WWE house show in Poughkeepsie, New York, 8.1.05
Written by Erik Carlson, rajah.com reader
Between work and going to the Civic Center right after work, I’m not gonna ruin this with a whole lotta talk. I’ll just get right to what happened in the matches.
Scotty 2 Hotty d. Stevie Richards (w/The Blue Meanie)
There were plenty of BWO and ECW chants when Richards and the Meanie came out, but that got sapped when the match got going. I dare to say that Scotty is definitely a favorite of the Poughkeepsie crowd. (As is Chris Benoit, but I’m getting ahead of myself.) Really, I remember more working the crowd from these three than actual moves and Meanie’s involvement, as minimal as it was. That’s probably because of Richards’ reaction anytime he tried to get a BWO chant out of us. Yep, the look of “What, do I have to bribe you people to like me?” lol As I mentioned, Meanie’s involvement was minimal, so Scott was able to take care of things in there without much problem, ending it with the Worm.
Psychosis & Super Crazy d. Nunzio & Vito
Going in, as soon as I saw on the net that Vito was on the developmental roster, I was guessing that WWE might do another version of the FBI. Well, this is close. They don’t have that label yet. And I was also looking for the Juan Deere to be used. No such luck. Not even a Cub Cadet. I’m still amazed at how Psychosis and Crazy are taking to the heel style of wrestling, being luchadores and all. Sure, why not? If they’re gonna be the next heel team to enter the Tag Team title picture, might as well do it right. And they’re definitely showing that they got some skills on the mat in the process. And they had to be on their game, since that’s Nunzio’s preferred style anyway. Crazy finished Vito off with a standing Asai moonsault.
Bobby Lashley d. William Regal
This Lashley kid is pretty thick in the midsection there… I mean muscular, not fat. Sorry, had to clarify. Yeah, he was a 3-time champ in NAIA, but Regal taught him a thing or two about chain wrestling on this level. Decent match, minimal reaction other than for Regal. (Apparently, hardly anyone knew who Lashley was.) Couldn’t believe that Lashley got the win here off a Jackhammer. One, because, well, he’s the noob, and two, because he looked like he was struggling to get Regal up a little bit. (shrugs)
Cruiserweight Title Match: Paul London d. Juventud by DQ
Juventud didn’t come out alone. Psychosis and Crazy were there at ringside, and Juvi made the most of it. Psychosis was trying to get a Mexico chant going, and me being right there, 7th row, wearing a USA hockey jersey (I know, I’m the only one crazy enough to wear a hockey jersey in August.), I had to take my shot. So I chanted USA and pointed at my chest. Psychosis heard me and was all like “Aw, shut up!” and whatever else. lol The lady sitting next to me said “Good to see that you’re getting your money’s worth.” I try. Juvi and London had a few spots from the WCW playbook in the opening minutes. When London was on the offense, he was his normal self. Juvi: like I said, he made the most out of having Psychosis and Crazy out there. It’s not that he couldn’t keep up with London. It’s just living up to the Mexicools’ MO. Which would explain the DQ finish. Neither was able to get off their respective 450s. London was able to grab Juvi as he was going up, but as London tried it, Psychosis launched him off and everybody poured in on the gang attack. If they meet at SummerSlam, it’s gonna be a good one.
Tag Team Title Match: Jon Heidenreich & Animal d. MNM (w/Melina)
I felt inclined to shout… actually, I did shout… toward MNM’s way, since they’re just posing as part of the A-List, “Won’t the real Slim Shady please stand up?” Nobody got it… nobody paid attention. Eh, these things happen. Just as the match was starting, Heidenreich was still swinging his arm like he was marching, so I got the Heidenreich March going… or as I usually call it, the Heidenreich Drinking Song. Really, it was a normal tag team match until the end there. Melina was on the apron looking to save Nitro from a Doomsday Device. Animal grabs a hold of her and brings her in looking for a version of the Hart Attack. I say looking because he doesn’t git-r-done with Heidenreich. Torrie races out just for this moment. Well, ask and you shall receive. Nitro was next in line, and he got hit with Doomsday.
