Charlotte, North Carolina
Attendance: 12,208
December 18, 2009
The scene was set for the final live show of 2009 and fans packed the TWC arena in Charlotte. The action got started with Uprising which featured a full slate. 4 matches to wet the appetite of the crowd and Bill Cutting got the night started out with a big pop as he came out and held up a sign brought to the arena by one of the fans which said "God bless Fort Bragg and the troops..... come home soon".
Bill Cutting vs. Trevor Murdoch This was a good opening contest and Murdoch drew the ire of the fans early, perhaps due to this being the first match. Murdoch was able to take control of the match after hitting Cutting with a reverse back elbow off an irish whip. He then delivered a backdrop suplex before pulling at the legs of Cutting in a 'wishbone' motion. This offset a quick start by Cutting that featured some quick strikes and a flying calf kick. Murdoch threw Cutting out of the ring and then went to the top turnbuckle. As Cutting got up, Murdoch flew off but Cutting sensed him coming and moved out of the way of Murdoch's flying bulldog attempt. Cutting then rolled into the ring and watched as the referee counted Murdoch out! Gina Carano vs. Kelly This match showed both the strides Gina Carano has made and the improvements she needs to make in her in-ring career. After dominating Kelly, Carano made one mistake, missing Kelly in the corner after an irish whip. Kelly then hit a terrific headscissor takedown and got a very near fall. She then tried to pull Carano up but caught a right hand to the abdomen. Carano then loaded her up for a suplex but Kelly wiggled out of it and landed behind her, rolling her up nicely into a bridge and that got her the victory. Duke "Diamond Spider" Axe vs. Brian Knobbs (invitee) If Duke Axe is to achieve success in his TWF career, this match may be remembered as his coming out party. His opponent was Brian Knobbs, one half of the great Nasty Boys tag team. But Knobbs didn't seem ready for this match as the young, quick, athletic Axe took it to him. At one point, Knobbs was even looking to make the tag to get out. But Axe stayed on him and after a perfect jumping enziguri, Axe finished things with an incredible move he likes to call the "Axe Massacre". Mike Knox vs. Yoshi Tatsu In the main event of Uprising, this was your classic battle of speed versus power, size versus athleticism, big man versus little man. Yoshi Tatsu wowed the crowd with his unorthodox attack, thwarting any attempt Knox made to get into the match. At the same time, Yoshi could not destroy his vertical base and he got a little overzealous. After a kick to the back of each of Knox's legs, Tatsu ran the ropes but ran right into a very stiff boot to the face that folded him up and Knox covered him for the win. After the match, Knox walked away, emotionless, while things were getting set for Rampage to take the air on the USA network. RAMPAGE GOES LIVE
WHEN RAMPAGE COMES ON THE AIR, STILL PHOTOS ARE SHOWN FROM MELTDOWN STARTING WITH JACK SWAGGER STANDING PROUD FOR OKLAHOMA FOLLOWING THE RED RIVER SHOOTOUT. NEXT, IS A SHOT OF EDGE RUNNING THROUGH MR. KENNEDY WITH HIS SPEAR. SEBASTIAN CAIN STANDS ATOP A LADDER, HOLDING THE KING OF CABLE TITLE FOLLOWING HIS BRUTAL MATCH. THE LAST SHOT CATCHES THE SHEER LOOK OF ACCOMPLISHMENT ON THE FACE OF JASON OLIVER AS HE STARES INTO THE TWF WORLD TITLE. FOLLOWING THOS GREAT IMAGES, THE SHOT OPENS UP LIVE INSIDE THE TWC ARENA WHICH IS BUZZING WITH EXCITEMENT. Jim Ross: "Welcome to the final TWF event of the year 2009! We are live in Flair country...... Charlotte, North Carolina and King, it's good to be here"! Jerry Lawler: "Not just the last event of the year, J.R., the last event of the decade..... and it should be a good one"! THE SOUND OF THE HART DYNASTY's THEME HITS AND THEY COME OUT TO MOSTLY BOOS