Omaha, Nebraska
Attendance: 11,405
September 13, 2006
March 2004 was the last time Rampage came to Omaha and the fans on that night were part of the road to WrestleMania. On this night, it was the first show after MeltDown and the heat from that event was still very noticeable.
Mark Henry vs. Mark Jindrak Uprising started off with this match that Jondrak seemed to have no chance to win. After a powerslam and an avalanche in the corner, Henry was in firm control. But he got a little carried away and stood on the chest of Jindrak, using the ring ropes to hold himself there. The referee reached a 5 count and Henry still would not get off so he was disqualified. But after that, Henry picked Jindrak up and put him down with the "World's Strongest Slam", not phased at all by the DQ. Rex Redford vs. Austin Porteau Redford looked very solid in this match and he had the crowd behind him against the struggling Porteau. After a perfect dropkick, Redford shot him to the corner and flew in with a body splash but Porteau moved. He then rolled Redford up with a handful of tights to get the win. The fans booed as Redford tried to tell the ref what happened, but it was no use. Finlay vs. Viscera The main event of Uprising featured the brawler from Belfast against the nearly 500 pound Big Vis. Finlay showed no fear of the big man however, coming right at him with his bruising attack. But Vis turned the tide after reversing an irish whip and catching him with a swinging sideslam. He then shot Finlay to the corner and ran in but Finlay pulled the ref right into the way of the big splash in the corner. As the ref fell to the mat, Finlay grabbed his shillelagh and clubbed Vis over the head with it. Although slow to get up, the ref was still able to make the 3 count as Viscera was out cold. Finlay celebrated the win but was loudly booed. He left with his trusty shillelagh as the stage crew got things set up for Rampage to go live on the USA network.
AS RAMPAGE COMES ON THE AIR, ACTUAL FOOTAGE IS SHOWN FROM MELTDOWN STARTING WITH THE BASHAMS DEFEATING THE HARDY BOYZ TO RETAIN THE RAMPAGE TAG TEAM TITLES WITH AN ASSIST FROM THE BLOOD BROTHERS. NEXT IS FOOTAGE OF JASON OLIVER BEING HIT BY A MAN DRESSED AS THE STARMAN WITH A BANK BAG THAT OBVIOUSLY HAD SOMETHING IN IT AND MONEY MIKE FOLLOWING UP WITH THE "MONEY PIT" FOR THE WIN. THE VIDEO PACKAGE CONCLUDES WITH SEVERAL SHOTS FROM THE WORLD TITLE MATCH, WHICH TRAVIS WAKEMAN WON AFTER A FLYING LEGDROP ONTO ONE OF THE ANNOUNCE TABLES ONTO HIGH OCTANE. THE SHOT THEN GOES STRAIGHT INTO THE ARENA, LIVE, AND "SUPERSTAR" BY SALIVA STARTS UP. JASON OLIVER EMERGES FROM THE BACK TO A BIG REACTION. J.R.: "We welcome you to the Qwest Center in Omaha for TWF Rampage and what better way to start than with this guy here"?! Lawler: "Well, we could start with someone who's not on a losing streak"! SYLVAIN GRENIER AND JIMMY HART ARE SHOWN IN THE RING AS OLIVER SEEMS TO BE STRATEGIZING AS HE COMES UP THE RING STEPS. J.R.: "I talked with Oliver earlier today and he's not making any excuses, he knows he was defeated at MeltDown and he told me that all that loss did was make him hungrier, make him want to get to the top quicker and I don't see a lot of things in this kid's way, King"! Lawler: "Sylvain Grenier is in his way tonight"! Jason Oliver vs. Sylvain Grenier w/ Jimmy Hart Oliver stepped through the ropes and in typical fashion, Grenier attacked him before the bell rang. Grenier pounded on Oliver with some shots to the back before whipping him to the ropes. But Oliver ducked a clothesline and came off the other side of the ropes with a yakuza kick to the chest. After a hard side backbreaker, Oliver tried to lock in some kind of submission hold that looked like the Lasso from El Paso but Grenier squirmed free. He then kicked Oliver in the face as he came in before running him over with a clothesline. Grenier then had some words with a few of the ringside fans but when he turned around, Oliver drilled him with a football style tackle. After a release german suplex, Oliver knew he had the match well in hand. He pulled Grenier to his feet and whipped him to the corner as hard as he could. Jimmy Hart couldn't believe what he was seeing as Grenier stumbled right into a kick in the midsection which was followed up by the "Claymore" and Oliver covered him, hooking the leg to get the 3 count. Match Time: 4:11 J.R.: "Oh yeah, he's really in trouble isn't he, King? What a dominating win for Jason Oliver and a great way to bounce back"! Lawler: "Okay, so he surprised me, he's still got a lot to do before I'll be big on him"! OLIVER LEFT TO A BIG CHEER BUT DIDN'T LOOK COMPLETELY SATISFIED. J.R.: "Plenty of action still to come tonight as John Cena battles Muhammad Hassan and we also have word that Matt Cruz will address the entire world as to why he did what he did to his one time friend Rey Mysterio at MeltDown"! BACKSTAGE AREA........ CAMERAS IN THE BACK PICK UP A CURIOUS MEETING BETWEEN MELINA AND NONE OTHER THAN THE MILLION DOLLAR MAN TED DIBIASE! BOTH ARE LAUGHING AND CARRYING ON BEFORE DIBIASE HANDS HER A WAD OF CASH AS THE SHOT FADES OUT. COMMERCIAL BREK......... A COMMERCIAL FOR MILLER LITE IS SHOWN FOLLOWED BY ONE FOR GEICO AUTO INSURANCE. OLD FOOTAGE IS SHOWN OF THE BRITISH BULLDOG IN ACTION AS A VOICE BEGINS TO SPEAK. Voice: "It's time for me to realize my dreams. It's time for me to live up to the dreams so many have for me. THE BRITISH BULLDOG COMPLETES A RUNNING POWERSLAM IN THE VIDEO CLIP. It's time for me to live up to the name". HARRY SMITH IS SHOWN SITTING WITH A BULLDOG. THE RAMPAGE LOGO IS ALONG WITH THE WORDS "HARRY SMITH...... DEBUTS NEXT WEEK. WE ARE BACK LIVE AND "LET's GO" BY TRICK DADDY HITS AS A VERY HAPPY LOOKING MONEY MIKE COMES OUT FROM THE BACK ALONG WITH STEPHANIE McMAHON. Lawler: "Look J.R., here comes the billion dollar couple"! J.R.: "Yeah, I'm just so thrilled to see these two out here, I can't hardly stand it! Are we gonna be lucky enough to be treated to another Money Pit"? Lawler: "Well I don't see the set of the Money Pit, but Mike is asking for a microphone! Look at the smiles om the faces of these two J.R., you might say they're worth a million bucks"! (laughs) J.R.: "That's really clever King, but I suppose they have a lot to smile about". Money Mike: "So who's it gonna be next? Who is gonna get this crazy idea that they can beat me, get the support from all you stupid people, go into the biggest match of their career thinking they will knock me off, only for me to put them down and show them that I am in another league! Who's it gonna be, huh? Jason Oliver, I'm glad to see you get a victory here tonight, I didn't think you'd even have the balls to show your face around here after the beating I have you at MeltDown. You people were all behind Oliver, thinking he had me right where he wanted me. But the problem was, you forgot just who the hell I am. I am the element of surprise! All you stupid people thought that I was the one who was screwed over by Starman, when I knew all along that I wasn't! So to all......... JUST THEN, "LYING FROM YOU" BY LINKIN PARK PLAYS AND JOE COREY COMES OUT. MONEY MIKE TURNS TO LOOK AT HIM AND LOOKS SURPRISED TO SEE HIM HEADING TO THE RING. STEPHANIE IS NOT HAPPY. J.R.: "What the heck is this?! Joe Corey is on his way to the ring"! Lawler: "Well we all know the history between these two men J.R., but I have no idea why he's coming out here"! COREY ASKS FOR AND RECEIVES ANOTHER MIC AFTER ENTERING THE RING. Joe Corey: "Mike, I don't mean to ruin your little victory celebration out here, but in case you missed it, I too was victorious at MeltDown, against a man we have a mutual dislike for...... Jordan Rockwell! MIKE CRACKS A SMILE. Yeah, that's right, your precious franchise fell just like I said he would. And Mike, after that match, I went to the back and I thought about something. Then I realized that you were right all along. I can be the best in this business without being champion. I hate to admit that, but it's the truth. And since we know that this company will not give me a shot at the title, I have decided to seek out my own opponents. That is why as of this moment, I am issuing an open challenge to anyone in the back! Now that doesn't mean I want to face Rex Redford or Carney, people I know I will defeat. No, I want to face the best we've got, I want to face the best athlete, the best technical wrestler, I want to face a man that the fans just love! So if that guy is in the back, here's your chance to accept it"! WITH THAT SAID, THE SOUND OF BREAKING GLASS IS HEARD AND "STONE COLD" STEVE AUSTIN's MUSIC HITS. HE COMES OUT TO AN UNBELIEVABLE RESPONSE AS IT SOUNDS LIKE THE ROOF OF THE ARENA IS GOING TO BLOW OFF. J.R.: "Oh my God.... listen to this! It's Steve Austin..... Austin is here in Omaha"! Lawler: "I can't believe this, what the heck is he doing out here"! J.R.: "Austin was the referee for that Joe Corey versus Jordan Rockwell match at MeltDown, you don't think he's out here to accept the challenge, do you"? AUSTIN WALKS UP AND GETS RIGHT IN COREY's FACE. Stone Cold: "You're issing an open challenge huh? Well it just so happens that Stone Cold loves a challenge. But just like you didn't want to face someone you know you can beat.... neither do I"! Lawler: "Oh boy"! Stone Cold: "Don't eyeball me boy, I'll knock the piss out of ya! No, I'm not out here for your stupid challenge, I'm out here because I have a different issue to take up. AUSTIN WALKS OVER AND STANDS ACROSS FROM MONEY MIKE. You think you're pretty cool with your expensive suit there don't ya? That, your cheap haircut and that two cent whore you got standin' next to ya! Look boy, I know I haven't been around here much lately, but I still watch the TWF all the time and I am sick to death of hearin' about this son of a bitch that calls himself the Starman! I don't like the way you won your match at MeltDown and then come out here and brag about it. A real man wouldn't pull that kind of crap! So you go find your little pink mask wearing friend and you tell him that if I find out who he is, I'll open up a can of whoop ass and send his ass to Pluto"! Money Mike: "Austin, I get what you're doing, and that's fine. You're trying to come out here and intimidate me, scare me like you used to in the past with all the chumps in the TWF. Do you think I give a crap that you're the rattlesnake or that you're the toughtest SOB? This isn't 1998 anymore Steve, you're old news. Maybe you can give a speech if you