WCW Underground 1.13

- The show starts with a new gimmick. Usually, the show would open with a vignette recapping a major storyline that would be focused on the show. Instead, we get an all-encompassing "Previously on Underground." It starts off by recapping the Necro Butcher/CM Punk-feud. Narration is provided by "Guy With Deep Voice" and it really adds to the video. He talks about how it started at the Lou Thesz Memorial Tournament iPPV and has since escalated. He uses that to segue into Drew Gallows' match tonight. Up next he talks about the Briscoes/Three Kings-feud and how it evolved from JML replacing Austin Aries on commentary. He then talks about the war between The Cross and Fastball Special, noting that Fastball Special will be returning tonight after Castagnoli put Generico through a table at Halloween Havoc. A recap of the United States Championship Tournament follows. Next is a look at the WGTT/DOOMSDAY-feud that was brewing. He says an announcement will be made tonight about the state of the tag team championship. Finally, he goes over the entire storyline between Davey Richards, Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho, Chris Hero, and Alberto Dos Caras. It all ends with a big focus on the main event of hour 1: Davey Richards vs. Alberto Dos Caras 2. In some ways this was a great segment as it recapped events after what was, essentially, a week off. With only 20 days remaining until the big end of year iPPV, that's very important. But it was a pretty lengthy segment, as well, being almost eight minutes long. If it's another lengthy segment next week, I'd say it's not a good idea. We'll see what happens.

- No video package to open the show as we go straight to Lenny Leonard and JML. They run down the card for hour one (although they say it's the card for tonight - but this was filmed prior to Bison Smith's unfortunate passing and was set to air last week instead of this week) which includes two United States Championship Tournament matches as well as the big rematch: Davey Richards vs. Alberto Dos Caras II, this time for the WCW Championship. Leonard thinks that tonight Davey Richards will attain greatness and take the championship. JML says that Davey has all the tools, but in this situation, Caras has proven to be a tricky champion and he predicts Caras walks away with the title using whatever means possible.

Match #1: Drew Adler vs. Eddie Edwards - 1st Round of the WCW United States Championship Tournament Match
Like most (albeit not all - Corino vs. Fury being the example), this is nothing more than a squash. Adler is game, but he's not up to the level of the main WCW stars. Edwards catches adler with the Achilles Lock to get the submission victory. Leonard calls Edwards a dark horse in the competition.

Result: Eddie Edwards wins via submission w/ The Achillies Lock
Time: 3:41


- Edwards promo-time. JML says that since WCW began, there's been a lot of talk about Davey Richards and not so much about Eddie Edwards. Edwards says he respects that and he's glad his buddy Davey is fighting for the WCW Championship tonight and he's pulling for him. He says Davey has worked hard to get where he is in this business and no one deserves to be successful more than him. That said, his mind is on the United States Championship tournament and the United States Championship. He says no one is going to come between him and that championship, absolutely no one. Leonard then brings up the graphic to show us that by advancing to the next round, Edwards is set to face: DAVEY RICHARDS! Edwards chuckles about it. Leonard announces that if Davey wins tonight, Edwards will receive an automatic bye to the semi-finals. Edwards says whatever happens happens and that he's pulling for Richards tonight win, but if he doesn't - then he stands by what he said: no one, not even Davey Richards, will come between him and that United States Championship. This was just an absolutely fantastic segment. Edwards did well enough for the promo, nothing amazing, but just how it all came together as a story was perfect execution.

- A commercial plays for the newly released Halloween Havoc DVD. It features a retrospective on the Halloween Havoc PPV, dating back to the very first one with Sting/Ric Flair vs. The Great Muta/Terry Funk.

- A commercial plays for DC Universe Online, which you can now play free.

- A commercial plays for WCWwrestling.com.

- CM Punk, with a chain, is at ringside with Leonard and Punk to do commentary for the next match.

Match #2: Drew Gallows vs. Bo Newsom - 1st Round of the WCW United States Championship Tournament Match
Lengthy squash, here. Punks spends most of the match on commentary either berating Necro Butcher or talking about how he wants the tournament to end with him and Gallows so he can score an easy championship win. Gallows wins with a big power bomb.

Result: Drew Gallows wins via pin w/ a power bomb
Time: 5:11


- After the match, CM Punk enters the ring and - with Gallows - beats Newsom down. Then, using the chain, Punk hangs Newsom over the ropes and chokes him. Necro Butcher runs into a huge pop and fights off Punk and Gallows, but the numbers overwhelm him. Butcher ends up in the same position as Newsom earlier, being hung over the ropes and choked out with the chain. Finally, security runs in and makes the save.