FROM THE CROWD. J.R.: "We encourage all of our fans to log onto TWF.com following tonight's Raw where you will be able to vote for this year's TWF awards". Lawler: "One of those awards is the Tag Team of the year and the team the Hart Dynasty is about to face is one of the nominees". J.R.: "A huge oppurtunity here for the son of the British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith and the last student to graduate from the infamous Hart Dungeon, Tyson Kidd". "I WILL BE HEARD" BY HATEBREED PLAYS NEXT AND THE TRIO OF EDDIE SAINT JAMES, THE BOOGEYMAN AND MONICA COME OUT TO A BIT OF A MIXED RESPONSE. THE SAINT AND BOOGEYMAN EACH HAVE THEIR TAG TEAM TITLE STRAPPED TO THEIR WAIST. Lawler: "And this tag team has been one of the biggest stories this year. I mean, they have to be the front runner to win the tag team of the year award"! J.R.: "But to get through the year of 2009 with the titles, they will have to contend with a very athletic, very technically sound Hart team, that is hungry for the gold". Rampage Tag Team Title Match Challengers: The Hart Dynasty vs. Eddie Saint James and The Boogeyman w/ Monica Tyson Kidd started the match off strong by catching The Boogeyman with a flying roundhouse kick followed by a basement dropkick. Kidd then waited for Boogeyman to get up when he went ran the ropes but Boogeyman was waiting with a clothesline. After a tag to The Saint, the champions began to show the teamwork that has made them such long standing title holders. Saint hit the ropes and dropped an elbow on the back of Kidd. He then pulled him up and whipped him into a big boot from The Boogeyman. The Saint then hit a suplex but as he ran the ropes again, Harry Smith smashed him across the back with a forearm. That allowed Kidd to get up and jump across the ring to tag in his bigger, stronger partner. Smith came in and ran over The Saint with a clothesline before turning around and dropping The Boogeyman with a right hand. The Saint got up and Smith scooped him up, delivering the running bulldog powerslam. It looked like new champs were about to be crowned but just before the count of 3, The Boogeyman came in to make the save. That brought Tyson Kidd back into the fold as well and referee Scott Martin did all he could to restore order. But as this was going on, Monica got up on the apron and raked the eyes of Harry Smith, allowing The Saint to hit the "Death to Humanity" on him before covering him for the 3 count. Match Time: 5:39 But after the match, as the champions were celebrating their victory, a blonde woman dressed in pink and black ran out hit an unsuspecting Monica from behind, knocking her to the floor. Fans soon recognized her as Natalya Neidhart, daughter of Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart. She left along with the Hart Dynasty before The Saint went out to help Monica up. COMMERCIAL BREAK........ RETURN FROM BREAK.... BACKSTAGE..... WHED RAMPAGE RETURNS, COURTNEY TAYLOR IS IN THE BACK WITH EDGE. Courtney Taylor: "I am standing here with Edge who is coming off a big victory over Mr. Kennedy at....... Edge: "A huge victory over Mr. Kennedy! A monumental victory over Mr. Kennedy! Really, who is this chick? Oh.... but I don't plan to stop there! They wanted me on Rampage..... they got me! And tonight, I plan to make even more noise"! EDGE WALKS AWAY AS THE SHOT GOES TO THE RING. Dolph Ziggler and Troy Gafgen vs. Sebastian Cain and Jaden Core This was a great tag team match in which all 4 men saw plenty of action. Ziggler had a great back and forth series with the King of Cable, Cain and Ziggler almost pinned him after a nasty gutbuster move. Gafgen made the tag and came in to pick up where Ziggler left off, delivering a belly to belly throw before almost daring Core to make the tag. Core did slap the hand of Cain and got into the match, using his speed to get