Sunday, March 21, 2004

ICWW: Dark Night

The arena was hot as Buddy Luv and Stat-Man welcomed fans to the Dark Night. Stat-Man explained to Buddy Luv that it was the polar opposite of One Night Only. In true Buddy Luv fashion he ignored Stat-Man and continued on with the hype for Dark Night, exclaiming his excitement for the night's headlining match, the tag team title match between Team Extreme, and the newest combination of Statix and the Nomad. Stat-Man told Buddy Luv that he shouldn't forget that Michael Lucifer would be the special referee, albeit, a diminished Lucifer. Luv said that he trusted Lucifer about as far as he could throw him, and turned attention to the opening match as Rhyno headed down the aisle.
 
Rhyno versus Steven Oozaru
The crowd was pumped for the return of Rhyno as Steven Oozaru stepped over the top rope for the match. Rhyno wasted no time, looking for the Gore early on, but Oozaru managed to side step it and go to work with a DDT into the mat. Oozaru stomped down on the returning manimal with boots to the gut, but Rhyno caught him and managed to reverse the momentum, sending Oozaru onto the back foot and sending him into the ropes. Rhyno caught him with a shoulder block, and tied up for the powerbomb, but Oozaru managed to counter! Oozaru picked Rhyno up looking for the chokeslam, but Rhyno countered with a shot the mid-section and a gut wrench suplex! Rhyno backed up, waiting for Oozaru to make it to his feet for the gore, but Oozaru telegraphed it and nailed him with a big boot! Steven Oozaru tied up in the side Russian, nailing Rhyno with the flatliner, finishing it with a firm cover.
Winner: Steven Oozaru via pin fall [3:26]
 
In the locker rooms Statix had a concerned look on his face while talking to Nomad. He told him that he wasn't sure if they should go through the match. He told Nomad that with Michael Lucifer as the referee, it made things very hard to read. The Nomad stood up and looked into Statix' face, and told him that it was just like he said. He told him that he had faith in purpose, and tonight would prove that the Nomad was the Chosen. Statix furrowed his brow.
 
Hollywood Hulk Hogan versus Amazing Red
The scenes backstage were left as fans geared up for two new superstars in ICWW. Hulk Hogan had the crowd in a frenzy as he hulked up in the middle of the ring, looming over the much smaller Amazing Red. Red looked out to the crowd as Hulk put his hand to his ear, but the crowd seemed to be split down the middle. Red went on the offensive fast with a jump swinging DDT, bringing the big man down to his size. Red sent the crowd into a frenzy as he nailed the standing star press, and looked for a cover, but only got a two. Hogan rolled to the outside to gather himself, but only set himself up for a plancha to the outside by the high flying lightweight! Hogan stumbled away from the smaller superstar while he rummaged around under the ring. Hogan rolled back into the ring and tore his shirt off, challenging Amazing Red to come in and face him. Red showed courage, diving into the ring only to be on the receiving end of stinging whips at the hands of Hogan's shirt! Hogan hit the big leg drop on the smaller superstar, and looked for the cover - but Red kicked out! Astounded, Hogan sent him into the ropes for the big boot, but Red countered with a flying head scissors! Red hit the code red, and scored the cover for a shocking victory!
Winner: Amazing Red via pin fall [3:56]
 
Albert Beefcake and Gregory Helms were backstage with the Rock, asking him how he was feeling coming off of a victory against his long-time rival, the Nomad. The Rock started off by asking why it took two people to interview him, and then acknowledged that it probably would be daunting to interview the great one alone. The Rock turned his attention to the fire cracker, Rockey Rakesh. The Rock acknowledged that Rakesh had done things the Rock hadn't. The Rock acknowledged that Rockey Rakesh has one of the biggest followings in the world of wrestling. The Rock even acknowledged that the Indian Powerbomb is no joke. But the Rock also acknowledged that he was more focused than Rakesh ever could be, and was on a mission to capture success in the one land he never had - ICWW.
 