ever get elected to the Hall of Fame but until then, I suggest you take that microphone, hand in back to Lilian Garcia and walk out of this arena the same way you walked in, before I kick your ass"! WITH THAT, AUSTIN KICKS MONEY MIKE IN THE GUT AND HITS THE STUNNER ON HIM, SENDING THE CROWD INTO AN ERUPTION OF CHEERS. COREY IS ALREADY OUT OF THE RING AND WALKING UP THE RAMP. AUSTIN GETS DOWN IN MIKE's FACE, YELLING AT HIM BEFORE GETTING UP AND LEAVING. STEPHANIE GETS DOWN TO CHECK ON MONEY MIKE AS AUSTIN LOOKS BACK, LAUGHING. J.R.: "I guarantee you that that was the wrong choice of words there! Stone Cold won't put up with that crap from anybody"! Lawler: "He.... he stunned Money Mike! He's not even a wrestler here on Rampage..... Foley's gotta do something about this"! BAKSTAGE....... DRESSING ROOM...... TRAVIS WAKEMAN IS SHOWN PACING BACK AND FORTH IN HIS DRESSING ROOM WHEN MELINA COMES IN. Travis Wakeman: "Where have you been"? Melina: "Oh I'm sorry, I got caught up but look what I got". MELINA REACHES INTO HER BOOT AND PULLS OUT A WAD OF CASH. Wakeman: "Where'd you get this"? Melina: "The Million Dollar Man gave it to me, he said I deserved it". Wakeman: "What?! Ted Dibiase is here?! What the hell is he giving you money for"? Melina: "He said you would know why". WAKEMAN LETS OUT A FRUSTRATED SIGH AND LEAVES THE ROOM IN A HURRY. THE SPIRIT SQUAD's MUSIC HITS AND THE ENTIRE GROUP, ALONG WITH ASHLEY K. COMES OUT TO NOTHING BUT BOOS. J.R.: "Well I'm pretty confused as to what Ted Dibiase is doing here myself, we haven't seen him for quite some time King". Lawler: "No we haven't, we're just gonna have to wait and see because if I know one thing, it's that Ted Dibiase is a master planner, he has something up his sleeve"! J.R.: "Six man tag team action coming up here as the Spirit Squad will face one of the more exciting trios I think we'll ever see here on Rampage". THE FANS COME TO THEIR FEET IN CHEER AS THE HARDY BOYZ' MUSIC HITS AND THEY COME OUT, RUNNING TO THE RING. Lawler: "Yes, the Spirit Squad, like them or not, are exciting". J.R.: "That's not who I was referring to but here come the Hardy Boyz who in my estimation, should be coming out with the Rampage tag team titles and if not for the Blood Brothers from PrimeTime, they would be"! Lawler: "The Blood Brothers had a run in backstage with the Hardy's at MeltDown and decided to make them pay for their words". THE CROWD LOUDLY POPS, AS LOUD AS THEY DID ALL NIGHT BESIDES WHEN STONE COLD CAME OUT, WHEN "ONE OF A KIND" PLAYS AND ROB VAN DAM ENTERS AS PYRO BLASTS OFF BEHIND HIM. J.R.: "Well I gotta believe that somehow, somewhere the Hardy Boyz will have the chance to exact revenge for that and here is a guy we haven't seen much of on Rampage but one we know can be as good as any and that's the whole damn show"! Lawler: "The referee is onna have his hands full in this one J.R., look at this"! J.R.: "Plenty of combustible elements in and around the ring but ifg I was referee Chad Patton, I'd send Ashley and the two members of the Spirit Squad not competing in this match, to the back". 6 man tag The Spirit Squad: Kenny, Johnny and Nicky w/ Mikey, Mitch and Ashley K. vs. Rob Van Dam and The Hardy Boyz Matt Hardy started the match off with his one time good friend, Johnny Jeter. The two locked up but when Matt shoved Johnny away, Johnny took a swing an Matt blocked it, coming back with 2 quick right hands before whipping him to the ropes for a backbody drop. A tag was made to his brother Jeff and Jeff whipped Johnny to the corner before using his brother as a launching pad to hit the Poetry in Motion. Jeff then set Johnny up for a Twist of Fate but Kenny springboarded from the apron with a clothesline on Jeff. Patton tried to get Kenny back to his corner but Nicky snuck into the ring, looking to attack Jeff from behind but RVD came off the top rope with a martial arts kick to the chest on him. RVD picked Nicky up for a scoop slam as Matt and Kenny began to trade shots. Jeff went to the top rope, looking for his Swanton Bomb but Mitch got up on the apron and shoved Jeff off. Jeff fell face first into the steel ring steps but, seeing the whole thing, Patton called for the bell, disqualifying the Spirit Squad. The Squad then grabbed Jeff with one man grabbing a limb, looking to launch the Hardy Boy into the air. But Matt and RVD made the save, knocking Mikey, Nicky and Johnny out of the ring. Kenny had a steel chair and he tried to take out RVD with it but after ducking the swing, RVD drilled him with the Vandaminator! RVD then looked into the crowd before going to the top rope amd he flew off with the "5 Star Frogsplash", crashing into Kenny as the crowd went nuts. Match Time: 4:39 RVD SLAPPED HANDS WITH MATT AND JEFF AND THE SPIRIT SQUAD RETREATED AS "ONE OF A KIND" BLARED OVER THE LOUDSPEAKERS. J.R.: "The Spirit Squad has earned themselves a disqualification and to add to that, RVD just hit the Five Star on their youngest member"! Lawler: "Well don't anybody go away because still to come, Muhammad Hassan goes one on one with John Cena"! COMMERCIAL BREAK....... A COMMERCIAL FOR FRONTIER AIRLINES IS SHONW FOLLOWED BY ONE FOR WELLS FARGO BANK. RETURN FROM BREAK..... BACKSTAGE...... AS RAMPAGE RETURNS, KRISTAL FINDS ROB VAN