ktc

Dueling Chair Shots
by Kurt La Mont
column date 08/20/2000

The ECW World Tag Team Championship belts were thrown down by Justin Credible at Cyberslam on April 22. Ever since then the belts have remained vacant, a period of 4 months. But now, this Friday, new champions will be crowned at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan, NY in a one night, 12 team, tag team tournament.

The tournament is set up with 3 groups of 4 teams. The 3 teams that emerge from each group will then advance to the finals which will be a 3 way dance. In one night there will be 11 pinfalls, 10 matches, and 1 winner.

So what are the odds of each team advancing to the finals? What are the odds of each team winning 3 matches in one night to win the belts? Who knows, but I’ll give you the official DCS odds and predictions.

Group A- Group A is made up of the marquee names in ECW. All 4 teams are a combination of single wrestlers that have been joined for this tournament. With such limited time together it will be interesting to see how well each operates as a team.

Chilly Willy & The Sandman - Of the 8 wrestlers in this group it’s obvious that the one that doesn’t seem to belong is Chilly Willy. A recent injury to the Sandman along with the first round pairing against Justin Credible and Rhino doesn’t bode well for this duo in the tournament. I don’t see them advancing past the first round. Odds of winning bracket: 25-1 Odds of winning tournament: 75-1

Justin Credible & Rhino - The two singles champions in ECW have been put together for the tournament by Cyrus and seem to be one of the favorites to win the tournament. Having ‘The Network’ behind you always helps when you can rack up wins from outside interference. I see a clean win in the first round over Chilly Willy & Sandman and then a controversial win over RVD & Kash in the bracket final. Bracket odds: 2-1 Tournament Odds: 4-1

Jerry Lynn and Tommy Dreamer - This team is a combination of the brawling skills of Dreamer and the technical skills of Lynn. This combo has teamed up before but faces a tough first round matchup against RVD & Kash. While this team is certainly capable of being worthy champions it just doesn’t seem like they will be able to pull it off. Bracket odds: 10-1 Tournament Odds: 20-1

RVD & Kid Kash - This team is a combination of 2 of the most spectacular wrestlers in ECW. It should be interesting how well they work as a team. RVD has excelled in the past with Sabu as his partner but will he be able to mesh with Kash who gave him problems in singles matches? I can see them possibly having problems that will lead to future single matches. I expect them to win the first round match but not be able to get by JC & Rhino. Bracket Odds: 7-2 Tournament Odds: 5-1

Group B:

Group B is made up of teams that tag more frequently than the teams in Group A but really aren’t considered full time tag teams.

York & Matthews - This is the one real exception to this group as this team is a full time tag team. The newest additions to the ECW roster have been impressive to date but have no significant wins to show for it. It’s possible that this could be the night that York & Matthews make their mark in ECW by pulling a few upsets but I only see them winning their first round match against the Money & Fantastico. Bracket Odds: 15-1 Tournament Odds: 50-1

EZ Money & Julio Fantastico - Another team of recent newcomers to ECW. This team has shown better athleticism then you would expect by just looking at them. They first round match with York & Matthews could go either way, especially with Chris Hammrick in their corner but I don’t see it happening. One win is possible but more than that is a real long shot. Bracket Odds: 25-1 Tournament Odds: 100-1

FBI - I assume that this team will be made up of Guido and Tony Mamaluke but it’s also possible that we’ll see Sal E. team up with Guido. Either way they have a third person at ringside for ‘assistance’. The first round matchup with Tajiri & Mikey could end up being the best first round match. I see them losing this first match but if they do win I can see them beating either of the other 2 teams in this group. Bracket Odds: 5-1 Tournament Odds: 15-1

Mikey Whipwreck & Tajiri - We saw this duo in action on TNN this weekend (along with Psicosis) and they worked really well together. Mikey is a former Triple Crown Champion and Tajiri has held the TV belt. Additional factors in their favor is the Sinister Minister in their corner. I see this team as the team to beat in this group and I think they have a legitimate shot at winning the titles. Bracket Odds: 3-1 Tournament Odds: 5-1

Group C:

Group C is made up of the 4 established, full time tag teams in ECW. These teams have the benefit of having worked with each other for a long time. This is the bracket that any team could win.

The Baldies - The long shot of the 4 teams in this group, The Baldies would seem to have little hope of winning the tournament. The first round matchup against Doring & Roadkill will be a tough one to win. And if they do win that match they’ll have another tough matchup waiting for them the next round. Bracket Odds: 20-1 Tournament Odds: 75-1

Doring & Roadkill - This duo has worked as a team for several years now. Before the titles were vacated they were one of the teams challenging for the titles. They, along with Nova & Chetti, should be the favorites from this group. I see them advancing over the Baldies and then losing to Nova & Chetti. Bracket Odds: 3-1 Tournament Odds: 8-1

Nova & Chetti - Another long time tag team, this duo was also one of the teams challenging the Impact Players for the belt before they were vacated. They even won the belts at a house show before a ‘Dusty’ finish put the belts back on the Impact Players, nullifying their victory. They should be one of the favorites to win the belts. Bracket Odds: 5-2 Tournament Odds: 6-1

Simon Diamond & Swinger - The most recently formed team of the regular tag teams in ECW this team has shown the ability to beat any of the teams in this group. With C.W. Anderson in their corner they may be able to make some noise in this tournament. But a tough first round matchup with Nova & Chetti makes for a tough hill to climb. Bracket Odds: 7-1 Tournament Odds: 15-1

The Finals:

I have Justin Credible & Rhino, Whipwreck & Tajiri, and Nova & Chetti advancing to the finals.

In the finals I see Justin Credible & Rhino losing first because of interference from RVD and/or Kash. I see some well placed green mist in the eyes of Chetti causing the final pinfall. I see Whipwreck and Tajiri becoming the new ECW World Tag Team Champions.

Here is a review of the list of the DCS odds (in order from most likely to win):

Justin Credible & Rhino: 4-1

RVD & Kid Kash: 5-1

Whipwreck & Tajiri: 5-1

Nova & Chetti: 6-1

Doring & Roadkill: 8-1

FBI: 15-1

Diamond & Swinger: 15-1

Lynn & Dreamer: 20-1

York & Matthews: 50-1

Baldies: 75-1

Sandman & Chilly Willy:75-1

Money & Fantastico: 100-1

(By the way - if you gamble on wrestling, you need help)

If you want to say I told you so next week be sure to send me an e-mail with who you think will advance from each round and who you think the ultimate winner will be.

I will list all of the winners in next week’s column. The tie-breaker for this contest will be the one who correctly picks the order of the pinfalls in the 3-way dance.

I will be attending the shows in Manhattan this weekend so I will review the tournament and any other happenings in the Big Apple in next weeks column. Send any comments or questions to [email protected].