OMEN
06-13-2007, 10:42 PM
When last we left OVW TV, Cody Runnels promised to take Shawn Spears out at Six Flags, Mike Kruel found out he was going to be facing Chris Benoit, the OVW title was held up, Jacob Duncan was wrestling Dan Rodmer for a shot at a date with Beth Phoenix and ODB was arrested as a result of OVW Women's champ Katie Lea pulling a inappropriate trick to keep from having to defend the title.
That went right into the 6/1 Six Flags event, which you can read results of by clicking here. The same day as the OVW event at Six Flags, they aired an episode to follow that was taped several days before, although within the context of storylines, took place "after" the Six Flags event.
If you are unfamiliar with the talents and need a visual aid, visit www.OVWrestling.com. Here we go with June TV, which should be fast from a storyline standpoint as every week, they'll need to do a hard sell for that week's Six Flags event.
Ohio Valley Wrestling TV Report & Thoughts 6/1
We open with a taped promo from the Miz announcing he was returning to the company for one night only at the next Six Flags event on 6/8. Dean Hill and Kenny Bolin announced that Miz had issued an open challenge to anyone to face Miz and they would be holding a one night tournament tonight. As silly as the idea of a bunch of wrestlers opting to want to fight The Miz is, at least they are trying to make a WWE talent appearance mean something.
The one night tournament will feature Cassidy James vs. Atlas Da Bone, Jake Hager vs. OVW TV champion Shawn Spears, the debuting Colt Cabana vs. Mike Kruel, and Anthony Pulaski vs. Chet the Jet.
Atlas Da Bone vs. Cassy James
Da Bone started fast. No matter what's going on in the match, he's always expressive or shaking his afro. He's starting to remind me of a mix of Jim Hellwig and Jimmy Valiant. Cassidy took over but missed a handspring elbow in the corner. Da Bone hit the Boneyard Boogie splash for the pin. Da Bone advances. Match wasn't very different from a 1980s WWF TV bout. Kenny Bolin said after the match that Cassidy needs help and teased he might get involved with them.
Backstage, OVW Southern Tag Team champions Charles Evans and Justin LaRoche are being taught to control their anger by Dr. Thomas when the Major Brothers show up and complain the champs got intentionally disqualified at Six Flags. They challenge for a No DQ match at the 6/8 show. Dr. Thomas tries to get in between the Majors and the champs, then agrees to the match. He tells the champions he has a plan and starts their therapy again. Really lame gimmick, but since WWE has never had an "anger management specialist" watch it end up on the main roster. Hey, can we get an evil mailman too?
After commercial, Paul Burchill and Idol Stevens are face to face backstage. Stevens tells him that just because Burchill doesn't have the belt anymore, that doesn't mean they aren't done with each other. He says they have a match on 6/8 at Six Flags to become the top contender. New OVW champ Bradley Jay walks past them and asks them how they are doing, scoffing at them and noting he made the most of his opportunity, just as he promised he would. Burchill told him not to speak so soon, saying Stevens knows what it's like to have Burchill against him. He asks Jay is he'll be able to stand up to Burchill. He tells Jay that when he's done with Stevens on 6/8, he's coming for the title and says, "Welcome to OVW kid." He knocks the title belt off Jay's shoulder as he says it, and walks off. Burchill comes off well as a badass heel. Stevens looks at Bradley and warns him that now everything between them is personal.
Jake Hager vs. OVW TV champion Shawn Spears - Spears came out looking scared that Cody Runnels was going to jump him. I'm waiting for the day Spears is brought up as Jamie Noble's cousin or something as they really do look alike. Hager takes down Spears to the mat and rides him, then rolls him up for a quick near fall. Hager backdrops Spears. The crowd is chanting, "We want Cody." Spears nails his dropkick (his finish) but Cody Runnels hits ringside with a steel chair. Spears runs around the ring trying to escape, getting counted out in the process. Runnells chases Spears backstage with the chair as Spears runs for his life. Good way to advance the feud without having Spears drop a loss. Hager advances.
Cody returns and realizes Hager isn't thrilled about how he won. He tells Hager he didn't mean to get involved in his business but in the end he won the match, so "someone around here has something to be happy about." He turns his attention to Spears, cutting an old school babyface promo right into the camera, saying that no matter what he says or does, it doesn't change the truth. He says that the truth is Spears is running but he can't run at the 6/8 Six Flags event. Runnel promises to finish what Spears started. Short but intense promo. Good stuff.
