Des Moines, Iowa
Attendance: 10,489
February 28, 2006
THE THEME MUSIC FOR UPRISING PLAYS AND IT's LOGO POPS UP ON THE SCREEN AS TODD GRISHAM IS SHOWN FROM ONE OF THE PRESS BOXES INSIDE THE VETERAN's MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM.
Todd Grisham: "Welcome everyone to TWF Uprising where we will be counting down the minutes until Code Red which of course is the final pay-per-view event before WrestleMania 7 so if you have not ordered yet, you're going to want to contact your local cable operator now so you can be a part of what should be a huge night here on the Rampage division. Of course, two huge matches highlight this card but there are some great matches from top to bottom? How about the Native American Tatanka battling Austin Porteau? And who doesn't want to see the six person tag team match between Melina and her boys Hollywood Heat against Stacy Snow, Viscera and their brand new partner who just made his TWF return...... Mark Jindrak? It's going to be a huge night of action but of course, the two big ones I mentioned just moments ago. Let's start with a match that many are predicting will be a match of the year candidate at the end of 2006, I'm talking about Travis Wakeman versus Shawn Michaels..... take a look".
VIDEO PACKAGE: SHAWN MICHAELS VS. TRAVIS WAKEMAN THE HIGHLIGHTS START BY SHOWING SHAWN MICHAELS IN THE EARLY 1990's IN SOME OF HIS BEST PERFORMANCES FOLLOWED BY TRAVIS WAKEMAN BEING SHOWN IN SOME OF HIS TOP MOMENTS. THEN, THE SUPERKICK THAT WAS HEARD AROUND THE WORLD IS SHOWN WHEN MICHAELS BLASTED WAKEMAN WITH THE SWEET CHIN MUSIC ON RAMPAGE WHEN WAKEMAN WAS IN A MATCH WITH KURT ANGLE. FROM THERE, THE TAG TEAM MATCH AT THE ROYAL RUMBLE IS SHOWN WHERE WAKEMAN AND BRET HART GOT THE VICTORY OVER MICHAELS AND KURT ANGLE. FROM THERE, WAKEMAN WENT ON TO WIN THE ROYAL RUMBLE AND BECOME THE NUMBER ONE CONTENDER FOR THE WORLD TITLE. FROM THERE, WAKEMAN ISSUES A CHALLENGE TO MICHAELS WHICH HE ACCEPTS. MICHAELS THEN ASKS ANGLE TO BE HIS CORNERMAN AND THAT IS FOLLOWED BY A CLIP OF WAKEMAN ASKING HART TO DO THE SAME. MICHAELS AND WAKEMAN ARE THEN SHOWN SIDE BY SIDE WITH A FLASHING RED LIGHT IN THE CENTER OF THEM AND JIM ROSS DOES AN AUDIO VOICEOVER SAYING "TWO OF THE BEST ATHLETES WE HAVE EVER SEEN, WHO WILL COME OUT ON TOP"? Grisham: "That match will truly be a highlight here tonight in Des Moines, Iowa and ya gotta wonder what will happen if Shawn Michaels wins that match. We know the number one contendership is not on the line, but you know Michaels will feel like he belongs in that WrestleMania main event if he can defeat Wakeman tonight. But here's a match that there is quite a bit on the line in. Who is the dominant group on Rampage? Some say the Horsemen, others say the Hart Family. Tonight, we're gonna find out........... VIDEO PACKAGE: 8 MAN TAG THE PACKAGE STARTS BY SHOWING BOTH GROUPS PICKING UP INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENTS THAT INCLUDE MONEY MIKE BECOMING THE WORLD CHAMPION AT THE ROYAL RUMBLE AND MAX OGDEN WINNING THE 2005 KING OF THE RING ALONG WITH BECOMING KING OF CABLE AT THE ROYAL RUMBLE. SNITSKY AND GRENIER ARE SHOWN PICKING UP VICTORIES AS ARE JASON OLIVER, J.J. RAMPLIN AND CARNEY. FROM THERE, THE FOOTAGE GOES TO THE NIGHT THAT THE HORSEMEN TURNED ON JOE COREY, COSTING HIM A CHANCE TO BE WORLD CHAMPION IN A MATCH WITH DREW BLOOD. IT THEN SHOWS COREY's RETURN AND ATTACK ON CARNEY, FOLLOWED BY HIS VICTORY OVER RAMPLIN AT THE ROYAL RUMBLE. ALL THE ISSUES BETWEEN THE TWO GROUPS ARE THEN CHRONICOLED INSIDE A QUICK CLIP BEFORE SHOWING MICK FOLEY's ANNOUNCEMENT THAT IT WOULD COME TO AN END AT CODE RED. JOE COREY's COMMENTS TO JIMMY HART AND THE ENTIRE HART FAMILY ARE REPLAYED FOLLOWED BY MONEY MIKE SHOWN WITH A LOOK OF CONCERN AS HE TALKS ABOUT THE MAN WHO HAS BEEN HAUNTING HIM..... STARMAN. Grisham: "Obviously a lot at stake in that one and you know the manager's of both those groups, Stephanie McMahon and Jimmy Hart will have their men ready. But folks, we're gonna take a quick break and when we come back, we're gonna send it to the ring for a match between Derek Darko and Marty Jannetty"! COMMERCIAL BREAK............ A COMMERCIAL FOR BOOST MOBILE IS SHOWN FOLLOWED BY ONE FINAL, HARD SELL PROMO FOR CODE RED. RETURN FROM BREAK......... Grisham: "Welcome back to Uprising where we are about ten minutes away from Code Red and as I look into the arena, the seats are starting to fill so this is your last chance, if you haven't ordered TWF Code Red yet, make sure you do so as you do not want to miss this night. So with that, let's send it over to good ol' J.R. and the King, enjoy the show everybody". "PUKE" BY EMINEM HITS AND DEREK DARKO COMES OUT TO MOSTLY BOOS. Jim Ross: "Thank you Todd and good job up there. It's a cold evening here in Des Moines but we are ready for what has traditionally been a momentous event in the TWF King". Jerry Lawler: "Boy you aren't kidding J.R.! I remember the year that Val Venis became TWF World champion at Code Red"! THE OLD ROCKERS THEME HITS AND MARTY JANNETTY RUNS TO THE RING TO A BIG CHEER. J.R.: "Tough to forget that one and here comes Marty Jannetty, set to take on Derek Darko here". Lawler: "Jannetty's probably still feeling the effects of that beating he was handed by Max Ogden on Rampage and I think because of that, Darko's gonna make him pay tonight". J.R.: "Well we've seen Darko be able to manhandle some of the divas on our roster but let's see what he can do here with Jannetty". Derek Darko vs. Marty Jannetty Darko was the aggressor here, taking Jannetty off his feet with a flying clothesline before whipping him to the ropes and just throwing him into the air. Late in the match, Darko went for a superplex off the top rope but Jannetty blocked it and punched him twice in the ribs before shoving him off. He then flew off with an incredible "Rocker Dropper", driving Darko's face into the mat and picking up the victory. Match Time: 6:49 J.R.: "A huge win for Marty