Saturday Night Slams 2000 01/01

January 1

MMP Saturday Night Slams is on the air! The MMP Coliseum is sold out with more than 15, 000 fans packed into the arena to celebrate the new millenium. Commentators Jerry Wood and Steve Lewin are at ringside.

Wood: Happy New Year, everyone, and welcome to MMP Saturday Night Slams! I’m Jerry Wood alongside Steve Lewin, filling in tonight for Ray Brewer who is in New York bringing in the new year. We have a great card lined up for the first event of the new millenium here tonight. Our main event should be an outstanding match-up pitting Hassan Abu Saada, the reigning universal champion who is coming off of a four-victory performance at Season’s Slayings, against The Bootlegger, one of the founding members of the newest force in the MMP, The Cartel. It will be a non-title match, but that shouldn’t slow either man down, as there has been quite a war of words brewing between Hassan and Barlotta over the past few weeks.

Lewin: We also have two big championship matches set tonight. Masked Menace X will be defending the TV title against another member of The Cartel, Inferno, while Hot Crimson, the man who won the midwestern championship tournament at Season’s Slayings, faces Benjamin Childs in what we just learned will be a title match-up, Crimson’s first defense since regaining the title.

Wood: It should be a big night for the MMP as we get the new year going with a bang. The Cult Master meets Izz Amazing in a special grudge match tonight, but we kick things off here with Wolverine in action taking on a man making his singles debut here in the MMP, one half of the team of The Order and a member of The Organization, The Dragonfly. For the first time in 2000, let’s go to the ring here on Saturday Night Slams!

WOLVERINE vs. THE DRAGONFLY

The Dragonfly came down the runway with his tag team partner Tao Te Ching, and both men were enthusiastically waving Tibetan flags as they made their entrance. They stopped half way up the aisle as Tao began arguing with a fan who was seated along the runway. The fan was holding a “Salt Lake City Wants A HSN” sign, which Tao snatched away and tore up before heading down to the ring. Dragonfly entered the ring as Wolverine made his way out, but as soon as Wolverine tried to get in under the bottom rope, Dragonfly started stomping the Michigan native into the canvas. Wolverine eventually pulled himself, but was immediately caught with a spinning superkick to the heart. Dragonfly used a flying headscissor to take Wolverine back down, and Tao quickly jumped up on the apron. The ref ran over to cut him off, but while his back was turned Dragonfly pulled a pair of brass knuckles and nailed Wolverine with a right hand right between the eyes. Tao quickly jumped down when Dragonfly made the cover. The official turned back just to see the pin attempt and count the 1…2…3.

Wood: Some underhanded tactics from The Dragonfly enables the young Oriental star to record his first win here in the MMP.

Brewer: Wolverine really looked overwhelmed here tonight. I don’t know if he was a little irresponsible in celebrating the new year or what, but Dragonfly was running circles around him. Wolverine never really looked like he had a chance.

Wood: Well, you hinted at another possible explanation there, Ray. Wolverine is definitely much more adept to the slow-paced, physical brawling style rather than the quicker tempo of The Dragonfly so it is quite possible that that factor played a role in the outcome, but Wolverine doesn’t usually go down that easily. We’ll see if we can get one of our reporters to catch up with Bobby Stuart before he leaves the building tonight to find out exactly what’s going on. We’ve got a big grudge match coming up next as The Cult Master prepares to face Izz Amazing. Izz Amazing has gotten pretty cocky with some of his remarks towards The Cult over the past couple of weeks, but tonight we’ll see if he can back them up. There’s no doubt that beating The Cult Master would be a big boost in Izz’s career, but as anyone backstage will tell you, defeating a member of The Cult, let alone The Cult Master, is no small task. Is Izz up to it? We’re about to find out here on Saturday Night Slams.

