Charlotte, North Carolina
Attendance: 13,192
May 2, 2008
The TWF enjoyed another massive crowd as it was the very last show before WrestleMania 9. There was a "big fight feeling" in the air as not only a TWF ring sat inside the Charlotte Coliseum, but a regulation UFC Octagon as well. Canadian-Italian Exchange vs. Austin Pyromania and Taylor Made w/ Kelly The night started off with a big tag team match on Uprising and Taylor Made and Pyromania were cookin'. Aldo Corleone was able to control the match basically by himself to start the match and after a falling powerslam on Taylor, he made the tag to Rob Storm. Storm came in and continued to pound away on Taylor but Taylor slid through his legs off an irish whip and made the tag. Pyromania came in and he and Taylor combined to take Storm down with a double hip toss slam before taking Corleone off the apron with a double dropkick. Storm stood up only to have Pyromania use a drop toe hold before Taylor followed with a legdrop to the back of the head. From there, Storm got up slowly and Pyro was waiting with the "Pyrotechnics" which led to the 3 count. Troy Gafgen vs. Preston Scott (invitee) For the first time, Troy Gafgen did what he's always gone to the shows to watch as a fan..... wrestle. Preston Scott provided the opposition but he wasn't much of a threat. Gafgen wrestled a great match and put Scott down with a nice belly to belly and a big powerslam off an irish whip. After reversing an irish whip, Scott dropped his head a little too soon and Gafgen made him pay with a big powerbomb to win the match. After the match, Chris Platoon tried to run in and attack Gafgen from behind but the rookie was ready, ducking a wild right hand before kicking Platoon in the gut and clotheslining him out of the ring! Luyu Dawnstar and China Rose vs. Mickie James and Trinity It was time for the divas to take center stage and it was the vicious combination of Luyu and China who had the Women's champ Mickie James reeling. After taking a lot of punishment from both women, Mickie was able to get a tag to Trinity who came in and took on both Luyu and China. After a big bulldog on China, Trinity threw Luyu over the top rope before tagging Mickie. China got up and faced Trinity but Trinity pointed over her shoulder and when she turned around, Mickie blasted her with a kick to the jaw and covered her for the victory. Carlito vs. Jeff Hardy The main event of a loaded Uprising was a good one as Jeff Hardy and Carlito had a seesaw battle that had the crowd very alive. Carlito shot Jeff to the corner but Jeff countered with the Whisper in the Wind which got him a 2 count. Jeff tried to the Twist of Fate but Carlito escaped and went for the Backcracker, but Jeff avoided that as well. Following a big enziguri, Jeff went to the top rope but before he could fly off with the Swanton Bomb, Carlito got up and pointed to his head as if to say how smart he was. But when he turned back around, Jeff was still perched on the top rope and flew off with a crossbody. But Carlito caught him and rolled through it, grabbing a handful of his pants in the process to steal a win. The very pro-Hardy crowd loudly booed Carlito as his music played and he walked up the ramp with an arm raised. Jeff explained to the referee what happened as the stage crew got things set for Rampage to go live on USA. RAMPAGE GOES LIVE