Jannetty and that sets the table King.... Code Red is next"! Lawler: "For those of you who ordered, switch over to the pay-per-view channel now! Oh what a show this is gonna be"! AFTER A BRIEF PAUSE WITH A BLACK SCREEN, THE FEDERAL WARNING IS SHOWN, CONTAINING ALL THE COPYRIGHT INFORMATION. FROM THERE, THE TWF ENTERTAINMENT LOGO FLASHES ACROSS THE SCREEN. A COMPUTER AMBULANCE IS SHOWN DRIVING WITH IT's LIGHTS FLASHING AND SIRENS BLARING. WHEN IT COMES TO A STOP, THE BACK DOORS POP OPEN AND A STRETCHER ROLLS OUT. IT HAS THE TWF LOGO ON IT. Voiceover: "And now, TWF Entertainment and Boost mobile present........... FIREWORKS AND PYRO BLAST OFF THE STAGE AS THE FANS IN THE ARENA GO WILD. THE SET IS THAT OF A HUGE AMBULANCE SHOWN FROM BEHIND AND THE DOORS OF THE BACK ARE OPEN, FORMING THE ENTRANCEWAY. THE RAMP LEADS FROM THE BACK OF THE AMBULANCE DOWN TO THE RING. Jim Ross: "For the first time in TWF pay-per-view history, we will present an event with no title matches but King, that didn't stop Veterans Memorial Auditorium from just about selling out"! Lawler: "Last I heard, it was a sellout J.R. and these people are pumped"! A RED CARPET IS ROLLED OUT AS HOLLYWOOD HEAT's MUSIC HITS AND THEY MAKE THEIR WAY OUT, ALONG WITH MELINA AS A GROUP OF PAPPARAZZI-LIKE PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKES SEVERAL SHOTS OF THEM. MELINA CARRIED HER WOMEN's TITLE OVER HER RIGHT SHOULDER. J.R.: "Seven huge matches will take place tonight on the road to WrestleMania and we're starting things off with a six person tag"! Lawler: "No J.R., we're starting things off with one of my favorite things in TWF history...... Melina's entrance"! WITH THE MALE PORTION OF THE CROWD IN AWE, MELINA PERFORMED HER LEG SPLITTING ENTRANCE, DRAWING A HUGE CHEER. J.R.: "Ah yes, I can't imagine why you'd like that so much". Lawler: "That is simply terrific J.R., man I love that woman"! VISCERA's MUSIC HITS AND HE STEPS OUT WITH STACY SNOW AND MARK JINDRAK ON EITHER SIDE OF HIM. J.R.: "This situation has grown very heated ever since Melina posted those altered pictures of Stacy Snow and then defeated her for the Women's title at the Royal Rumble but now that the odds are finally even, I wonder how things will go". Lawler: "I know everyone was real surprised to see Mark Jindrak come back on Rampage and I agree J.R., now that the odds are even, I'm interested to see how things will go but Mercury and Blaze have more experience as a team and I think that gives them the edge here". 6 person tag team match Viscera, Mark Jindrak and Stacy Snow vs. Hollywood Heat and Melina Viscera stepped into the match to start and neither Mercury or Blaze wanted anything to do with him. They exchanged tags back and forth before Melina made Mercury tag her, knowing that would get Snow into the match. Vis tagged her in and the two women met in the center of the ring, exchanging shots. Stacy had more behind her punches and she rocked the women's champ into the corner before kicking her several times in the midsection. She then delivered a snap suplex and made the cover but Melina was up at 2. Melina held her lower back as Snow went to the top rope. But when she came off the top rope with a crossbody, Melina dropped down to avoid her and quickly made the tag to Blaze. Jindrak got the tag from Stacy and he came in, beating Blaze to the punch with his southpaw style. After 2 stinging lefts, he hit Blaze with a standing dropkick before whipping him to the corner and following in with a jumping body splash. Jindrak then went to the top rope but Blaze got up and flung his arm into referee Scott Martin, knocking him into the ring ropes which in turn knocked Jindrak down, racking him on the top turnbuckle. Blaze then made the tag to Mercury and he came in, trying to pull Jindrak off the top rope. But he couldn't get him down and Jindrak dropped him with a left hand. He then came off the top rope with a flying clothesline and made the cover for the 1...........2......., but Blaze made the save. That brought Viscera into the ring and he smashed Blaze with a clothesline as the women went at it. Martin had his hands full as Jindrak pulled Mercury up and shot him to the ropes but Mercury ducked a clothesline and kicked him right in the groin. Jindrak crumpled to his knees as Hollywood Heat combined to clothesline Viscera over the top rope. Martin had managed to pull the women apart and as he forced Stacy back to her corner, Mercury and Blaze dropped Jindrak with the "Director's Cut". Martin turned to see Melina on top of Jindrak and he made the 3 count, giving her the humiliating defeat of Jindrak. Match Time: 3:51 Lawler: "Well the odds were even J.R., but we've got the same result"! J.R.: "Hollywood Heat was able to take advantage of a referee who had lost control and you're right, it's the same result"! HOLLYWOOD HEAT's MUSIC PLAYED AND THEY LIFTED MELINA UP ON THEIR SHOULDERS AS SHE RAISED THE WOMEN's TITLE IN THE AIR. Lawler: "And look at the celebration! Melina has pinned Mark Jindrak and she's gotta feel like she's on top of the world"! J.R.: "Yeah, that's obvious King but with being champion comes a whole host of challengers and without those two by her side doing all her dirty work, I don't think she could take the heat, no pun intended"! PARKING GARAGE CAMERAS OUTSIDE SHOW A LONG BLACK LIMOSINE WITH THE 4 HORSEMEN LOGO ON THE LICENSE PLATE ENTER THE ARENA. IT COMES TO A STOP AND THE BACK DOOR OPENS. J.J. RAMPLIN STEPS OUT FOLLOWED BY CARNEY, JASON OLIVER AND THEN MONEY MIKE AND STEPHANIE WHO ARE HAND IN HAND. Lawler: "There they are"! J.R.: "The Horsemen have arrived and what a huge match they have tonight King. If you were to ask these fans here tonight, who do you think they would say is the most dominant group in the TWF"? THE CAMERA PANS AROUND THE CROWD, SHOWING FANS OF ALL SORTS. Lawler: "Well I know you don't like either group J.R. but it's clear to me that this crowd tonight is very pro-Horsemen! No disrespect