THE CULT MASTER vs. IZZ AMAZING

With each man coming off of a somewhat disappointing performance at Season’s Slayings, both The Cult Master and Izz Amazing were looking to rebound with a win to kick off the new year. Izz charged right after Master with a clothesline at the opening bell, but Master saw him coming and ducked out of the way, responding with a stiff European uppercut to the jaw that rocked Izz’s head back. A few kicks to the ribs of his opponent backed Izz up into the ropes where Master used an Irish whip to send his adversary to the far side. Izz rebounded quickly, but was immediately caught with a high knee from Cult Master, who had gained extra momentum by bouncing himself off the near ropes. It was clear that Cult Master was toying with Izz in the early going, frequently letting Izz get back to his feet only to take him down almost immediately after he had done so. A running clothesline floored Izz the first time and then, after Izz had gotten up again, Cult Master snapped him back down with a Russian leg sweep. Cult Master looked to follow up on the leg sweep and, rather than waiting, pulled Izz back to his feet. As Master did so Amazing reached up out of desperation and raked his opponent’s eyes, backing Cult Master off a few steps and letting him get up unhindered. Izz quickly caught Cult Master with a suplex and, after daring Master to get up and face him again, took him down with a huracanrana. Izz maintained contact and stayed on Cult Master after taking him down, reaching down and repeatedly pounding Cult Master with right hands. He stayed on Master until the referee stepped in and ordered Izz to let the man get up, an instruction that the Hawaiian did not respond favorably to. Izz got up but got right in the referee’s face, and the two became engaged in a heated discussion. Cult Master started to get up but Izz saw him in time, grabbing Cult Master before he could attack and whipping him off the ropes. He caught Master coming back with a powerslam, but instead of going for a cover Izz grabbed his opponent’s legs and applied a figure four leglock. Izz leaned back to put extra pressure on Master’s legs, shouting loudly at the referee to get down and check for a submission. The official complied, but Cult Master wasn’t about to give it up. He started inching backwards towards the ropes, reaching out desperately and trying to grab on to force a break. Cult Master finally did reach the bottom rope, and the ref cut in to pull the two men apart. Izz didn’t want to let his opportunity to slip away so he voluntarily relinquished the hold, shoving the ref out of the way as he walked over to pull Cult Master up once again. This time he whipped the man off the ropes and picked him up for a Samoan drop. Cult Master, though, managed to channel his momentum and float over to the other side, rolling off of Izz’s shoulder and landing on his feet behind his opponent. Before Izz had a chance to react Cult Master hooked him in a waistlock and hurled him overhead in a German suplex. The back of Izz’s head rocked off the canvas, and Cult Master looked to be getting his second wind. He dropped an elbow across Izz’s chest before pulling him up and setting him on the top rope. Cult Master then hooked Izz in position for the Final Prayer. He lifted Izz into a vertical position but Izz blocked the suplex, landing back down on the turnbuckle and shoving Cult Master off to the canvas. With his opponent down Izz repositioned himself on the top rope and dove off with a flying headbutt. Cult Master, though, was only momentarily winded from being knocked off the turnbuckle and easily rolled out of the way, sending Izz face first to the canvas. Not wasting any time Cult Master pulled Izz up and delivered a devastating DDT. He rolled the Hawaiian over and made the cover, hooking the leg for the three count.

Wood: A big win for The Cult Master, and an even bigger win for The Cult. You know, many experts are predicting that this will be the year of The Cult. Daark is already the MMP world champion, Harbinger and Destroyer are one of the favorites to win the upcoming tag team championship tournament, and if Cult Master can put together a winning streak here, he could very easily find himself in contention for any one of a number of championships.

Lewin: That’s very true, Jerry. One of the things that has plagued The Cult over their MMP tenure has been their inconsistency. All the indications are there, though, that they could really establish themselves as the dominant force here for the new millenium.

Wood: As my regular broadcast partner Ray Brewer would say, though, there is a big difference between showing potential and actually fulfilling that promise. Will 2000 be the year of The Cult? I know that one group who might have something to say about that is The Organization, especially former Cult member Hot Crimson, the new midwestern champion. He looks to get the new year and his new reign as champion off to a positive start with his first defense here tonight, taking on a man who is a former two-time midwestern titleholder himself in Benjamin Childs. It’s our first title match of the millenium here on Saturday Night Slams!