RAMPAGE OPENS UP INSIDE THE CHARLOTTE COLISEUM. THERE IS NO OPENING MONTAGE AND THE LOUD, EXCITED AUDIENCE BEGINS TO BOO WHEN THEY HEAR THE FAMILIAR NATIVE AMERICAN WARCHANT THAT LEADS INTO "MONEY, MONEY, MONEY" AND TATANKA MAKES HIS WAY DOWN THE RAMP ALONG WITH TED DIBIASE. Jim Ross: "We thank you for joining us live here on the USA network for the final show before WrestleMania and what a way to start, King"! Jerry Lawler: "We saw a triple threat on PrimeTime involving three of the superstars that will participate in the WrestleMania Jackpot and now, we've got the same thing here tonight"! "THE NEXT EPISODE" BY DR. DRE HITS AND MATT CRUZ COMES OUT TO A FAVORABLE RESPONSE. J.R.: "We also have two Pick your Poison matches here tonight but here's a guy who we've been waiting for to break that glass ceiling for a couple years and the WrestleMania Jackpot would be the perfect oppurtunity for the Texas Longhorn to do just that"! Lawler: "Ah yes, but he'll be in there with five other guys just as hungry to do the same". "TNT" BY AC/DC COMES ON AND THE CROWD LOUDLY POPS AS CHRIS TIRPAK COMES OUT AND MAKES HIS WAY THROUGH THE CROWD, ON HIS WAY TO THE RING. J.R.: "Chris Tirpak always has one of the more exciting ring entrances in all the TWF, but does he have what it takes to hit the Jackpot"? Lawler: "Well there's no doubt that whoever wins this match will head into WrestleMania on a huge high note"! Triple Threat Match Matt "Madik" Cruz vs. Chris Tirpak vs. Tatanka w/ Ted Dibiase The bell sounded and the 3 men circled one another, waiting for someone to make a move. The crowd got on Tatanka and Cruz and Tirpak seemed to make a pact to take him out. Tirpak moved in with a kick to the gut and Cruz followed up with a hard right hand on Tatanka. Tirpak then whipped him to the ropes before combining with Cruz for a double hip toss. Tirpak played to the crowd who cheered but when he turned around, Cruz locked his arms around him and delivered a big belly to belly suplex. Cruz then set Tirpak up for the Colorado Cloverleaf but just as he turned him over in it, Tatanka came in with a kick to the side of the head. Like a machine, Tatanka began to take over the match. He bodyslammed both men before heading to the top rope. He flew off with a tomahawk chop, hitting Tirpak right between the eyes. Cruz got up and whipped Tatanka to the ropes and caught him with a big powerslam. He then ducked a clothesline from Tirpak before catching him with a big Arn Anderson style spinebuster. Cruz was rolling, but after hitting the ropes, Dibiase tried to trip him up. Cruz turned and used the ropes to drill the Million Dollar Man with a dropkick, knocking him onto the entrance ramp! Tatanka hit Cruz from behind but after backing up, he ran at him and Cruz backdropped him out of the ring. Cruz had some words for Tatanka as he hit the floor, but Tirpak came up from behind and schoolboyed Cruz for the 3 count. Match Time: 8:10 Lawler: "Oh look at that..... Tirpak stole it"! J.R.: "Chris Tirpak has won the triple threat with a clever roll-up on Matt Cruz.... a huge win for him"! "TNT" PLAYED AND TIRPAK GOT A HOLD OF HIS KENDO STICK, RAISING IT UP AS THE CROWD LOUDLY CHEERED. Lawler: "We're off to a big start tonight, J.R.! Look at Cruz, he can't believe it"! J.R.: "Ken Kennedy will face Mark Henry in one Pick your Poison match later tonight, but who has Kennedy selected as the opponent for the World champion, Chris Masters"?! COMMERCIAL BREAK....... A COMMERCIAL FOR TACO BELL IS SHOWN FOLLOWED BY A PREVIEW FOR "IRON MAN". RETURN FROM BREAK..... RIGHT WHEN RAMPAGE RETURNS, "SUPERSTAR" BY SALIVA COMES ON AND JASON OLIVER COMES OUT TO MOSTLY BOOS FROM THE CHARLOTTE CROWD. BUT JUST BEFORE HE GETS TO THE RING, THE SOUND OF LOUD WIND BLOWING IS HEARD BEFORE A HUGE RED DRAGON APPEARS ON THE TWF TRON. HE BLOWS FIRE WHICH TURNS INTO THE NUMBER 30. Lawler: "What the hell is that"?! J.R.: "I would have to say it has something to do with Taz, who Jason Oliver will face at WrestleMania in what should be one hell of a match". CODY RHODES IS SHOWN IN THE RING GETTING LOOSE. Lawler: "I talked to Jason earlier today and his mind really seemed to be in another place, it was weird". J.R.: "Well he does have to prepare to take on one of the toughest men on the TWF roster, a match I am really looking forward to calling". Jason