Down in the Valley - Ohio Valley Wrestling
December 4th 2004
By Scott McCarthy
Welcome to the debut column, “Down in the Valley” which will be a full review of the Monthly OVW TV tapes. Ohio Valley Wrestling, for those who do not know is currently the only WWE developmental territory. This is where a good majority of the wrestlers you are seeing on Raw and Smackdown came from, it is best compared to a Triple A baseball club as this is where wrestlers get that final polishing before they eventually get the call up to the big time, the bright lights and grandeur of the WWE. OVW is run by Jim Cornette and Danny Davis, no not the infamous WWF Referee from the 1980’s.
Video starts off with a video montage of mostly current WWE stars from their OVW days in action, along with a few of the current top OVW guys. The video is put to the song “Let the Bodies Hit The Floor”
Ken Doane vs. Duce Shade- Duce Shade catches heat from the OVW crowd almost immediately, inciting a “you suck” chant. Shade takes charge immediately and takes Doane down with two consecutive neck drag take downs, he tries to follow up with an elbow drop but Doane avoids it. Doane whips Shade into the ropes, Shade reverses and sends Doane into the ropes instead. Doane coming off the ropes slides between Shades legs and connects with a hard elbow strike to Shade’s face. Doane then brings him over to the turnbuckle where he smashes his head into it once, then he brings him over to the opposing turnbuckle and does it again, he follows up with an Irish Whip to the opposite corner, but Shade slides through the ropes, and gives the “screw this match” type gesture to the crowd, Shade is still on the apron when Doane comes from behind and slams his head into yet a third turnbuckle, which sends him to the arena floor. Shade attempts to get back in the ring, Doane tries to grab him, but Shade pulls him shoulder first into the steel post, he follows up by grabbing a hold of his arm and pulling it.pushing his shoulder into the post some more. Shade gets back in the ring and drops three consecutive elbow smashes to the back of the injured right shoulder of Doane, he goes for the pin and gets only a two count. Shade stomps Doane a few times, Shade taunts the crowd by spit shinning his boot on the second rope, while Ken Doane stuggles to his feet, Doane tries to fight back, but Shade hits a variation of a suplex, and gets only a two count. Shade then works the shoulder and arm some more with an arm lock, doane works his way up to his feet and lands some strikes to Shade’s midsection, but Shade takes him back down by his arm and continues to work the arm (at this point the Louisville crowd starts chanting “boring” I guess they would hate Ring of Honor Pure Title Matches!) Doane fights back up to his feet, and again lands several fist strikes and breaks free, Doane attempts a Lariat but misses, and Shade grabs his arm and shoulder again. Doane, charges towards the corner with Shade still holding on and ducks as he approaches. The result is Shade slamming his head into the top turnbuckle. Shade is staggering, Doane is still down in the corner. Shade charges in at Doane, Doane moves out of the way and now has Shade pinned in the corner, he follows up with three punches to Shane’s face. Doane then lands two clotheslines, he whips Shade into the ropes and lands a flying elbow on Shade, Shade works his way to his feet only to be taken back down with a spinning leg lariet by Doane, Doane gets a two count. Doane is fired up, he signals to the crowd that he is going for his finisher The Doaneation. He attempts it, and misses. Duce Shade goes for another top wrist lock and takes him down with a leg sweep, while still holding the wrist lock, Shade gets a two count on Doane. Shade starts to show his frustration, he picks up Doane and goes for a body slam, Doane slides out of it and ducks a clothsline attempt. Doane comes off the ropes and hits the Doaneation (which is best described as a combination of a reverse bull dog mixed with a clothesline) Doane hooks the leg and gets the three count. This was a very technically sound match, it shows that OVW wrestlers know the fundamentals of what makes an entertaining wrestling match.