They run a big promo pushing the Miz coming to Six Flags. I somehow don't envision kids all exciting running to their parents whining, "Pleaaaase take us to see the Miz!" but that's just me.
Colt Cabana vs. Mike Kruel - This is the former ROH star's debut. His nick name is "Boom Boom" Cabana. Within the storylines, Kruel is coming off a loss to Chris Benoit. Cabana is doing his trademark shucking and jiving at the bell. It gets the crowd behind him right away. Kruel tries to take him over with a sideheadlock, but Cabana fights to avoid being taken over. Cabana cartwheels out and struts. Kruel takes over and nails an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. He goes for the Liberty Lock. Cabana tries to avoid it, fails, and quickly taps. Beyond making his debut, the story wasn't about Cabana but instead Kruel getting a win and advancing. Match was too short to be anything of note, which is a shame since these two could put together something memorable if given the opportunity.
Backstage, Jacob Duncan (who won a date with Beth Phoenix after beating Dan Rodman at Six Flags) told Beth that his Mama is so excited for him and he even went and bought a new shirt in honor of their first date. Phoenix tells Duncan it's going to be their only date and the only reason that's even happening is because "that walking STD" (and how would she know, eh?) Dan Rodman wrote it into his contract against Duncan. She demands Duncan show up in a horse drawn carriage, taking her to "the most exquisite dining experience" of her life in a white collar restaurant and that he better hold open every door for her. She tells him if he can't do that, she's leaving. She then warns him not to even think of a goodnight kiss because she's "not that type of girl." Good delivery from Phoenix although the storyline is completely silly. The masked Duncan began chewing on his gloves, trying to figure out how to make this work.
Chet the Jet vs. Antoni Polaski - Polaski is former ECW Original Roadkill, who has been given a complete character makeover. It's such a huge departure that when he worked a recent Smackdown/ECW house show loop, he wasn't even recognized in White Plains, NY, a venue he'd worked for in the original ECW. He's billed at 450 lbs. and hailing from Pier Six, NY with plain black tights and big muttonchops sideburns. He looks something like the late John Tenta now and since he's so heavy, he completely stands out against the muscled up bodies that populate WWE. The story of the match was that Chet wasn't able to move Polaski or even slam him due to the girth. He finally starts chopping him, but Polaski just gets mad and nails a clubbing fist. He takes Chet down in the corner and slams his rearend into Chet's face. Lots of roughhouse style moves like punches and kicks. Polaski misses an elbow. Chett whips him into the corner several times. He goes for the bodyslam but fails, falling backward. Polaski gets a two count. Chet nails a pair of shoulderblocks. Chet goes for his running boot, but is caught with a sidewalk slam. Polaski goes to the middle rope and drops off, landing the side of his rear-end across Chett's body and scores the pin, advancing.
When we return, ring announcer Timothy Baltimore was in the ring with all of the OVW Divas. He announced at Six Flags, they were holding the Divalympics. That name is so great, I expect the main roster to steal it. Baltimore's delivery was hysterical. Beth Phoenix was spritzing herself with waterthe entire time and I thank whoever was responsible for that from the bottom of my heart.
We get to see the Miz's promo again. Why? It's time for the second round of the tournament.
Mike Kruel vs. Atlas Da Bone - They go back and forth early with neither getting the advantage. Da Bone misses a charge into the corner and is hit with an over the knee backbreaker. Kruel goes for a rear chinlock. Kruel suplexes Da Bone over for a two count and goes right back to the chinlock. Da Bone makes a comeback but is caught with a belly-to-belly suplex. Da Bone hits a Samoan Drop and nails the splash for the pin. Atlas Da Bone goes to the finals. He scampers out of the ring before Team America can do him any harm.
Kruel runs backstage, followed by the others. We follow them to the locker room, where Kruel screams that he doesn't believe this. He says that the problem with OVW is they let people like Da Bone into the company when he doesn't deserve to be a wrestler. Kruel declares they are going to form an army and take over OVW, putting things right. He says he's going to beat Da Bone like he forced Chris Benoit to tap out. Steve Lewington and Chet the Jet are nearby. Lewington says that's a concussion talking because everyone saw Benoit beat Kruel. Kruel calls him a, "no good filthy immigrant." He tells Chet he should be ashamed of himself for aligning himself with a Brit. He challenges them to face his friends Stronko and Vladimir Kozlov at Six Flags. They agree. Kruel goes back to ranting that he deserves to be wrestling The Miz. My God, it's the fn' Miz, not Dean Malenko, people!
