ECW HARDCORE HEAVEN ‘96

Running Time: 2 hours 40 minutes

This was the third annual event in one of ECW’s biggest titles. ECW was arguably at its peak at this time, especially when it came to their in-ring product. Their previous commercial release, Matter of Respect, was one of the best shows in ECW history with 3 matches in the **** range. However, this event didn’t match up to that standard. The matches that were supposed to be good were for the most part good. However, this show had a weaker than usual lineup, including an over-hyped “shootfight” that flopped. Another obstacle was the technical difficulties, especially the ring breaking at one point, which caused well over an hour’s worth of delays throughout the show. Given the terrible condition of the ring ropes, Sabu and Rob Van Dam did put on a pretty remarkable main event, even though it didn’t measure up to their previous ECW Arena matches. Overall, I would describe this as a perfectly average ECW show with some great moments, some good matches, some filler, and a couple bad but short matches.

Sandman ran in and caned ring announcer Joel Gertner. He brought out returning ring announcer Bob Artese, who was welcomed back with a kiss from Missy Hyatt.

1. Shane Douglas vs Mikey Whipwreck

Mikey used an armdrag and armbar early on. Douglas fought back with an elbow. Mikey dropkicked Douglas out of the ring. Douglas took Mikey down with a headlock and gave him a vertical suplex. Douglas applied a Texas cloverleaf on Mikey, working on his injured knee. Mikey whipped Douglas into the corner but Douglas clipped his knee. Mikey fought back and threw Douglas out of the ring. Mikey dumped Douglas into the crowd and hit a somersault plancha on Douglas for a pop. Mikey legdropped Douglas on the floor and hit a slingshot rolling neck snap for a near fall. Mikey missed a dropkick and Douglas applied a figure 4 leglock. Douglas missed a dropkick and Mikey headbutted him low. Mikey applied a figure 4 leglock of his own but Douglas punched the ref. Mikey chopped and punched Douglas as he maintained the figure 4 and gained a near fall. Mikey gained a near fall with a top rope dropkick and another with a DDT. Douglas belly to belly suplexed Mikey and pinned him at 11:33. This match grew on me as it progressed. Not much in the way of crazy spots, but they did a good job of building around the figure 4 leglocks and pacing in general. The finish was sudden, but didn’t come across as cheap and gave Douglas renewed momentum. ***

Joey Styles conducted an “interview” with Bluedust, Baron Von Stevie and Patricia in a hilarious segment.

2. F.B.I. (J.T. Smith & Little Guido) vs Buh Buh Ray & Big Dick Dudley (w/Sign Guy, Chubby & D.W. Dudley)

Buh Buh Ray finally said his name without stuttering, which drew a huge pop. The Dudleys attacked FBI at the bell. Buh Buh Ray gave Guido three big splashes and a corner splash as Big Dick pummeled Smith. Buh Buh Ray gave Guido a slingshot DDT of sorts. Dick gave Smith a lariat and Buh Buh Ray hit Smith with a chair. Buh Buh Ray jumped off the apron but the FBI moved and Buh Buh Ray hit the barricade. Buh Buh Ray whipped Guido into the barricade, threw him into the crowd and assaulted him with a chair. Big Dick no-sold Smith’s chops as well as a double clothesline by the FBI. Big Dick double chokeslammed Guido and Smith and threw Guido onto a ringside table. Smith hit a top rope somersault legdrop onto Buh Buh Ray for a near fall. D-Von Dudley ran in and attacked the FBI with a chair for the DQ at 6:46. D-Von hit Buh Buh Ray with a chair afterwards and also hit the other Dudleys with the chair. Just a standard match, nothing special. *1/2

3. Shoot Fight: Taz (w/Bill Alfonso & Team Taz) vs Paul Varelans

Douglas, Rob Van Dam, Eliminators and others were at ringside. Taz took down Varelans with an armbar but Varelans escaped. Varelans took down Taz with a headlock and delivered a few strikes. Varelans scored with a knee but Taz then took him down by the leg. Taz attempted some punches from the mount but Varelans countered with a cross armbreaker, although Taz reached the ropes. Varelans scored with a couple knee strikes. Saturn hit a top rope dropkick on Varelans and Taz hit a T-bone Tazplex. Taz made Varelans submit with a Tazmission at 2:42. A real disappointing match given the hype. 1/4*

An angle took place involving Raven, Lori Fullington and Tyler Fullington.