to Jimmy Hart and his Family, but these people will be pulling for the Horsemen to win tonight"! THE FAMILIAR INDIAN CHANT LEADING INTO TATANKA's MUSIC IS HEARD AND HE COMES OUT TO A LOUD OVATION WEARING HIS HEADDRESS AND CARRYING A TOMAHAWK. J.R.: "It was last month at the Royal Rumble where we saw this man make his TWF return and boy has he been on a hot streak since King". Lawler: "Well I was as surprised as anyone to see Tatanka back in the TWF but he's shown he can still get it done out there"! AUSTIN PORTEAU's MUSIC HITS AND HE COMES OUT IN A WHITE COLLARED SHIRT AND BLACK TIE ALONG WITH MISS HANCOCK WHO IS IN AN EXTREMELY SHORT SKIRT AND SHE GETS A LOT OF WHISTLES FROM FANS IN THE CROWD. J.R.: "Last week on Rampage Tatanka got a victory over Steven Richards but this man attacked him afterwards and it seems like Porteau and Richards have formed some sort of partnership King". Lawler: "Yes they have and look at the woman they've got with them, Miss Hancock is drop dead gorgeous"! J.R.: "Referee Jack Doan has been assigned to the match and there's the bell". Tatanka vs. Austin Porteau w/ Miss Hancock Tatanka seemed a little slow coming out and Porteau made him pay, dodging a few shots and sticking him with a few of his own. After picking him up and driving him into the corner, Porteau stomped at his lower abdomen and knees with his right foot. He then shot him to the opposite corner with serious velocity before smashing him with a clothesline as he came out. Porteau then took off his shirt and tie and threw them into the crowd before putting the boots to Tatanka some more. He pulled him up by the hair and whipped him to the ropes but Tatanka ducked a swinging backhand and smashed the chest of Porteau with three knifedge chops before scooping him up and slamming him to the mat. He then bounced off the ropes and dropped a big elbow on Porteau before covering him and getting a 2 count. Tatanka was starting to feel it and he went to the top rope, looking to fly. Miss Hancock went into a little dance that the crowd loved but Tatanka seemed to ignore her, flying off with a tomahawk chop but Porteau drove a fist into his stomach and then hit a stiff DDT. He made the cover and got the 1........2........., but Tatanka rolled the left shoulder off the mat just in time. The crowd became very charged by his kickout and every stomp or punch from Porteau seemed to empower Tatanka as he went into somewhat of a war dance. After blocking a right hand, Tatanka chopped Porteau so hard it sent an echo through Veterans Memorial. He then whipped him to the ropes and caught him with a back elbow and it looked like the end was near. As many expected, Steven Richards came out and the camera showed Miss Hancock distracting Doan. Richards got onto the apron but Tatanka drilled him with a tomahawk chop before he could do anything. Porteau came with a double sledge from behind and then tried to whip Tatanka to the ropes but he reversed it and sent Porteau right into Miss Hancock, knocking her off the apron and to the floor. She hit hard and immediately grabbed her lower back as Porteau then fell right into the "Trail's End" and Tatanka rolled on top of him to get the 1............2.........3. Match Time: 9:29 J.R.: "He got him! The successful return to the ring continues for Tatanka"! Lawler: "It was three on one and they still couldn't get the job done"! TATANKA SAW MISS HANCOCK IN A LOT OF PAIN AND HE WENT OUTSIDE AND HELPED HER UP. HE ASKED IF SHE WAS OKAY AND SHE NODDED HER HEAD. J.R.: "Now that's class". Lawler: "Yeah, trying to be the hero is what that is"! TATANKA's MUSIC HIT AND HE GOT BACK INTO THE RING DOING THE FAMOUS TOMAHAWK CHOP AS MOST OF THE CROWD DID IT WITH HIM. J.R.: "Whatever the case may be, Miss Hancock took a serious fall and it was her man's fault! I think this crowd saw it as classy"! BACKSTAGE AREA........ CAMERAS GO TO THE BACKSTAGE AREA TO SHOW CARLITO STANDING WITH KRISTAL MARSHALL. Kristal Marshall: "Carlito, in just a few moments, you will face the man who Mick Foley obtained in the trade with PrimeTime for Bradshaw. Are you at all concerned that you don't even know who this man is"? Carlito: "Does Carlito look concerned to you? I don't care if it's Jordan Rockwell, Shane Thompson, or King Kong. Carlito made this challenge for one reason, to prove a point. No one is just going to come to Rampage and act like they're a top superstar without facing Carlito! CARLITO PULLS OUT AN APPLE AND GOES TO TAKE A BITE AS KRISTAL DOES HER BEST TO SHIELD HERSELF. Nah........ I'll save for someone else". CARLITO WALKS OFF AS KRISTAL GETS A LOOK OF RELIEF ON HER FACE. "I SPIT IN THE FACE OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T TO BE COOL" IS HEARD AND CARLITO COMES OUT WITH A GRIN ON HIS FACE, TOSSING AN APPLE. J.R.: "Well thankfully he didn't spit that apple in poor Kristal's face, that would've just been repulsive". Lawler: "Yes and now it's time to find out J.R.! This has been a huge secret for weeks! Who did Foley get from PrimeTime"?! J.R.: "Mick Foley has done a good job keeping this bottled up which makes it even more curious as to why Carlito would make this challenge". AFTER A BRIEF PAUSE, THE CROWD CAME TO A ROAR AS "ONE OF A KIND" BY BREAKING POINT HIT AND ROB VAN DAM CAME OUT AS PYRO WENT OFF. Lawler: "What?! Foley got Mister Pay-Per-View"? J.R.: "Oh he sure did King! The whole damn show has come back to Rampage and this crowd has lost it"! RVD GOT INTO THE RING AND WENT THROUGH HIS ROUTINE, POINTING TO HIMSELF AS THE CROWD CHANTED R-V-D. CARLITO HAD AN UNSETTLING LOOK ON HIS FACE. Lawler: "Boy I bet Carlito is second guessing this decision"! J.R.: "It sure looks that way! RVD is one of the most popular superstars in TWF history, not to mention a former two time Universal champion! Good luck Carlito"! Carlito Caribbean Cool vs. Rob Van Dam The bell sounded and Carlito started the match by slapping RVD across the face. But that turned into a big