The Godfather versus Superfly
The Godfather strutted his way to the ring surrounded by a group of his escorts and danced in the ring before taking the mic. He welcomed everyone aboard the on and only official ho train, but was interrupted by Superfly who had been hiding in the crowd and ambush the Godfather from behind! Superfly used a steel pipe to clobber down on the Godfather, while the escorts scattered from the ring. Superfly picked the microphone up, and told Godfather that he was the only certified pimp in the house. Godfather nailed Superfly with a low blow, and tossed him through the ropes to the outside. The Godfather danced up a storm, leaving himself open to the attack once again, Superfly planting the Godfather with a hard bulldog takedown. The two tied up, Superfly with a go behind into a belly to back suplex. He followed it up, going up top and nailing the Godfather with a devastating guillotine leg drop! Superfly looked for the cover, but somehow Godfather managed to roll it over, only scoring the two. The Godfather looked for the pimp drop, but Superfly dropped out and nailed the zen enlighten-driver, scoring the win.
Winner: Superfly via pin fall [9:00]
 
In the back Daemon X was with Gregory Helms to talk about his match against the Hurricane. Daemon X said he'd been in the dungeon doing some soul searching, and decided that he wasn't content with just playing the nice guy anymore. He told Helms that there were some changes coming to ICWW, and that nothing was going to be the same. Gregory was left to deal with the grim fortune with a shocked expression.
 
Chris Benoit versus Banging
The Crippler Chris Benoit returned to ICWW by interfering in Banging's match against Shawn Michaels at ICWW: Breaking Point. Banging came out with a force, attacking Chris Benoit before he even made it to the ring! The two duked it out in the aisle, Benoit getting in some hard right hands before bringing it to the ring. Banging recovered and shot Benoit into the ropes, but Benoit came back with a stiff shoulder block. He hit the ropes again, jumping the fallen superstar only to get caught with a spinning heel kick. Banging stomped down on the submission expert like a man possessed before going up top and bringing his full body weight down with a senton bomb! Banging picked Benoit up and shot him off the ropes again, finishing it with a Samoan drop! After the match, Banging continued the assault, nailing Benoit with the Kiwi bomb, before disappearing through the crowd.
Winner: Banging via pin fall [3:24]
 
A video package of the feud between Jason Shamrock and Tito Ortiz was aired, showing the brutality behind some of their exploits. Ortiz was shown training in the ICWW gym. The fight has been dubbed a do or die battle for Tito Ortiz, who has suffered countless defeats at the hands of Jason Shamrock. The pride involved, and the stakes of making it a submission match were shown to be just as important as the championship gold for these two warriors.
 
The Rock versus Rockey Rakesh
The Rock strolled his way to the ring ignoring the fans before the roof exploded with bhai-mania! Rockey Rakesh made his way to the ring with an unprecedented approval from the crowd as the two superstars came face to face in the ring. The Rock threw the first punch, nailing Rakesh with hard rights, pushing him toward the ropes before whipping him and catching him with a diving forearm. The Rock beckoned for Rockey to make it to his feet, only to nail him with a spear takedown! The Rock stomped down on the fan favourite, before dragging him to the middle of the ring. The Rock gave Rakesh the finger and went off the ropes, nailing him with the people's elbow! Rock looked for a cocky cover, but the little fire cracker jumped to his feet, and exploded with the crowd right behind him. Rakesh nailed Rock with hard shots before tying up and dropping him with the Indian powerbomb! The Rock stumbled, dazed and confused, finding refuge on the second rope, leaving himself wide open for the 619! Rakesh nailed it, and tied the Rock up in an octopus stretch, forcing the Rock to tap out! Rakesh offer the Rock his hand, but the Rock spat at his hand and tried to hit the Rock Bottom, but Rakesh countered it! The Rock left in disgrace, while Rakesh celebrated the win in the middle of the ring!
Winner: Rockey Rakesh via submission [5:10]
 
Albert Beefcake was with Team Extreme in the back, who seemed to be fairly confident in their chances. Violent J told his partner that it would be best if he did the talking, since he was the team captain. While Marz shook his head, J explained to Albert that Michael Lucifer had requested something easy because of injuries sustained in the ladder match he competed in. J said that he was an inch away from capturing the International championship, and after punking out Statix and Nomad's asses, he would punk Michael Lucifer's ass out too, because at the next main event he was going to have a shot at his title again. Marz spun J around, and told him he needed to get it into his head that Marz was the number one contender this time. As the tag team champions left Albert arguing, Albo spotted Michael Lucifer in the shadows. He raced over and asked Lucifer whether or not he would be calling it down the line, Lucifer told him that he wasn't in the mood, and tossed Albo's mic. away.
 
