April 8, 2007
Frank Koenen

Hardcore TV
September 24, 1995
WWE 24/7 version hosted by Joey Styles and Tazz
Hardcore TV hosted by Joey Styles

-Styles and Tazz introduce the show. They talk about the ECW debut of the Eliminators, the luchadors and Steve Austin. Man ECW in 1995 was awesome!

-We start with a look back at the Pitbulls tag-team title win from last week over Raven and Stevie Richards.

-We then get a promo from The Pitbulls who announce that Francine is now their manager.

- Joey Styles previews the show, he then sends it over to Lance Wright who says there will be a rematch of The Pitbulls and Raven/Stevie Richards with two referees in Bill Alfonso and Todd Gordon. They both have words for one another.

- Raven and Stevie Richards are shown in a storage locker or something. Richards is pretty much in tears over the loss. Raven says that they needed help from everybody to beat them and promise to regain the titles.

1) JT Smith vs. Hack Myers
This match was clipped on TV. JT Smith was a longtime Northeast independent wrestler, who like many in ECW got his first big exposure in Joel Goodhart’s Tri-State Wrestling. When ECW started, he was there, becoming the only ECW Maryland Heavyweight Champion and an ECW TV Champion. He idolized Mick Foley, and started to wrestle like him with high-risk moves. Only poor JT just didn’t have the skill or smoothness that Foley did. One time he got his feet caught in the ropes and fell face first into the floor. Heyman created a gimmick off of this, and he transformed into a bumbling klutz. He started an alliance with Big Val Puccio (some really fat guy) after a match with Hack Myers, and began talking and acting Italian. This would eventually lead to the formation of the F.B.I. in ECW. On the other hand, “Shah” Hack Myers was a cult figure in ECW. He was given feuds every so often, though he was never seriously pushed. Fans would chant “Shah” every time he would hit his opponent.

Before the match Smith tells everyone (including all of his fellow piazanos) to say “Chop” when he delivers a blow instead of “Shit.” Smith starts by applying a headlock, but Myers uses a head scissors to break Smith’s hold. Smith kicks out of it and gets back to his feet. Myers does a headlock takedown, but Smith rolls him over for a two count. Smith applies a head scissors, but Myers kicks out of it. The match is clipped to Smith working over Myers in the corner. Smith slips going up the turnbuckle, and Myers takes advantage as the fans chant at Smith “You Fucked Up.” Myers applies a headlock then a hammerlock. Smith reverses it and then Myers uses a drop toehold. Smith gets on top and puts on a hammerlock, then a headlock. Clipped to Smith missing a tope while the crowd chants “You Fucked Up.” Myers follows, clotheslining Smith on the concrete. Clipped to them fighting in the crowd. Smith tries a piledriver, but Myers gets out of it and Smith is in pain on the way back to the ring. Back in the ring, Smith begs Myers off, but he has no mercy. Myers back body drops Smith. Clipped to Myers on his back rolling in pain. Smith goes to the top rope, and wastes time jawing with the fans. He goes to the top rope, slips and goes through a table. Smith is counted out, though the announcer says “disqualification.” NR
WINNER: Hack Myers via count-out

- ECW TV Champion 2 Cold Scorpio gives an interview. He says Tazz’s ass is grass and he’s gonna smoke it.

2) Tazz and The Steiner Brothers vs. Jason and The Eliminators
Highlights of this match only. See Mufasta of the Gangstas got arrested (again) before the show, so they had Scorpio replace Mustafa in the main event (Whipwreck/PE vs. Sandman/Gangstas). They decided to bring in long time Tazz enemy Jason to replace Scorpio. Scorpio cheap shots Tazz to start, while the Steiners give the Eliminators back body drops then clotheslines over the top. Scott clothelines the Eliminators and Rick Steinerlines them both. Clipped to Kronus hitting Steiner with a sommersault leg drop. Rick comes back with a Steinerline. Clipped to Jason tagging in and immediately being suplexed by Scott. Tazz clotheslines Jason. Scott then gives Jason a “wedgieplex.” You can figure it out. Clipped to Scott giving Saturn a suplex, then Rick giving a belly to bell. Clipped to a fallaway slam from the second rope by Scott on Saturn. We get melee and Tazz then begins to beat on Jason. The referee asks Tazz if he’s all right and Tazz knocks him down. Tazz continues beating on Jason, then Scorpio comes into the ring and hits Tazz in his neck. Jason pins Tazz to win the match for his team. NR
WINNERS: Jason and the Eliminators