MMP Midwestern Championship Match
HOT CRIMSON (C) vs. BENJAMIN CHILDS

The challenger Childs came to the ring first, accompanied by his regular backup in Zane and Charles. Also at his side were his tag team partner George Achica and Thomas, a close confidant of the injured former MMP world champion Captain Patrick O’Conner. Childs was looking to continue his winning ways that he enjoyed at Season’s Slayings when he not only defeated Aries in singles competition, but also teamed with Achica to defeat Aries and Virus Richards to earn the number-one seed in the tag team championship tournament. Childs was wearing jeans and wrestling boots to the ring for his match, and set up his customary table at ringside before sliding into the ring. Hot Crimson then made his way down, still wearing the same clothes he had competed in at the PPV a few days earlier, except this time he was also wearing the midwestern championship belt around his waist. He didn’t get very far down the runway before Childs slid out under the bottom rope to cut him off. Crimson met Childs coming out with a chop to the chest, but right hands from Childs quickly overpowered him. The challenger slammed Crimson head first into the safety rail before picking him up and dropping him throat first across that same barricade. Childs wasn’t done there, dragging Crimson down to the ring and slamming him into the steel steps before rolling him in under the bottom rope. While Crimson struggled to get to his feet, Childs climbed up to the top rope. He came off with a stunning missile dropkick, but Crimson saw it coming at the last second and brushed Childs off, sending BJ hard to the canvas. Childs almost bounced off the canvas back to his feet, but he was quickly floored again by a dropkick from Crimson that sent him back into the turnbuckle. Crimson stalked in slowly as Childs pulled himself up with the aid of the ropes. The champion stunned Childs with a couple of right hands to the side of the head before climbing the ropes, jumping down from the second rope and driving Childs into the canvas with a face buster. He didn’t let Childs stay down for long, though, and quickly pulled Childs up and delivered a reverse neckbreaker. Then, with his opponent in obvious trouble on the mat, Crimson let his animal side take control and began stomping mercilessly on Childs’ head and neck. The ref came charging over to try and intervene, but Crimson shrugged the warning off and shoved the ref down to the mat. The official shot back to his feet and rushed right over to Crimson, warning him that any further contact between the two would cause him to stop the match and award Childs the title. Before the champion could respond Childs was getting up again. He spun Crimson around and caught him with a right hand to the jaw, then another and another, backing Crimson into the corner. He then whipped Crimson across the ring and followed in closely behind, crushing the champion against the buckle with an avalanche. Crimson stumbled out into the waiting arms of Childs, who scooped Crimson up and hung him upside down in the corner in a tree of woe position. Childs then slid out under the bottom rope and walked around behind the ring post where he reached in and grabbed Crimson by the neck, pulling back hard to stretch the champion out while the official tried to free him from the restraint. As Crimson slumped to the canvas Childs slid back into the ring. Standing over his opponent, Childs pointed over to the table that stood at ringside, drawing a loud ovation from the fans. He slowly pulled Crimson up and positioned him for a powerbomb, making the cheers even louder. Childs walked over towards the table, but just when he went to drop Crimson down to the outside the champion reached up and clamped his hands down around Childs’ throat. The challenger struggled for a moment before dropping Crimson, whose grip grew tighter and tighter before the official came over again. Crimson adhered to the ref’s warning and let go of the choke, but before Childs could catch his breath Crimson booted him in the midsection and delivered his double-arm DDT. He rolled Childs over and covered him for the three count to retain the title, the crowd not believing how quickly the match had slipped out of Childs’ hands.

Wood: Hot Crimson’s first title defense is a successful one, and I think that this time around it could be very difficult to pry the belt out of his hands. He went through three men, including his leader Hassan Abu Saada to capture the title up in Ottawa, and it’s clear that he intends to hang onto it for a long, long time.

Lewin: I’m starting to feel sorry for Benjamin Childs. Even when he was Dr. No Limit he had the same problem that seems to be plaguing him today. He can push any man in this company to the limit, but he seems to have trouble taking that final step and putting opponents away in the really big matches when it’s all on the line.

Wood: Well, when you have close ties with a man like Patrick O’Conner, you know it’s only a matter of time before…what’s this…I’m getting word that something is happening backstage. We’re trying to get a camera back…

The camera comes racing down the hall and finds that the dressing room door of Hassan Abu Saada has been kicked in and knocked off it’s hinges. Order members Tao Te Ching and The Dragonfly are laid out face down on the concrete and four men dressed in black uniforms with the words “Border Patrol” on the back are hammering on what looks to be the universal champion himself. The four men dragged their victim, who was in fact Hassan, out into the corridor, assaulting him with billy clubs. They pulled him over to the arena garbage chute and, together, stuffed the big man down the chute, tossing their weapons behind him. The four then pulled off their helmets and tossed them in as well, revealing The Bootlegger, Virus Richards, Inferno, and Aries as the attackers.