around Gafgen before connecting with a jumping knee to the jaw. He then ran the ropes but Gafgen kicked him square in the face, knocking him to the mat. Ziggler then went to the top rope and flew off with an elbow drop onto Core. Cain got into the match and began to trade shots with Gafgen but Ziggler ran over and clipped his right knee before throwing him through the top and middle ropes, to the floor. Ziggler went outside to keep Cain at bay but behind Gafgen, Core had shaken everything off and got to his feet. Gafgen turned around and had his lights turned out by a superkick and Core fell onto him to get the win for his team. Match Time: 11:18 After the match, a promo graphic for TWF's Main Event was displayed. Sebastian Cain will defend the King of Cable title against the #1 contender, Jaden Core. CAMERAS IN DENVER, COLORADO SHOW A WEIRD, YET CHAOTIC SITUATION OUTSIDE TWF HEADQUARTERS. ROB STORM IS SHOWN SPEAKING WITH SOMEONE AT THE FRONT DOOR. Rob Storm: "Well I don't care what the ramifications are going to be. I am still not being given a chance to compete, I have spoken with the "general manager" and now I am going up the chain of command". TWF Employee: "I'm sorry, there's not anyone here who's gonna be able to help you with that". Rob Storm: "Well I didn't come all the way to Denver for you to tell me that, so....... WITH THAT, STORM PUSHES PAST THE EMPLOYEE AND ENTERS THE LARGE, UPSCALE BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN DENVER. THE SHOT GOES BACK TO THE RING AND JASON OLIVER COMES OUT ALONG WITH TED DIBIASE AND CODY RHODES TO MAKE HIS FIRST APPEARANCE AS TWF WORLD CHAMPION. RANDY ORTON QUICKLY INTERRUPTS AND ANNOUNCES THAT HE WILL BE USING HIS REMATCH CLAUSE AT MAIN EVENT. OLIVER INFORMS HIM THAT ROWDY RODDY PIPER AGREED TO MAKE A MATCH BETWEEN ORTON AND DIBIASE- FOR TONIGHT! COMMERCIAL BREAK.......... RETURN FROM BREAK.... BACKSTAGE..... JASON OLIVER, RHODES AND DIBIASE ARE WALKING THROUGH THE BACKSTAGE AREA DISCUSSING WHAT JUST HAPPENED OUT IN THE RING WHEN THEY COME ACROSS J.J. RAMPLIN. OLIVER STEPS FORWARD. Jason Oliver: "J.J..... how have you been old friend"? RAMPLIN SAYS NOTHING, JUST STARING BACK. Oliver: "Ah..... apparently a lack of success makes you a mute as well. I just had to tell ya, that I remember when you were once pegged the future of this company. My, how things have changed". OLIVER WALKS BY AND RHODES AND DIBIASE SOON FOLLOW, SMILING AT RAMPLIN AS IF TRYING TO PROVOKE HIM. BACK IN THE RING, JACK SWAGGER IS STANDING WITH A MICROPHONE. Jack Swagger: "For those of you who didn't tune in for MeltDown, you missed the performance of a lifetime when I won the first ever Red River Shootout, overcoming our loss in the football game this year by beating up on that nobody Matt Cruz! So tonight, I wanted to come out here and get the ovation I deserve from all you people here in Charlotte, who don't have anything close to a football program! Take a look at what success looks like"! THE FANS IMMEDIATELY START TO BOO, WHICH AGITATES SWAGGER. Jack Swagger: "Oh, what is it?! Would you guys rather see one of the Charlotte Bobcats come out here?! Come on..... you don't have anything........... JUST THEN, "TNT" BY AC/DC STARTS UP AND THE CROWD POPS LOUDLY AT THE SIGHT OF CHRIS TIRPAK MAKING HIS WAY TO THE RING, KENDO STICK IN HAND. Jack Swagger vs. Chris Tirpak Tirpak got into the ring but Swagger wasted no time in attacking him from behind. After a backdrop suplex, Swagger ran across the ring and used the ropes in the corner to vault himself into the air for a body splash but Tirpak got his knees up. He then got up and dinged Swagger with rights and lefts to the head followed by a stiff kick to the side of the head. He then pulled Swagger up and whipped him to the ropes but he dropped his head a tad too soon and that allowed Swagger to deliver his gutwrench