Taz remains ECW Champ; but the Company needs a new Franchise

Hardcore Heaven 1999, presented live from the Mid Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York, established several issues in Extreme Championship Wrestling. Joey Styles, who has been in need of a color analysis for sometime, may have found one in Cyrus (formerly The Jackyl in the WWF), who worked the first hour of the broadcast.

The pay-per-view also established that the Franchise, Shane Douglas, who was not present in the building for his scheduled match against Justin Credible, is basically done with the promotion, and is heading back to the WWF.

The show also confirmed that Chris Candido and Tammy Lynn Sytch, who are in the doghouse, might very well be on their way out, as Candido only survived a minute with ECW champion Taz, which was slated to be the main event. Axl Rotten, who was scheduled to team with Balls Mahoney in an ECW Tag Team title match against the Dudley Boyz, did not appear on the telecast, leading some to believe he also may be finished with the company.

The show started with announcer Joey Styles welcoming the crowd to the event, but was interrupted by Chris Candido and Tammy Lynn Sytch. Candido said he had an insurance policy for his match with Taz, which turned out to be the six time ECW Tag Team champions, the Dudley Boyz.

Taz made his way to the ring, which prompted the referee to ring the bell, and the scheduled main event turned out to be the opening bout. The ECW champion made short work of Candido, applying his Kata Hajime (Tazmission) to retain the title. After the match, the Dudley Boyz gave Taz the Dudley Death Drop, and Taz was helped out of the ring.

The Dudley Boyz, still in the ring, made an open challenge to any team in the building. Balls Mahoney answered, and was quickly joined by the Dudley’s “half brother” Little Spike Dudley, for a shot at the ECW Tag Team title. The Dudley’s applied a 3D on Mahoney to retain their title. Joel Gertner threw lit matches at Mahoney, who in return lit a lighter, throwing a fireball into the Dudley Boyz’s manager’s face.

Super Crazy faced TAKA Michinoku, who is on loan from the WWF, in what was said to be the first official match of the card. Michinoku, the former WWF light heavyweight champion, is in as a heel, and put over Super Crazy, when the 24-year-old luchadore beat TAKA with a powerslam.

Without the departed Tommy Rich and Tracy Smothers, FBI member Little Guido, with Big Sal in his corner, faced Yoshihiro Tajiri. Despite a huge slam by Big Sal on Tajiri, Yoshihiro used a spinning heel kick followed by a brain buster to defeat Guido.

Lance Storm faced Tommy Dreamer in what turned into a street fight, which saw both competitors use chairs, trashcans, and ladders. Dreamer, who was escorted to the ring by the “head cheerleader” Francine, used the Spicolli driver from the top rope, but with the referee down, was unable to gain the fall.

Cyrus ran into the ring, but was attacked by Francine, ending with a broncho buster applied on him. To the crowd’s delight, Dreamer gave “Beulah” (Tammy Lynn Bytch) a piledriver. Storm rebounded by placing a trash can over Dreamer’s head, and delivering a spin kick from the top rope, and covered the “innovator” of violence for the win.

Another point established at “Hardcore Heaven” was that “Mr. Pay-per-view” Rob Van Dam, is headed for main event status. Van Dam, the Television champion, defending his title against Jerry Lynn in a rematch from “Living Dangerously.” The match featured many near falls, ending when Van Dam hit Lynn with a second five star frog splash.

Van Dam was over with the crowd, as the fans chanted “RVD” during the match.

Justin Credible was scheduled to face Shane Douglas in a grudge match. With the Franchise not present, Sid made an unscheduled appearance. Sid gave all in his path chokeslams, including Lance Storm, who did a run in. Storm and Credible gained control of Sid with powder to the eyes, and placed him on an outside table. Sabu arrived, and prevented Storm and Credible of crashing Sid through the table.

Sabu placed Credible next to Sid on the table, but Storm pulled Justin off, and Sabu smashed Sid through the table himself. Sid, in total rage, turned his anger towards Judge Jeff Jones, who he gave consecutive chokeslams, much to the delight of the crowd.

In the revised main event, Taz defended the ECW title against Buh Buh Ray Dudley. The two fought through the crowd, and a concession stand, before returning to the ring. With the referee distracted, D-Von Dudley gave Taz an inverted DDT, but the champ kicked out. A very bloody Taz finally applied his Kata Hajime, forcing Dudley to submit.

ECW returns to pay-per-view on Sunday, July 18th.

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