Triple Threat Match: Chris Benoit d. Christian & Booker T. (w/Sharmell)
Just a normal triple threat match, really; everybody taking turns beating on someone while the odd man out takes a breather on the floor. Christian’s jawjacking at the open made him an instant target, and a few minutes later, Booker and Benoit’s tempers flared. There was this cool 3-man spot that they did towards the end. Benoit caught Christian going to the top rope and was gonna give him a superplex. Booker joined the fray and ducked under Benoit like he was gonna give him a powerbomb from that position. Both ideas come to pass. If only they can do that on PPV, ya know? Benoit rolled his hat trick on Christian, and for added measure, gave Booker a German, as well. Both were set up so that Benoit could try killing two birds with one flying headbutt. Both moved as he was in the air. Booker got Christian prone shortly after, did the Spinneroonie, and ended up missing a sidekick, landing crotch first on the top rope. Christian dumps him to the floor, then went after Benoit. Benoit countered the Unprettier into the Crossface. Christian made passive attempts to reach the bottom rope before tapping out.
United States Title Match: Rey Mysterio d. Orlando Jordan by Countout, Jordan still champ
Jordan: “This town doesn’t deserve a title match, and Rey, neither do you.” Well, no question as to what Jordan wants to do. As he tries to leave, Rey gets under his skin not only with a Buckwheat chant, but bringing out a Buckwheat T-shirt. More on the shirt later. So I join in on the Buckwheat fun. “Hey Buckwheat, where’s Alfalfa?” Or “Where’s Stymie?” lol Too bad the Little Rascals will never air again. It was clear that Jordan didn’t wanna be there, that he felt he couldn’t beat Rey, whatever. Yeah, he kept trying to walk out but Rey wouldn’t let him. The Buckwheat shirt comes back into play when Rey had Jordan seeing stars. He grabs it and puts it on him. Meanwhile, I shout “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” Jordan comes to… barely. He’s on his feet staggering, then looks down… “What the…!” lol Rey gets him in the 619 position, but as he’s in motion, Jordan ducks out to the floor and wanders back up the aisle. This time, for the full 10 count. Long pops out and gets Jordan backpedaling back towards the ring. The short of it: Rey hits the 619 anyway.
No DQ: The Undertaker d. Eddie Guerrero
Here’s another one that didn’t wanna be out there. In talking about being put in this match, Eddie goes (to the crowd, to Long, to anybody involved) “What are you, crazy?” Didn’t I just admit that I was earlier in this report? Once Taker shows himself and the match gets going, Eddie tries brawling with him. Now I gotta ask: “What are you, crazy?” He was better off choking him, which he did with some efficiency. That’s what the bulk of the match was: brawling, chokeholds, chairplay. That’s right, about halfway in, Eddie started using one. He was able to weaken Taker’s leg with it. Never did use the El Paso Lasso on it (Probably wouldn’t have been able to put it on.), so he resorted to a single leg crab. Of course, Taker doesn’t give. Eddie goes back to the chair, but as he comes charging, Taker boots the chair into his face. We got juice. Eddie had his crimson mask fitting quite nicely, believe me. Eddie was running out of options fast, but he did have one last ditch effort grabbing a roll of tape off of Tony Chimel. He first used them like brass knuckles, then pulled off a strand to choke Taker out. Of course, he doesn’t stay out for 3… and once Eddie let go, the dead just sat right up. In time, Taker got his signatures in: the leg drop along the apron, Old School, chokeslam, and of course, the Tombstone. It just wouldn’t be complete without it.
As usual, a great show in old Po-town. And a big deal, too; I don’t think Taker has been on a card in Poughkeepsie since the mid-90s. Now we all know tonight what fans knew then: when there’s no more room in Hell, the dead will walk the Civic Center.
Three Stars
Third Star: Chris Benoit (To be fair, anybody in that match could have gotten it.)
Second Star: Rey Mysterio
First Star: The Undertaker
E.C.
(Carlson 3:16 Wrestling: www.carlson316wrestling.net)