Jake Hager vs. Antoni Polaski - Hager gets hit with a running splash in the corner after a short back and forth, then nailed with the side splash off the ropes for the pin. Hager showed good fire here, but it was too short to be anything.
When they return from commercial, Polaski is waiting for Da Bone for the tournament final. If and when Da Bone makes it to the main roster, his theme song HAS to be Slick's Jive Soul Bro. In fact, I'd claim he's Slick's illegitimate son, anything, as long as they can tie him into the Doctor of Style. Da Bone drags Polaski into the corner early but Polaski quickly works him over with shot after shot. They slug it out in the middle of the ring. Polaski hits the sidewalk slam for a two count. Polaski rides Da Bone to the mat and chokes him down. Da Bone fights his way to his feet but is nailed with a standing clothesline. Polaski goes for the splash off the ropes but Da Bone rolls out of the way. Polaski landed on his feet and kicked Da Bone in the gut. Polaski gives Da Bone a back splash in the corner. Polaski misses a splash. Da Bone tries, terribly, to roll over Polaski and gets a one count. Da Bone goes for a sunset flip. Polaski tries to punch him in the mush but misses. Da Bone is either exhausted or completely unable to work more than one match because you can see he's having all sorts of timing problems. He jumps on Polaski's back but Polaski drops back. Polaski drags him to the corner for the side splash but misses. Da Bone hits the Boneyard Boogie splash for the pin. Atlas Da Bone wins a match against the Miz.
Dean Hill does a hard sell for Six Flags 6/8 as they end.
A different type of episode with probably more Atlas Da Bone than should be allowed by law. Polaski is good in his new guise, you'd never even think he was Roadkill since he's doing a completely different in ring style. Mike Kruel gets better on the mic every week. I could see the American character getting into it with say a Rey Mysterio down the line on the main roster, playing off Rey's ethnicity. Runnels got a good promo. Not much from Colt Cabana yet but hopefully he'll get to show more in the future as he's a good hand. Beth Phoenix is awesome. I am hoping they do some funny vignettes of the date, but we'll see. A step down from the previous OVW episode, but given the context of what they were doing, that's to be expected. They couldn't do any major in-ring angles to get over what happened at Six Flags without exposing the business, so most of that was left for backstage vignettes.
PWI
That went right into the 6/1 Six Flags event, which you can read results of by clicking here. The same day as the OVW event at Six Flags, they aired an episode to follow that was taped several days before, although within the context of storylines, took place "after" the Six Flags event.
If you are unfamiliar with the talents and need a visual aid, visit www.OVWrestling.com. Here we go with June TV, which should be fast from a storyline standpoint as every week, they'll need to do a hard sell for that week's Six Flags event.
Ohio Valley Wrestling TV Report & Thoughts 6/1
We open with a taped promo from the Miz announcing he was returning to the company for one night only at the next Six Flags event on 6/8. Dean Hill and Kenny Bolin announced that Miz had issued an open challenge to anyone to face Miz and they would be holding a one night tournament tonight. As silly as the idea of a bunch of wrestlers opting to want to fight The Miz is, at least they are trying to make a WWE talent appearance mean something.
The one night tournament will feature Cassidy James vs. Atlas Da Bone, Jake Hager vs. OVW TV champion Shawn Spears, the debuting Colt Cabana vs. Mike Kruel, and Anthony Pulaski vs. Chet the Jet.
Atlas Da Bone vs. Cassy James
Da Bone started fast. No matter what's going on in the match, he's always expressive or shaking his afro. He's starting to remind me of a mix of Jim Hellwig and Jimmy Valiant. Cassidy took over but missed a handspring elbow in the corner. Da Bone hit the Boneyard Boogie splash for the pin. Da Bone advances. Match wasn't very different from a 1980s WWF TV bout. Kenny Bolin said after the match that Cassidy needs help and teased he might get involved with them.
Backstage, OVW Southern Tag Team champions Charles Evans and Justin LaRoche are being taught to control their anger by Dr. Thomas when the Major Brothers show up and complain the champs got intentionally disqualified at Six Flags. They challenge for a No DQ match at the 6/8 show. Dr. Thomas tries to get in between the Majors and the champs, then agrees to the match. He tells the champions he has a plan and starts their therapy again. Really lame gimmick, but since WWE has never had an "anger management specialist" watch it end up on the main roster. Hey, can we get an evil mailman too?