Wood: What a vicious attack! Somebody get security back there now! I guess you could call that The Cartel’s first major act of aggression of the new year, laying a beating on Bootlegger’s opponent for later tonight, the leader of The Organization, Hassan Abu Saada. We’ll try to get an update on Saada’s condition before bell time if we can, but up first we’ve got television championship action coming your way. Masked Menace X puts the gold on the line against a man we just saw acting as a member of the “Border Patrol”, the giant known as Inferno, a member of The Cartel.

MMP Television Championship Match
MASKED MENACE X (C) vs. INFERNO

Inferno came to the ring first, surrounded by a team of four riot guards. His fiery phoenix blazed overhead, quickly turning from it’s regular form into the letters spelling out the word “Cartel”. Upon arriving at ringside he demanded a mic.

INFERNO: "Hello cheese necks, INFERNO IN DAAAAH HOUSE!!!! .... Hehehehe...always wanted to say that. Before I put the MASKED-MORON to sleep, I'd like to share a few words with you dips@#ts around the world. First I take it you folks are wondering why I've brought this security force with me to the ring. Well, since giving DaarK and that doof, CULTMASTER the shaft, I've gotten quite a few death threats from just abut every crack pot CULT-ZOMBIE that believes that nutcases BULLS@#T so's I figured I need me some protection... Now, don't get me wrong, working for the CULT was pretty cool, up until that first paycheck. Minimum wage, CULTMASTER? YOU CHEAP BASTARD!!! I guess that's why your damn Compound walls are made of CARDBOARD!! I tell you what, CULTMASTER, I do think you are going to have to work in some sort of medical plan for DaarK, cuz honestly after the beating the CARTEL (Which pays well, thank you.) gave that nut, it's gonna take a little more than all the King's horses and all the King's men to put that doofus back together again."

He tossed the mic aside and pulled out his old stop watch, setting it for three minutes as MMX made his way down, accompanied by Carnage and Mini Menace. As he stepped through the ropes Inferno attacked quickly, rushing the champion with a clothesline. MMX ducked the early attack and caught Inferno on the rebound with a knee to the midsection followed by a swinging neckbreaker as the opening bell sounded. The champ paraded around the ring with arms extended arrogantly to absorb the jeers of the crowd, obviously pleased with his early triumph. He pulled Inferno back to his feet and delivered a solid chop to the chest before whipping him off the ropes. This time it was MMX going for a clothesline, but this time it was Inferno ducking out of the way. The big man put on the breaks and waited for MMX to turn around. When the champ turned Inferno picked him up and nailed a devastating backbreaker. MMX crumbled to the canvas and now it was Inferno, in a blatant mockery of his opponent, strutting around the ring in the same manner that MMX had done just moments earlier. MMX started to slide towards the ropes but Inferno cut him off before he could reach the floor. The challenger pressed his boot down hard on MMX’s throat, sucking the wind right out of the champion, pulling down on the top rope for extra added leverage. The referee cut in and ordered Inferno to break, but The Cartel member didn’t take too kindly to the official’s interference. The two men became engaged in a heated argument while, behind Inferno’s back, MMX was using the ropes to pull himself up. Out of the corner of his eye Inferno saw what was going on and grabbed MMX, delivering a solid punch to the jaw before picking him up and dropping him throat first across the top rope. Inferno then dropped a leg across the champ’s windpipe. Rather than going for a cover, though, Inferno pulled MMX up to deliver more punishment. He whipped the champ across the ring into the far turnbuckle. As soon as he heard the “thud” of MMX’s back hitting the corner pad Inferno charged in with an avalanche, but out of desperation MMX got his right elbow up. As Inferno landed his jaw struck square on the point of MMX’s elbow, causing his head and neck to snap backwards. Inferno stumbled out dazed and MMX caught him with a standing sidekick that knocked the challenger back into the ropes, tangling his arms between the top and middle strands. With the challenger sitting there helpless, MMX took full advantage. He delivered two short dropkicks that caught Inferno right in the face as he sat restrained by the ropes and wanted to hit a third, but the referee was in the way, trying to free Inferno. The official finally got the ropes loosened, but Inferno simply fell face first to the canvas. Sensing that victory was at hand, MMX dragged Inferno over to the corner, hoisted the big man up, and set him on the top rope where he nailed a superplex. MMX started to pull Inferno up again, but was distracted by one of Inferno’s riot guards who had climbed up on the ring apron. The ref ran over to get the man down, but MMX wasn’t showing any patience. He walked over and shoved the ref out of the way, nailing the guard with a hard right hand that sent him off the apron to the floor. In the meantime, though, Inferno had been crawling over to his corner. When MMX finally got a hold of him again Inferno spun around and nailed MMX right between the eyes with his stopwatch! The egg-timer-like watch shattered and pieces flew everywhere. Unfortunately for Inferno, he didn’t realize that the guard’s distraction had been eliminated. The referee was looking right at him, and immediately called for the bell, awarding the match on a disqualification to Masked Menace X.