Oliver vs. Cody Rhodes Right from the opening bell, Oliver took the young Rhodes to the mat and tried to set up several submission holds. But the lanky Rhodes was able to slip free many times and after catching Oliver with a dropkick, he let loose a barrage of offense. After a big hip toss, Rhodes ran Oliver over with a clothesline before getting the crowd all fired up. Rhodes went to the top rope and came off with a flying crossbody to get a 1...........2........., but Oliver was just up. Oliver got up and ran right into a small package and again, Rhodes got a near fall. Rhodes was slowed by a sore right arm, which Oliver worked over earlier in the match, but he rocked Oliver with 3 left hands. After a kick to the abdomen, Rhodes set up his big DDT but Oliver countered and swung free, kicking Rhodes in the gut and hitting him with the "Claymore" to get the 1..........2..........3. Match Time: 8:11 J.R.: "A big time move from Jason Oliver has allowed him to pull out a victory over a very game Cody Rhodes"! Lawler: "Wait a minute, here comes Taz"! AFTER REFEREE JOSE MENDEZ RAISED THE ARM OF JASON OLIVER, TAZ RAN OUT AND ATTACKED HIM FROM BEHIND. TAZ WAS ALL OVER HIM WITH RIGHT HANDS UNTIL OLIVER KICKED HIM IN THE GROIN. OLIVER THEN VICIOUSLY THREW TAZ THROUGH THE RING ROPES AND TO THE FLOOR BEFORE FOLLOWING HIM OUT. HE THEN PICKED UP AN ELECTRICAL CORD THAT WAS LYING ON THE FLOOR AND WRAPPED IT AROUND THE THROAT OF TAZ. J.R.: "Oh somebody's gotta stop this.... he's choking him"! Lawler: "Taz better do something and quick! This is what he usually does to his opponents"! J.R.: "For God sake get him off"! FINALLY, OFFICIALS AND A COUPLE MORE REFEREE's RAN OUT FROM THE BACK AND PULLED OLIVER OFF AS THE CROWD RESPONDED WITH SOME HEAVY BOOS. J.R.: "You've gotta wonder what kind of damage has been done here! Boy I hope Oliver is proud of himself"! Lawler: "Well correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Taz come out here and attack him"? MUHAMMAD HASSAN's OFFICE....... CAMERAS GET A SHOT OF MUHAMMAD HASSAN ON THE PHONE. Muhammad Hassan: "So I can pencil you in for the special invitation battle royale? (laughs) Very good..... we will see you soon". HASSAN HANGS UP THE PHONE AS THE SHOT GOES BACK TO THE RING. "SOMEBODY's GONNA GET IT" BY THREE SIX MAFIA HITS AND MARK HENRY COMES OUT TO NOTHING BUT BOOS. J.R.: "A special invitation battle royale was recently added to the lineup for WrestleMania and King, anyone could show up for that". Lawler: "As long as they're invited". J.R.: "Well Mark Henry had little choice in the matter if he wanted to compete in this match. Chris Masters selected him as the opponent for Mr. Kennedy and it's been no secret that Mark Henry has been someone Chris Masters has turned to on numerous occassions". "MISTERRRRR KENNEDYYYYYYYY" IS HEARD FOLLOWED BY KENNEDY's MUSIC AND HE HEADS TO THE RING TO A HUGE CHEER. Lawler: "Right, Mark Henry has even gone as far as to say he is the main reason Masters has held onto the title as long as he has"! J.R.: "A very tough draw here for the number one contender, Mr. Kennedy, but realistically, he just wants to get out of this one in one piece, he has a date with destiny in Houston no matter what". Pick Your Poison Mark Henry vs. Mr. Kennedy Referee Chad Patton asked for the bell to start the match and Henry came at Kennedy. But Kennedy escaped the lunging big man and then tagged him with 2 right hands. Henry lunged again, but Kennedy avoided him and connected with 2 more punches following a kick to the back of the leg. But after running the ropes, Kennedy was crushed by a big clothesline. Henry followed up with a huge elbow drop before using the ring ropes to just stand on him, pressing down with all his weight. Henry whipped Kennedy to the far corner but Kennedy moved out of the way of his attempt at an avalanche. Kennedy