ECW NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER 11/18/95 COMMERCIAL TAPE

Running Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

This was ECW’s most significant event to date and was the third annual showcase event for ECW. One of its strengths was that it had its share of exciting and memorable moments, including the return of Sabu, Taz’s heel turn, an appearance from Steve Austin, a great Mexican death match and a wild and chaotic main event. Given the content this show was for the most part ideally paced. The opening matches and acts were appropriate as openers and while the main matches weren’t all great matches, they were the most important ones from a booking standpoint. The event’s overall workrate was certainly very good, although this event has been overrated by some from an in-ring standpoint. The Mexican death match was excellent, but some could be turned off by the frequent falls and the fact that the ECW blowoff match for Misterio and Psicosis was not their best. The ECW title match was short and subpar, and Austin and Whipwreck were capable of a much more exciting and memorable match. While Bill Alfonso and Tod Gordon put on a perfectly acceptable match, any match between two non-wrestlers and non-athletes can only reach a certain level. While I enjoyed the tag team title match, I could understand some people’s negativity towards it due to stalling and often non-descript action. Also, while Sabu carried Hack Myers to the best match of Hack’s career, the concept of Hack in a 10 minute+ semi-main event never was and never will be attractive. Besides the main event and the Mexican death match, one other match produced strong work in the Pitbulls vs Eliminators, which was very strong from a moves standpoint and wasn’t too long. Overall, an average show in terms of workrate, but very good and memorable in terms of the angles. Overall, a fine introduction to the ECW product for unfamiliar viewers.

Buh Buh Ray Dudley came out to be a guest ring announcer to introduce the show, and Joey Styles comically declared that a 60 minute time limit would be strictly enforced. Buh Buh Ray did fine until he tried to say “Let’s get ready to rumble”, getting stuck on the last word. He attacked the scheduled participants for the opening match.

1. Buh Buh Ray Dudley vs Broad Street Bully & Don E. Allen

Buh Buh Ray gave both opponents a Buh Buh bomb and pinned Bully in about 50 seconds. NR

Paul E. Dangerously came out to make an announcement. He ordered the lights to be dimmed for a few moments. When they were turned back on, Sabu was standing in the ring. He embraced Paul E. to a huge pop and Paul E. announced that Sabu would make his in-ring return later in the show.

2. Konnan vs Jason

Joey Styles did the ring announcing for this match. Taz was announced as the special ref for the match. Jason insulted Taz and Tax punched him. Konnan pinned Jason in 16 seconds after a splash mountain. NR

3. El Puerto Ricano vs Stevie Richards

Blue Meanie showed up in the front row and gave Richards a shirt that said “flock of seagulls”. Ricano hit almost an Orihara moonsault and a springboard moonsault for a near fall. Ricano hit a tope suicida on Meanie. Richards low-blowed Ricano and powerbombed him. Richards dropped Ricano on the top rope and powerbombed him again. Meanie reluctantly attempted a moonsault on Ricano but missed. Ricano rolled up Richards for a near fall. Richards Steviekicked Ricano and pinned him at 3:03. A decent short match. *1/4

4. Eliminators (Saturn & Kronus) w/Jason vs Pitbulls (1 & 2) w/Francine

Pitbull 1 and Saturn traded offense early. Pitbull 1 no-sold Saturn’s blows and Pitbull 1 assaulted him in the corner. He superkicked Saturn and Pitbull 2 gained a near fall on Saturn with a top rope elbow. Pitbull 2 powerslammed Kronus but Kronus fought back with a dragon suplex. Saturn hit a second rope clothesline on Pitbull 2, who was standing on the apron. Kronus launched Saturn, who hit an over the top rope moonsault onto Pitbull 2 on the floor. Kronus gave Pitbull 2 a somersault legdrop and back suplex for a near fall. Pitbull 2 fought back but missed a corner splash on Kronus and crashed to the floor. Saturn gained a near fall on Pitbull 2 after a top rope elbow and another after a top rope huracanrana. Saturn attempted a second top rope huracanrana but Pitbull 2 countered with a superbomb for a near fall. Pitbull 1 attacked both Eliminators and gave them a double clothesline. Saturn gained a near fall on Pitbull 2 with a tiger driver. Pitbull 2 lifted Kronus on his shoulders and Pitbull 1 clotheslined him over the top rope to the floor. Pitbull 1 gained a near fall on Kronus after he and Pitbull 2 gave him a superbomb/neckbreaker combo. Jason interfered but Pitbull 2 attacked him. Kronus gave Pitbull 2 a handspring elbow but Pitbull 2 fought back with a spin kick in the corner. Pitbull 2 pinned Kronus at 11:09 after a superbomb. Jason attacked Francine and Pitbull 1 hit him with a chair as a result. The Eliminators gave both Pitbulls total elimination during a post-match brawl. A very good match with lots of good moves. ***1/4