DAM ABOUT TO ENTER HIS DRESSING ROOM. Kristal: "Hey RVD, um, it seems like you really wanted to send a message out there with that Five Star frogsplash on Kenny". RVD: "Yeah Kristal, I sure did. If you haven't noticed, me, RVD, the whole damn show, has been nowhere to be found lately. Well I'm about to change that. It seems Joe Corey has issued an open challenge. Now I heard what he said, and I think I'm the most athletic, most technical, and definitely most over guy with the people that you'll find back here. So Corey, I accept your open challenge and whenever you want to do it, you just let me know". RVD GOES INTO HIS ROOM AS THE SHOT GOES BACK TO THE RING. Shelton Benjamin vs. Joey Mercury Johnny Blaze was absent in this one and his tag team partner Mercury seemed lost in singles action as the athletic Benjamin took it to him. But shortly into the match, Ted Dibiase came out on the stage, just looking on at the action. After catching Mercury with his dragonwhip kick, Benjamin looked ready to put him away but as he went to climb the turnbuckle, he saw The Million Dollar Man. The distraction allowed Mercury the chance to get back into the match and after pulling Benjamin off the top rope with a DDT, he got a long 2 count that was a very, very near fall. Merucry tried to keep the pressure on and after a nice dropkick, he measured Benjamin for a superkick but he missed and Benjamin reeled him in for his t-bone suplex, hooking the leg to get the 1.......2........3. Match Time: 6:20 BENJAMIN's MUSIC PLAYED AND THE CROWD CHEERED AS HE GOT HIS ARM RAISED BY REFEREE SCOTT MARTIN BUT HE WOULD NOT TAKE HIS EYES OFF OF DIBIASE, WHO FINALLY JUST WENT BACKSTAGE. J.R.: "A very impressive victory here for Shelton Benjamin but what the heck was Dibiase doing out here? He's really making us ask some questions tonight King"! Lawler: "Well I think I know what he wants from Benjamin, but it's still unclear what our new World champion Travis Wakeman has to do with Dibiase"! J.R.: "Maybe we oughta get Todd Grisham to ask some questions back there, where ya at Todd"? BACKSTAGE AREA........ KENNY, NICKY AND JOHNNY OF THE SPIRIT SQUAD ARE SHOWN NEAR AN EXIT DOOR IN THE BACK. Johnny: "You alright man, that Five Star looked like it hurt". Kenny: "Yeah, I'm fine, and I'll get RVD back for it". MIKEY COMES UP Mikey: "They're gone, Mitch and Ashley left without us". Nicky: "What, they knew we were all supposed to go out on the town tonight, what's up with that"? Kenny: "Ah let 'em, what is there to do in Omaha anyway, go pick corn? Let's get out of here". MUHAMMAD HASSAN's MUSIC COMES ON AND THE CROWD IMMEDIATELY BOOS AS HE STEPS OUT TO WHAT IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THE LOUDEST HEAT ALL NIGHT. J.R.: "One of our feature matchups here tonight King and it's a big one, Muhammad Hassan will take on John Cena and King, this crowd in Nebraska is all over Hassan"! Lawler: "Well you know I don't really agree with what the fans think, but I'll join in with them on booing this guy"! THE FANS' BOOS QUICKLY TURN TO CHEERS AS "THE TIME IS NOW" HITS AND JOHN CENA COMES OUT WEARING A WHITE #15 TOMMIE FRAZIER NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS JERSEY. J.R.: "And here he comes.... what an ovation for John Cena and King, it is football season and we know how these folks in these parts love their Cornhuskers"! Lawler: "Yeah, they're almost as crazy as you are about your Oklahoma Sooners but I think Cena could've worn a Sooners jersey out here and still gotten a bigger cheer than Hassan"! J.R.: "Well it's a well known fact that Hassan feels he has been discriminated against time and time again for the fact that he is an Arab American but he's done himself no favors with his behavior every time we see him". Muhammad Hassan vs. John Cena Cena entered the ring and took off his jersey, looking for some lucky fan to toss it to. But Hassan attacked him from behind and then used the jersey to choke Cena. Referee Jose Mendez pulled him off, nearly disqualifying him. Hassan then spit on the jersey and threw it into the crowd, drawing quite a bit of boos. But when Hassan turned around, Cena took him down with a tackle before unloading on him with rights and lefts. Cena then pulled him up, rocking him with more right hands in the corner but Hassan got in a thumb to the eye followed by a big knee in the midsection. Hassan then targeted the back of Cena, driving his knee into it twice before picking him up for a side backbreaker. Hassan then shot him to the ropes but Cena flew off with a flying shoulderblock. He then picked Hassan up for a spinning side suplex and covered him for a near fall. Cena stayed aggressive, whipping Hassan to the ropes and after a high elevation backbody drop, he was all fired up. Cena pulled Hassan to his feet and hit 2 more hard rights before bouncing off the ropes. But Hassan ducked and pulled Cena down onto both of his knees for a backcracker. He then locked in the Camel Clutch, paying tribute to fellow Middle Eastern wrestler The Iron Shiek and Cena was in trouble. But somehow, Cena willed his way to the ropes, grabbing the bottom one to get a break. Mendez began a count and Hassan finally broke the hold. But he then got in the face of Mendez and Cena got up, he spun Hassan around and threw a punch but Hassan moved. Cena pulled his fist short of Mendez but that allowed Hassan to kick him in the groin from behind and then he rolled him up, grabbing a handful of his shorts in the process and Mendez made the 3 count. Match Time: 7:22 J.R.: "Come on referee..... he had the a handful of Cena's shorts"! Lawler: "He sure did, but it doesn't matter now"! HASSAN LEFT LIKE HE STOLE SOMETHING AS CENA LOOKED ON AND WAS NOT HAPPY. J.R.: "Well that's really gonna help Hassan endear himself to these people, that's really gonna help change the views some of these people have towards him and no, that has nothing to do with his heritage, it has everything to do with the fact that he's a lousy human being"! BACKSTAGE........ TRAVIS WAKEMAN IS SHOWN IN THE BACK AND IS AGAIN STRESSFULLY PACING BACK AND FORTH WHEN TATANKA COMES UP. Tatanka: "Wakeman...... I just gotta know, are the rumors true"? Wakeman: "What rumors"? Tatanka: "Look man, there's a lot of talk right now, a lot of people are saying that they''ve heard you have sold out to the Million Dollar Man, that you are joining forces with Ted Dibiase to make sure you hold that World title for good". WAKEMAN GETS A SERIOUS LOOK ON HIS FACE. Wakeman: "Who told you that"? Tatanka: "Like I said, those are the rumors making the rounds, I just wanted to get it straight from the horse's mouth". Wakeman: "You know me, you know I'll put the title on the line against anyone, anywhere. There's....... Tatanka: "Are the rumors true"? Wakeman: "No, of course they're not". TATANKA GIVES WAKEMAN A LOOK AS IF HE DOESN'T BELIEVE WHAT HE's SAYING BUT JUST WALKS AWAY AS THE SHOT FADES OUT. COMMERCIAL BREAK......... COMMERCIALS ARE SHOWN FOR ENERGIZER BATTERIES AND DR. PEPPER. RETURN FROM BREAK..... RINGSIDE...... WHEN RAMPAGE RETURNS, "LOOSE" BY EMINEM HITS AND CARNEY COMES OUT TO A MIXED REACTION. J.R.: "Well it's been quite some time since we've seen the old Carney in action and by that I mean the Carney not involved with Money Mike and the Horsemen and he looks ready"! Lawler: "Yeah well everybody said Money Mike wasted the talent of this guy amd hurt his career but now's his chance to show what he's got"! "NUMBER OF THE BEAST" BY IRON MAIDEN HITS AND J.J. RAMPLIN COMES OUT WITH WILLIAM REGAL TO PLENTY OF BOOS. J.R.: "This will actually be a clash of former Horsemen and since the bubble burst on Money Mike's old group, this man may have enjoyed the most success ever since aligning himself with fellw countryman William Regal". Lawler: "He's appeared mainly on Uprising but he has impressed". J.R.: "And this is his chance to shine here as this is arguably the biggest match of his young TWF career". Carney vs. J.J. "The Ram" Ramplin w/ William Regal Ramplin offered his one time friend Carney a handshake but when Carney went for it, he drilled him with his other hand, a left forearm to the mouth. Ramplin followed up with another right hand before whipping Carney to the ropes for a big clothesline. Carney was in trouble early as Regal told Ramplin to "keep on him" and after a backdrop suplex, Ramplin showed a real mean streak, driving the base of his forearm into the face of Carney. Ramplin pulled him up and lifted him to his shoulder, possibly looking for a running powerslam. But Carney slipped off and drilled The Ram with a flying heel kick. He then hit a flip into a legdrop after hitting the ropes and made the cover for the 1.....2......., but Ramplin was up. Carney pushed him to the corner and blasted him with a series of knifedge chops. He then tried to whip him to the corner but The Ram reversed it and charged in only to have Carney leap to the top rope and come off with a flying corkscrew into a pin for the 1.........2......, but that was all. The resilient Ramplin went for a clothesline but missed and after a kick to each one of his legs, Carney hit a sit down jawbreaker. He then went to bounce off the ropes but Regal grabbed his foot. Carney shook it free and then used the ropes to put both feet to the face of Regal, knocking him into the barricade surrounding the fans. Ramplin loaded up a clothesline and when Carney turned around, he went for it but missed everything. Carney ran across the ring and hit the ropes, looking for a hurracanrana but Ramplin blocked it as Carney was on the downswing of the move and pulled him back onto his shoulders before driving him into the mat with the "Dead Weight", a devastating powerbomb and he covered him for the win. Match Time: 9:22 J.R.: 'Oh what impact on that powerbomb! Carney just had his brains scrambled with that one and Ramplin has won another match"! Lawler: "Oh yeah, William Regal has this young kid on the right path to success and what about Carney, was Money Mike really holding this guy back"?! RAMPLIN AND REGAL LEFT THE RING AND REGAL RAISED THE ARMS OF HIS MAN AS THE FANS BOOED. J.R.: "Well that's an opinion based question King and you are entitled to yours but if you ask me, Carney still has a lot left in the tank, he just didn't have enough tonight against the recharged Ram". TWF RE-WIND SHOWS MATT CRUZ's VIOLENT ATTACK ON REY MYSTERIO AFTER MYSTERIO DEFEATED HIM AT MELTDOWN. Todd Grisham is standing in the ring ready to conduct an interview.