mistake as RVD slapped him back and then drilled him with a jumping spin kick right in the mouth. After delivering a floatover suplex, Van Dam went to the top rope for the "5 Star Frogsplash", looking to win the match in under a minute but Carlito rolled out of the ring. However, RVD still took off, flying to the outside of the ring and landing on Carlito. The fans were loving what they were seeing as RVD picked Carlito up for a suplex and just deposited him on the barricade surrounding the fans. He then got up on the apron and flew off with a spinning legdrop to the back of the head. Carlito was in a lot of trouble as RVD picked him up and rolled him into the ring. Carlito tried to get up, getting to one knee and he raked his hand across RVD's face when he tried to pick him up. From there, he hit a running knee lift before going to the apron on the outside and bringing himself back in with a nice elbow drop. He made the cover but RVD kicked out at 2. Carlito was in control at this point, grabbing RVD in reverse chinlock. But RVD didn't' stay there long, getting to his feet and gaining seperation with 2 elbows to the gut. Carlito was able to duck another jumping spin kick but he couldn't avoid a back footsweep which RVD used on his way down. He then connected with the Rolling Thunder and Carlito was reeling. He picked him up by his hair and shot him to the corner but Carlito was alert enough to get out of his way as he charged in and RVD posted his right shoulder very hard. Carlito then rolled him up and grabbed a huge handful of tights as referee Jose Mendez made the 3 count, leaving the crowd in shock. Match Time: 10:34 J.R.: "Ah no, don't let it end like that! He had the damn tights"! Lawler: "Wow, that's gotta be considered a huge upset! RVD had this entire crowd behind him and all the momentum and Carlito has spoiled it"! RVD WAS EXPLAINING WHAT HAPPENED TO MENDEZ WHEN CARLITO GRABBED HIM FROM BEHIND AND DELIVERED A REVERSE ROLL OF THE DICE DDT. J.R.: "Ah come on, what the hell was that for"?! Lawler: "Oh boy J.R., look at this! He said he was saving it for someone else"! CARLITO TOOK A HUGE BITE OUT OF HIS APPLE AND BENT OVER, SPITTING IT ALL IN THE FACE OF VAN DAM. J.R.: "Ah that's disgusting! What the hell is wrong with this guy"! CARLITO's MUSIC HIT AND HE LEFT LAUGHING TO A LOT OF BOOS. Lawler: "Carlito has not only spoiled RVD's return to Rampage, but he has downright humiliated him too"! J.R.: "Well I have a feeling he'll pay for it, a very strong feeling"! BACKSTAGE.... MICK FOLEY's OFFICE....... HIGH OCTANE IS SHOWN IN MICK FOLEY's OFFICE. THE WORLD TITLE BELT IS ON HIS DESK AS TRAVIS WAKEMAN ENTERS THE ROOM. Mick Foley: "Okay, now I know you guys want to know what the heck you're doing in my office right now. But I want to make this official. What I have here is a contract for the main event at WrestleMania 7 and the main event that I want to see and I know all these fans would want to see, is you two one on one. All I need is some signatures". WAKEMAN PICKS UP A PEN AND SIGNS ONE LINE ON THE CONTRACT UNDER THE WORD "CHALLENGER". FOLEY THEN EXTENDS HIS HAND AND WAKEMAN SHAKES IT. Foley: "You know what it's like to be here and I'm proud to have Rampage represented by you in the main event. Champ, your turn". FOLEY TURNS TO HIGH OCTANE AND HANDS HIM THE PEN. HE SIGNS IT UNDER THE WORD "CHAMPION" AND THEN SHAKES FOLEY's HAND BEFORE OFFERING HIS HAND TO WAKEMAN. WAKEMAN GLADLY ACCEPTS AND SHAKES IT. High Octane: "It will be an honor to face you........ just don't overlook me". WAKEMAN GETS A GRIN ON HIS FACE AND LEAVES THE OFFICE. BACK AT RINGSIDE, JOHNNY JETER AND MATT HARDY COME OUT TO A LOT OF BOOS, BOTH WEARING MATTITUDE T-SHIRTS AS "LIVE FOR THE MOMENT" BY MONSTER MAGNET PLAYS. J.R.: "What huge news! High Octane will defend the TWF title against Travis Wakeman at WrestleMania 7 King"! Lawler: "That will be a huge main event, one that I truly think could go either way"! J.R.: "Well we have heard this match being advertised as a number one contender's match for the King of Cable title as both men have laid claim to being the top challenger to Max Ogden". DR. DRE's "THE NEXT EPISODE" HITS AND MATT CRUZ COMES OUT TO A HUGE CHEER WITH THE TEXAS LONGHORN PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED ON THE BACK OF HIS TRUNKS AND KNEEPADS. Lawler: "Well, Matt Cruz made that claim first but I want to know what he's done to deserve it". J.R.: "Well he wasn't voted Rookie of the Year last year for nothing and answer me a question King. Why is Cruz coming out here alone but Hardy doesn't have the guts to do it"? Lawler: "Well, did Matt Cruz start something known as Mattitude? If he would've, he would have his own set of followers, just like Hardy does"! J.R.: "That is so assanine that I'm not even going to voucher a response". Matt Hardy w/ Johnny Jeter vs. Matt Cruz As the bell sounded, Hardy acted like he wanted to lock up with the former NCAA champion, but each time Cruz moved in, Hardy ducked between the ropes, forcing referee Chad Patton to step in the way. After a third time doing this, Cruz moved Patton out of the way and went to grab Hardy but Hardy tagged him with a stiff right jab. After an elbow to the back of the head, Hardy whipped Cruz to the ropes and hit a back elbow before connecting with a jumping legdrop. He went for the cover, putting his feet on the top rope for leverage but Cruz still kicked out at 2. Hardy fired at him with some stiff punches but Cruz was able to reverse an irish whip before catching Cruz and tossing him over his head with a belly to belly suplex. After a hard clothesline, Cruz grabbed Hardy in a front facelock, looking to ground him. Hardy had a lot of trouble with Cruz on the mat, as one would expect. But after getting to a vertical base, he yanked at Cruz' hair before punching him in the back. He then hit the ropes but Cruz sidestepped him and tossed him over the top rope. The fans were loudly cheering as Cruz