threw a couple more kicks, trying to knot up the legs. But the powerful Henry just picked him up in a bear hug, squeezing the life out of Kennedy. The crowd started to cheer for Kennedy, who was fading fast in the massive arms of the World's Strongest Man. Finally, out of desperation, Kennedy used an ear clap, and then another. He broke free and landed two more kicks before trying to lift Henry, but he fell right on him. Henry was ready to finish it and he lifted himself to the middle turnbuckle. Henry then jumped off with a big splash, but missed badly, rocking the ring when he hit. Kennedy got up and jumped into a cover as Henry couldn't recover before Patton made the 3 count! Match Time: 6:17 Lawler: "What the........ J.R.: "Yes! Kennedy got him! Kennedy has gotten past the test put in front of him by Masters, and now the Masterpiece has all the pressure on him! Especially when he doesn't even know who his opponent will be"! KENNEDY's MUSIC PLAYED AND HE WENT BACK UP THE RAMP, LOOKING BACK AT HENRY WITH A BIG GRIN ON HIS FACE AS THE SHOT FADED OUT. COMMERCIAL BREAK........ A COMMERCIAL FOR BURGER KING IS SHOWN FOLLOWED BY A USA PROGRAMMING AD FOR "SAVING PRIVATE RYAN" WHICH WILL AIR ON MAY 11TH, ONLY ON USA! RETURN FROM BREAK..... RINGSIDE...... 6 Man Tag Team Match Rob Van Dam and The Major Brothers vs. ECW: J.J. "The Ram" Ramplin, Sylvester Terkay and Elijah Burke The fans got a big taste of what they will see at WrestleMania as Rob Van Dam and J.J. Ramplin started the match and went at it for several good minutes. Ramplin scored with a spinebuster but when he went for the Ram's Horns, RVD used a leapfrog to get out of the way before drilling Ramplin with a spinning jump kick to the jaw. A corkscrew legdrop led to the Rolling Thunder but when RVD went for the cover, Terkay came in to break it up with a kick to the back of the head. Both RVD and Ramplin began to crawl to their corners and tags were made on both sides. Terkay came in with Brett Major and Terkay was all over him. After a hard kneelift, he dropped Brett with a right hand to the temple. Following a big sidewinder slam, Terkay got Brett up for a Canadian backbreaker, but Brian Major came in with a chop block. Brett then tagged in Brian who went to the top rope and came off with a missile dropkick but Terkay just swatted him away. With a running start, Terkay then punted Brian, kicking with square in the ribs. Terkay then slapped the hand of Elijah Burke, who came in and hammered Brian with a big dose of boxing-style punches. After dropping him with a right hook, Burke pulled Brian up and whipped him to the corner before pulling down both knee pads. Burke signaled that it was time for the Elijah Express but when he flew in, Brian got out of the way. He then dove to his corner and tagged the hand of RVD as the crowd went wild. Terkay tried to come into the ring but the Majors took him out with a double dropkick. Ramplin was going to try his hand, but thought better of it. In the ring, RVD came off the top rope with a flying kick to the chest of Burke before ascending another turnbuckle to land the "5 Star Frogsplash" to seal the victory. Match Time: 6:20 BACKSTAGE AREA........ CAMERAS IN THE BACK SHOW SEAN O'HAIRE STANDING WITH TWF AGENT BARRY DARSOW. Barry Darsow: "So yeah, that's my confession. My wife doesn't even know". Sean O'Haire: "What, that you didn't file your taxes this year? DARSOW SHRUGS HIS SHOULDERS C'mon, man, I've heard way worse than that. That's great"! O'HAIRE REACHES INTO HIS POCKET AND PULLS SOMETHING OUT, HANDING IT TO DARSOW. Darsow: "What's this"? O'Haire: "Oh, that's a VIP pass to the Crazy Horse here in town...... it's a strip club". Darsow: "I'm a married man". O'HAIRE SLAPS HIM ON THE BACK. O'Haire: "Even better". O'HAIRE WALKS AWAY AS DARSOW JUST LOOKS ON BEFORE SMILING AND THE SHOT GOES