After commercial, Paul Burchill and Idol Stevens are face to face backstage. Stevens tells him that just because Burchill doesn't have the belt anymore, that doesn't mean they aren't done with each other. He says they have a match on 6/8 at Six Flags to become the top contender. New OVW champ Bradley Jay walks past them and asks them how they are doing, scoffing at them and noting he made the most of his opportunity, just as he promised he would. Burchill told him not to speak so soon, saying Stevens knows what it's like to have Burchill against him. He asks Jay is he'll be able to stand up to Burchill. He tells Jay that when he's done with Stevens on 6/8, he's coming for the title and says, "Welcome to OVW kid." He knocks the title belt off Jay's shoulder as he says it, and walks off. Burchill comes off well as a badass heel. Stevens looks at Bradley and warns him that now everything between them is personal.
Jake Hager vs. OVW TV champion Shawn Spears - Spears came out looking scared that Cody Runnels was going to jump him. I'm waiting for the day Spears is brought up as Jamie Noble's cousin or something as they really do look alike. Hager takes down Spears to the mat and rides him, then rolls him up for a quick near fall. Hager backdrops Spears. The crowd is chanting, "We want Cody." Spears nails his dropkick (his finish) but Cody Runnels hits ringside with a steel chair. Spears runs around the ring trying to escape, getting counted out in the process. Runnells chases Spears backstage with the chair as Spears runs for his life. Good way to advance the feud without having Spears drop a loss. Hager advances.
Cody returns and realizes Hager isn't thrilled about how he won. He tells Hager he didn't mean to get involved in his business but in the end he won the match, so "someone around here has something to be happy about." He turns his attention to Spears, cutting an old school babyface promo right into the camera, saying that no matter what he says or does, it doesn't change the truth. He says that the truth is Spears is running but he can't run at the 6/8 Six Flags event. Runnel promises to finish what Spears started. Short but intense promo. Good stuff.
They run a big promo pushing the Miz coming to Six Flags. I somehow don't envision kids all exciting running to their parents whining, "Pleaaaase take us to see the Miz!" but that's just me.
Colt Cabana vs. Mike Kruel - This is the former ROH star's debut. His nick name is "Boom Boom" Cabana. Within the storylines, Kruel is coming off a loss to Chris Benoit. Cabana is doing his trademark shucking and jiving at the bell. It gets the crowd behind him right away. Kruel tries to take him over with a sideheadlock, but Cabana fights to avoid being taken over. Cabana cartwheels out and struts. Kruel takes over and nails an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. He goes for the Liberty Lock. Cabana tries to avoid it, fails, and quickly taps. Beyond making his debut, the story wasn't about Cabana but instead Kruel getting a win and advancing. Match was too short to be anything of note, which is a shame since these two could put together something memorable if given the opportunity.
Backstage, Jacob Duncan (who won a date with Beth Phoenix after beating Dan Rodman at Six Flags) told Beth that his Mama is so excited for him and he even went and bought a new shirt in honor of their first date. Phoenix tells Duncan it's going to be their only date and the only reason that's even happening is because "that walking STD" (and how would she know, eh?) Dan Rodman wrote it into his contract against Duncan. She demands Duncan show up in a horse drawn carriage, taking her to "the most exquisite dining experience" of her life in a white collar restaurant and that he better hold open every door for her. She tells him if he can't do that, she's leaving. She then warns him not to even think of a goodnight kiss because she's "not that type of girl." Good delivery from Phoenix although the storyline is completely silly. The masked Duncan began chewing on his gloves, trying to figure out how to make this work.
Chet the Jet vs. Antoni Polaski - Polaski is former ECW Original Roadkill, who has been given a complete character makeover. It's such a huge departure that when he worked a recent Smackdown/ECW house show loop, he wasn't even recognized in White Plains, NY, a venue he'd worked for in the original ECW. He's billed at 450 lbs. and hailing from Pier Six, NY with plain black tights and big muttonchops sideburns. He looks something like the late John Tenta now and since he's so heavy, he completely stands out against the muscled up bodies that populate WWE. The story of the match was that Chet wasn't able to move Polaski or even slam him due to the girth. He finally starts chopping him, but Polaski just gets mad and nails a clubbing fist. He takes Chet down in the corner and slams his rearend into Chet's face. Lots of roughhouse style moves like punches and kicks. Polaski misses an elbow. Chett whips him into the corner several times. He goes for the bodyslam but fails, falling backward. Polaski gets a two count. Chet nails a pair of shoulderblocks. Chet goes for his running boot, but is caught with a sidewalk slam. Polaski goes to the middle rope and drops off, landing the side of his rear-end across Chett's body and scores the pin, advancing.
