LionDen
02-24-2007, 02:36 PM
OVW TV Results - 13th Feb 2007
Dean Hill and Kenny Bolin welcomed everyone to the show, previewing what was scheduled:
*OVW champion Paul Burchall in action.
*A profile on British star Steve Lewington.
*"Fearless" Jack Bull does a feat of strength.
*The debut of Daniel Rodimer. Rodimer was moved here from Deep South Wrestling. WWE management has high hopes for him.
Boris Alexiev vs. Tony Mann
Alexiev's manager Strongko was back this week. They noted he was off on a "scouting mission in Russia last week" which I am guessing will lead to the debut of Vladimir Kozlov in OVW. Mann ducked the big kick that Alexiev has used to knock opponents out of the ring at the bell, but was quickly caught and sweeped down. Alexiev worked over Mann as if it was an MMA fight. He nailed him with several roundhouse kicks and a spinning backfist. Mann was out cold so they called for the bell. Alexiev was the winner. I liked the finish since Alexiev is supposed to be a big time shooter from Russia, so it would make sense that he's got more than just the armbar to finish opponents.
Backstage, Deuce, Domino and Cherry were with OVW Troubleshooter Danny Basham. They watched footage of Katie Lea being awarded the Women's championship last week on a TV screen, then told Basham it was unacceptable. They demanded to know why Cherry wasn't invited out to the ring last week. Basham said he invited everyone to the ring. Deuce touted how sexy and beautiful Cherry was in comparison to the other OVW woman and remarked, "If she wasn't my sister, I'd be dating her myself, man." The look everyone gave him was priceless. He claimed it was a rhetorical statement. They demanded to know why Cherry wasn't given the title and Basham said that he's never even seen her wrestle in OVW. Deuce said she can "rumble with the best" and should have been given the title. Basham said Katie Lea had the night off, but he'll make a match between Cherry and Lea tonight. Cherry suddenly looked scared and tried to talk some sense into Deuce and Domino, but the Untouchables told her to relax and walked off camera to discuss strategy, leaving Cherry with her worries.
Daniel Rodimer vs. TJ Dalton
Rodimer was billed as "The Big Deal" and came out wearing a black and red cape with the nickname on it. Rodimer looks like a taller, young Randy Orton, something that's only accentuated by similar back tattoos. Dalton is a performer from the Ohio area under a developmental deal as well. Rodimer catches his bodypress off the ropes and slammed Dalton down. He picks up Dalton for a suplex, holding him, then dropping him. Rodimer pressed Dalton over his head, then dropped him throatfirst across the top rope. He tied up Dalton's arm, crossing them over each other in an effort to choke him down. Dalton fought his way up and backed Rodimer into the corner. He kicked Rodimer into the face. Dalton went for a crucifix (nice idea to tease a finish since it was the end of last week's tag match) but Rodimer catches him with a full nelson slam and scored the pin. Rodimer looks like money in the bank for WWE but is really rough around the edges so far. Well, that's why they have OVW.
Backstage, Danny Basham was demanding Bad Company hand over the OVW TV championship because Eddie Kraven won the title, not Sean Osbourne. They all claimed not to know who Eddie was. They showed a contract stipulating that any of them could defend the title. Basham asked why he hit Skyfire over the head with a cane. Osborn feigned not knowing it happened, saying he thought he was defending himself against a fan or a horsefly since he can't see. Basham asked if he thought it was funny making fun of blind people and Osborne responded, "They can't see me anyway." Basham said he was a jerk and decreed Bad Company would defend the TV title against Seth Skyfire in a rematch. Bad Company acted like it was nothing to worry about.
Jack Bull's Feat of Strength
Inside the ring, Jack Bull's publicist Sosay was back (didn't they just say two weeks ago they didn't know if she'd ever return and here she is like nothing's wrong?) introducing Jack Bull. He said that he would wow everyone with his fit of strength tonight, claiming he would go into a deep meditation (pronouncing it wrong) and then his "beasts of burden" would try to break apart his grip pulling ropes they were tied to his wrists. Bull's delivery was pretty funny. "The Beasts" were Charles Evans and Justin LaRoche of Bolin Services. They were looking to get paid but Sosay told them after the show. Bull asked everyone to give "Sausage and Biscuit" a big round of applause, then correct it to be "Cookies and Cream" before settling on "Jungle Fever". They attacked Bull, tying his arms down and working over him. Bolin started cackling on commentary that he told them to take care of business.