TO THE BROADCAST TABLE. Lawler: "Hey, I want one of those"! J.R.: "Calm down, King, it's time to talk about the Hall of Fame". Lawler: "Okay, let's talk about the Hall of Fame". J.R.: "We are ready to announce the final inductee in the class of 2008. Joining an impressive list that already includes Bret Hart, Trish Stratus and Jeff Jarrett, it's one of the best tag team wrestlers ever..... take a look". TWF Hall of Fame Class of 2008 Inductee- Joe "Animal" Laurinitis Animal was of course one half of what is widely considered the greatest tag team in wrestling history, the Road Warriors. Animal began his first stint in the TWF with his partner Hawk but that run was cut short by the tragic death of Hawk. After a brief layoff, Animal decided he wanted one more run in the wrestling business, and came back to form the New Road Warriors along with Heidenreich. With Heidenreich, Animal became one half of the TWF Tag Team champions, dedicating the victory to his late tag team partner, who is also a member of the TWF Hall of Fame. Animal retired from the ring in 2006 but there is no question that we are ecstatic to have him enshrined into the TWF Hall of Fame. BACK TO THE ACTION LIVE, "PICTURES" BY SYSTEM OF A DOWN HITS AND ALEX SHELLEY COMES OUT WITH M.X. OGDEN AND CANDICE, WHO IS CARRYING BOTH OF THEIR TAG TEAM TITLES. J.R.: "Road Warrior Animal will be a welcome addition to the Hall of Fame and speaking of great tag teams, here's one of the best we have to offer right here". Lawler: "And they'll be facing one of the best ever at WrestleMania, but look at this, J.R., there's no video camera tonight, it's all business"! J.R.: "This will be a one on one match between Alex Shelley and Jim Niedhart, but on the last Rampage, we did see M.X. Ogden get by Bret Hart, the soon to be Hall of Fame, in a steel cage"! THE CROWD LOUDLY CHEERS WHEN THEY HEAR THE HART FOUNDATION's MUSIC AND JIM NIEDHART IS TRAILED TO THE RING BY BRET HART. Lawler: "And that may be the biggest win of Ogden's career, but at WrestleMania, we're gonna witness the biggest win Eye Spy has ever gotten! These two can't hack it anymore"! J.R.: "I don't know, King, Niedhart looks pretty good to me.... I wouldn't want to be in there with him"! Alex Shelley w/ Candice and M.X. Ogden vs. Jim "The Anvil" Niedhart w/ Bret "Hitman" Hart Niedhart removed his shades and was ready to give it to one of the fans sitting ringside when Shelley attacked him from behind. Caught off guard, Niedhart was being rocked by Shelley. After taking Niedhart down with a jumping enziguri, Shelley hit a basement dropkick that got him a 2 count. Shelley pulled Niedhart up but The Anvil blocked a right hand before pounding Shelley with 2 of his own which he followed up with a stiff headbutt. Niedhart began to shake off the cobwebs before shooting Shelley into the corner but he moved out of the way as Niedhart ran in, posting his shoulder. As Shelley distracted referee Jim Korderas, Ogden grabbed Niedhart's head and rammed it into the steel ring post! Bret Hart saw this and came around the ring, taking Ogden out with a right hand. In the ring, Shelley rolled Niedhart up and had a handful of tights, but Niedhart still kicked out at 2. After whipping Niedhart to the corner, Shelley came in with a bicycle kick that would have made Tiger Mask proud, but when he ran back at Niedhart, he was turned over with an incredible powerslam and The Anvil had the pin, hooking the leg for the 3 count. Match Time: 4:43 J.R.: "Just like that, it's over! Niedhart wins it with a huge powerslam"! Lawler: "They may've won this one, but at WrestleMania, Eye Spy is gonna put an end to the legend known as the Hart Foundation"! BRET HART AND JIM NIEDHART WALKED UP THE RAMP, CELEBRATING THEIR WIN AS OGDEN TRASH TALKED THEM FROM THE RING, HOLDING UP ONE OF THE RAMPAGE TAG TEAM TITLES. J.R.: "I personally can't wait for that one! Plenty of action still to come, including Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell, inside the octagon! Don't move an inch"! COMMERCIAL BREAK........ A COMMERCIAL FOR AMP ENERGY DRINKS IS SHOWN FOLLOWED BY ONE FOR MSN.COM RETURN FROM BREAK..... BACKSTAGE..... WHEN RAMPAGE RETURNS, SEAN O'HAIRE IS SHOWN IN THE BACK WHEN OF ALL PEOPLE, IRWIN R. SCHYSTER COMES UP. I.R.S.: "I heard what you said to Mr. Darsow earlier.... about cheating on his taxes". Sean O'Haire: "Oh yeah"? SCHYSTER LEANS IN TO O'HAIRE, CLOSE TO HIS EAR. I.R.S.: "You got any more of those passes.... like the one you gave....... O'HAIRE REACHES INTO HIS POCKET AND PULLS OUT ANOTHER V.I.P. PASS, HANDING IT TO HIM. O'Haire: "Just for you". THE SHOT GOES TO ANOTHER PART OF THE BACKSTAGE AREA WHERE TODD GRISHAM IS STANDING WITH UFC PRESIDENT DANA WHITE. THE CROWD INSIDE LOUDLY CHEERS. Todd Grisham: "I am here with the man who is in charge of the MMA world, President of the UFC, Mr. Dana White". Dana White: "Thanks, Todd". Grisham: "In just a few moments, Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz are gonna lock horns inside the octagon for a third time.... what can we expect from this fight"? White: "Well it's gonna be intense. Chuck's beat Tito twice so there's no doubt that Tito will be out for blood tonight.... should be really good". Grisham: "Well of course they will both take part in the huge match which you help set up for WrestleMania, what happens should one of them get hurt tonight"? White: "I have suitable replacements lined up for both men, but hopefully they won't be needed". Grisham: "Alright, Dana, thank you for your time and I can't wait to say this.... let's send it down to the octagon". THE FANS ARE ON THEIR FEET CHEERING AS CHUCK LIDDELL ENTERS THE OCTAGON WHILE HIS ENTRANCE MUSIC BY DMX PLAYS. TITO ORTIZ IS ALREADY IN THE RING. J.R.: "Can you believe we're actually gonna see this on Rampage? We are joined now by the voices of the UFC, Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan". Lawler: "I'm ready to sit back and watch these two tear each other apart! Take it away guys"! Mike Goldberg: "Well we thank you for allowing us to join the broadcast tonight and I gotta say that if you're ever gonna have a UFC fight on a TWF program, this is the one to have"! Joe Rogan: "This is gonna be incredible! Tito Ortiz has suffered losses to Chuck Liddell twice in his career... in December 2006 and April 2004 and I can't imagine how much he wants this one"! Goldberg: "Chuck Liddell is calm as always, let's send it fown to Bruce Buffer". A BELL SOUNDS AND THE FANS CHEER LOUDLY. Bruce Buffer: "Ladies and gentlemen, tonight, for the first time in TWF history.... it's three rounds of UFC action! ANOTHER LOUD POP IS HEARD. Buffer: "Tonight, it is the third fight in the careers of two legendary UFC fighters. First, he stands 6 feet two inches tall and weighs in at two hundred and four pounds and he comes in with a record of sixteen wins, five losses and one draw, from Huntington Beach, California.... he is the Huntington Beach Bad Boy...... Tito Ortiz"! ORTIZ RAISES HIS RIGHT ARM AND IS MOSTLY BOOED. Buffer: "Next, he stands six feet two inches tall and weighs in tonight at two hundred and five pounds.... he has a record of twenty one wins and five losses, from San Luis Obispo, California....... The Iceman...... Chuck Liddell"! LIDDELL GETS AN ENORMOUS REACTION AS REFEREE HERB DEAN STEPS INTO THE CAGE. Goldberg: "And we are ready! WrestleMania isn't far away, but these two men will be looking to make sure the other doesn't even get there"! Rogan: "Here we go.... this place is about to explode"! 