Wood: MMX hangs onto the TV title here tonight, but I don’t think this was quite the manner in which he hoped to do so. Having a giant watch smashed over your skull can’t be what the champ was hoping for so soon after New Year’s Eve. If he didn’t already have a headache when he woke up today, like I know a lot of the guys backstage did, he’ll surely have one tonight.

Lewin: His ears will be ringing too, wouldn’t you say…

Wood: Ya know Steve, you’re a good broadcaster and all, but when you start trying to be funny I almost wish that Ray was here tonight sitting beside me to call the matches. “Ears will be ringing”? Don’t Steve. Just don’t. Well folks, it’s time for our main event tonight, the first main event match of the millenium if you will. The new universal champion, Hassan Abu Saada, faces a man who held that title for nearly six months back in 1999, The Bootlegger. No titles at stake, just the pride of two boisterous superstars on the line as these two do battle. Let’s go back to the ring!

HASSAN ABU SAADA vs. THE BOOTLEGGER

”Paint it Black” blasted over the loudspeaker as The ASSociates headed down to ringside. Each was wearing their usual attire and turned to face the entrance as The Bootlegger, wearing a robe with “Syndicate Y2K: The Cartel” emblazoned on the back, made his way into the arena. He then stopped and pointed to the back as Virus Richards, Inferno, and Aries stepped out and accompanied him on his way to the ring. After pausing for a moment to absorb the crowd’s hatred, Bootlegger stepped into the ring and demanded a microphone:

BOOTLEGGER: Hello fiends and friends in the MMP, your friendly neighborhood BOOTLEGGER here and I'm afraid I've got some bad news for you. There's not going to be a match tonight.

Bootlegger paused as the crowd booed loudly.

BOOTLEGGER: Apparently border patrol caught up with HASSAN ABU SAADA and uh... deported him back to Mexico or whatever third world country he claims to rule. So I'm sorry folks, but he won't be showing here tonight...... Ref, go ahead and raise my hand.