Aaron Stevens hit the ring with a chair as Dean Hill said that things just got worse for Bull. Stevens instead attacked Bolin Services with it. He ran them off. Bull and Stevens locked eyes and Bull left the ring. Hill noted that Stevens just shocked the Davis Arena. Obviously, Stevens' new storyline stemming from the vignette last week with Ariel is to "redeem" himself for his heel past.
OVW Women's champion Katie Lea vs. Cherry
Cherry wanted nothing to do with getting in the ring but was carried to the apron by the Untouchables and instructed to get inside. She was scared when they started the match and walked near the ropes, fearful. Cherry tried to climb out of the ropes but Deuce and Domino stopped her. Lea rolled her up for a two count and Cherry tried to scamper out of the ropes. Lots of tush shuts from under her poodle skirt. Lea offers her a punch and Cherry tries to take it, but ends up nearly getting pinned. Cherry tries to kick Lea, who catches her and takes Cherry down with a armdrag. She locked on an armbar. Cherry's skirt flipped up and Bolin complimented the view. Hill responded, "It's a great country, I'll give you that." Cherry pulled Lea's hair, pulling her back to the corner. She flipped Lea by her hair. Lea comes back with a Samoan Drop. Lea turned Cherry over for her neckbreaker but Deuce jumped in the ring and grabbed her. They rang the bell for a DQ. Deuce and Domino held Lea up for Cherry to slap her. Lea tried to fight back but was held down by the Untouchables. Cherry grabbed Lea by the hair and began pounding her head into the mat. The Untouchables celebrated like they had won the match. After losing the Tag straps, they needed to do something to put some momentum behind Cherry, Deuce, and Domino and this was an interesting way to do it.
Backstage, OVW Southern Tag Team champions Cody Runnels and Shawn Spears are sitting in a locker room. Spears overhears tag team High Dosage (former Tough Enough competitor "Silverback" Ryan Reeves and Jon Bolen, who won the TNA Gutcheck in Atlanta a few years ago and ended up signed here since TNA had nothing for him) cackling about something and asked what they were laughing about. They don't say anything at first then mention he was railroaded by Cherry. He told them it was a sore subject and they said they could see why. Runnels asked why they were giving Spears a hard time over a girl when they were going to spend the next 20 minutes oiling each other. Runnels then says, "Hey, just joking around" when it was obvious Dosage had annoyed him. Dosage said the only joke was the fact they hadn't been given a shot at the belts, so the champs said they could have one anytime. Dosage said how about tonight and the champs agreed. All four shook hands. Segment seemed a little forced. Why not just announce a Tag shot for later and have the match? I guess they were trying to give everyone some backstage mic time since part of the training is to prepare performers for backstage vignettes and the like for whenever they are brought up to the main rosters.
OVW champion Paul Burchall vs. Rombola
Burchall comes out wearing a ski cap and a ski mask, his new trademark look. His new nickname is "The Ripper". Burchall is really coming into his own here and as long as WWE creative doesn't make him a mailman or something, you can see the potential for him in a top heel role. Rombola scored a early nearfall and some chops with a flurry of offense. Burchall ducked a bodypress. Burchall measures Rombola and takes him apart with kicks and a clothesline. You can see Burchall's style inside the ring has changed from flashier moves to something more akin to what WWE management likes, with lots of basic striking shots and slowed down pace in order to project himself as a heel personality more. Bolin noted Burchall was mauling his opponent, quipping, "Rombola needs a tag and Rombola ain't got no partner." Bolin cracks me up in a way that most announcers are unable to today. He's not trying to be cute but is being entertaining while getting over the characters at the same time. Not always easy. Rombola came back with a series of shots and takes Burchall down with a big forearm and a clothesline. Burchall got angry and slammed Rombola with a leaping neckbreaker, which they called Go To Sleep. He scores the pin and retains the OVW championship.