Todd Grisham: "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Matt Cruz"!
"The Next Episode" by Dr. Dre cues up as Cruz makes his way to the ring to mostly boos, with only a smattering of cheers. He has a very serious look on his face. Lawler: "Well you asked where Todd Grisham was earlier J.R. and I've been told that he has been carefully preparing his line of questions for this interview so he doesn't end up like Rey Mysterio did at MeltDown"! (laughs)
JR: "Now, this young man owes us all an explanation for his actions at MeltDown. Rey Mysterio beat him fair and square in the middle of the ring, and Cruz threw a hissy fit and laid out Mysterio with the King of Cable title belt! I want to know why in the hell he did that"!
Lawler: "Calm down, J.R. Maybe he has a good explanation for it. Personally, I think Mysterio deserved it for all the cheating he did during that match"!
JR: Oh, King, come on! That's bogus and you know it. Let's just hear what he has to say about it"!
Cruz steps into the ring as the music dies down.
Grisham: "Well, Matt, it seems you have a lot people upset with you over what transpired at MeltDown. Now the question on everyone's mind is, why did you do what you did to your good friend Rey Mysterio"?
The crowd boos relentlessly as Cruz looks around in disgust.
Matt Cruz: "Isn't it amazing how quickly people turn against you when you when you don't do things a certain way? The people in this arena have no idea what it's like to be a competitor in this ring. When we enter this ring and the bell sounds, there are no friends. My problem lately is that, everytime I get into the ring with Rey-Rey, I forget that. I'm not trying to make excuses for getting beat, but I think I have subconciously held back everytime I got into the ring with him. Once he pinned my shoulders to the mat, I came to realize that, in order to get to the top, I have to be willing to step over anybody to get there. Even over my "homeboy", Rey. (looking into the camera) What I did to you was a message, Rey. I'm not going to let friendship get in the way of me getting what I want from you, and that's what is around your waist.
Just then, "Booyaka 619" hits, and Rey Mysterio walks with a purpose to the ring. He has the King of Cable title wrapped around his waist. He grabs a microphone from ringside and enters the ring. He and Cruz began to stare each other down in the middle of the ring. Grisham scampers out of the ring, fearing the possible fireworks. Lawler: "Uh, would you say business has picked up J.R."? J.R.: "You're damn right it has".
Rey Mysterio: "I don't understand where all this is coming from, bro. You and I were familia. We had each other's backs. I chose to face you at MeltDown because you deserved it and because a match against a good friend is always an honor. What's been going on with you lately"?
Cruz: "Let me see if I can sort through all this bitching and moaning and get to what you're really trying to say. (the crowd boos loudly as Mysterio looks on, confused.) I turn up the intensity, trying to work my way up the TWF ladder, and you don't want to be my friend anymore"?
Mysterio: (throwing his left arm in the air) "I never said that! All I know is that this new attitude isn't you. You've never taken cheap shots before-
(putting his hand up to cut Mysterio off) Cruz: "Hold on one second, Rey. Have you ever heard of the story about the Frog and the Scorpion? (Mysterio shakes his head, even more confused by what he's saying.) The Frog helps the Scorpion cross a river the Scorpion never would've survived crossing by himself. Once they both are safe on the other side, the Scorpion repays the Frog's kindness by stinging it. "Why did you do it?", the Frog asked with his dying breath. "Because it is my nature.", the Scorpion replied. You see, Rey, I've always tried to run away from who I am and where I come from. What made me a survivor growing up in a violent barrio, is that I was more ruthless than anyone who came across me. I think it's time I got in touch with my true nature, if I want to be a survivor here".
With that, Cruz hauls off and nails Mysterio with a spin kick to his temple and drops him to the mat. The crowd is stunned for a moment, then they shower the ring with boos.
JR: "What the hell is this about! Cruz just nailed his friend Rey again with another cheap shot"!