The crowd’s boos grew even louder when “Welcome to the Machine” began to play. Hassan, still feeling some minor effects from the backstage attack, entered the arena with his usual entourage of slaves, as well as The Order. Tao and Dragonfly were waving Egyptian flags, but didn’t appear too enthusiastic about that fact. Bootlegger walked around the ring in a zombie-like fashion in a mockery of Hassan as the Egyptian stepped through the ropes. He dared Hassan to charge and take the first shot, but Hassan took a couple of steps back, and even stepped out to the floor. Suddenly, the slaves all rushed the ring, swarming Bootlegger and spraying him all over with a special grease dissolvent, even getting some into the Italian’s eyes, blinding him temporarily. The Cartel members quickly entered and took care of the slaves, but they had done their job and Hassan had an easy opening. The universal champ back in the ring quickly, backing the blinded Bootlegger into the corner with a hard right-hand uppercut. He continued with punches to the upper body but the offense was short lived, as Bootlegger wasted no time in going for a low blow. Hassan was stunned and slowly backed out of the corner, allowing Bootlegger to pick him up and deliver an inverted atomic drop. The effort required to get Hassan off the mat, though, seemed to pull a muscle in the Italian’s back, as he reached back and grabbed his spinal region in pain after delivering the move. He quickly brushed the pain off and grabbed the wounded Hassan, whipping him off the ropes and catching him on the rebound with a high kneelift. Hassan went down hard and Bootlegger shoved him out under the bottom rope to the floor. The referee started to administer his ten count, but Bootlegger quickly stepped in and grabbed the official, pulling him back to the center of the ring. He engaged the ref in meaningless chit-chat, complimenting the referee on the MMP’s successful elimination of the gnat infestation that had been plaguing the company. While the ref’s back was turned, Virus circled the ring and confronted The Order, claiming that they could make valuable partners to him as he attempted to establish a new economic pipeline in the Orient. With the two men distracted Inferno and Aries went to work on Hassan, stomping away on the Egyptian before Bootlegger called them off and slid out to the floor himself. He slid out to the floor to slam Hassan into the steps before dragging the man back into the ring. Bootlegger’s re-entry was delayed, though,as two slaves lunged at him out of desperation and grabbed the Italian’s ankle. Inferno and Aries quickly took care of the slaves, but the momentary hesitation was enough for Hassan, who pulled himself up and began to stomp on Barlotta. He pulled Bootlegger up and whipped him into the corner where he nailed a crushing avalanche before suplexing Bootlegger out to the center of the ring. Hassan then put his size advantage to use, walking over and standing squarely on Bootlegger’s forehead, pressing down with the full force of his 400-plus pound frame. The official began to administer his count, and Hassan broke at the last minute just before he would have been disqualified. Bootlegger rolled over in pain and tried to get out to the floor, but Hassan wouldn’t let him go. He pulled Bootlegger up and applied a cobra clutch, shaking the Italian with all his might. While this was happening in the ring, Hot Crimson started making his way down to the ring with a metal pipe in his hands. He didn’t get very far, though, as as soon as The Cartel spotted him coming, Aries and Inferno charged up the runway and stopped the midwestern champion in his tracks. Inferno floored Crimson with a boot to the face, sending the pipe flying back up the aisle. The Order quickly came to Crimson’s aid, and Virus joined in to assist his Cartel allies. A huge brawl was taking place on the outside while Hassan was sucking the life out of Bootlegger. The referee checked in on Bootlegger, but as soon as he got a glimpse of what was happening on the outside he jumped out to floor and ordered the six men back to the dressing room. The instructions were naturally ignored, and the battle continued. After he was satisfied that his opponent was unconscious Hassan released the cobra clutch and shouted at the ref to get back in the ring, but the official was too involved in the brawl and didn’t hear Hassan’s call. In the meantime The ASSociates sprung into action. Passion and Rage crawled into the ring to help Bootlegger while Hassan’s back was turned. Passion shook Bootlegger to bring him back around while Rage snuck over and, with brass knuckles in hand, nailed Hassan with a devastating low blow. The Egyptian crumbled to the mat and Rage hurried over to pass the knucks to Bootlegger, who had just been revived. Bootlegger stayed down while Passion brought the referee back to the match who, after seeing that Bootlegger was apparently unconscious, checked on Hassan, who was holding his groin in agony. Passion then drew the attention back to herself, teasing the referee while Bootlegger got back to his feet. Barlotta immediately came up from behind on the referee and, with knucks in hand, nailed him in the side of the head. The official went down hard, and Bootlegger and Rage went to work on Hassan. The slaves tried to get in and help their master, but Bootlegger and Rage were easily able to hold them off. After deciding that they had done enough Bootlegger reached down and put the knucks in Hassan’s hand. Rage started to revive Hassan while Bootlegger helped the ref up. Bootlegger was holding the side of his head as the ref came around, claiming that Hassan had been the one to knock the official out and that he had attacked Bootlegger as well. Hassan was getting back to his feet as the ref turned around, but when he saw the brass knucks in Hassan’s hand, apparently corroborating Bootlegger’s story, he called for the bell and awarded the match to Bootlegger by disqualification. Hassan was livid, and immediately knocked the referee out once again after hearing the decision. Bootlegger, though, slid quickly to safety and called off the other members of The Cartel, who headed back to the dressing room laughing as the screen fades to black.

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