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ECW on TNN August 27, 1999
The debut episode of ECW on TNN. This show is, in fact a compilation show. The show that was recorded was so shitty that Paul E said fuck that and decided to air some PPV matches instead. So that started things off on a sour note with TNN.
Rob Van Dam vs Jerry Lynn ECW TV Championship Hardcore Heaven 1999
This is basically the template for indy wrestling in the post ECW/WCW world. Stand offs, strike battles, crazy bumps, all of which are more important than the story of the match. A springboard drop kick puts RVD on the floor, which Lynn follows up with a plancha. As RVD was getting back in the ring, Jerry hit a guillotine leg drop. That's followed up with a super bulldog.
via Imgflip GIF Generator
2 count. Fonzie pushes Jerry while he's on the ropes, which crotches him. He holds a chair so RVD can do a Van Daminator, but Jerry ducked it and hit a weak chair shot that got boos. RVD put Jerry back on the ropes, hit a diving kick, which sent Jerry face first on the floor, destroying his face.
via Imgflip GIF Generator
After the break, we come back to see RVD diving into the crowd onto Lynn. In the ring, Lynn's tornado DDT was reversed into a Northern lights suplex. Sunset flip powerbomb out of the corner almost gets us a new champion. They go back into the crowd where RVD hits a Van Daminator off the railing.
via Imgflip GIF Generator
Jerry hits a sunset flip bomb again, this time from the ring to the floor and through a table.
via Imgflip GIF Generator
Fonzie gets brained with a chair and Jerry hits a German suplex for a 2 count. They both are standing on the top rope when they both slip off, which the ECW crowd were not kind about. Jerry hit a dropkick Van Daminator. Rob hits the frog splash, but in the time he took to make the pin, Jerry recovered enough to roll him up. He kicked out, hit another Van Daminator, and another frog splash to retain the TV Championship.
Joey Styles does promo work for ROLLLERJAM. After the break, we'll meet TAZ! Lol, this was an excuse for them to show clips of all the famous dudes (From Foley to Austin, curiously Rick Steiner and not Scott Steiner, Ron Simmons, and more) who HAVEN'T won their title.
Shane Douglas throwing down the NWA Championship and naming himself the ECW Champion is shown. Five years ago to the night of this airing. This is another excuse to show clips of guys that are currently in WWF or WCW who HAVE held their title.
Taz vs Rhino ECW Championship Hardcore TV 1999
A pre match promo saw a lot of bleeping and catch phrases. Rhino gets in the ring and hits a powerbomb. Taz gets up and flips him off before hitting a lariatooo. Head and arm Tazplex!
via Imgflip GIF Generator
This is followed with a super belly to belly Tazplex. Out comes a table. Half nelson Tazplex through a table. Tazmission for the win.
via Imgflip GIF Generator
Joey next hypes up Sabu. A hype package with Paul E. doing a voice over is played. Paul will make you believe anything. Sabu is BANNED in the US!
Spike Dudley vs Big Sal Gazziano
Ball shot and Acid Drop. Spike wins!
TO THE BACK. Jason and The Impact Players cut a promo. Oh shit. Cyrus! Dawn Marie can't even spell out Bytch. As in, it is muted. Both the spelling and saying of the word. Cyrus says he hot shotted the territory, pumped up buy rates, and gave Joey Styles the rub. Jason claims Joey begged him for a rub once. Clips of the Impact Players beating up various stars are shown over the promo.
A highlight video is shown to Bawitdaba. Kid Rock was hot in 1999.
TO THE BACK. Taz promo. Towel and all. Where are the vest and jokes? This is full of Taz talking about various WCW and WWF guys he had beaten, like Jericho, Shane, Bam Bam Big Yellow, Skip, and even Jerry Lawler.
So ends the first episode of ECW on TNN. I think it was a pretty good primer for people unfamiliar with the company. However, I don't think they gained any new viewers at all for the entire run. Just people who were already ECW fans. Shitty quality gifs just reinforce the ECW look, so it works out this time.
