WCW Dos Caras vs. Jericho 2

- We kick things off with the video package that aired at the end of Underground this week.

- That segues into the normal video opening that is used for Underground.

- So everything looks top-notch here tonight. I believe they may have invested in HD cameras. There's a huge lighting rig above the stage, a huge screen behind the commentary table, and banners on either side of the commentary table with huge pictures of Jericho (on the left) and Dos Caras (on the right) respectively. Lots of money went into that set-up, for sure.

- Jim Ross is at the commentary table tonight flying solo. He says it's a huge, history making event as WCW is debuting on FOX TV for the first time ever. He thanks a bunch of NAMES for making it happen. He says tonight's two bouts couldn't be any bigger. He talks briefly about the main event before segueing into the issues that exists between JML and Austin Aries. He introduces a video package that details their feud.

- Austin Aries/JML video package. It details everything from the beginning, with Aries doing commentary, through the Briscoes-feud, etc. Good stuff.

- Jim Ross says that when we return from the commercial we'll settle the issue once and for all: JML vs. Austin Aries is next!

- Commercials.

- Before getting started with the match, Jim Ross goes overs the stipulations. If Austin Aries loses, he must quit wrestling. If JML loses, he must leave the broadcast booth. He says it's all on the line for both men and then tosses to Bobby Cruise for the introductions.

Match #1: Austin Aries vs. JML - If JML Loses, He Must Leave the Broadcast Booth and If Austin Aries Loses, He Must Quit Wrestling
JML towers over Aries. Aries, comically, asks for a test of strength. JML slaps him. Aries distracts the referee briefly and kicks JML in the balls. He tries a quick roll-up but only gets one. Ross notes the absence of Joey Ryan and Brian Kendrick, Austin Aries' partners in Three Kings. Both men back up and chops JML into a corner. Aries goes in for the running dropkick but JML gets a boot up and then LEVELS Aries with the Lariat from Hell! JML lifts Aries up and nails him with the Lariat from Hell again for the win! The crowd loves that, of course.

Result: JML wins via pin w/ The Lariat from Hell
Time: 3:56

- JML celebrates in the ring as Austin Aries heads towards the lockers. Lenny Leonard~! stops him and asks what his plans are now he must quit wrestling. Aries asks Lenny to repeat the question, so Lenny does. Austin smiles and walks off. INTRIGUE~! Meanwhile, JML joins Jim Ross at the commentary table! Ross thanks him for joining him and congratulates him on the win. JML's response is perfect: "Nothin' to it."


- Commercials.

- Jim Ross introduces a clip that basically hypes up WCW. The video does a good job showing off all the various aspects of WCW, focusing on things like "Aggressive Action," "Young Stars," and "Tag Team Excellence." Next he introduces the Event Center.

The Event Center
As reported yesterday, Mike Hogewood is now the host of The Event Center. Loved the Hog back in ROH. The Event Center has been revamped also as there's now a desk in front of the monitors. Hogewood first introduces Brodie Lee using the clip they played on the most recent Underground regarding Brodie's attack on Necro Butcher. Hogewood says that it was a despicable act. Brodie comes in and sits down next to him. Hogewood asks him why he did it. A full transcript is needed just to convey the emotion Brodie gives here, so here it is:

"[Brodie shrugs] Who knows? Who cares? The truth is guys like me and Necro... We just don't play well with others. If it wasn't me doin' that to him, it would have been him doing it to me. Just how it goes. [Brodie swivels in his chair towards the camera] I'm not goin' to sit here and beg forgiveness for what I done. Not goin' to ask forgiveness of you Hogewood... Not goin' to ask forgiveness of the brass... Not goin' to ask forgiveness of the fans... And no, no I want be askin' forgiveness from Necro either. Way I see it, Necro probably feels pretty raw 'bout what I done did to him. And I can understand that rawness. That anger. That hatred. Well, Necro's goin' to be comin' back some time, I'd bet on that. And Necro, there ain't no denyin' or second guessin' what you're goin' to do when you come back. You're goin' to be gunnin' for me. I understand that. I accept it. Hell, if you did what I done to you... I'd do the same thing, brother. So here's what I ask of you then, Necro. You come on. You come gunnin' for me, brother. I ain't scared of you, that's for damn sure. And when you do come back? When we do come face-to-face? I'll rip your other damn eye out. [Brodie leaves]"