Backstage, Burchall runs into Steve Lewington and says, "What do you want, Elton?" Lewington told him that he was the official top contender to the belt and next week he was going to defeat Burchall for the belt. Burchall told him, "You better be ready to die to take it because I'm willing to rip you limb from limn to keep it." He told Lewington he was The Ripper. Chet the Jett showed up and told Burchall he stole the belt and it belonged to him. Lewington stopped Chet and asked him how many chances did he need to get the belt back. Chet told him to get in line. As they started arguing, Jacob Duncan claimed the belt still belonged to him. All three started arguing as Burchall watched on, disgusted. Danny Basham showed up and decreed that Lewington gets the title shot next week. He said that the others would get their title shot in due time as long they didn't do anything to jeopardize it and told them to disperse. Burchall was left alone looking down at his championship belt. Good segment to establish that everyone wants the belt, which only enhances it's credibility.
OVW Southern Tag Team champions Cody Runnels & Shawn Spears vs. High Dosage (Ryan Reeves & Jon Bolen)
Half of Bolen's face is painted like a cracked skull. Reeves may be one of the most frighteningly imposing people I've ever seen in my life. That dude is huge. The champs worked over Reeves early, although he brushed most of the offense off and tagged Bolen. Runnels escaped Bolen's grip and ran into the corner. He leaped up and over Bolen but came down grabbing at his knee. Bolen backed off a bit, then grabbed Runnels and attempted to get a pin. High Dosage worked over Runnels' legs. They pick him up by the legs and drill his knees into the mat. Runnels battles one one leg as he tries to make it to Spears for the tag. Bolen locks in a figure four leglock. Hill wondered how Runnels would survive. Bolin quipped, "He's not" in deadpan mode. Runnels did a great job selling the move. Runnels finally made it to the ropes, right by his corner, but was pulled away before he could make the tag. Spears finally made a tag in and scored several near falls. Spears hits an awesome standing dropkick on Bolen. Reeves lays out Spears. Cody hits the ring but is cut off and tossed to the floor. Dosage worked over Spears but they come back with the Golden Lasso to pin Bolen, retaining the Southern Tag Team championships.
Solid match. Given what a premium WWE puts on look, it's surprising Reeves was released just a short time after this appearance. Runnels and Spears do well as a babyface tag team and you can see how far they've come together already. Bolen shows some promise as well for where he's at in his career development. The one thing that stands out is that there are physical-based stories inside the ring that OVW tries to tell when it comes to the old school working over a bodypart, the babyface comeback, etc. and other little things that are often lost and diluted with the spotlight on caricatures, highspots, and over the top storylines.
OVW TV champion Mike Kruel (representing Bad Company) vs. Seth Skyfire
Kruel is a second generation star from Brooklyn, NY who cut his teeth in a lot of NYC area independent groups and did a ton of WWE enhancement work before being signed. He's grown his hair out since I've last seen him work. He's with "Bad Seed" Shawn Osborne (still acting blind) and former Diva Search competitor Milena Roucka. Kruel gave the ring announcer some grief before entering the ring. Kruel was announced as "co-defending the title". Skyfire had to be held back from going after Bad Company. He went right after Osborne but Milena stepped in between them. Kruel tried to attack him from behind but was foiled. Back in the ring, Kruel hit a backdrop suplex. Skyfire avoided Kruel in one corner, charged the ring and hit a bodypress out of the corner of the other for a near fall.
Skyfire again turned his attention to Osborne and began challenging him. Kruel kneed him from behind, sending Skyfire to the floor. Osborne grabbed Skyfire, then bopped his head like Stevie Wonder. Skyfire returned to the ring, where Kruel locked him in a Camel Clutch. Skyfire fought his way to his feet and catapulted Kruel into the corner...where referee Goose Mahoney (no kidding, that's his name) was. Mahoney went down.
Skyfire hit a ton of offense including dropkicks and a backdrop. Skyfire hit the one-legged dropsault but there was no referee for the pin. Skyfire went back after Osborne (OK, we are stepping into Sting level naivety now). Milena was pulled in between them. Osborne rolled into the ring. Osborne tossed his cane to Milena, who then tossed it to Kruel. Kruel tried to nail Skyfire from behind but he ducked. Kruel stopped short of nailing Osborne, who pulled up his sunglasses and was wide-eyed with shock and fear, exposing his "blind charade." Skyfire nailed Kruel with an enziguiri. Osborne tried to escape from the ring but Skyfire grabbed him. Kruel attacked Skyfire and scooped him up into a fisherman's buster variation, scoring the pin. Kruel retains the TV title and celebrated as they went off the air.