powerbomb to bring an abrupt halt to the match and a pinfall win for the All American American. Match Time: 3:15 BACKSTAGE AREA....... IN THE BACK, MATT CRUZ IS SHOWN WATCHING ON A MONITOR WHEN CJ LETHAL COMES UP. HE IS DECKED OUT IN A TEXAS LONGHORNS JERSEY, HAT AND BLACK WARM UP PANTS. Matt Cruz: "What's up, like the choice of colors there". CJ Lethal: "Yeah, I'm sure you do. Too bad you couldn't represent us a little better at MeltDown". Matt Cruz: "Excuse me? Us"? CJ Lethal: "I am a lifelong Longhorn, went to the University, so did my friends, so did some of my family. You completely disgraced us at MeltDown and I....... BEFORE HE LETS LETHAL GET OUT ANOTHER WORD, CRUZ CRACKS HIM WITH A RIGHT HAND. LETHAL FIRES BACK AND A FURIOUS BRAWL ENSUES WHICH OFFICIALS HAVE TO STEP IN AND BREAK UP. Beth Phoenix and Melina vs. Mickie James and Aniya Sky This turned into one of the better divas tag matches in quite some time as these 4 ladies gave it their all. Melina and Beth didn't seem to make as good of a tandem as Mickie and Aniya did and it showed early as some arguing between Melina and the Glamazon allowed Mickie to take advantage with a spin kick to the gut of Melina. Aniya Sky came in and showed what she can do, impressing the crowd with both her unique look and style of offense to dominate Melina; she just couldn't put her away. After a split legged moonsault off the top rope, Sky had the match won but Beth came in and yanked her off. Aniya got up and went after Beth and that allowed Melina time to recover. She kicked the right kneecap of Sky when she came back before making the tag to Phoenix who came in and overpowered the young diva. After throwing her halfway across the ring by her hair, Beth waited until Mickie wasn't looking and then ran across the ring, crushing her with a forearm. But Sky got to her feet, catching Beth with a spinning heel kick followed by a nice twisting neckbreaker. She then went to the top rope and flew off, looking for a crossbody, but Beth got out of the way. Aniya landed hard on the mat and that led to the "Glam Slam" and Beth rolled her over for the pin. Match Time: 14:51 After the match, "Help I'm Alive" by Metric came on and another never before seen diva made her way to the ring. A very pretty young brunette made her way to the ring with a microphone as Melina and Beth looked at each other as if to ask "What's going on"? Girl: "Hello ladies, my name is Kayla Karter, the TWF's newest diva. But unlike some of these fake, prissy little girls running around here, I am here for a purpose and that is to become the greatest women's competitor of all time. So, I just figured I'd come out and introduce myself". WITH THAT, KARTER SMASHED MELINA WITH A VICIOUS KICK THAT SHE NEVER SAW COMING BEFORE LEAVING THE RING. MELINA WENT DOWN IN A HEAP BUT RATHER THAN HELP HER, BETH PHOENIX JUST STARED AT THE DEPARTING NEWCOMER, NOT KNOWING WHAT TO THINK. RETURN FROM BREAK...... CAMERAS ARE BACK AT TWF HEADQUARTERS AND IT APPEARS ROB STORM HAS BEEN THROWN OUT BY SECURITY. A DEFIANT STORM IS THREATENING LEGAL ACTION IF THINGS DON'T "CHANGE". Dylan Jansens vs. Sheamus It was France vs. Ireland in this one as Dylan Jansens tried to figure out the so far dominant Celtic Warrior, Sheamus. Jansens ran into trouble early and found himself on the receiving end of some stiff shots from Sheamus but when Sheamus went for his Razor's Edge powerbomb, Jansens was able to get free and score his first bit of offense in the match. After trying to soften the big man up, Jansens ran the ropes but also ran right into a wicked bicycle kick and Sheamus covered him for the victory, defeating the former Universal champion in just over 3 minutes. Match Time: 3:24 BACKSTAGE......... Cameras in the back show The Saint and The Boogeyman discussing their earlier match when Monica walks up with a smile on her face.