So yeah. Seriously one of the best promos in pro wrestling history. Just excellent delivery. Hogewood seems a little off-put by it, which just adds to it. Great stuff. Hogewood then talks about the situation that exists between DOOMSDAY and Bad Intentions. A video clip plays for both tag teams. Hogewood then introduces Giant Bernard and Karl Anderson. Hogewood asks where all of this animosity between the two teams came from. Anderson says it started last summer when WCW started promoting DOOMSDAY as the best team in Japan. Anderson says he doesn't know where that crap came from, because 1) Bad Intentions are now, have been, and always will be the best tag team in Japan and 2) DOOMSDAY has never even teamed up in Japan. Bernard chimes in that together he and Anderson have faced every single team that has meant something in Japan and he doesn't recall ever standing across the ring from either combinations of DOOMSDAY. Hogewood says there's been a lot of controversy of late over whether not a match could be signed between the two teams given the contractual status of all. Hogewood says that DOOMSDAY is a WCW team, Bad Intentions is an NJPW team, and recently Giant Bernard signed a WWE contract. WOW - did not expect that to be mentioned. Bernard says none of the contracts matter to him, all he wants is one match so that he can prove once and for all that DOOMSDAY are frauds and not on their level. Hogewood then announces that the main event of Superbrawl on 4/28 on iPPV will in fact be: DOOMSDAY vs. Bad Intentions for the WCW Tag Team Championship! Bernard laughs and says he's going to take that title straight to Monday Night RAW! Bad Intentions leaves and Hogewood advertises the upcoming Underground for a response from DOOMSDAY.


- Commercials.

- Jim Ross talks about the main event and introduces the video packages that were played on Underground.

- Hype video package for the main event.

- After the videos, Jim Ross says the main event is next.

- Commercials.

Main Event: Alberto Dos Caras vs. Chris Jericho [c] - WCW Championship Match
Here we go. Big intros for each man. When Cruise does the formal intros in the ring, it's almost like he's doing UFC. We go to a commercial break again, which Ross says is so we can present the match with limited commercial interruption. Well that's nice at least. Back from break and HERE. WE. GO. They do a couple of extended lock-ups, the kind where one guy pushes the other into the corner - clean break, then they repeat it with the other guy doing the pushing. They do a few power-exhanges, shoulder-blocks and the like, which segues into a series of leapfrogs and drop-downs, etc. They hit the stand-off for the polite applause and Ross drives home how well the know each other at this point. They lock up again and this time Alberto rakes the eyes~! He gets chastised by the ref for it and then does it again while the ref isn't looking. Caras transfers to an ARM BAR on the injured arm and you can guess where this is going. Alberto spends a good portion working the arm over in the ring with various submissions. Neat spot sets up the next segment Dos Caras tries to jump over the ropes holding onto the arm, but Jericho yanks away in time and Dos Caras crashes and burns. This allows Jericho to dive out onto him, which the crowd goes nuts for. Jericho suplexes Dos Caras on the outside. Jericho whips Dos Caras into the guardrail and then hits Dos Caras with a running boot. Jericho climbs on the apron but Dos Caras trips him up. Dos Caras goes for what looks like a DDT on the apron but Jericho rams him into the ring-post. Dos Caras drops to the ground and when he stands up, Jericho Lionsaults onto him for another huge reaction from the crowd! Jericho breaks the count and then drives Dos Caras back into the ring-post. Jericho chops Dos Caras with his good arm. He goes for it again but Dos Caras ducks and Jericho nails the ring-post. Caras then slams the bad arm into the ring post. Caras slams Jericho into the front row and then drapes the bad arm over the guardrail so that he hit it with big boot. Back into the ring and Caras continues working the arm over and we move into a brief commercial break. Back from break and Dos Caras is still working the arm. There's roughly ten minutes left in the broadcast so it's going to start winding down soon, I suspect. Sure enough Jericho starts mounting a comeback. Jericho fights up and sends Dos Caras into the ropes but Dos Caras responds with a huge boot, and Jericho in return responds with a jumping enzuiguri and both men are down. Both men up by eight and we get the requisite exchange of punches to "BOO" and "YAY"-chants. Jericho overwhelms Dos Caras, whips him into the rope, and nails a spectacular spinning heel kick for two. Jericho follows up with the missile dropkick for two. Jericho signals for the Codebreaker, but Caras counters with the Destiny Lock! Jericho rolls Caras up for two, but Caras counters by rolling Jericho into the middle of the ring. Crowd gets into it with a "Please Don't Tap"-chant! Cruise announces only five minutes left in the time-limit. Jericho gets close to the ropes but Dos Caras twists him back into the middle of the ring! Jericho then powers Dos Caras up and power bombs him into the turnbuckle! Dos Caras staggers out into the middle of the ring and gets hit with the Codebreaker! Lionsault misses, but Jericho lands on his feet and hits Dos Caras with a SECOND Codebreaker! Lionsault connects this time and that gets him the pin-fall! Afterward, Dos Caras quietly departs while Jericho celebrates in the ring.

Result: Chris Jericho wins via pin w/ The Lionsault
Time: 27:51


- Jim Ross reminds the fans to check out WCWwrestling.com for all their WCW news and to make sure they tune into Underground next Thursday before signing off.