went outside the ring and clothesline Hardy from behind, knocking him right into Jeter. Cruz then grabbed Hardy and rolled him into the ring before climbing to the apron. He was looking to launch himself into the ring but Jeter grabbed his right foot. Cruz was able to shake the M'Fer off, but Hardy drilled him with a european uppercut before grabbing him around the head and neck and bringing him into the ring with a devastating impaler DDT. He rolled on top of Cruz to get the 1.........2........, but Cruz was up. He kicked out but he was in a lot of trouble as moments later, Hardy hit the Side Effect before going to the top rope, looking for the teardrop legdrop and he connected. He made another cover but again, Cruz was up just in time. Hardy then instructed Jeter to get on the apron and he did, distracting Patton as Hardy untied one of the turnbuckle pads. Cruz was up though and he caught Hardy with a cradle suplex when he turned around followed by a snap vertical suplex. Cruz picked him up, possibly looking for his fisherman buster but Hardy jabbed him in the ribs and whipped him to the corner, the one with the exposed bolt. Hardy ran in but Cruz came out with a head of steam and picked him up by the legs, dropping him on the exposed bolt with a reverse snake eyes. Blood immediately started to pour from the forehead of Hardy and Cruz could smell victory. But Jeter got on the apron once again only this time, Rey Mysterio came running out and, using the steel post, he completed an amazing 6-1-9 on Jeter! In the ring, Hardy had the ring bell but Patton took it away from him and as he was giving it back to the timekeeper, Rey came off the top rope with the seated senton but he crashed into Cruz when Hardy moved. Jeter then pulled Rey out of the ring by his right leg and Hardy got up, driving Cruz into the mat with the "Twist of Fate" and that got him the 1........2........3. Match Time: 13:44 J.R.: "I can't believe it"! Lawler: "What about the force of Mattitude now J.R."?! Matt Hardy just virtually beat two men"! "LIVE FOR THE MOMENT" PLAYED AND JETER HELPED A BLOODY HARDY UP THE RAMP AS IN THE RING, MYSTERIO TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO CRUZ WHAT JUST HAPPENED. J.R.: "Matt Hardy is the luckiest man in Iowa tonight and I'm pretty sure he knows it"! Lawler: "That looks like a heated exchange by those two there". J.R.: "Rey just made a mistake. He shouldn't have gotten involved, he was just trying to help his friend out". Lawler: "And all he did was cost him"! BACKSTAGE AREA........ MAX OGDEN IS SHOWN WATCHING FROM A MONITOR BACKSTAGE WHAT JUST HAPPENED WHEN JOE COREY COMES UP. Max Ogden: "Well.... look who it is". Joe Corey: "Look, I know what I said last week, about not liking you guys. I don't know Grenier, I don't know Snitsky. The one person on this side that I do know, is you. Remember when you first broke in, remember who took you under their wing"? Ogden: "Yeah, I also remember you not thinking I had what it took to be a Horsemen, which is why I want to destroy them". Corey: "See, I like that thinking. We don't have to be friends, let's just show the world that the Horsemen are nothing but talk". COREY OFFERS HIS HAND AND AFTER A BRIEF HESITATION, OGDEN ACCEPTS IT BUT THEN PULLS HIM IN AND THEY ARE FACE TO FACE. AFTER A HEATED STAREDOWN, COREY WALKS OFF. IN ANOTHER PART OF THE BACKSTAGE AREA, MICK FOLEY IS SHOWN MUNCHING ON A BAG OF POTATO CHIPS WHEN SHAWN MICHAELS COMES UP WITH A RATHER STERN LOOK ON HIS FACE. Mick Foley (his mouth full of food): "Hey heartbreak"! Shawn Michaels: "High Octane versus Travis Wakeman huh? You and I go way back Mick and you know just as well as anyone what I am capable of. If I beat Wakeman tonight, I want you to consider changing that main event you just signed". FOLEY SWALLOWS HIS FOOD, REALIZING MICHAELS IS SERIOUS. Foley: "Okay, I'll take that under advisement. You're right, I know what the heartbreak kid is capable of doing. I know why they call you the icon, the showstopper. Let's see if you can show Travis Wakeman how you got that nickname". Michaels: (grinning) "With pleasure". MICHAELS WALKS OFF AS FOLEY TAKES A BITE OUT OF ANOTHER CHIP. "MY NAME IS FINLAY, AND I LOVE TO FIGHT" IS HEARD FOLLOWED BY AN IRISH TUNE AS FINLAY MAKES HIS WAY TO LITTLE REACTION, CARRYING A SHALAYLEE. Lawler: "If Shawn Michaels can beat Travis Wakeman tonight, I'd have no problem with him being included in the main event at WrestleMania"! J.R.: "Well that decision lies with Mick Foley but given HBK's track record, it's hard to argue that. But folks, what we are about to see is going to be a downright slobberknocker". THE FANS COME TO THEIR FEET AS "GET OFF MY TRACKS" BY P.O.D. HITS AND STRIFE COMES OUT AS SMOKE BLASTS UP FROM EACH SIDE OF THE ENTRANCE RAMP. Lawler: "And for once, I agree with you. Well, that or I've been working with you too long because when I heard that this match would be taking place here tonight, slobberknocker is the first word I thought of". J.R.: "Two of the meanest, toughest men you'll find anywhere in the world although Finlay is giving up about a foot in height". Lawler: "Well Finlay says he came all the way over here from Ireland just to fight and I can tell ya that he is one of, if not thee toughest guy in the entire wrestling world J.R."