By John B., rajah.com reader
This is my annual house show report from the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis, MA. The sign outside read "sold out", which was true, not an empty seat tonight. The Man, Howard Finkle is our ring announcer!
1. The Spirit Squad vs. The Highlanders (WWE Tag Team Titles)
Three members of the squad were ejected early in the match. It was down to Kenny and I believe Mitch. Good opening match with lots of high impact moves. The squad picks up the win to retain the titles.
2. Umaga w/ Astrada vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan
Astrada promo as usual. Funny part when he translates Umaga's gibberish. He says that there is too much traffic in Hyannis, which gets a pop because the people agree with him. He makes fun of the tent and says it looks like we are at the circus and complains that there is no air conditioning. (It was DAMN Hot I must say).
Very short match, basically a squash. Lots of "USA" chats obviously. Umaga wins with the Samoan Spike. The crowd cheers Duggan afterward and Duggan hands a kid in the crowd his 2 by 4.
3. Oleg vs. Val Venis
Oleg cuts a promo before the match. He basically sounds like Khali with a Russian accent. Lots of boos for this guy. A funny thing was whenever he would say something, the crowd would yell "what!?"
Oleg, I forget his last name, was introduced from the "Soviet Union". He also has Nikoli Volkoff's old music... Anyway, another short squash match with Oleg winning after a power finish that starts off looking like the torture rack.
4. Triple Threat IC title Match - Nitro vs. Benjamin vs. Carlito
Simply and awesome, awesome match. The best quality match of the entire show, hands down. A high spot included a german/superplex combo off the top rope! Unbelievable work by these three. Nitro retains the IC Title.
5. Women's Championship - Mickie James vs. Torrie Wilson
HUGE pop for Torrie. Nothing special about this one, but it wasn't too bad. Mickie is one hell of a wrestler. Mickie retains, but Candice and Torrie double team her after the match.
6. Kane vs. Randy Orton
Lots of stalling by Orton. Match finally gets going. Pretty much back and forth, Kane goes for the chokeslam but Orton escapes as usual. Orton eventually hits the RKO for the win. Post match, Kane chases Randy to the back (or outside). No post match Hogan/SummerSlam promo as they did with HBK last year.
7. Main Event - WWE Title Match - Edge w/ Lita vs. John Cena
Coach comes out before the match and announces Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat as the special ref. Lots of cheers for Ricky. Coach is at ringside to "make sure Ricky calls it down the middle". Much heat for Edge, INSANE pop for Cena. Typical Cena/Edge match, fun to watch live though. Cena hits the FU on Edge. Ricky goes for the three count, but Coach pulls him out of the ring and bashes his head on the side of the ring. When Ricky recovers he calls for a DQ. Edge still WWE Champion. Post match: Ricky gets some chops in on Coach. Edge holds Cena, so Lita can throw powder in his eyes. Cena breaks loose and backfires the powder into Lita's eyes. A blinded Lita accidentally DDT's Edge. Cena FU's Lita. Cena FU's Coach. Umaga comes out of nowhere and attemps a Samoan Spike on Cena. Cena counter and hits a HUGE FU on Umaga. Cena talks to us afterwards and thanks us while drinking a cup of beer.
No mention whatsoever of SummerSlam in Boston, which I found odd. Out back in the parking lot the wrestlers got in their cars and headed across the street to the Sheraton, where they can enjoy air conditioning as the tent obviously had none. Good Show. Happy overall.