Lawler: "I don't think they're friends anymore, J.R., and it looks like he's not done"!
Cruz started stomping away on Mysterio. He then picked him up into a fisherman's suplex and dropped him on his head. Cruz then leaves the ring and grabs a chair from ringside and gets back in. He waits for Mysterio to get up, then wallops Rey in the knee with the chair.
JR: "My God, that son of a bitch is going to cripple Mysterio! Get somebody out here, damnit"!
Cruz then gets a sadistic look on his face, then drags Mysterio by the legs over to the corner of the ring and gets out of the ring. He then takes a page out of Bret the Hitman Hart's playbook and wraps Mysterio up in a figure four leglock around the ring post. Mysterio starts screaming in pain while Cruz hangs on for more pressure. Agents and referees from the back rush out to try and get Cruz off of Mysterio.
J.R.: "My God.... he's gonna end his career.... get someone out here to stop this"! Lawler: "Mysterio's in a lot of trouble here J.R.". THE SHOT FADES OUT AND GOES TO A BRIEF COMMERCIAL BREAK IN WHICH AN AD FOR TWF.COM IS SHOWN.
JR: "Folks, I've been in the business for over thirty years and have seen a lot of heinous attacks, but that had to be one of the most brutal and cowardly attacks I've ever seen"!
Lawler: "Come on, JR. He told him what he was going to do. This is what's always been inside Cruz, he's just now decided to let it out".
JR: "Well, be that as it may, Cruz will have a day of reckoning once Mysterio gets back on his feet. The EMTs are wheeling him out on a stretcher as we speak".
The shot goes to Mysterio being taken away on a stretcher up the ramp. BACKSTAGE......
Matt Cruz is shown walking in the back with a smug look on his face. He passes other superstars who look at him with utter disgust. Mackenzie Rose and Charlie Haas look at him, shake their heads, and turn away.
Cruz: " *pfffftt*! What a bunch of sissies".
Cruz then comes face to face with the new TWF World Champion Travis Wakeman and Melina. They both have their arms around each others waist. Wakeman looks Cruz up and down and smirks.
Wakeman: "Nice to see you showing more intenisty out there, Cruz. Don't know how far this new attitude is going to take you, but I see a glimmer of hope. Just watch your back. Looks like you don't have any friends left to watch it".
Melina laughs as she hugs Wakeman tighter. Cruz rolls his eyes, smiles and looks at Melina, then back at Wakeman.
Cruz: "Sabes que, T-Wake? I don't think you need to worry too much about what I'm doing. Looks like you have your hands full already, so to speak. I heard High Octane is lurking around Foley's office, asking about a rematch. Melina seems to get upset by this, but Wakeman seems nonchalant about it. As far as me not having any friends to watch my back anymore, it don't really matter. He looks at Melina one more time, then back at Wakeman. To quote one of the great American poets, Jay-Z, "I got ninety-nine problems, but a bitch ain't one."
Cruz turns and leaves, as Wakeman and Melina just glare in his direction, then they turn and leave in the opposite direction. BACK TO THE RING, LANCE CADE IS SHOWN AND THE CROWD BOOS AS LILIAN GARCIA INTRODUCES HIM. TATANKA's MUSIC HITS AND HE COMES OUT TO A VERY LOUD CHEER. HE RUNS TO THE RING AND WAVES HIS TOMAHAWK BACK AND FORTH AS THE CROWD MAKES THE SAME MOTION WITH THEIR HANDS. J.R.: "Boy Matt Cruz has really disappointed, I really don't know what to say about his actions stemming from MeltDown and then tonight". J.R.: "Well then let's change the subject, let's talk about the rumors that Tatanka confronted Travis Wakeman with tonight". J.R.: "Well it's hard for me to believe that Travis Wakeman would sell out to the Million Dollar Man and I'd love to know where those rumors originated but right now, we've got Tatanka in action against Lance Cade". Lance Cade vs. Tatanka The bell sounded and Cade went for a sneak attack but Tatanka was ready for it and blocked a right hand before belting Cade across the chest with multiple chops. After a scoop slam, Tatanka bounced off the ropes and dropped a big elbow across the chest of Cade, going into a cover but Cade was up after a count of 2. Tatanka pulled him up and sent him to the corner but Cade moved and Tatanka posted his shoulder after charging in. Cade then hit a big armbar DDT before yelling something into the crowd which drew more boos. Cade then went to the top rope, looking for a flying elbow. He leaped off but Tatanka rolled out of the way and Cade slammed into the mat as Tatanka went to the outside himself. He flew off with a big tomahawk chop, finding the mark. He made the cover and had Cade beat but Trevor Murdoch hit the ring, breaking the count and getting his partner disqualified. The bell sounded as Cade and Murdoch worked on Tatanka but after ducking a double clothesline off an irish whip, Tatanka hit a clothesline on both Cade and Murdoch. He then launched Murdoch over the top rope before picking Cade up and delivering his Samoan drop, known as