Monica: "Eddie, dear. You have some guests that wish to come in and say hello".
Eddie Saint James: "Monica, I’m really not in the mood to.....
Monica: "They want me to give you this".
SHE HANDS HIM A ROSARY. EDDIE LOOKS AT IT AS AN EVIL SMILE FORMS.
Saint James: "Ah yes, bring them back please".
Monica leaves as Eddie looks at The Boogeyman.
Saint James: "Well, Boogey, it seems as if we have some guests".
Boogeyman: "Do they like worms"?
Saint James: "Yeah, but only the kind at the bottom of a bottle".
Monica walks in with Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus the stars of Boondock Saints 2.
Sean Patrick Flanery: "Eddie St. James, our long lost brother".
Eddie Smiles
Norman Reedus: "It has been far too long".
Saint James: "Yeah it has".
Sean Patrick Flanery: "We have been watching you".
Norman Reedus: January 7th you became the Rampage tag champs, you and your partner The Boogeyman, that is ".
Saint James: "Seems like only yesterday".
Sean Patrick Flanery: "We're proud of you, our lilttle brother doing so well...... but we're also disappointed".
EDDIE GETS A QUIZZICAL LOOK ABOUT HIM.
Norman Reedus: "Fighting the good fight is one thing, but fighting for someone else is just wrong..... Mike is gone now and we think it's time for you to do what is right".
Saint James: "But........
Sean Patrick Flanery: "You know Eddie, it can be hard at times to do the right thing, but it is still the right thing to do".
Norman Reedus: "We just want to see you go out there and fight the good fight for your family. Monica and The Boogeyman are your family now".
Eddie looks as if he is about to say something.
Sean Patrick Flanery: "That's enough for talking, now lets go get drunk".
Saint James (smiling): "Amen to that....... FLANERY AND REEDUS WALK OFF WITH MONICA BUT BEFORE EDDIE GOES WITH THEM, HE SEES SOMETHING. CAMERAS FOLLOW AS HE WALKS OVER TO J.J. RAMPLIN. Eddie Saint James: "J.J., the boys and I are about to go get some drinks, wanna come"? J.J. Ramplin: "Nah, I'm good". Saint James: "We can talk things over again..... you gotta be seeing things my way by now.... it's so much better without Mike around here". J.J. Ramplin: "I already told you, I don't like you and I never have. I'm not gonna say it again". THE SAINT STARTS TO LAUGH A LITTLE BIT BEFORE WALKING AWAY. Axl Irvin vs. Elijah Burke This seemed like a tuneup match for Axl as he was clicking on all cylinders, just all over Elijah Burke. Burke did get in some stiff jabs and a right cross, but Axl shrugged it off and came back with an STO takedown. After a twisting brainbuster drop, he had Burke in a lot of trouble and he caught him with the "Axl Cutter" for the win. Match Time: 4:00 But after the match, Edge came from out of the crowd and got into the ring. When Axl turned around, Edge slammed into him with the spear. Then, Edge grabbed the WrestleMania Jackpot briefcase and left with it! BACKSTAGE..... Courtney Taylor: "Please allow me to introduce my next guest, a man who was inches away from winning the King of Cable Championship, Richard Ramsley". *Heavy boos are heard throughout the arena as the camera pans out to show Ramsley. His attire is much different than what he usually wears. Instead of a band shirt, he wears nothing over his top half. He still has his acid washed jeans, but they are baggier than before. His hair is wet, and unbrushed. His expression is completely blank.*
Taylor: "Richard, I was wondering if I could get your thoughts coming off your loss to Sebastian Cain at Meltdown"?