Dean Hill and Kenny Bolin welcomed everyone to the show, previewing what was scheduled:
*OVW champion Paul Burchall in action.
*A profile on British star Steve Lewington.
*"Fearless" Jack Bull does a feat of strength.
*The debut of Daniel Rodimer. Rodimer was moved here from Deep South Wrestling. WWE management has high hopes for him.
Boris Alexiev vs. Tony Mann
Alexiev's manager Strongko was back this week. They noted he was off on a "scouting mission in Russia last week" which I am guessing will lead to the debut of Vladimir Kozlov in OVW. Mann ducked the big kick that Alexiev has used to knock opponents out of the ring at the bell, but was quickly caught and sweeped down. Alexiev worked over Mann as if it was an MMA fight. He nailed him with several roundhouse kicks and a spinning backfist. Mann was out cold so they called for the bell. Alexiev was the winner. I liked the finish since Alexiev is supposed to be a big time shooter from Russia, so it would make sense that he's got more than just the armbar to finish opponents.
Backstage, Deuce, Domino and Cherry were with OVW Troubleshooter Danny Basham. They watched footage of Katie Lea being awarded the Women's championship last week on a TV screen, then told Basham it was unacceptable. They demanded to know why Cherry wasn't invited out to the ring last week. Basham said he invited everyone to the ring. Deuce touted how sexy and beautiful Cherry was in comparison to the other OVW woman and remarked, "If she wasn't my sister, I'd be dating her myself, man." The look everyone gave him was priceless. He claimed it was a rhetorical statement. They demanded to know why Cherry wasn't given the title and Basham said that he's never even seen her wrestle in OVW. Deuce said she can "rumble with the best" and should have been given the title. Basham said Katie Lea had the night off, but he'll make a match between Cherry and Lea tonight. Cherry suddenly looked scared and tried to talk some sense into Deuce and Domino, but the Untouchables told her to relax and walked off camera to discuss strategy, leaving Cherry with her worries.
Daniel Rodimer vs. TJ Dalton
Rodimer was billed as "The Big Deal" and came out wearing a black and red cape with the nickname on it. Rodimer looks like a taller, young Randy Orton, something that's only accentuated by similar back tattoos. Dalton is a performer from the Ohio area under a developmental deal as well. Rodimer catches his bodypress off the ropes and slammed Dalton down. He picks up Dalton for a suplex, holding him, then dropping him. Rodimer pressed Dalton over his head, then dropped him throatfirst across the top rope. He tied up Dalton's arm, crossing them over each other in an effort to choke him down. Dalton fought his way up and backed Rodimer into the corner. He kicked Rodimer into the face. Dalton went for a crucifix (nice idea to tease a finish since it was the end of last week's tag match) but Rodimer catches him with a full nelson slam and scored the pin. Rodimer looks like money in the bank for WWE but is really rough around the edges so far. Well, that's why they have OVW.
Backstage, Danny Basham was demanding Bad Company hand over the OVW TV championship because Eddie Kraven won the title, not Sean Osbourne. They all claimed not to know who Eddie was. They showed a contract stipulating that any of them could defend the title. Basham asked why he hit Skyfire over the head with a cane. Osborn feigned not knowing it happened, saying he thought he was defending himself against a fan or a horsefly since he can't see. Basham asked if he thought it was funny making fun of blind people and Osborne responded, "They can't see me anyway." Basham said he was a jerk and decreed Bad Company would defend the TV title against Seth Skyfire in a rematch. Bad Company acted like it was nothing to worry about.
Jack Bull's Feat of Strength
Inside the ring, Jack Bull's publicist Sosay was back (didn't they just say two weeks ago they didn't know if she'd ever return and here she is like nothing's wrong?) introducing Jack Bull. He said that he would wow everyone with his fit of strength tonight, claiming he would go into a deep meditation (pronouncing it wrong) and then his "beasts of burden" would try to break apart his grip pulling ropes they were tied to his wrists. Bull's delivery was pretty funny. "The Beasts" were Charles Evans and Justin LaRoche of Bolin Services. They were looking to get paid but Sosay told them after the show. Bull asked everyone to give "Sausage and Biscuit" a big round of applause, then correct it to be "Cookies and Cream" before settling on "Jungle Fever". They attacked Bull, tying his arms down and working over him. Bolin started cackling on commentary that he told them to take care of business.
