ktc

Dueling Chair Shots
by Kurt La Mont
column date 07/11/2000

Heatwave 2000 Preview

It’s less than one week away from Heatwave and there’s actually a full sleight of matches to preview this time around.

In my last PPV preview for Hardcore Heaven I successfully picked the winner in all three matches, including RVD’s first singles loss in over 2 years. I also nailed the Anton turn on Van Dam and that the Sandman would lose when he went to save his wife from Rhino. The only thing that I predicted that didn’t occur was the Jerry Lynn heel turn. If you liked to be surprised when you watch the PPV you might want to stop reading now as my track record is strong when it comes to predictions.

Doring, Roadkill, and Kid Kash v. Diamond, Swinger and C.W. Anderson This is probably the closest we have ever come to having an announced undercard match for a PPV. While this match is still not official, it’s been rumored to happen and actually makes sense if you take into account the Arena show. While the angle buildup for this match has been minimal I guess you have to crawl before you can walk. Just knowing an undercard match before the show is half the battle. Look for the faces to come away with the victory here.

Psicosis v. Guido v. Tajiri My disappointment with this match is that it takes Guido away from a match with Mikey Whipwreck. Why that would be dropped is curious. And since when has Guido had a last name? For years I have never heard it and now it’s all over the place. Anyway, this will be the reintroduction of Psicosis to ECW as he missed the Arena show last weekend. I have been looking forward to his debut since the day I saw WCW release Psicosis. Hopefully Psicosis will break out the horned mask once again. This could very easily be the match of the night as all 3 are tremendous wrestlers. This is one instance where not having an angle leading up doesn’t bother me. Look for Tajiri to pin Psicosis and then Guido to pin Tajiri. Guido always seems to lose on PPVs. It’s about time he comes out on top. I see it happening here.

Jerry Lynn v. Steve Corino If I’m Steve Corino I’m thrilled at my position in ECW. If you look at wrestlers of similar experience and tenure in ECW, most are lucky to be on the undercard of a PPV. Corino has been able to escape this and vault right into the mid-card of PPVs. I felt after the Hardcore Heaven match with Tajiri that that match would be looked back on in a few years as the Corino’s breakout match in ECW. Corino will now be able to continue his momentum with a match with Jerry Lynn. If you want to have a great match there’s few better wrestlers to choose from than Jerry Lynn. Over the past 2 years, going back to Heatwave 98, Jerry Lynn has either been in the best match or second best match in every PPV he has been in (he was injured for a couple PPVs). In this match I look for Corino to get the pinfall when Jerry Lynn is unable to overcome interference from the Network.

Rob Van Dam v. Scotty Anton After HH I was hoping for a Lynn-RVD rematch. Maybe even with a match with a stipulation (2 out of 3 falls?). Instead of seeing another classic match we are left with this. And on top of that there hasn’t even been a good buildup for this match. Anton turned on his “best friend” at HH and since then there has been little angle advancement. My expectations for this match are pretty low as I’m not crazy about Anton’s wrestling. I also have doubts about RVD convincing me in the ring that he is trying to get revenge on the “best friend” who turned his back on him. On the plus side ECWWrestling.com is hyping a new RVD move, the Van Terminator, so that should be interesting to see. If ECW wants to return to the days of anything can happen, Anton will get the win. This would be the best thing that could happen. As a viewer you need to believe that anyone can win any match and this has been missing for a long time in ECW. However, I don’t see it changing with this match. Look for RVD to win this match.

Sandman v. Rhino - TV Title Match This is the 4th consecutive PPV where this match has been scheduled. A gimmick match would have made the interest in this match greater. With these two feuding so long it would have made sense. Anyway this is the match that I really don’t have a good feel for. I suspect that there will be a big angle planned here. What that angle is I’m not certain. The one thing that keeps popping in my mind is that the Sandman’s wife will turn on him and go with Rhino and the Network. If I were her I would do it just so I wouldn’t get put through a table anymore. As for the victor of this match, I’m going with the Sandman on this one, he’s due.

Tommy Dreamer v. Justin Credible - World Title “Stairway to Hell” Match There has actually been a good buildup to this match. It’s amazing what you can do when you plan things out in advance. My only complaint is that there hasn’t been enough promos from either of the combatants. Maybe we’ll see it on TNN this week, who knows. I think it would add to the match. The thing that I find funny about the match is the stipulation. Barbed wire is hung above the ring. Once you get it you can use it. But this is ECW. There are no DQ’s. If either of them wanted to carry barbed wire with them to the ring and use it, nothing is stopping them. If either wanted to bring ladders to the ring and use them they could. If you want to use ladders why not just put the title up there instead of a weapon that you could just carry to the ring? But I digress. Despite my rant I believe that these 2 will be able to put on a really good match as both work hard extremely hard in the ring. I have a hard time picturing Dreamer winning this match. Look for JC to win when he tombstone piledrives Dreamer on the barbed wire Whether this is a good match or a great match will be seen on Sunday.

Overall, this looks like a pretty strong card. There’s a nice mix of wrestling styles and good pairings of wrestlers. Four of the 6 matches, in my mind, can go either way which is an improvement from past matches. When ECW debuts in a city the crowds are usually really strong. I don’t expect anything different from LA, especially since its a PPV. I know I’m looking forward to a solid night of wrestling after a mixed bag of TV the past few months.

Be sure to check in next week with my review and grades of Heatwave.

More good stuff next week as I will preview and predict the Heatwave PPV. Send any comments or questions to me at [email protected]