- A commercial plays hyping the Starrcade iPPV.

- A commercial plays advertising the new WCW T-shirt line.

- Necro Butcher is with Leonard and JML. Leonard tells Butcher that he needs to stay away from Punk and Gallows, because he'll never be able to top the 2-on-1 odds. Butcher, still selling being choked out and bleeding from the mouth, goes into a vicious promo. He says that since he was a boy he's worked hard to get everything he has in life. He's worked hard to be a wrestler and he's worked hard to provide for his family. He says he lives by his motto: "Drink, Smoke, Fight" and by god no little straight-edge piece of shit like Punk is going to stop him. He says this all started because of Punk thinking he was a better man for being straight-edge, but tonight... Tonight Punk took it too far. He says Punk tried to end his life here in the ring and that something has to give. He says Leonard is right, he'll never be able to stop those 2-on-1 attacks and maybe, just maybe, he needs to start looking for someone to back him up. He says he's not going to look in the locker room for a Davey Richards. He says he's not going to look up north for a John Cena or down south for a Bobby Roode. He says he's going to go to the worst places possible, the places Punk wouldn't dare step foot in. He'll go to every back alley, dark corner, dive, bar, and truck stop in the country and he'll find someone and when he does, when the numbers are even, he's going to end this once and for all. Usual amazing promo Necro Butcher. You know, you would expect CM Punk to be able to do great promos, but Necro has more than carried his own and has excelled on the microphone in this excellent feud.

- A video package plays for Davey Richards.

- Leonard introduces his next guests, FASTBALL SPECIAL~! The crowd is pretty happy to see their return. London goes into full London-mode. The transcript, is as follows: "When last we stood before you we were throttled and dismembered by the individuals who comprise the team known only as: The Cross. Fireworks explode, Ares. The moon wanes, Castagnoli. When at last you think you have defeated us, WE RETURN. The situation hasn't ended. The scenarios are not over. The game is not being reset. Our paths will intersect, our lives with collide, our pasts - presents - and futures are intertwined! Know this you malevolent males, Fastball Special will take revenge." It's awesome watching JML's facial expressions as he tries to decipher just what the hell London is saying. This brings out, of course, The Cross. Castagnoli makes fun of the two and brags about putting Generico through a table. Referees have to come up and keep them separated. Leonard says we have one last commercial break before the main event.

- A commercial plays for the newly released Halloween Havoc DVD. It features a retrospective on the Halloween Havoc PPV, dating back to the very first one with Sting/Ric Flair vs. The Great Muta/Terry Funk.

- A commercial plays for DC Universe Online, which you can now play free.

- A commercial plays for WCWwrestling.com.

Match #3: Alberto Dos Caras [c] vs. Davey Richards - WCW Championship Match
They get in-ring introductions, which gives it a big match-feel. The crowd is 100% behind Richards. As you might expect, they engage in chain-wrestling to start. Caras actually ends up with the advantage the first time, but Richards pulls out the advantage the second time around. They continue going back and forth for a good ten minutes or so, smoothly flowing in and out of submission holds. Leonard reminds the fans that unlike the first time these two fought, this match will have a 30-minute time limit. The big turnaround comes when Davey goes for his springboard kick, but Caras nails him with a dropkick to the face. From there, Caras murders the left arm of Richards. He does all of his normal stuff - slams it on the apron, slams into the ring-post, etc. Caras works the arm over in a variety of ways for a good bit of time. Richards attempts a few comebacks, but Caras goes back to the left arm each time to slow him down. Best spot is when Caras tries for an arm-drag off the turnbuckle, but Richards headbutts his way out of it. Caras then slams into the ropes to crotch Richards, hits the run-up enzuiguri, and then nails the arm-drag off the turnbuckle. Beautiful stuff, there. Caras goes for the Destiny Lock but Richards counters with a roll-up for two. Fast segment happens where immediately Caras goes for a clothesline, Richards ducks and then nails Caras with the Alarm Clock! This leads to the big 10-count and they start trading strikes. Chops from Caras, kicks from Richards with the fans chanting "Boo!" and "Yay!" respectively. Richards finally hits the springboard kick. Richards goes for the DR Driver, but his arm is too hurt and Caras counters with a cradle for two. They trade a series of near-falls. Five minutes left. Caras ends up outside and Richards dives outside onto him. Back in the ring and Richards goes to the top and flies off with the diving headbutt, but it only gets two. Richards follows up with the DR Driver which gets a HUGE pop from the crowd! Caras immediately rolls to the ropes so that when Richards covers, Caras gets the foot on the rope at two. Richards argues with the referee and gets low-blowed by Caras, who rolls Richards up for two but Richards counters the roll-up with a CROSSFACE. The arm is too weak and Caras counters with a roll-up again, this time holding the tights, to get the win. The crowd is pissed at. The match wasn't as good as their first encounter or the Angle/Caras II match, but it was still solidly good. **** probably.