! J.R.: "Not only that, but he's told Strife he doesn't care if he is on his tracks". Finlay vs. Strife The minute the bell sounded, these two met in the center of the ring, throwing haymakers. Being much taller seemed to be a disadvantage for Strife as a lot of his shots weren't connecting while Finlay was going at his body. After sticking him with a kneelift, he tried to rearrange some of his facial features with 2 nasty european uppercuts. But Strife reversed an irish whip and stuck his foot out for a big boot only to see Finlay put on the breaks and slide under the bottom rope. But as Finlay pointed to his head as if to tell the crowd how smart he was, Strife kicked him right in the back of it through the middle rope. The Locomotive then left the ring and smashed Finlay with a clothesline to the back of the head before picking him up and dropping him throat first over the barricade. With a running start, Strife ran and kicked Finlay in his exposed rib cage and Finlay fell into the crowd where a fan actually dropped his beer on him! Finlay got up and punched Strife right in the mouth before coming back over the barricade and taking him down with a chop block to the front of the left knee. Referee Jim Korderas was allowing a lot to go as a countout was academic at this point. Finally, Finlay was able to get Strife back on the apron but he crushed him with a running elbow to the throat. Finlay finally got back into the ring and pulled Strife up, delivering a stiff swinging neckbreaker before yelling in his face, "Is that all you got you greasy piece of trash"?! Finlay then went to the apron and slowly climbed the turnbuckle before taunting the crowd, drawing serious boos. The Irishmen then flew off the top rope but Strife caught him by the arm and turned it into a devastating full nelson slam. Both men were down momentarily but Strife got up and the look in his eyes said it was over. Finally got to his feet but Strife aggressively pulled him in and dropped him on the mat with the "Wrong Destination" with some serious force as Korderas issued the 1........2.......3. Match Time: 9:17 J.R.: "Ring the bell, this one is over! There Finlay, ya got a fight"! Lawler: "What a win for Strife, that was impressive"! KORDERAS RAISED THE RIGHT ARM OF STRIFE AND THE CROWD LOUDLY CHEERED AS "GET OFF MY TRACKS" PLAYED AGAIN. J.R.: "With a win like that, Strife may have just vaulted himself way up the list of contenders"! Lawler: "Any time you can beat Finlay like that, you've gained my respect! That spinning powerbomb equals lights out folks". FINLAY IS SHOWN ON THE MAT, TRYING TO PICK HIMSELF UP. J.R.: "He calls it the Wrong Destination and I have a feeling Finlay wishes he were in Ireland about now"! WRESTLEMANIA REPLAY SHOWS FOOTAGE FROM LAST YEAR's WRESTLEMANIA OF KURT ANGLE GETTING THE ANKLE LOCK ON KARAM IBRAHIM AND MAKING HIM TAP OUT TO WIN THE FIRST EVER "CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY" MATCH. "SEXY BOY" LOUDLY HITS OVER THE SOUND SYSTEM AND SHAWN MICHAELS MAKES HIS WAY TO THE RING IN HIS TYPICAL ENTRANCE ROUTINE, COMPLETE WITH PYRO. HE IS GREETED WITH A VERY MIXED REACTION AS KURT ANGLE FOLLOWS HIM TO THE RING. J.R.: "What a WrestleMania moment that was folks and there you see Angle who will be the cornerman for Michaels tonight and as we know, Michaels has plans for his own WrestleMania moment this year King". Lawler: "Shawn Michaels feels that if he can defeat Travis Wakeman, who is the number one contender tonight, then he should be included in any talks of a WrestleMania main event and I tend to agree with him". MICHAELS' MUSIC STOPS AND HE AND ANGLE TALK OVER STRATEGY IN THE RING. AFTER A BRIEF PAUSE, "MAKE WAY" BY METHOD MAN HITS AND TRAVIS WAKEMAN COMES OUT ALONG WITH BRET HART, EACH OF WHOM IS WEARING THEIR TAG TEAM TITLE AROUND THEIR WAISTS. J.R.: "And as I said earlier, it's hard to argue that but it will be easier said than done. Travis Wakeman has been as hot as any superstar in the TWF over the last several weeks, not to mention the fact that he and Bret Hart are the current Rampage tag team champs"! Lawler: "Yeah he and Bret Hart think they're pretty cool right now but I can tell Michaels has a gameplan and when he has one of those, he's capable of defeating any man who ever entered a wrestling ring"! J.R.: "I won't argue that". Shawn Michaels w/ Kurt Angle vs. Travis Wakeman w/ Bret "Hitman" Hart Did anyone not expect this to be good? Wakeman and Michaels put on an in ring masterpiece that began with some basic chain wrestling. After flipping through a hip toss, Michaels went for a spinning heel kick but Wakeman ducked and tried for a back footsweep which HBK jumped over and both men went to a fighting stance, bringing the crowd to their feet. They locked up and Michaels grabbed him in a standing side headlock but Wakeman pushed him to the ropes only to be knocked down by HBK who had a lot of momentum coming off. Michaels then hit the ropes but this time, Wakeman was waiting with a belly to belly throw. Wakeman tried to capitalize but Michaels rolled outside the ring and took in some quick pointers from Angle. Michaels hastily got back on the apron and when Wakeman came over, Michaels drove a shoulder into his gut and used a sunset flip to come back into the ring. But Wakeman used his great balance to resist being pulled down and he sat down into a pin of his own, only to have Angle reach through the ropes with a right hand that knocked him into a cover and a 1.........2........, but he was up. Michaels stayed on him with some hard knifedge chops but when he tried to whip him to the corner, Wakeman reversed it. Wakeman then followed up with 2 more whips to the corner and on the third, Michaels flipped up and landed hard on the back of his head in the ring. Wakeman hit the ropes but Angle again interjected himself, grabbing his right foot. This time, Hart came around and just punched Angle, starting a brawl outside the ring. The two men fought all the way up the ramp, trading shots before disappearing into the backstage area. In the ring, Michaels rolled Wakeman up with a schoolboy and grabbed a handful of tights to nearly steal the match. Wakeman then reversed another irish whip but this time, Michaels came off with a flying forearm that found the mark. He then went to the middle ring rope and waited for Wakeman to get up and when he did, he flew at him with a front dropkick. But Wakeman took a step back to avoid the move before grabbing Michaels' legs and the crowd suddenly exploded, realizing they were about to see the Sharpshooter. But Michaels fought with everything he had, not