Aaron Stevens hit the ring with a chair as Dean Hill said that things just got worse for Bull. Stevens instead attacked Bolin Services with it. He ran them off. Bull and Stevens locked eyes and Bull left the ring. Hill noted that Stevens just shocked the Davis Arena. Obviously, Stevens' new storyline stemming from the vignette last week with Ariel is to "redeem" himself for his heel past.
OVW Women's champion Katie Lea vs. Cherry
Cherry wanted nothing to do with getting in the ring but was carried to the apron by the Untouchables and instructed to get inside. She was scared when they started the match and walked near the ropes, fearful. Cherry tried to climb out of the ropes but Deuce and Domino stopped her. Lea rolled her up for a two count and Cherry tried to scamper out of the ropes. Lots of tush shuts from under her poodle skirt. Lea offers her a punch and Cherry tries to take it, but ends up nearly getting pinned. Cherry tries to kick Lea, who catches her and takes Cherry down with a armdrag. She locked on an armbar. Cherry's skirt flipped up and Bolin complimented the view. Hill responded, "It's a great country, I'll give you that." Cherry pulled Lea's hair, pulling her back to the corner. She flipped Lea by her hair. Lea comes back with a Samoan Drop. Lea turned Cherry over for her neckbreaker but Deuce jumped in the ring and grabbed her. They rang the bell for a DQ. Deuce and Domino held Lea up for Cherry to slap her. Lea tried to fight back but was held down by the Untouchables. Cherry grabbed Lea by the hair and began pounding her head into the mat. The Untouchables celebrated like they had won the match. After losing the Tag straps, they needed to do something to put some momentum behind Cherry, Deuce, and Domino and this was an interesting way to do it.
Backstage, OVW Southern Tag Team champions Cody Runnels and Shawn Spears are sitting in a locker room. Spears overhears tag team High Dosage (former Tough Enough competitor "Silverback" Ryan Reeves and Jon Bolen, who won the TNA Gutcheck in Atlanta a few years ago and ended up signed here since TNA had nothing for him) cackling about something and asked what they were laughing about. They don't say anything at first then mention he was railroaded by Cherry. He told them it was a sore subject and they said they could see why. Runnels asked why they were giving Spears a hard time over a girl when they were going to spend the next 20 minutes oiling each other. Runnels then says, "Hey, just joking around" when it was obvious Dosage had annoyed him. Dosage said the only joke was the fact they hadn't been given a shot at the belts, so the champs said they could have one anytime. Dosage said how about tonight and the champs agreed. All four shook hands. Segment seemed a little forced. Why not just announce a Tag shot for later and have the match? I guess they were trying to give everyone some backstage mic time since part of the training is to prepare performers for backstage vignettes and the like for whenever they are brought up to the main rosters.
OVW champion Paul Burchall vs. Rombola
Burchall comes out wearing a ski cap and a ski mask, his new trademark look. His new nickname is "The Ripper". Burchall is really coming into his own here and as long as WWE creative doesn't make him a mailman or something, you can see the potential for him in a top heel role. Rombola scored a early nearfall and some chops with a flurry of offense. Burchall ducked a bodypress. Burchall measures Rombola and takes him apart with kicks and a clothesline. You can see Burchall's style inside the ring has changed from flashier moves to something more akin to what WWE management likes, with lots of basic striking shots and slowed down pace in order to project himself as a heel personality more. Bolin noted Burchall was mauling his opponent, quipping, "Rombola needs a tag and Rombola ain't got no partner." Bolin cracks me up in a way that most announcers are unable to today. He's not trying to be cute but is being entertaining while getting over the characters at the same time. Not always easy. Rombola came back with a series of shots and takes Burchall down with a big forearm and a clothesline. Burchall got angry and slammed Rombola with a leaping neckbreaker, which they called Go To Sleep. He scores the pin and retains the OVW championship.