5. Mexican Death Match: Rey Misterio Jr. vs Psicosis

Psicosis charged Misterio at the bell but Misterio moved. Misterio gave Psicosis a huracanrana, Psicosis missed a dropkick, and Misterio hit a huracanrana for the first pin just 30 seconds into the match. Psicosis got up at the count of 5. Misterio gave Psicosis a huracanrana over the top rope to the floor in a crazy spot. Misterio attempted a springboard move off the barricade but slipped and hurt his knee. Psicosis hit Misterio with a chair and a top rope dropkick. Psicosis moonsaulted Misterio for the pin at 2:26, and Misterio barely answered the ten count. Psicosis dropkicked Misterio in the corner and dropped him stomach first on the top turnbuckle. He continued to dominate Misterio and powerbombed him for another pin, but Misterio again barely answered the ten count. Psicosis corner splashed Misterio and twice dumped him upside down in the opposite corner. Psicosis hit a top rope corkscrew senton for another pin at 5:28, and Misterio again barely answered the ten count. Psicosis hit a pair of dropkicks in the corner and DDTd Misterio on a chair. He placed a chair on Misterio’s back and moonsaulted him for a pin at 6:52, but Misterio answered the count again. Psicosis dropkicked Misterio in the knees. He placed a chair on Misterio’s knees and attempted a moonsault but Misterio raised his knees and Psicosis crashed onto the chair. Misterio hit Psicosis with a chair and clotheslined him from the second rope to the apron. Misterio hit a flying bodypress off the apron, sending both men over the barricade and into the crowd. Misterio hit a great superquebrada onto Psicosis in the front row, after which they brawled throughout the crowd. Misterio hit Psicosis with a chair as they returned to ringside. Misterio continued to dominate Psicosis as they fought all the way to the stage area. Misterio scored with more chairshots. Misterio went up to a balcony-like area and jumped off with a spinning huracanrana on Psicosis on the stage 6-8 feet below for a pin at 11:03. This time, Psicosis didn’t answer the count and Misterio won at 11:43. The high number of falls kinda hurt the match a bit, but still an amazing effort with several spots they didn’t do in their first two ECW matches. ****1/4

6. ECW Tag Team title: Sandman (w/Woman) & Too Cold Scorpio (c) vs Public Enemy (Rocco Rock & Johnny Grunge; TPE)

Before the match, Scorpio challenged Rocco to a dance-off. Scorpio danced, then Rocco, then Sandman for a huge pop, and then Woman for an even louder pop. The champions attacked Public Enemy at the start. Rocco hit a double top rope clothesline on Sandman and Scorpio. TPE clotheslined their opponents over the top rope to the floor. Grunge hiptossed Sandman over the top rope to the floor and Rocco hit a tope on Sandman. All four men grabbed chairs and dueled. Scorpio hit Grunge with a chair as they fought in the entrance. Rocco hit Sandman with a chair and dumped him into the crowd as Scorpio attacked Grunge with a prosthetic hand. Sandman got the better of Rocco at ringside as Grunge gave Scorpio a second rope Vader bomb for a near fall. Rocco hit Sandman with a fan’s pumpkin pie. Grunge was busted open as Sandman gave him a slingshot dropkick of sorts. Rocco gave Sandman a tilt a whirl headscissors and a tilt a whirl armdrag but Sandman fought back with a backbreaker and a slingshot legdrop. Scorpio gave Rocco a slingshot corkscrew splash. Scorpio continued to dominate Rocco with moves such as a superkick and a tiger driver for a near fall. Scorpio met Rocco’s knees on a standing moonsault attempt. Sandman ht a tope on Grunge as Woman hit Rocco in the head with a cane/kendo stick. Grunge backdropped Sandman onto a table at ringside as Rocco suplexed Scorpio over the top rope to the floor. Sandman countered a suplex attempt and dropped Grunge through the table. Rocco placed Sandman on the table’s remnants and hit a somersault plancha on Sandman. Rocco gained a near fall on Sandman with a huracanrana. Scorpio gained a near fall on Rocco with a moonsault and hit him with a spin kick. Grunge attacked both opponents and held Scorpio for Rocco, who attempted a somersault dive but Scorpio moved and Rocco hit his partner. Sandman then pinned Grunge at 15:44 to retain the titles. A good match with its share of chaotic moments, but not great due to the lack of a compelling storyline or cohesive flow. **1/2

A highlight package aired detailing the history behind the Bill Alfonso-Tod Gordon feud.

7. Bill Alfonso vs Tod Gordon

Beulah was the special ref for the match. Alfonso attacked Gordon before the bell and threatened Beulah, who slapped him in return, but Alfonso clotheslined Beulah. Gordon attacked Alfonso and won a slugfest. Fans chanted “shah” for Gordon’s blows and “sh**” for Alfonso’s. Gordon clotheslined Alfonso and dominated him until Alfonso gave him a low blow. Alfonso took the fight to ringside but Gordon fought back and hit him with a cookie sheet. Gordon rammed Alfonso’s head into a chair and Alfonso was busted open. Gordon rammed Alfonso into a chair a fan held up. Alfonso went to hit Gordon with a frying pan but Gordon gave him a low blow and hit Alfonso with the frying pan. Gordon pinned Alfonso but there was no ref to count. Taz ran in and counted the pin attempt but then dragged Gordon off Alfonso and punched Gordon. Taz placed Alfonso on Gordon and counted the pin after about 7:00 of action. Taz drew great heat for his heel turn. A perfectly acceptable match. *1/4

Sandman came to the ring for his title match but Steve Austin attacked him in the aisle and left him lying in a heap. Austin then challenged Mikey Whipwreck to a title match and Whipwreck accepted the challenge.