allowing the Technical Magician to turn it over and finally, Michaels countered into a small package to get the 1........2........., but Wakeman just did kick out. Michaels went for the superkick but Wakeman moved and picked him up for a big spinebuster. He then went to the top rope and came off with a move we haven't seen since his early days, his old finisher, the guillotine legdrop. Wakeman hit it and Michaels looked out but when referee Scott Martin reached a 2 and a half count, he saw Michaels' right foot on the bottom rope. Wakeman pulled Michaels up and shot him to the corner but when he charged in, he ran into a back elbow. Michaels then tried to hit the "Sweet Chin Music" out of nowhere but Wakeman avoided it and came up behind Michaels, rolling him up with a bridged pin, ala Bob Backlund, to score the 1.......2.........3. Match Time: 12:17 J.R.: "He got him! What a pinning combination that was"! Lawler: "That was only two..... I counted"! AS "MAKE WAY" PLAYED, WAKEMAN LEFT WITH HIS ARMS IN THE AIR AS MICHAELS DILIGENTLY ARGUED WITH MARTIN THAT IT WAS ONLY A 2 COUNT. J.R.: "Well Travis Wakeman has left no doubt who will be in the main event at WrestleMania this year and what a match that's gonna be"! Lawler: "He sure has and I have to agree, it will be a great match but I still think that was only a two count". J.R.: "WrestleMania of course will take place in a matter of weeks live from Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas King and you are listening to the official theme song for WrestleMania 7, "What If" by Creed". Lawler: "And we know what comes with WrestleMania J.R. and that is the Hall of Fame and I know we are gonna get some great inductees in there this year"! J.R.: "Some very deserved folks I'm sure but right now, we are all set for our main event of the evening. It will be an eight man tag between two groups. Let's take a look at what's brought these eight men to this point". VIDEO PACKAGE: 8 MAN TAG THE PACKAGE STARTS BY SHOWING BOTH GROUPS PICKING UP INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENTS THAT INCLUDE MONEY MIKE BECOMING THE WORLD CHAMPION AT THE ROYAL RUMBLE AND MAX OGDEN WINNING THE 2005 KING OF THE RING ALONG WITH BECOMING KING OF CABLE AT THE ROYAL RUMBLE. SNITSKY AND GRENIER ARE SHOWN PICKING UP VICTORIES AS ARE JASON OLIVER, J.J. RAMPLIN AND CARNEY. FROM THERE, THE FOOTAGE GOES TO THE NIGHT THAT THE HORSEMEN TURNED ON JOE COREY, COSTING HIM A CHANCE TO BE WORLD CHAMPION IN A MATCH WITH DREW BLOOD. IT THEN SHOWS COREY's RETURN AND ATTACK ON CARNEY, FOLLOWED BY HIS VICTORY OVER RAMPLIN AT THE ROYAL RUMBLE. ALL THE ISSUES BETWEEN THE TWO GROUPS ARE THEN CHRONICOLED INSIDE A QUICK CLIP BEFORE SHOWING MICK FOLEY's ANNOUNCEMENT THAT IT WOULD COME TO AN END AT CODE RED. JOE COREY's COMMENTS TO JIMMY HART AND THE ENTIRE HART FAMILY ARE REPLAYED FOLLOWED BY MONEY MIKE SHOWN WITH A LOOK OF CONCERN AS HE TALKS ABOUT THE MAN WHO HAS BEEN HAUNTING HIM..... STARMAN. THE FANS ARE ABUZZ AS THE SHOT IS SHOWN LIVE AND THE HART FAMILY's MUSIC, SUNG BY JIMMY HART HIMSELF, PLAYS AND OUT COMES HART FOLLOWED BY SNITSKY, SYLVAIN GRENIER AND MAX OGDEN, WHO HAS THE KING OF CABLE TITLE AROUND HIS WAIST. ALMOST EVERY FAN IN ATTENDANCE IS BOOING. J.R.: "Boy this one has the look and feel of an old time classic King! Two teams of four in a standard tag team match, the first one to pick up a decision will be the winner"! Lawler: "And here's a decision you've gotta like, Mick Foley has assigned two referees to this match"! AFTER A MOMENTARY PAUSE, "LYING FROM YOU" BY LINKIN PARK HITS, BRINGING JOE COREY OUT TO SURPRISINGLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST POPS ALL NIGHT. J.R.: "High Octane, who is actually the special enforcer, will handle responsibilities outside the ring and Jimmy Korderas, now our senior official on Rampage, will be in the ring and you're right, that's a decision no one should argue". Lawler: "I tell ya J.R., I can remember when this guy here was one of the most hated men in all of wrestling and now..... listen to this"! J.R.: "It all goes back to the night that Money Mike and the Horsemen shocked the world and cost Corey his chance to be World champion and from there, Corey returned to defeat Jason Oliver at DoomsDay only to suffer a savage beating after the match and I really think the fans sympathized with Corey during all that time away". Lawler: "Well tonight he's not looking for sympathy and he's not trying to make the Hart Family look like the best group in wrestling, he just wants to deal a blow to the Horsemen, no matter what the cost"! JUST THEN, THE ORIGINAL HORSEMEN THEME HITS AND OUT STEPS STEPHANIE McMAHON FOLLOWED BY THE ENTIRE GROUP. THEY ARE MET WITH A MIXED REACTION AND IT IS CLEAR BY SOME OF THE SIGNS AND SOME OF THE MERCHANDISE IN THE CROWD THAT THERE ARE SOME HORSEMEN SUPPORTERS IN ATTENDANCE. J.R.: "It was touched on at the top of this event that this crowd in Des Moines seemed heavily on the side of the Horsemen and why, I'll never know". Lawler: "Simple J.R., it's the name. The Horsemen.... that name is legendary in this business and you know it. It is that rich tradition, that legacy that no group has ever achieved and it is what the Hart Family would love to earn tonight"! J.R.: "You had your Freebirds and your nWo, hell you even had the Dungeon of Doom at some point in time but when you break it down, you're absolutely right King, the greatest group in the history of this profession is unquestionably the Horsemen"! Lawler: "Well there goes the bell and it looks like Carney is gonna start things off with Sylvain"! J.R.: "Hold onto your seats folks"! 