3 Round UFC Fight Tito Ortiz vs. Chuck Liddell Herb Dean got consent from both men to start the fight and they came out, each throwing some punches to feel each other out. Ortiz struck first with a big leg kick but when he tried to come in, Liddell knocked him back with a left jab. Liddell tried to follow up with a combo, but Ortiz moved out of the way and backed Liddell up against the cage wall. But to create some seperation, Liddell stomped on each of his feet before rocking him with a punch to the body. Liddell missed with about 6 punches before Ortiz scored with a knee. After struggling up against the cage, Ortiz struck Liddell with an elbow that opened up a good sized cut over his right eye. Ortiz then got a quick takedown and wanted to pound away on the Iceman, but Liddell got his defense up. Ortiz got side control and was ready to inflict some serious damage when the bell sounded to stop the round. Liddell went to his corner and his team did their best to fix his cut, but the doctor looked very close to stopping the fight. ROUND 2 Acting as if his cut eye didn't bother him, Liddell came out swinging, connecting with a right-left combo but Ortiz fired back and hit another kick. But Liddell decided to throw a few kicks as well, but Ortiz took them and caught him with a glancing blow right on the cut. Liddell threw a wild right hand but missed everything and left himself exposed as Ortiz jacked his head back with a kick right in the face. Liddell fell face first to the mat and Dean almost immediately called for the bell. Decision- Ortiz wins by KO at 1:11 of Round 2 Rogan: "Oh my God.... Tito Ortiz just beat Chuck Liddell"! Goldberg: "A disappointing loss for Liddell, but he is out cold"! Goldberg: "I don't think I've ever seen someone do that to Liddell and it looks like the third time is a charm for Tito Ortiz"! LIDDELL WAS HELPED UP BY HIS TEAM AS ORTIZ RAN AROUND EXCITEDLY, SLAPPING HANDS WITH A FEW OF THE FANS. Lawler: "And what an advantage Tito and Money Mike have going into WrestleMania! Dana White may want to get Liddell's replacement ready"! COMMERCIAL BREAK.......... A COMMERCIAL FOR "GRAND THEFT AUTO IV" IS SHOWN FOLLOWED BY ONE FOR VITAMIN WATERS. RETURN FROM BREAK..... BACKSTAGE..... WHEN RAMPAGE RETURNS, SEAN O'HAIRE IS SHOWN IN THE BACKSTAGE AREA AGAIN WHEN SEBASTIAN CAIN COMES UP. Sebastian Cain: "Excuse me, but what are you trying to pull"? Sean O'Haire: "What's your problem"? Cain: "Look, I am here trying to clean the TWF up, and you are handing out VIP passes to a gentleman's club? I know you say it's all in good fun, but your actions and beliefs are counter-productive to what I'm trying to accomplish". O'Haire: "Look, Priest or Rabbi, or whatever you are..... live a little, dude". O'HAIRE WALKS AWAY AND SEBASTIAN JUST SHAKES HIS HAND AS THE SHOT GOES TO MUHAMMAD HASSAN's OFFICE, WHERE TAZ HAS JUST BURST IN. Taz: "I know you don't plan on doing anything to Jason Oliver for trying to kill me with that electrical cord, but I plan to"! Muhammad Hassan: "Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it you who went out there and tried to attack him"? TAZ SLAMS HIS FIST ON HASSAN's DESK. Taz: "It's either him or me.... one of us goes! At WrestleMania, Taz versus Jason Oliver..... loser never sets foot in the TWF again"! TAZ TURNS AND STORMS OUT OF THE OFFICE AS HASSAN CRACKS A SMILE. Hassan (to himself): "I like it". BACK TO THE RING, BOOS FILL THE CHARLOTTE COLISEUM WHEN CHRIS MASTERS' MUSIC HITS AND HE COMES OUT WITH THE TWF WORLD TITLE AROUND HIS WAIST. AS PYRO GOES OFF BEHIND HIM, MASTERS BEGINS TO SHOW OFF HIS INCREDIBLE PHYSIQUE WITH SOME POSES. J.R.: "Can you believe the challenge Taz just made"? Lawler: "Yeah, and it sounds like Hassan has agreed to it! Either Taz or Jason Oliver will be out of the TWF after WrestleMania"! J.R.: "WrestleMania is getting bigger by the minute, and here is the man who will defend the TWF World title against Mr. Kennedy in the main event but first, he has this match and we don't even know who