When we return, ring announcer Timothy Baltimore was in the ring with all of the OVW Divas. He announced at Six Flags, they were holding the Divalympics. That name is so great, I expect the main roster to steal it. Baltimore's delivery was hysterical. Beth Phoenix was spritzing herself with waterthe entire time and I thank whoever was responsible for that from the bottom of my heart.
We get to see the Miz's promo again. Why? It's time for the second round of the tournament.
Mike Kruel vs. Atlas Da Bone - They go back and forth early with neither getting the advantage. Da Bone misses a charge into the corner and is hit with an over the knee backbreaker. Kruel goes for a rear chinlock. Kruel suplexes Da Bone over for a two count and goes right back to the chinlock. Da Bone makes a comeback but is caught with a belly-to-belly suplex. Da Bone hits a Samoan Drop and nails the splash for the pin. Atlas Da Bone goes to the finals. He scampers out of the ring before Team America can do him any harm.
Kruel runs backstage, followed by the others. We follow them to the locker room, where Kruel screams that he doesn't believe this. He says that the problem with OVW is they let people like Da Bone into the company when he doesn't deserve to be a wrestler. Kruel declares they are going to form an army and take over OVW, putting things right. He says he's going to beat Da Bone like he forced Chris Benoit to tap out. Steve Lewington and Chet the Jet are nearby. Lewington says that's a concussion talking because everyone saw Benoit beat Kruel. Kruel calls him a, "no good filthy immigrant." He tells Chet he should be ashamed of himself for aligning himself with a Brit. He challenges them to face his friends Stronko and Vladimir Kozlov at Six Flags. They agree. Kruel goes back to ranting that he deserves to be wrestling The Miz. My God, it's the fn' Miz, not Dean Malenko, people!
Jake Hager vs. Antoni Polaski - Hager gets hit with a running splash in the corner after a short back and forth, then nailed with the side splash off the ropes for the pin. Hager showed good fire here, but it was too short to be anything.
When they return from commercial, Polaski is waiting for Da Bone for the tournament final. If and when Da Bone makes it to the main roster, his theme song HAS to be Slick's Jive Soul Bro. In fact, I'd claim he's Slick's illegitimate son, anything, as long as they can tie him into the Doctor of Style. Da Bone drags Polaski into the corner early but Polaski quickly works him over with shot after shot. They slug it out in the middle of the ring. Polaski hits the sidewalk slam for a two count. Polaski rides Da Bone to the mat and chokes him down. Da Bone fights his way to his feet but is nailed with a standing clothesline. Polaski goes for the splash off the ropes but Da Bone rolls out of the way. Polaski landed on his feet and kicked Da Bone in the gut. Polaski gives Da Bone a back splash in the corner. Polaski misses a splash. Da Bone tries, terribly, to roll over Polaski and gets a one count. Da Bone goes for a sunset flip. Polaski tries to punch him in the mush but misses. Da Bone is either exhausted or completely unable to work more than one match because you can see he's having all sorts of timing problems. He jumps on Polaski's back but Polaski drops back. Polaski drags him to the corner for the side splash but misses. Da Bone hits the Boneyard Boogie splash for the pin. Atlas Da Bone wins a match against the Miz.
Dean Hill does a hard sell for Six Flags 6/8 as they end.
A different type of episode with probably more Atlas Da Bone than should be allowed by law. Polaski is good in his new guise, you'd never even think he was Roadkill since he's doing a completely different in ring style. Mike Kruel gets better on the mic every week. I could see the American character getting into it with say a Rey Mysterio down the line on the main roster, playing off Rey's ethnicity. Runnels got a good promo. Not much from Colt Cabana yet but hopefully he'll get to show more in the future as he's a good hand. Beth Phoenix is awesome. I am hoping they do some funny vignettes of the date, but we'll see. A step down from the previous OVW episode, but given the context of what they were doing, that's to be expected. They couldn't do any major in-ring angles to get over what happened at Six Flags without exposing the business, so most of that was left for backstage vignettes.
PWI