8. ECW World Title: Mikey Whipwreck (c) vs Steve Austin

Austin attacked Whipwreck before the bell and dropped him neck-first on the barricade. Back in the ring Austin completely dominated Whipwreck. Austin whipped Whipwreck into the barricade and slapped him repeatedly. Austin gave Whipwreck the Hogan boot to the face and the Hogan legdrop for a near fall. Austin threw Whipwreck over the top to the floor and dropped him stomach first on the barricade. Whipwreck whipped Austin into the barricade but Austin quickly recovered. Whipwreck won a slugfest at ringside. Austin gave Whipwreck his stun gun for a near fall. Whipwreck pulled Austin’s tights and pinned him at 4:41 with a sunset flip to retain the title. A short and disappointing match given the talent involved. *1/2

9. Sabu (w/Paul E. Dangerously) vs Hack Myers

Sabu took down Myers at the start and hit a slingshot spin kick early. Sabu DDTd Myers and gave him a slingshot kick with a chair in front of his leg for an early near fall. Sabu used an armbar, a lariat and a springboard kick. Myers fought back and gained a near fall with a powerslam. Myers hit his top rope driving knee to Sabu’s head for a near fall. Myers took the fight to ringside but Sabu fought back when they reentered the ring. Sabu hit a top rope legdrop as Myers was draped over the middle rope. Sabu DDTd Myers for a near fall. Sabu spin kicked Myers but was hurt himself. Sabu hit a tope into a huracanrana at ringside on Myers. He hit a flying kick on Myers against the barricade using a chair as a launch pad. Sabu came off the top rope but Myers countered with a powerbomb for a near fall. Myers suplexed Sabu but Sabu fought back and gave him a top rope victory roll for a near fall. Myers crotched Sabu on the top turnbuckle and knocked him to the canvas with a chairshot. He draped Sabu’s neck on the bottom rope and legdropped him on the apron. Myers attempted another top rope knee but Sabu threw him to the canvas. Sabu locked his legs around Myers and they both tumbled over the top rope to the floor. Sabu placed Myers on a ringside table and, using a chair as a launch pad, gave him an incredible somersault plancha/senton over the top rope through the table. Back in the ring Sabu gained a near fall. Sabu came off the top rope with an atomic Arabian facebuster (somersault legdrop with a chair under the legs) and pinned Myers at 12:53. Sabu did a good job carrying the match. **3/4

Terry Funk & Tommy Dreamer vs Raven & Cactus Jack 11/18/95

Cactus came out wearing a Dungeon of Doom t-shirt. Raven and Cactus held their opponents at bay early on. Funk and Dreamer quickly fought back and took the fight to ringside. Funk hit Cactus with a chair and threw the chair into the ring at Raven, hitting him in the head as well in a cool spot. Funk emptied a garbage can in the ring and hit both opponents with a “25 MPH” sign. Stevie Richards tried to interfere on Raven’s behalf. Funk and Dreamer placed Richards in a shopping cart and rammed it into the ringpost. Dreamer clocked Raven with a VCR as Funk assaulted Cactus with a snow shovel. Funk also hit Cactus with a dust pan and even hit the ref with it. Funk grabbed a golf club and hit a great chip shot on Raven’s crotch. Dreamer sliced open Raven’s head with a cheese grater. Raven and Cactus regained the advantage as Raven choked Funk with a toilet seat. Raven and Cactus clotheslined Dreamer with a chair. Cactus appeared to stab Funk’s arm with scissors as Raven DDTd Dreamer. Raven and Cactus continued to dominate the fight outside the ring. Raven and Cactus attempted to clothesline Dreamer with the chain but Dreamer dove onto the chain causing them to collide. Dreamer DDTd Raven but Cactus then hit Dreamer with a “speed limit 30” sign. Raven and Funk brawled outside the ring as Cactus took off his shirt, revealing an Eric Bischoff t-shirt underneath. Dreamer won a slugfest against Cactus and hit him with a loud chairshot. Funk dropped the shopping cart on Raven at ringside. Dreamer hit Cactus with the trash can. Cactus fought back and gave Funk a double arm DDT onto a chair. Raven hit a tope on Dreamer. Raven went to pin Funk but the ref was still knocked out. By this point all four men were bleeding. Cactus hit Dreamer with a paint bin and a fan’s crutch. Cactus brought out Bill Alfonso to count his pin attempt of Funk but only gained a near fall. Taz came in and pounded Funk. Raven attacked Dreamer but Dreamer fought back with 2 DDTs. Dreamer piledrove Raven on a chair and Funk pinned Raven at 13:37. Just a wild match from start to finish with a ton of weapons, several of which were very creative and unique. A great match, but not excellent because the athleticism was nothing special. ***1/2

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