his opponent is". Lawler: "Mr. Kennedy already passed the test of the Pick your Poison matches and now it's the Masterpiece's turn"! THE CROWD RISES TO THEIR FEET AND CHEERS LOUDLY WHEN THEY HEAR "WOOOOOOOOOO"! RIC FLAIR's MUSIC FOLLOWS AND THE NATURE BOY STRUTS OUT WEARING A RED ROBE TO THE BIGGEST POP OF THE NIGHT BY FAR. J.R.: "By God it's Ric Flair! The Nature Boy will be the opponent for Chris Masters and what an opponent he will make"! Lawler: "Not only that, but we're in the heart of Flair Country.... listen to this"! J.R.: "As much as I hate to say it, this may be the last time we ever see the Nature Boy on TWF television, but I am so proud to be sitting in this chair at this moment"! Lawler: "But there's still a match to get to here, all fanfare aside". Non-Title/Pick Your Poison Match Ric Flair vs. World Champion: Chris Masters The crowd of over 13,000 was buzzing as the bell sounded. Flair and Masters locked up and Masters easily powered Flair to the corner. Referee Jack Doan moved in and asked for a break but in typical Flair form, he raked the eyes of the Masterpiece and slapped his chest with 3 knifedge chops. Flair then popped Masters with 3 stiff right jabs before shooting him to the ropes. Flair dropped his head a little early and Masters was able to kick him in the chest before going for a clothesline. But Flair avoided it and locked in a sleeper hold. Getting up on the shoulders of Masters, Flair had it locked in deep. Finally, Masters broke the hold by running backwards into the corner. Masters then controlled the match for the next several minutes, using his tremendous power to overwhelm Flair. After a gorilla press slam, Masters was cruising and he pulled Flair up, whipping him to the corner. Masters ran in with a clothesline but Flair got out of the way and then picked him up for a shinbreaker. Flair tried to go for the Figure Four, but Masters pushed him away with his free foot. Masters then got up and clubbed him with a clothesline before locking in a reverse chin lock. Flair got up behind the urgence of the audience and after driving 3 elbows into the bread basket of Masters, he ran the ropes and when Masters went for a kneelift, he countered with a schoolboy to get an incredibly near fall. The fans were jumping out of their seats at the sight of this. Both men got to their feet and Masters threw a right hand but Flair came back with a knifedge. This continued back and forth until Masters thumbed him in the eye, taking a page right out of Flair's book. Masters tried to pick him up in a gorilla press again but this time, Flair slid down his back and pulled the powerhouse down with a sunset flip to get the 1.........2.........., but Masters was up! Flair got to his feet and kicked the back of Masters' right knee 3 times before running the ropes but after missing with a clothesline, Masters turned right around with the Polish Hammer, catching Flair flush on the jaw before falling into the cover to get the 3 count. Match Time: 10:05 J.R.: "Now that's a damn shame"! Lawler: "What a shot by Chris Masters.... he might've knocked some of Flair's teeth out"! MASTERS' MUSIC PLAYED AND THE CROWD BOOED AS HE WALKED UP THE RAMP WITH THE WORLD TITLE HELD HIGH, BUT HE WAS CLEARLY EXHAUSTED. J.R.: "Well he better be ready for Mr. Kennedy at WrestleMania, because Kennedy is ready for him"! FLAIR MANAGED TO GET TO HIS FEET AND HE STARED OFF INTO THE CROWD. NOT ONE PERSON WAS NOT ON THEIR FEET, CHEERING FOR FLAIR. Lawler: "Look at this, J.R.". J.R.: "This might be the last time you ever see Ric Flair on broadcast tv, so savor the moment, folks. I have to say, that I am incredibly proud to have known this man and watched him perform for so many years..... take a bow, Nature Boy"! FLAIR HAD TEARS IN HIS EYES AS A HUGE "THANK YOU RIC" CHANT BROKE OUT TO CLOSE THE SHOW. OFF AIR.........