Backstage, Burchall runs into Steve Lewington and says, "What do you want, Elton?" Lewington told him that he was the official top contender to the belt and next week he was going to defeat Burchall for the belt. Burchall told him, "You better be ready to die to take it because I'm willing to rip you limb from limn to keep it." He told Lewington he was The Ripper. Chet the Jett showed up and told Burchall he stole the belt and it belonged to him. Lewington stopped Chet and asked him how many chances did he need to get the belt back. Chet told him to get in line. As they started arguing, Jacob Duncan claimed the belt still belonged to him. All three started arguing as Burchall watched on, disgusted. Danny Basham showed up and decreed that Lewington gets the title shot next week. He said that the others would get their title shot in due time as long they didn't do anything to jeopardize it and told them to disperse. Burchall was left alone looking down at his championship belt. Good segment to establish that everyone wants the belt, which only enhances it's credibility.
OVW Southern Tag Team champions Cody Runnels & Shawn Spears vs. High Dosage (Ryan Reeves & Jon Bolen)
Half of Bolen's face is painted like a cracked skull. Reeves may be one of the most frighteningly imposing people I've ever seen in my life. That dude is huge. The champs worked over Reeves early, although he brushed most of the offense off and tagged Bolen. Runnels escaped Bolen's grip and ran into the corner. He leaped up and over Bolen but came down grabbing at his knee. Bolen backed off a bit, then grabbed Runnels and attempted to get a pin. High Dosage worked over Runnels' legs. They pick him up by the legs and drill his knees into the mat. Runnels battles one one leg as he tries to make it to Spears for the tag. Bolen locks in a figure four leglock. Hill wondered how Runnels would survive. Bolin quipped, "He's not" in deadpan mode. Runnels did a great job selling the move. Runnels finally made it to the ropes, right by his corner, but was pulled away before he could make the tag. Spears finally made a tag in and scored several near falls. Spears hits an awesome standing dropkick on Bolen. Reeves lays out Spears. Cody hits the ring but is cut off and tossed to the floor. Dosage worked over Spears but they come back with the Golden Lasso to pin Bolen, retaining the Southern Tag Team championships.
Solid match. Given what a premium WWE puts on look, it's surprising Reeves was released just a short time after this appearance. Runnels and Spears do well as a babyface tag team and you can see how far they've come together already. Bolen shows some promise as well for where he's at in his career development. The one thing that stands out is that there are physical-based stories inside the ring that OVW tries to tell when it comes to the old school working over a bodypart, the babyface comeback, etc. and other little things that are often lost and diluted with the spotlight on caricatures, highspots, and over the top storylines.
OVW TV champion Mike Kruel (representing Bad Company) vs. Seth Skyfire
Kruel is a second generation star from Brooklyn, NY who cut his teeth in a lot of NYC area independent groups and did a ton of WWE enhancement work before being signed. He's grown his hair out since I've last seen him work. He's with "Bad Seed" Shawn Osborne (still acting blind) and former Diva Search competitor Milena Roucka. Kruel gave the ring announcer some grief before entering the ring. Kruel was announced as "co-defending the title". Skyfire had to be held back from going after Bad Company. He went right after Osborne but Milena stepped in between them. Kruel tried to attack him from behind but was foiled. Back in the ring, Kruel hit a backdrop suplex. Skyfire avoided Kruel in one corner, charged the ring and hit a bodypress out of the corner of the other for a near fall.
Skyfire again turned his attention to Osborne and began challenging him. Kruel kneed him from behind, sending Skyfire to the floor. Osborne grabbed Skyfire, then bopped his head like Stevie Wonder. Skyfire returned to the ring, where Kruel locked him in a Camel Clutch. Skyfire fought his way to his feet and catapulted Kruel into the corner...where referee Goose Mahoney (no kidding, that's his name) was. Mahoney went down.
Skyfire hit a ton of offense including dropkicks and a backdrop. Skyfire hit the one-legged dropsault but there was no referee for the pin. Skyfire went back after Osborne (OK, we are stepping into Sting level naivety now). Milena was pulled in between them. Osborne rolled into the ring. Osborne tossed his cane to Milena, who then tossed it to Kruel. Kruel tried to nail Skyfire from behind but he ducked. Kruel stopped short of nailing Osborne, who pulled up his sunglasses and was wide-eyed with shock and fear, exposing his "blind charade." Skyfire nailed Kruel with an enziguiri. Osborne tried to escape from the ring but Skyfire grabbed him. Kruel attacked Skyfire and scooped him up into a fisherman's buster variation, scoring the pin. Kruel retains the TV title and celebrated as they went off the air.