the "Trail's End". Tatanka's music hit and the crowd cheered as he did an Indian war dance in the ring while Cade and Murdoch left, licking their wounds. Match Time: 6:17 J.R.: "Not even two men could stop the roll of the Native American tonight and there's still more action to come so don't go away"! COMMERCIAL BREAK....... A COMMERCIAL FOR VERIZON WIRELESS IS SHOWN FOLLOWED BY A USA PROGRAMMING AD. RETURN FROM BREAK..... RINGSIDE..... AS RAMPAGE RETURNS, ROB STORM IS IN THE RING WITH A MICROPHONE. Rob Storm: "So what's been in the news here in the U.S. lately? What do you Americans like to hear about? Well, if it's not the crap with Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes and their fake baby, or that slut Britney Spears getting knocked up again, then you people have nothing to talk about! And here in Nebraska, it's ten times worse. I mean, the football team sucks, but what else is new? So what does that give you morons to talk about?! It seems....... J.R.: "Oh look out"! JUST THEN, STORM IS ATTACKED BY MAX OGDEN WHO CAME FROM OUT OF THE CROWD AND WAS JUST ALL OVER HIM. Rob Storm vs. Max Ogden Storm looked like he didn't know what hit him as an aggressive Ogden took the fight to him. Storm finally caught him with a calf kick as he came of the ropes before yelling "Stupid American" right in his face. Storm pulled him up and whipped him to the ropes but Ogden ducked a backhand and hit a jumping enziguri. He then picked up the microphone Storm had been talking on and proceeded to beat him over the head with it. Referee Jim Korderas had no choice but to call for the bell. Ogden got in several shots before Storm rolled out of the ring. Match Time: 3:01 Lawler: "Max Ogden has lost it J.R., what the heck is wrong with this guy"?! Max Ogden: "Umaga..... Estrada..... I know you two are back there, so get your asses out here, we're not finished"! J.R.: "Oh my gosh.... he's calling out the Samoan Bulldozer"! Lawler: "He better be careful what he asks for... Umaga already beat him at MeltDown"! JUST THEN, UMAGA's MUSIC HIT AND HE CAME OUT, ALONG WITH ARMANDO ALEJANDRO ESTRADA. BUT SHOWING NO FEAR, OGDEN LEFT THE RING AND CAME RIGHT AT HIM. THE TWO BEGAN EXCHANGING RIGHT HANDS ON THE RAMP AND OGDEN USED THE MICROPHONE TO KNOCK UMAGA BACK. OGDEN WAS GETTING THE BEST OF HIM AND ESTRADA TRIED TO GET INVOLVED BUT CAUGHT A RIGHT HAND FROM OGDEN. IT LOOKED LIKE THAT WOULD CREATE THE DISTRACTION UMAGA NEEDED BUT HE MISSED WITH A KICK AND OGDEN SHOVED HIM OFF THE RAMP AND UMAGA LANDED RIGHT ON THE SOUNDSTAGE, CRASHING THROUGH IT. A "HOLY SHIT" CHANT STARTED UP AFTER SPARKS FLEW. Lawler: "Oh my God"! J.R.: "I don't think we've ever seen Max Ogden in this frame of mind! He just threw Umaga off the top of the stage, through all that sound equipment"! Lawler: "Well when Umaga gets up.... Ogden's gonna have hell to pay"! BACKSTAGE....... JASON OLIVER IS SHOWN IN THE BACK WHEN HIGH OCTANE COMES UP. Jason Oliver: "Hey Damian, tough loss at MeltDown". High Octane: "Yeah, and I just found out from Foley that I didn't have a rematch in the contract. But that's not why I'm here. Foley just told me that you and I are partners in a tag team match next week against Money Mike and Joe Corey. With all this Starman stuff that's gone on, I just want to make sure I can trust you". Oliver: "Look, I want to know who the Starman is more than anyone and when I do, that guy will pay. But yeah, you can trust me next week". High Octane: "Alright, I'll catch ya later". HIGH OCTANE WALKS AWAY AS OLIVER LOOKS ON. THE SHOT GOES BACK TO THE RING WHERE TRAVIS WAKEMAN IS STANDING. J.R.: "We have been joined by the brand new TWF World champion and I don't think he's been able to celebrate the way he wanted to tonight, has he"? Lawler: "Well I don't have him scheduled to be out here, so this must be urgent"! Travis Wakeman: "I don't want to waste anybody's time, but I am really disturbed about whatever rumors have been started about myself and the Million Dollar Man. So right now, I want anyone who has information on them, to get out here now and let me know"! J.R.: "Wakeman has basically just called out the entire locker room, anyone who has information on these supposed rumors". Lawler: "What do you mean supposed"? WAKEMAN WAITS FOR ABOUT A MINUTE. J.R.: "Doesn't look to me like we've got anybody volunteering to give up anything here". JUST THEN, "NO CHANCE" IS HEARD AND VINCE McMAHON COMES OUT TO A LOUD, MIXTURED REACTION. Lawler: "What is this...... it's Vince McMahon"! J.R.: "It's the chairman of the board.... but what does he have to do with this"?! Vince McMahon: "What's the matter Wakeman, not who you expected? Let me just say this, champ, if I find out that you have cut a deal with Ted Dibiase in order to protect the TWF World title, I will take great pleasure in firing you from the TWF"! Lawler: "Oh my gosh.... Wakeman's gonna be fired"! J.R.: "Oh come on King, you can't possibly believe that Wakeman has anything to do with Dibiase.... it can't be true"! OFF AIR........
