taking on the new World Tag Team champions, the Basham Brothers, who would be making their first title defense tonight. The Bashams took the titles away from the World's Greatest Tag Team under questionable circumstances last night in the Triangle match, and the WGTT have already expressed their desire for a rematch, so you know they were watching this match very closely. This was an absolutely tremendous tag team contest. Rey Mysterio Jr. and The Amazing Red make quite the impressive team indeed, as they both wrestle such a similar style that they can read each other very well. The Bashams may have won the titles by less than legal means last night, but there's no denying that they can get it done in the ring. That, and they always have Shaniqua in their corner, and she is about as manipulative as they come (just ask Shelton Benjamin).
This match had a lot of drama in it. The Amazing Red spent much of this match acting as a punching bag for the Bashams, as they used their size advantage to the fullest. Red never fails to amaze me by how resilient he is. You can seemingly just beat him and beat him and he gets up every time. The odds tonight would become too great for him though. Late in the match, the crowd booed as Triple X, Christopher Daniels, Elix Skipper, and former Cruiserweight champion Low-Ki came down to the ring. Mysterio, standing on the apron, decided he needed to strike before Triple X did, as he jumped on all three of them with an Asai moonsault! Triple X was taken out of the equation, but unfortunately for Red, so were Rey Mysterio Jr. and referee Antonio Santangelo. Santangelo went to the floor in an effort to send Triple X to the back, which allowed Shaniqua to slide that same lead pipe that was used last night into the ring, which Danny Basham scooped up. Danny cracked Red hard in the skull with a pipe-aided flying forearm. Danny Basham slid out of the ring as Shaniqua forcefully grabbed Antonio Santangelo and threw him in the ring. Santangelo made the count, and the Bashams stole another one!
The Basham Brothers (Doug Basham and Danny Basham) defeated Red and Rey Mysterio Jr. when Danny Basham pinned Red after a flying forearm in 0:17:10.
Rating: **** 1/4
Mysterio tried to jump in the ring to break up the count, but he was a second too late. The Bashams rolled out of the ring as Mysterio checked on the condition of his partner. Mysterio and Red came very close, and if it weren't for Triple X, they had a serious chance to take the titles tonight. However, Shaniqua's opportunistic boys made their first title defense a successful one.
* * * * *
[We hear the crowd start to stir as we see a backstage shot of Brock Lesnar walking toward the ring. He looks very focused as he goes into his match with Chris Benoit for the World Heavyweight Title in just a few moments. The camera shot switches to a shot of "The Crippler" Chris Benoit making a similar journey on the other side of the building. Benoit, in all honesty, looks a little bit shaky. He knows how close he was to being a former champion last night, and now he has to wrestle the man who almost took his gold again. As Benoit walks by, we hear a familiar voice.]
VOICE: Good luck, Benoit.
CB: What?
[Benoit turns around as the camera reveals Kurt Angle, leaning up against a wall. He's looking quite smug.]
KA: Just wanted to wish you luck. Big match tonight, eh? Brock Lesnar, is it? You're going to need a little luck to get past him! I hear he's quite the wrestler. He's no Olympic champion, but...
CB: Listen, Kurt. I know what you're doing, and I don't like it.
KA: What I'm doing? Now what am I doing, Chris?
CB: Trying to get in my head, psyche me out. It's not going to work, Kurt.
KA: I didn't suspect that it would, Chris. Especially after the way you dominated Brock last night, eh?
[Benoit grinds his teeth as Angle's sarcastic comment. Angle just smiles a bit.]
KA: Good luck, Chris.
[Benoit turns and storms toward the ring. Angle laughs.]
KA: Not going to be psyched out, huh? I think I just did. It's true... it's damn true.
[Cut to the ring.]
* * * * *
These two engaged in quite the battle last night at Mayhem, and you could tell they were both anxious to tear each other apart once again. Both men didn't look to be showing any wear and tear from last night in the early going, especially Chris Benoit. Kurt Angle's taunting backstage appeared to light a fire under our World champion, as he tore away at Brock Lesnar early with vicious chops. Lesnar took an early powder to the outside to regroup as Benoit took him off guard. Lesnar regained some control though when he returned, grounding Benoit with a variety of painful body locks and takeover belly-to-belly suplexes.
As the match started to progress, you could see both of these men getting a little fatigued. When two animals like Benoit and Lesnar lock up once, they're bound to take a lot out of each other. When they do it two nights in a row, it's hard to blame them for not having a lot left in the tank. Despite their stamina shortcomings, it was amazing to see the risks these two were willing to take. They haven't been going at it long, but Benoit and Lesnar want to prove they are the better man each and every time they get together. This also shows how important the World Heavyweight Title is if these two men would voluntarily put each other through hell for it. Even Brock Lesnar went to the top turnbuckle for some high-risk offense. Of course, he missed the flying elbowdrop attempt, but that's not the point. Benoit's risk was a little more successful, as he nailed Lesnar with the swandive headbutt just moments after bringing the former NCAA champion down with a trifecta of German suplexes.
Benoit tried to lock Lesnar in the Crippler Crossface, but Lesnar powered out of it. Benoit went for it again, but once again, Lesnar shoved him off. Lesnar got back to his feet as Benoit hit the far ropes, and as Benoit went for a forearm, Lesnar quickly scooped him up and had him in position for the F-5. Lesnar spun Benoit out for it, but Benoit countered and brought Lesnar down into the Crippler Crossface! The fans in Buffalo were on their feet as Benoit pulled back on this devastating hold. Lesnar screamed out in pain as he held on for over a minute. Right before it looked like Lesnar was going to tap out, KURT ANGLE broke it up with a hard boot to the back of Benoit's head! Head referee Jimmy Appleseed rang the bell, and this one was over!
Chris Benoit defeated Brock Lesnar by disqualification in 0:18:55.
Rating: ***
(Chris Benoit retained the GCW World Heavyweight Title.)
Angle began to brutalize Benoit with a flurry of hard stomps before bring Benoit to his feet. Angle slipped behind Benoit and dropped him hard with the Angle Slam. Angle pulled down his singlet straps and yelled out loud, before grabbing the World champion's ankle in preparation for the Ankle Lock. However, he wouldn't get that opportunity as Brock Lesnar was back up, and he shoved Angle so hard that Angle fell through the ropes and to the floor! The crowd actually cheered Lesnar for a moment as Angle stood on the floor absolutely dumbfounded as to what just happened. Angle slowly started heading up toward the locker room, knowing that it wasn't wise to mess with Brock Lesnar right now. Lesnar in a fit of rage grabbed Benoit, picked him up, and sent him crashing to the mat with the F-5. The show went off the air with Lesnar standing over Benoit and in the background, an ominous Kurt Angle smiling evilly.
It's hard not to get excited when we know that just around the corner, it will be time for Super Cade! On Sunday, June 27th, live from New York City, New York, Global Championship Wrestling will put on what GCW President Ryan Niemiller is promising to be the show hat will ultimately solidify GCW as a top-tier company! So far, only two matches have officially been signed, but they are both going to be tremendous! We know that as a result of winning the Cruiserweight Chaos match, Teddy Hart will go one-on-one with the newly crowned Cruiserweight champion, Rey Mysterio Jr. in a match pitting two of GCW's most popular cruisers against each other! Also, in our main event, we know that World Heavyweight champion Chris Benoit will defend his title against Kurt Angle of the Sensationals in what should be a mat classic! This is a show you're not going to want to miss!