4. ECW World Title: Raven (c) vs Terry Gordy

Gordy came out as a mystery challenger. He quickly took the fight out of the ring and into the crowd. Gordy hit Raven with a chair twice. Raven was busted open as Gordy stiffed him with another chairshot. Gordy continued to assault Raven as the fight reached the stage. Gordy also hit Raven with a frying pan. He hit Raven with a lariat back in the ring and hit another lariat in the corner. Gordy blocked a superkick from Richards but Raven gave Gordy a low blow. Raven then attacked Gordy with a strand of barbed wire but Gordy fought back with a lariat. Gordy applied an Oriental spike but Richards and Super Nova tried to intervene. Tommy Dreamer DDTd Richards and Nova as Gordy maintained the spike on Raven. Brian Lee chokeslammed Dreamer but Gordy then powerbombed Lee. Gordy wrapped the barbed wire around Raven’s head and rammed his barbed wire wrapped head into the turnbuckle repeatedly. Gordy punched the ref. Richards superkicked Gordy and Raven DDTd him for the pin at 6:15. Lee chokeslammed Dreamer on a chair but Sandman made the save and cleared house. A perfect match given Gordy’s limitations. Raven carried things well, the brawling in the crowd hid Gordy’s technical weaknesses and the chaos at the end allowed Gordy to have heat without having to do anything memorable. **1/2

Raven and Lori Fullington brought out Tyler, Sandman’s son. Tyler declared his allegiance to Raven to cap a weird angle.

5) Eliminators (Saturn & Kronus) vs Gangstas?
The Samoan Gangsta Party attacked the Gangstas as they came to the ring. The Bruise Brothers attacked the Gangstas as well. New Jack bled heavily and the ambush was complete.

5. ECW World Tag Team Title: Eliminators (c) vs Bruise Brothers (Ron & Don Harris)

Saturn superkicked Don and hit a top rope elbow. Saturn hit a tope but Don fought back and brawled with Saturn on the floor. Kronus hit his handspring elbow on Ron Harris as Don whipped Saturn into the barricade. Kronus whipped Ron into the barricade as Don whipped Saturn into an upright table at ringside. Ron hiptossed Kronus through the table and all four then fought in the crowd. Saturn missed a moonsault on Don Harris. The Bruise Bros. Double booted Kronus. The Gangstas ran in and attacked both teams at 3:37, resulting in a no-contest. A wild post-match brawl took place afterwards. A disappointing match due to the brevity. *1/4

6. Axl Rotten & Hack Myers vs Samoan Gangsta Party (Sammy Silk & Mack Daddy Kane)

Axl and Mack Daddy exchanged punches at the start. Mack Daddy pummeled Axl but Axl fought back with a clothesline for a near fall. Myers got the better of Sammy but then received a double headbutt from the Samoans. The Samoans hit a double second rope headbutt on Myers and Sammy went for the pin but the Gangstas ran in to end the match at 3:00. A wild 4-team brawl ensued between the Samoans, Eliminators, Bruise Brothers and Gangstas- the locker room emptied to pull apart the teams as fans pelted the ring with garbage. A nothing match. DUD

7. ECW TV Title: Pitbull 2 (c) w/Francine vs Chris Jericho

Jericho gave Pitbull 2 a mule kick early but Pitbull 2 fought back. Pitbull 2 gave Jericho a press into a tombstone for an early near fall. Pitbull 2 won a slugfest and press slammed Jericho. Pitbull 2 landed some kicks in the corner but Jericho gave him a victory roll for a near fall. Pitbull 2 went for a press slam but Jericho countered with a good off balance huracanrana. Jericho hit a top rope dropkick that knocked Pitbull 2 off the apron to the floor. Jericho spin kicked Pitbull 2 out of the ring and hit a second rope moonsault from inside the ring to Pitbull 2 on the floor for a pop. Pitbull 2 recovered and whipped Jericho into the barricade. Pitbull 2 hit Jericho with a chair and applied a camel clutch back in the ring. Jericho gained a near fall after a top rope dropkick. Jericho won a slugfest and hit an enzuguiri for a near fall. Pitbull 2 caught Jericho and gave him a stun gun. Pitbull 2 dropped Jericho upside down in the corner and gave him a second rope fallaway slam. Douglas came to the ring and kissed Francine. Pitbull 2 dropped Douglas neck first on the barricade. Jericho attempted a tope but Pitbull 2 moved and Jericho landed on Douglas. Jericho attempted a huracanrana off the top rope but Pitbull 2 countered with a powerbomb for a near fall. Jericho gave Pitbull 2 a Samoan drop and attempted an in-ring quebrada but Pitbull 2 caught him. Pitbull 2 attempted a tombstone, Jericho reversed it, but Pitbull 2 reversed the hold again and dumped Jericho out of the ring. Pitbull 2 caught a diving Jericho and powerslammed him for a near fall. Jericho hit a top rope huracanrana and pinned Pitbull 2 at 12:11 to win the title. A good match but something was missing to make it great. Jericho had not reached his working peak yet. **3/4