*At the mention of Cain's name, Ramsley seems spark to life. His face twists into one of complete confusion.*
Richard Ramsley: "What.... what did you say? I was miles away....
Taylor: "Uhh... I was asking if I could get a few words from you regarding your loss to Sebastian Cain at Meltdown".
Ramsley: "My.... thoughts"?
Taylor: "Umm, yes, if you don't mind".
*Ramsley stares at her for a moment, and then, quite possibly for the first time in his TWF career, he gives her a warm, sincere smile.*
Ramsley: "No, I don't mind! How polite of you to ask, however".
*Ramsley gently grabs the mic from her, and is about to speak, when he freezes. His face is once again painted with a look of confusion. It's soon replaced with a look of sheer anger.*
Ramsley: "Let me ask you something, you primped up little tramp"!
*Courtney whimpers slightly as Ramsley puts his face very close to hers. His expression changes once again, this time to one of extreme sadness. Looking as if he's on the brink of tears, Ramsley leans against the wall behind him, and slumps down to the ground. His hair gathers in front of his face as he begins to speak again.*
Ramsley: "Do.... do you trust yourself?.... No, don't answer me, I already know... who can you trust, if you can't trust yourself? What do you do when you lie to yourself? Have I lied? I don't know.... someone did... did I"?
*Ramsley's face once again shifts to anger. He stands up, and slaps the wall, then gets right back into Taylor's face.*
Ramsley: "DID I!? Did I lie!? ANSWER ME"!
Taylor: "I... I don't know"!
*Ramsley backs off, breathing heavily. Slowly, he regains his blank expression.*
Ramsley: "No... you don't".
Ramsley drops the mic, and slowly walks away. Taylor is left standing in the hallway, a terrified look on her face as the shot fades. COMMERCIAL BREAK....... RETURN FROM BREAK..... BACKSTAGE...... JASON OLIVER IS MAKING ANOTHER ROUND THROUGH THE HALLWAY WHEN HE RUNS INTO JADEN CORE, WHO SEEMS TO BE WAITING FOR HIM. Jason Oliver: "Ah, Mister number one contender..... for the King of Cable title, anyway. Would you like a look at a title belt"? OLIVER TAKES THE WORLD TITLE OFF HIS SHOULDER AND HOLDS IT IN BOTH HANDS OUT IN FRONT OF CORE. Jason Oliver: "Now, I don't know what you'll do in your King of Cable title match, nor do I really care. But I do know, that this is as close as you'll ever get to this belt". OLIVER WALKS AWAY, LEAVING THE MASKED MAN AS THE SHOT GOES BACK TO THE RING. Randy Orton vs. Ted Dibiase This turned into a terrific, seesaw battle in which the crowd seemed very conflicted as to just who's side they were on. The majority of them seemed to eventually side with Dibiase, who was giving Orton all he could handle until running into a perfect dropkick from the former champ. After pulling Dibiase down across his own back, Orton sized him up for his running kick to the face. But when he went for it, Dibiase got out of the way, then got up and locked in the Million Dollar Dream. But Orton felt it coming and rammed Dibiase into the turnbuckle. Just then, Cody Rhodes ran out to provide distraction and Orton again looked ready for the punt. But Jason Oliver did what Edge did earlier, coming from out of the crowd and into the ring where he cracked Orton in the back of the skull with the title before quickly getting back out. Orton then fell victim to "Dream Street" and Dibiase covered him to score a pretty large upset. Cody Rhodes on the other hand, seemed very confused as to the proceedings, but applauded when Dibiase's hand was raised. Match Time: 7:13 OFF AIR...........
