Wrestling - http://maxpages.com/wwfstoncold316/ECW_HARDCORE

<> Match One

Chris Candido vs. Taz for the ECW World Heavyweight Title

The match which was thought to be the main event actually begins the PPV. Chris Candido, tonight's challenger, comes
out to announce his new "insurance policies," The Dudley Boys.

This incites Taz, and he makes his way down to the ring. In what is basically a squash match, Taz is able to choke
out Candido with the Tazmission. After he dismantles Candido, the Dudley's proceed to hit the 3D, Dudley Death Drop on Taz.

<> Match Two

The Dudley Boyz vs. Balls Mahooney and Spike Dudley

After the beating of Taz, the Dudley's cut a promo insulting all the former ECW stars who they fell they
ran out of the company. They finish the promo by issuing a challenge to anyone in ECW.

Balls Mahooney excepts the challenge, and immediately hits the ring, and takes control. He keeps up the momentum
for a good 2 solid minutes before the Dudley's come back. Of course, Spike must then come out and make the save for Balls, and as he comes out, both he and Balls go for there respective finishers.

The high spot of the match was Joel Gertner trying to administer his version of a chair short. He also tried to
throw fire at Balls by throwing matches at him. The end of the match came with Balls actually blowing fire in the face of Mr. Gertner. The Dudley's then managed to hit 3D, and get the win to retain the belts.

<> Match Three - Taka Michinoku vs. Super Crazy

In what I consider the best match of the night, Super Crazy pulled out a great victory over Taka
Michinoku. Joey Styles and Don "Cyrus the Virus" Callous both commented on the way Super Crazy was pinned the last time they fought.

This match came to an end with a Tiger Driver/Bomb.

<> Match Four - Little Guido vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri

The match is probably the best wrestled of the night, as there was a lot of use of submission and
mat wrestling. Of course, the traditional Tajiri match specialties such as the Tarantula on the ropes, and the kicks to the side and the back.

After some awesome spots, with surprisingly little interference from Big Sal E., Tajiri gets
the pinfall with a Brainbuster.

<> Match 5 - Tommy Dreamer vs. Lance Storm

As is the norm with Tommy Dreamer matches, there must be about thirty different things involved with the match, including Francine coming out with Dreamer and assisting him.

In what has also been the norm with Dreamer, a ladder must be involved in one of his matches, and it played a very big role in this one. Many times,Dreamer would set up for the winning move, only to be stopped by Lance Storm's ladder.

In what was a pre-match promise by Dreamer, if Tammy Lynn Bytch (Buelah) interfered, she would be piledriven.
Well, she did get involved, and his pre-match promise would eventually be the undoing of Mr. Dreamer. When going for the piledriver, his head was covered with a trash can, and Lance Storm hit a spinning leg Lariat.

<> Match Six - Jerry Lynn vs. Rod Van Dam

More then likely the single most anticipated match on the card. The match went back and forth, for 25 minutes.
Between high spots,such as Lynn sending Van Dam through a table, and Lynn actually using a "Vandaminator," the finish was rather bland for such a spectacular Ariel match. Although it is personal opinion, I feel that after a year plus of holding the World Television Title, Rob Van Dam should've dropped the title to the overtal- ented, underpushed Lynn.

The match again ended with the usual Rob Van Dam spots of a Vandaminator, and the Frog Splash off the
top rope for the pinfall.

<> Match Seven - Justin Credible vs. Sid

There was basically no match here, as Sid was called out by "Judge" Jeff Jones, due to Shane Douglas no- showing the PPV. Sid, as always, went for the power- bomb early. Jason did break it up, but went for the powerbomb and hit it.

With Lance Storm coming it, they eventually were able to get Sid onto a table with the help of some
powder to the eyes. This was broken up by the returning Sabu,even though Storm promised he would not be at the PPV.Sabu wound up on putting Security Guard Tony DeVito through the table.

The segment ended with Sid powerbombing Jones, and then again, with help of chants from the crowd.

Match Eight - Taz vs. Bubba Ray Dudley

For the second time tonight,Taz puts his world title on the line. This time, however, against Buh Buh Ray. This match would take place under FTW rules, where falls count anywhere. Taz, as always, produced a great wrestling match,including a spectacular suplex off the second rope, and taking some wicked bumps.

Taz couldn't see throughout the entire match, due to a massive cut on his forehead. One of the best blade jobs in recent memory. After Buh Buh calls for a 3D (with the help of D-Von), Taz catches him with a DDT, and then he looks on the Tazmission, for the win.

The PPV ties up with a recap of the entire night, which lasted a good 6 minutes.

<> Overall Analysis

If you were to take this card, and match it up with any recent effort by the WCW or WWF (and, by the look of Blake's
No Mercy report, I'm right on target), it would be easily be right on par with the rest.I just can't seem to get over the fact that I felt the best part of the Pay Per View were the Dudley Boy skits in between matches.

It's obvious to see which wrestlers are attempting to get ahead and which wrestlers aren't worried about a thing, and aren't trying as hard as they can.I thought matches,in many instances, just could've been better.

And, it almost saddened me to not see The Franchise wrestling for ECW. In my case, a Shane Douglas interview is one of the main reasons for going to see an ECW card live. If memory serves me correct, nearly every weekly ECW TV between '97 and '98 began with a Shane Douglas interview. No matter what any will tell you, the loss of a star like him will hurt the company. Yes, more then the Sandman and Bigelow.

Taz, however, did make up for any losses, as he
continues to wrestle his definitive style, not changing
for anyone. He was forced to make up for Shane's absence,
and he did so in marvelous fashion.

Do I recommend ordering the replay? A diehard
ECW fan might consider the card good, but not great,
any fan who has recently ordered a PPV, and would
like to see some wrestling, check it out.
But on the whole, I was disappointed.

Greenhill

Scold9b@aol.com,

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Page Updated Sat May 22, 1999 9:04pm EDT