8 Man Tag Team Match The Horsemen w/ Stephanie McMahon vs. The Hart Family and "The Show" Joe Corey w/ Jimmy Hart Carney and Grenier locked up and Grenier has clearly been a thorn in Carney's side and that continued as the stronger Grenier overpowered him in a side headlock before whipping him over his body to the mat. But Carney was able to counter with a headscissor, working his way to the corner. Grenier fought his way out of the hold and when both men got to their feet, Grenier dropped him with a clothesline. But he found himself in the corner of the Horsemen and Ramplin drilled him with a forearm before Oliver caught him with a european uppercut. From there, Money Mike brought Grenier's throat down over the top rope with a hangman, allowing Carney to catch him with a back heel kick. He made the cover but Grenier kicked out at 2. Carney twisted Grenier's arm around and made the tag to Ramplin who came in and kept the pressure on Grenier with a smashmouth style of offense. After a backdrop suplex, Ramplin dared one of his other three opponents to get into the ring as he dragged Grenier back to his corner, making the tag to Money Mike. But before Mike could even do anything, Joe Corey entered the ring and was all over him. Mike could only shield himself as the shots were raining down. Korderas forced Corey away and back to his corner and his plan ended up working against his team as the Horsemen all ganged up on Grenier in the corner. After a serious spinebuster by Money Mike, he made the tag to Oliver and cameras got a clear shot of Snitsky and Ogden angrily yelling at Corey in their corner. Oliver pulled Grenier up and after a kick to the gut, he lifted him up for a powerbomb but Grenier punched him twice right in the face and fell down on top of him before diving to his corner and making the tag to the King of Cable, Max Ogden. Ogden had a head of steam and he hit a flying shoulder tackle on Ogden before turning and drilling Ramplin with a right hand. Ogden then turned back to Oliver and tried to spike him with a ddt but Oliver countered with a release northern lights suplex. He then hit a big clothesline before whipping Ogden to the corner. He followed in but Ogden moved and then, he sprung off the middle ring rope, bulldogging Oliver, just an awesome move. He made the cover but only got a 2 count as Money Mike was in to make the save. Outside the ring, Corey was over arguing with the Horsemen and High Octane was doing his best to keep him back. Jimmy Hart got on the apron and tossed Ogden his megaphone but Korderas saw him catch it and threatened a DQ if he used it. Ogden threw the megaphone back to Ogden who went to make a tag but both Grenier and Snitsky were yelling at Corey. Ogden then turned into a big boot from Oliver who went over and made the tag to Money Mike. Corey was screaming for Ogden to come make the tag to him but Mike kept Ogden on their half of the ring. After a Rude Awakening style neckbreaker, Mike made the cover but Ogden kicked out at 2. After tagging Ramplin back into the match, they whipped him to the ropes and hit a double spinebuster drop. Carney then made the tag and immediately went to the top rope, coming off with the Carney Bomb which he landed perfectly. He made the cover but only got a 2 count as Corey came into the ring and dragged him away from the cover by his foot. Corey was ordered back to his corner and out of nowhere, Money Mike came and punched him in the back of the head and it was clear he had some kind of foreign object in his hand. Corey was down outside the ring but inside the ring, Ogden avoided a jumping body splash by Carney and he dove to his corner, making the tag to the enforcer Snitsky. Snitsky was a house of fire, catching Carney with a clothesline before kicking both Ramplin and Oliver off the apron with boots to the face. Mike was going to come in but he had second thoughts. After a running powerslam on Carney, Snitsky seemed to have the victory for his team but Mike came in to break up the 3 count. Grenier accepted the tag from Snitsky and he came into the ring, looking to put Carney away. But Mike with the object still in his hand, came in and smashed Grenier with it. It broke open all over the place and it was a roll of nickels! Grenier was down and out but Carney was down too. Korderas saw the nickels on the mat and couldn't figure out what happened. Carney was able to roll to his corner and make the tag to Money Mike as Snitsky made his way around the outside of the ring, taking on Ramplin and Oliver. Oliver and The Ram were getting the best of Snitsky when Ogden came into the ring and leaped over the top rope with a suicide plancha that took out all 3 men, including Snitsky. The crowd was in awe of the move and at this point, Stephanie McMahon and Jimmy Hart were exchanging heated words as she knocked the megaphone out of his hand. Korderas yelled for the two managers to go back to their corners as Money Mike stuck Grenier into the mat with a DDT. But just then, a very weird sound came over the loudspeakers followed by a voice that said....... "The Starman is here"! There was a heckling laugh that followed and a wide eyed Money Mike looked in all directions, only to turn into a kick to the gut followed by the "Showstopper" from Corey. Corey left the ring and got back to his corner as Grenier made a half roll onto Money Mike, draping his arm over his chest as Korderas turned and got down to issue the 1.........2..........3. Match Time: 12:47 Lawler: "No way"! J.R.: "Can you believe this?! The Hart Family, with a lot of help from Joe Corey and this...... this Starman guy, have won this thing"! JOE COREY WALKED AWAY WITH A BIG GRIN ON HIS FACE WITHOUT SO MUCH AS EVEN LOOKING AT THE HART FAMILY WHO WERE IN THE RING CELEBRATING WITH AN ELATED JIMMY HART. OLIVER, RAMPLIN AND CARNEY PULLED THEIR LEADER OUT OF THE RING AND BEGAN TO WALK UP THE RAMP IN SHOCK. Lawler: "This Starman guy is truly haunting Money Mike J.R.! He's cost him again"! J.R.: "I don't know if we'll ever know what this is all about but one thing is for sure, the Hart Family has pulled off a major, major upset"! THE HART FAMILY THEME PLAYED AND THE CAMERAS GOT A SHOT OF JIMMY HART WITH A FINGER IN THE AIR SAYING "WE'RE NUMBER ONE BABY" THROUGH THE MEGAPHONE.
