BT NOTE: This has been different in that other people are doing Arena Reports, but I felt since these shows either featured Memphis Wrestling workers or that the arena had some Memphis area history, then I would publish them. I always love reading the interaction of the workers with the fans.
Arena Report with Clinton Boyland
ECW House Show
Oman Arena, Jackson, TN 8.06.06
Before the show: When we first arrived at Oman Arena, we unknowningly parked in the back of the building. There were a few cars and a bus there, later revealed to be the wrestlers' cars. We waited for the doors to open, and out of the bus comes Rob Van Dam. We freak out and go to get pictures and autographs, which he gives with no problem. We also saw Sandman in the back of the building listening to his iPod while smoking a cigarette. He also was more than happy to take a picture. So was Tommy Dreamer and Balls Mahoney. Sandman is actually the nicest guy in person, you'd never tell by his TV persona. The only person who didn't sign autographs was Kurt Angle. He pulled up in his car, just waved to the fans and went straight inside.
The show: Rene Dupree vs. Balls Mahoney Dupree looks so different, he has longer hair now, and the facial hair is gone. Several "Balls" chants and a short "We want Axl" chant during the match, and "You are gay" or "You suck dick" chants at Rene. Dupree took control for most of the match, but Balls fought back and hit the Nutcracker Suite.
Winner: Balls Mahoney
Derrick Neikirk & Ryan O'Reilly vs. The FBI A small "Where's my pizza" chant started the match, followed by "Who are you?" at Neikirk and O'Reilly. I swear one of them, I don't know his name, resembles Charlie Haas. The new guys had control of most of the match, and a chant of "You're not worthy" broke from some of the more hardcore fans in the front row.
Winners: The FBI
Kevin Thorn (w/Ariel) vs. CM Punk ECW faithful tore into Thorn, but I have to admit he has a cool entrance. CM Punk was extremely over. We started a nice little "We love Pepsi" chant. After starting the match with a few wristlocks, Punk escaped into the corner and made a crucifix with his fingers. Thorn actually sold this and complained to the ref to make Punk stop, then sold crosses that the audience made! Talk about fan interaction! Thorn hit a crucifix powerbomb at the end, but Punk kicked out and won with the modified Rock Bottom/Keylock as the crowd chanted "Tap, tap, tap!"
Winner: CM Punk
The announcer was about the announce the Extreme Vixen Bikini Contest next, but Lawler came out. After being booed heavily, he said that he did think that ECW had some hot vixens, and he would judge the bikini contest between Francine and Kelly Kelly. Both looked good and got a nice pop, although Francine got a "She's hardcore" chant, and Kelly got "You can't dance." Kelly won, followed by Francine attacking her and starting a catfight. Lawler tried to pull Kelly off Francine, but Mike Knox came out and attacked him. This brought out the Sandman...
Sandman vs. Mike Knox Sandman did his entrance all over the crowd, and cracked open about 4 or 5 beers. Decent match ending when Knox went for Sandman's cane. Lawler ran out and took it from him, and Sandman hit the White Russian Leg Sweep for the pin.
Winner: Sandman
Intermission
Intermission seemed to go by too quickly, due to the line at the bathroom. Tommy Dreamer comes out and makes mention of the legends who have come through Jackson, mentioning Lance Russell, Bill Dundee, and others. He seemed to know his stuff, even quoting Russell ("Wait'll Lawler hears about this"). He says that Heyman and Vince don't pay his salary, the fans do, and he's gonna kick some ass for us.
Tommy Dreamer vs. Test Test gets a "Steroid Test" chant, to which he responds by looking at the crowd and just shrugging his shoulders. Decent back and forth match, and for a while we really think Tommy's gonna pull it out. Crowd calls for a Spicolli Driver, and he goes for it, but Test escapes and hits the Pumphandle Slam for the win.
Winner: Test
Rob Van Dam vs. Kurt Angle RVD got the pop of the night, and a huge "Welcome Back" chant. Angle got a huge "You suck" chant. Probably the match of the night. RVD went for the 5-star, but Angle dodged it and went immediately for the Ankle lock. RVD got a nice applause after the match, and still did his thumb-pointing pose before going to the back.
Winner: Kurt Angle
Main Event for ECW Title Big Show vs. Sabu Great match and probably match of the night. Show was bulldogged through a table and got hit with several chairshots. At one point, he knocked the chair out of Sabu's hands, and stomped into the seat to break it off, followed by a funny "cheap ass chair" chant. Sabu brought in two tables and hit a DDT through the first one. Show lifted him for a chokeslam though the second, but the table leg broke. Show shrugged, and chokeslammed Sabu through the slanted table.
Winner: Big Show
After the show: Dreamer, Sandman, Big Show, Francine, and RVD all came outside and took the time to sign autographs and take pictures. Angle, again, went straight to his car and took off. Test also refused autographs. On a few funny notes, when asked what he thought of Test, Sandman said "pssh, fuck Test." When also asked if he was getting drunk after the show, he responded, "not in this company." Big Show, while getting on the bus, shouted to Van Dam, "hey, R-V-D, you got the Ma-ry Jane?" We got a nice laugh off that. The ECW show was a very enjoyable fan experience that I'd recommend to any diehard fan, and more fun then Raw the next night...