- Backstage, The Steiner Brothers tell Tazz to kick Jason’s ass. Scott then goes on a weird tangent talking about Johnny B. Badd, Jason, Goldust, and Shawn Michaels being effeminate and fighting for “the InterGender Continental Championship,” and Tazz breaks character and laughs.

- Tazz and Styles then talk about Tazz being injured and coming back. Tazz says he never got pinned because he came back too soon.

- They show a clip from Mikey Whipwreck pinning ECW Champion the Sandman in a non-title match. Styles then sends thing over to Lance Wright to hype, until Beaulah comes into frame, and Wright can’t contain himself.

3) Rey Mysterio Jr. Vs. Psicosis
Mysterio brings a belt with him to the ring, though it’s not on the line. They lock up, Mysterio quickly armdrags Psicosis outside. Psicosis applies an armringer then goes into a hammerlock. Mysterio is taken down by Pscosis, but he quickly gets back to his feet. Pscosis uses a legsweep to get Mysterio down, but Mysterio is able to armdrag Psicosis outside. Pscosis drops an elbow on Mysterio’s back after running the ropes, then powerbombs him. Psicosis elevates Mysterio and he drops him down. Psicosis rams Mysterio chest first into the turnbuckle. Psicosis press slams Mysterio on the top rope. Pscosis flying dropkicks Mysterio. Psicosis frisbee slams Mysterio and follows with a legdrop. Pscosis chops Mysterio backing him into the corner. Psicosis then does a split legged splash in the corner. Psicosis gives Mysterio a right hand, whips him across the ring, but misses a charge in the corner. Mysterio gets a sudden springboard hurricanrana for two. Mysterio gets another, then a flying head scissors, the two fight on the apron. Mysterio is knocked down, but he uses his feet to send Psicosis into the top turnbuckle. Mysterio chops Psicosis in the corner. He misses a splash though, and Piscosis is right back on top. Psicosis takes him down, and then hits a legdrop from the top rope. Psicosis tiger bombs Mysterio for a nearfall. Pscosis delivers a spinning heel kick, sending Mysterio outside. Psciosis tries a tope, but Mysterio makes lucha extreme and holds up a chair. Back in the ring, Psciosis dropkicks Mysterio a couple of times in the leg. Psciosis does a 450 senton splash (I believe). Psicosis misses a flying knee and goes over the top outside. Mysterio psyches out Psicosis in a prenamed 619. Mysterio hits a springboard plancha onto Psicosis. Psicosis goes up top, but Mysterio gets a Frankensteiner for the win. I don’t like lucha matches that much, they’re so illogical, but I still respect them and enjoy them on a certain level. Good showing here. **½
WINNER: Rey Mysterio Jr. at 10:38

- We go to Mysterio talking about his debut, which I think is from the first ECW DVD.

- Styles says there is problem in the lockerrom. New Jack pretends to punch a cameraman, then the feed goes out. Backstage Scorpio/New Jack and Public Enemy are getting into a verbal argument, Public Enemy is pulled out, and then in a classic moment Styles finds Steve Austin just apparently sitting there that night to watch the Scorpio/New Jack-PE backstage argument. Austin then does his first classic Steveamania interview, doing a Hulk Hogan impression. Rocco Rock freaks out for Steveamania. Austin then says he isn’t going to do that crap, because it won’t get the job done. Joey gives a quiet “Oh my god.”

- Tazz and Styles recap Austin’s debut, and then wrap things up.

Comments: This was a pretty awesome show. I’m sure many would enjoy the Mysterio-Psicosis match more than I did. Austin’s first interview was funny and historical, but got serious at the end and served a purpose. The opening segment, highlighting the previous weeks show went a bit too long for me, but I guess they wanted to make sure everyone knew what happened if they missed it. Another awesome TV show from ECW.