8. Weapons Match: Tommy Dreamer (w/Beulah) vs Brian Lee

Beulah and Kimona wheeled a shopping cart of weapons to the ring as Dreamer attacked Lee from behind with some kind of board. Dreamer used a trash can, a guitar and threw Lee out of the ring. Lee fought back and attacked Lee with a variety of weapons. Dreamer hit Lee with a crate and brawled with Lee into the crowd and out of the arena. Lee rammed Dreamer’s head into a truck outside the building. Lee busted Dreamer open and repeatedly rammed him into a garage door. Dreamer recovered but Lee suplexed him right in the middle of Swanson Street. Dreamer rammed Lee’s head into a wall of some building. Lee pushed Dreamer into the side of a U-Haul trailer. The fight finally reentered the arena at 6:20. Lee hit Dreamer with a chair but Dreamer fought back and hit Lee with a mailbox. Dreamer hit Lee with another mailbox and smashed a ukulele on Lee’s back. Lee hit Dreamer with a sheet of some sort and a trash can. Dreamer went to hit Lee with a guitar but Lee ducked and gave Dreamer a prime time slam. Lee was going to smash a cinder block on Dreamer’s crotch when Beulah intervened. Lee was going to chokeslam her when Kimona distracted Lee long enough for Beulah to hit him with a frying pan and Dreamer to hit Lee with a stop sign. Dreamer DDTd Lee on the stop sign and pinned him at 9:05. The Bruise Brothers attacked Dreamer afterwards. They set up two tabled near the arena entrance and Lee chokeslammed Dreamer off a balcony through the tables for a pop. Great intensity but not much in the way of great athleticism. **

The ring broke before the last match, causing over a 1 hour delay. The ring was repaired enough to have the match, but the canvas was slightly uneven and the ropes were sagging heavily.

9. Sabu vs Rob Van Dam

Sabu dropkicked Van Dam’s knees and attacked the knees early. Sabu hit a second rope slingshot kick for an early near fall. At one point part of the ring broke again causing the top rope to sag even more. Sabu hit Van Dam with a chair. Sabu hit an amazing triple jump moonsault on the shaky ropes. Van Dam attempted to suplex Sabu through a table at ringside but Sabu crotched him on the barricade. Sabu knocked Van Dam off the barricade into the crowd with a tope suicida. Sabu assaulted Van Dam with a chair as the action moved throughout the crowd. Van Dam placed a chair on Sabu’s face and legdropped him near the top of a section of bleachers. Van Dam hit Sabu with a chair repeatedly as the fight returned to the ring. Van Dam gained a near fall but Sabu fought back with a dropkick to Van Dam’s knees. Sabu launched himself off a chair into Van Dam in the corner but Van Dam gave him a desperation chairshot. Van Dam monkey flipped Sabu onto a chair whose legs were sticking up in the air and gained a near fall. Van Dam gained a near fall with a standing moonsault /legdrop for a near fall. Van Dam superkicked a chair Sabu was holding into Sabu’s face and hit a somersault plancha for a pop. Sabu jumped off a chair, across a table and dove onto Van Dam against the barricade. Sabu set up a table between the apron and the barricade. He launched off a chair with a plancha on Van Dam in the crowd as Van Dam had moved off the table. Sabu hit a springboard DDT on Van Dam through the table for a pop in a precarious but great spot. Sabu then gained a near fall at 14:40. Sabu went for a triple jump moonsault but crotched himself on the top rope. Van Dam launched off a chair with a great superkick that sent Sabu crashing to ringside. Van Dam suplexed Sabu onto a chair on the barricade and gained a near fall back in the ring. Sabu blocked a second rope fisherman buster attempt and hit a top rope flying DDT for a near fall. Van Dam hit a second rope fisherman buster for a great near fall playing off the finisher of their previous match. Sabu countered a Van Dam fisherman buster attempt with one of his own. Sabu pinned Van Dam at 19:41 after an atomic Arabian facebuster. An amazing display of risky and creative spots as well as guts, especially given the broken ring and sagging ropes. Both men were sent to the back on stretchers after the match. ***3/4

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