Result: Alberto Dos Caras wins via pin w/ a roll-up
Time: 28:01


- Caras escapes with the belt, while Richards pleads his case to the referee about the tights. Out of nowhere, Chris Hero slides into the ring and catches Richards with a roaring elbow. Hero stands over the fallen Richards as the fades to black.

- Or commercials.

- A commercial plays hyping the Starrcade iPPV.

- A commercial plays advertising the new WCW T-shirt line.

- Back from break and JML and Lenny Leonard are wearing new clothes~! Leonard explains that the previous hour was filmed two weeks again and was meant to air last week originally, but do the untimely passing of Mark "Bison" Smith, they couldn't air the footage until today. They explain that the remaining hour of television will feature fresh wrestlers and that the talent involved will actually be wrestling their first match for the evening. He talks about the main event being Davey Richards vs. Eddie Edwards. JML says he expects it to be every bit as good as last week's main event. Leonard says tonight we'll see the entirety of the WCW United States Championship quarter-finals, as well as hear from the liaison of the WCW Executive Director in regards to the WCW Tag Team Championship.

Match #4: Jay Fury vs. Chris Hero - Quarter-Finals of the WCW United States Championship Tournament Match
Fury scored the "upset" win over Steve Corino to get here, while Hero squashes some jobber. Unsurprisingly, Hero squashes Fury pretty quickly to advance using the Deathblow.

Result: Chris Hero wins via pin w/ The Deathblow
Time: 2:41


- Hero's turn to cut a promo. Leonard asks Hero to explain his actions from last week, when he took Richards out at the end of the show. Hero said that he needed to establish the pecking order and make sure that Richards knew he falls below Hero on it. Hero says he's the top gun in WCW and while he's not wearing championship gold to prove it yet, he will by the end of this tournament. Leonard mentions that Hero will face the winner of Richards/Edwards tonight, but Hero doesn't care who he faces.

- A commercial plays for the newly released Halloween Havoc DVD. It features a retrospective on the Halloween Havoc PPV, dating back to the very first one with Sting/Ric Flair vs. The Great Muta/Terry Funk.

- A commercial plays for DC Universe Online, which you can now play free.

- A commercial plays for WCWwrestling.com.

- The tribute video for Mark "Bison" Smith plays.

Match #5: Brent Albright vs. CM Punk - Quarter-Finals of the WCW United States Championship Tournament Match
Leonard calls this a "main event anywhere in the country" in a fantastic homage to Gorilla Monsoon, although in this case he's arguably right. Drew Gallows it out with Punk to serve as a ringside enforcer and Gallows has the chain. Punk sneak attacks Albright to start, but Albright overpowers Punk with a series of suplexes. Punk kills time on the outside and while Gallows distracts Albright, Punk sneak attacks him. Punk works Albright over and it's worth mentioning that these two had a really good series of matches in Ohio Valley Wrestling. Punk uses all kinds of heel-stuff to beat up Albright like raking the eyes, choking him with his boot, etc. Additionally, Gallows continually interferes every time Albright builds some momentum. Crowd pops pretty big as Necro Butcher chases Gallows off with a chair. Butcher gets on the turnbuckle with the chair and distracts Punk, which allows Albright to drill Punk with a half-nelson suplex and lock in the Crowbar, to which Punk taps out! Albright advances to face the winner of Gallows/Butcher.

Result: Brent Albright wins via w/ The Crowbar
Time: 11:52


- Punk grabs the mic and promises revenge tonight.

- A commercial plays hyping the Starrcade iPPV.

- A commercial plays advertising the new WCW T-shirt line.

- The Liasion to the WCW Executive Director is here to announce the plans for the WCW Tag Team Championship. He says next week, in addition to the semi-finals of the WCW United States Championship tournament, there will be a mini-tournament to determine who the #1 cont. to the titles are. Participants will be Fastball Special, Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team, The Briscoes, and The Three Kings. He says the winner of the tournament will face Takeshi Morishima and a partner of his choice for the championship at Starrcade.