Submission Heavyweight championship match
Jason Shamrock (c) versus Tito Ortiz

Tito Ortiz entered the arena first, accompanied by his support staff with a look of intensity in his eyes. Ortiz seemed to show no emotion as Shamrock made his way to the ring, brandishing his Heavyweight championship strap over one shoulder. The two came face to face in the ring, and tapped gloves as a sign of respect. The two shoot fighters jumped out of their corners like pedigree horses from the starting blocks, Ortiz going on the offensive with stinging kicks. Shamrock managed to block well, and went off the ropes nailing Ortiz with a Thesz press. Ortiz did his best to cover up from the punches, but Shamrock went into an arm bar, wrenching the arm. Ortiz managed to yank his arm loose, but at a price. Shamrock went for the tie up, looking for the belly to belly, but Ortiz broke the hold with a chop to the shoulder. Ortiz swung around his opponent, tying him up in a sleeper, but his shoulder seemed to be preventing him from applying the pressure he wanted. Ortiz took it to the matt with a sleeper drop, wrapping Shamrock up in a triangle choke, but unfortunately he was too close to the ropes. Shamrock managed to fend off the elbow strikes, and nail Ortiz with a belly to belly suplex! Shamrock clamped down with the ankle lock, and despite some powerful kicks, Ortiz was unable to break the hold, eventually passing out.
Winner: Jason Shamrock via submission [4:26]
 
The Hurricane was backstage with Albert Beefcake moments away from his match against Daemon X. Albo asked Hurricane if he could respond to the comments made about dramatic change coming to ICWW. The Hurricane told Albert that he considered him a friend, and an equal when it comes to fighting crime. He assured him that as a friend and crime fighter, he would never lie to Albert, and with that said, he thought Daemon X was just full of hot air. Hurricane told Albert that he'd seen it time and time again before. People in black leather, thinking they're bad ass super powers like in the movies. Hurricane told Albert that real heroes where bright colours, and real heroes don't need to wear leather because their skin is already tough enough to withstand punishment!
 
Daemon X versus The Hurricane
Daemon X' entrance didn't receive quite the ovation that the Hurricane's did, the crowd showing their support for the hero! The Hurricane leapt onto the turnbuckle, and stared down at Daemon X. The Hurricane looked Daemon X over, before going on the attack with a right hand. Daemon X blocked it, and dropped his opponent with an implant DDT! The Hurricane struggled as Daemon X lifted him up and scored with a scoop slam. As DX made his way to the top rope, the Hurricane stirred, and sprung to his feet, slamming his opponent off the top rope with a belly to belly suplex! The Hurricane continued to take advantage of the momentum, going up top and coming down with a swanton bomb! The Hurricane looked for the cover, but DX kicked out! Hurricane backed up, and prepared for the chokeslam, but DX was able to block it and drop Hurricane with an uppercut! Daemon X picked him up, entering into a grappling battle which the Hurricane won! He managed to tie up in a reverse face lock, when suddenly Jesseman raced down to the ring! Jesseman swung for the Hurricane with a steel chair, but hit Daemon X instead! The Hurricane snatched the chair away from Jesseman, and pointed the finger at him! Jesseman tried to back away, but the Hurricane caught him from behind, and nailed the eye of the hurricane onto the chair! Daemon X had recovered and tried to surprised him as he turned around, but the Hurricane was ready and nailed him with a chokeslam! Hurricane made the cover as Jesseman and Daemon X helped each other up the aisle, shouting abuse at the super hero!
Winner: The Hurricane via pin fall [6:06]
 
In the backstage area Albert Beefcake was watching the carnage on a monitor, when suddenly Abel Lucifer approached. Abel asked Albert if he'd seen Michael Lucifer, and Albert told him he had seen him earlier but didn't know where he was. Abel told Albert that if he ran into him again, he should tell him that his brother was looking for him, and still wasn't happy about how things ended with the mystery CEO. The detective in Albert got the better of him, as he asked Albert exactly how things ended. Abel got in his face and said perhaps he should rephrase, he's not sure he's happy about the way things are ending with the CEO. Albert looked puzzled as Abel headed off.
 