- Leonard introduces a special sit-down interview with Chris Jericho conducted by Jim Ross. Ross starts with questions about WCW. Jericho says he was ready to be a player there, but the guys on top were accustomed to a way of life and didn't want to give up their spots, even though it was obvious they were the biggest problem with WCW and why people weren't watching. He says that guys like Hulk Hogan and Kevin Nash are always good for business in short doses, but when you try to extend that past a month - business always goes down. He says the fans in WCW were looking for something new and that's why they left WCW for WWF and Steve Austin and the Rock. Ross turns to WWF. Jericho is mostly nice about the promotion, but says that he realized in 2002 the fans were ready for something new and Triple H wasn't ready to let someone else be that something new. He says the promotion suffered until John Cena and Batista came around, but then fans got bored and wanted something new and WWE had guys like CM Punk who wanted to be that something new, but Triple H - big surprise - wasn't really to let that happen. Talk finally turns to Caras. He says Caras represents all of those bad traits in guys like Triple H and Kevin Nash. He says there is talent like Davey Richards that the fans want to support and want to get behind, but Caras is doing everything he can to prevent that from happening by defending the belt against guys who don't really deserve matches. He's glad the WCW Executive Director, whoever it is, stepped in and made the Hero/Richards-match so that Richards could get a shot at the championship. He says at Starrcade, he won't come up short (almost like an insult to Richards) and that when he wins the championship, he'll defend it against anyone who's earned it.

Match #6: Necro Butcher vs. Drew Gallows - Quarter-Finals of the WCW United States Championship Tournament Match
It doesn't take long before these two are brawling around the ring. And in fact, before you know it, they're both counted out. That means Albright gets an easy path to the finals. They brawl around the ring and CM Punk finally joins in to beat up the Necro Butcher. They wrap the chain around Butcher's next but BRODIE LEE makes the save! Brodie clears house with big boots. Leonard says Brodie Lee is one of the baddest and toughest men on the independent wrestling circuit. Gallows and Punk are taken aback, but Butcher calls for a microphone. He says that now the tables are turned and the numbers are even, he's ready to put an end to this problem once and for all. He says Punk wants to try and wrap a chain around his neck? He says let's wrap chains around all our necks and have a dog-collared tag team match! Punk and Gallows say no and Butcher and Lee chase them off. Match ended quick, but the segment lasted about eight minutes altogether.

Result: Double count-out
Time: 0:45


- A commercial hypes next week's episode with the #1 cont. tournament and a sit-down interview with Alberto Dos Caras conducted by Jim Ross.

- A video package plays recapping the United States Championship Tournament.

Main Event: Eddie Edwards vs. Davey Richards - Quarter-Finals of the WCW United States Championship Tournament Match
Finally we find ourselves at the main event. I will say this, two hours as an Internet show might be too long. Eddie and Davey chain-wrestle to start, of course. Leonard says the winner of this will take on Chris Hero to face Brent Albright in the finals. As if on cue, out comes Chris Hero to watch the match. Richards out-wrestles Edwards, which causes Edwards to take a powder in frustration. Back in and they exchange strikes, with Richards again getting the edge. Edwards again takes a powder. JML questions whether Edwards can actually beat Richards. Edwards catches Richards with a drop toe hold and immediately works the left ankle with a few stomps. More back and forth action as basically every time one hits a move, the other responds. Richards catches Edwards with a vicious strike and then dominates from there, working over Edwards' neck. He does it cleanly, using no heel tactics in the process. Richards for the springboard kick but Edwards catches him in mid-air and tombstones him into the mat! Next thing you know, they're trading big move after big move. Richards hits the Alarm Clock for two, then Edwards responds with his flying knee attack for two. Richards hits a butterfly suplex for two, so Edwards with the Chin Checker for two. They trade a series of near-falls with ten minutes remaining. Edwards manages to fight out of several DR Driver attempts. Big finish comes when Edwards goes for the Achilles Lock, but Richards counters by dead-lifting Edwards off the mat into the DR Driver position, but Edwards rolls out of it and hits the Die Hard - rolls through - and hits ANOTHER Die Hard to get three and the HUGE win! Great finish as it shows Edwards knew Davey would kick out of one Die Hard, so he didn't bother with the pin and immediately hit him with another to put him down.

Result: Eddie Edwards wins via pin w/ The Die Hard (cross-legged Fisherman buster)
Time: 24:11


- After the match, Hero enters the and laughs at Richards. Edwards nails Hero from behind, sending Hero out of the ring. The show ends with them staring each other down.