Triple threat Hardcore championship match
Shawn Michaels versus Marc Scott (c) versus Acidic Wonder

Although Acidic Wonder was hardcore champion at the time of the signing, Buddy Luv and Stat-Man accounted for Marc Scott's victory against Marz for the hardcore belt under the 24/7 rules. The triple threat match started chaotically, the three superstars converging at the entrance way without entrances. Michaels and Acidic Wonder had jumped Scott, but soon turned on each other, Michaels nailing the sweet chin music on the Wonder early on. Marc Scott raced to the ring desperately clutching his title, challenging Acidic Wonder to come in and get him. When he did, Scott nailed him with the title belt and again raced up the entrance aisle, only to get caught by Shawn Michaels! Michaels and Scott exchanged blows, Scott doing some serious damage with an Irish whip into the guard railing. With Michaels busted open, Acidic Wonder made his way back into the action, going on the offensive on Michaels while Marc Scott hovered at a safe distance. After hitting Michaels with the Acid Bomb, Scott prevented the cover and nailed Acidic Wonder with the Grudge onto exposed concrete on the outside, enabling him to escape with his hardcore championship intact, before running to the parking lot.
Winner: Marc Scott via pin fall [7:47]
 
Michael Lucifer made his way to the ring without his championship belt, as the fans prepared themselves for the intense headliner of the night. With the tag team championships on the line, Buddy Luv and Stat-Man speculated on which side of the line Lucifer would lay. His relationship with each providing an interesting element, but Stat-Man reminded Buddy Luv that you couldn't assume anything! Because Lucifer wasn't himself, and judging from Abel's appearance, he wasn't doing much. Buddy Luv said he wasn't so sure, but did agree with the logic of it, as the Y2Juggalo countdown began.
 
Tag Team championship match
Violent J & Marz (c) versus Statix & The Nomad

The challengers raced down to the ring, causing things to erupt into an uncontrolled brawl, something the referee Lucifer didn't seem to be intending on stopping. Marz tossed the Nomad over the top rope, and turned to lock eyes with Lucifer before stepping into his corner. Statix and Violent J continued things in the ring, J taking it to Statix with a spinning heel kick, before bringing him into the corner for the tag. Team Extreme dropped him with the double team spinebuster, before Marz started to work on opening Statix up with an abdominal stretch. The Nomad tried to intervene, but Lucifer kept him at bay, before checking that Statix wasn't giving out. Statix managed to break the hold, and send Marz into the ropes, only to be on the receiving end of a running knee lift. Marz stomped down on Statix, before making the tag to Violent J. J stopped in the middle of the ring and with Statix down, performed the J-arooni! Statix took full advantage of the break, making the tag to the Nomad who took J down with a bulldog! Nomad charged at Marz, taking it to him with a forearm, before turning his attentions back to Violent J with a crescent kick! Nomad followed it up with a big leg drop, before looking for the cover. Lucifer made a slow count, but before the Nomad could get into an argument, Marz took to the top rope, and got some air with a top rope spear taking Nomad down. Violent J crawled over the Nomad and looked for the cover, but he kicked out at two. J tossed Nomad over the ropes, and followed to the outside. J looked for the Irish whip, but Nomad reversed it, sending the Y2Juggalo into the steel ring steps! While Marz attacked Statix, Nomad dragged a table out from under the ring and set it up at ringside, but before he could use it, Lucifer attacked him from behind with one of the tag belts! Lucifer grabbed the ring steps and used them as a weapon to brutalize the Nomad, before turning his attention's to his friend Statix! Lucifer brought the steps down on both Marz and Statix! Lucifer rolled back into the ring and counted both teams out, before signalling for the bell and the titles.
Winner: No contest [10:04]
 
Lucifer snatched a microphone and announced that the titles would be vacant via a no contest. An evil smile crept across his face as he announced that the tag titles now belonged to him, and if the CEO wanted to get them back, he would have to negotiate with him. Lucifer laughed and announced that he didn't mind playing the patsy until he could get his own pawns into position, and now that he was ready, he would reign down upon ICWW with his vengeance. Lucifer rolled to the outside and said that the first sacrifice would come at the aptly named Dark Night, the first of many. Lucifer then picked up the bloodied Nomad, and chokeslammed him through the table at ringside! Statix tried to talk Lucifer down, but was on the receiving end of a scoop slam onto the Nomad for his troubles! Team Extreme regrouped and retreated to the back, title-less, as ICWW: Dark Night came to a dramatic conclusion.