They then show highlights from the previous week with Elijah Burke who won a Number 1 contenders match. The video starts off with Burke down in the corner and his opponent Matt Morgan (wearing a mask)taunting him and the crowd. A pin attempt on Burke for only a two count, Morgan lands some hard chops on Burke in the corner, Elijah fights back with some hard chops of his own, only to have Morgan take him down with a knee to the stomach. He follows up by whipping Elijah hard into the opposite corner, Elijah falls to the mat and gets a two count. Morgan signals to the crowd, that he is going to finish Elijah off. He picks Burke up, he attempts some sort of suplex finisher, Burke slides out and rolls up Matt Morgan for the three count, Elijah then goes up into the crowd and celebrates, while Matt Morgan can’t believe he just lost to a rookie.
Jim Cornette introduces the new number 1 contender, Elijah burke! Cornette puts over Elijah saying he is one of the few people that have beat Matt Morgan, and how much heart he showed toughing out a hard fought victory to become number 1 contender. Elijah say’s it was a little over a year ago, while working as a corrections officer in Jacksonville, FLA. That he came across the first ever OVW Invitational Tryout and that becoming a Pro Wrestler has always been his life long dream. He goes on to say he was accepted, he came to Kentucky and began his training (obviously) He said he was trained by the likes of Danny Davis & Dr. Tom Prichard. He said he received a phone call from one of the greatest names in the industry that “not because you were a law official, not because you were an amateur boxer, but because of your heart, guts and dedication that you have a spot waiting for you in OVW!” He said he then paused for a minute, his dream of becoming a wrestler was now becoming a reality, that he now had the chance to walk in the footsteps of some of the greatest names this business has ever known like Dusty Rhodes, Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Lou Thez, Terry Funk, The Rock n Roll Express and The Midnight Express, Cornette smiles and laughs at the Midnight Express comment. That he has the chance to walk behind the men that have paved the way for the future of this business. He goes on to say he went to his parents, to tell them of his decision and ultimately he wanted their blessing. He said his Mom said to remember he has a great future ahead of him in law enforcement and to remember he just bought a $250,000 home, she still supports his decision. Cornette says that Burke has chased his dream with hard work and dedication and that almost one year after his first lesson he is the number one contender for the OVW Title. Cornette says that his dream has not come without a price, that along the way he lost someone near and dear to him, Elijah says that just before he left he talked to his Father, and his Father told him that he has accomplished everything he has set out to do and if this is your dream, Damn it, Do it! That 6 months ago he lost his Father, and he never got the chance to see him as the fans do today. That when he steps in the ring, he knows his Dad is looking down on him and enjoying every minute of it. Cornette says that next week he will face the winner of Chis Cage vs. Chad Tolland tonight. That Chris cage is a very close friend, and it may come down to him vs. Cage. Elijah says that he has all the respect in the world for Chris, that he was the first person to welcome him with open arms to OVW and they train together and spar together, that win, lose or draw he will extend his hand to him and hopes he does the same. He then says next week the Elijah-Experience will be in full effect! Jim Cornette says there you have it folks, next week with the title on the line Elijah Burke vs the winner of the next match, Chris Cash vs. Chad Tolland. This was a good interview segment, because without knowing anything about him, he established his character in just one segment, considering this is the first time I have ever seen him and I feel I know what he is all about, is impressive.
Chad Toland comes out pushing a wheel chair with his cousin Tank Toland in it, who has a cast on his arm and bandage on his head also, as well as a neck brace (man he better get that insurance). Jim Cornette says that he does not believe Tank is hurt at all, that Chris Cage had a one punch knockout in a locker room brawl, and Tank has been wrapped up like a mummy ever since. Chris Cage (c) comes out, but is blindsided by Matt Morgan who hits a sidewalk slam, then he puts his arm in a steel chair and stomps on it. Matt Morgan taunts the crowd as he leaves, Jim Cornette calls him a no guts son of a bitch. That we have an OVW Title match scheduled, but the Champion may be seriously injured, the crowd chants “Morgan Sucks”. Chris Cage says he will not forfeit the Title, that no matter what he will wrestle tonight. Cornette says he has more guts in one finger, then Morgan has in his whole body, he will grant Cage as much time as he needs, in the meantime les look back to last week and see what went down between Passion and Jillian Hall.
Passion is dominating Jillian Hall, tossing her all over the ring. Jillian Hall catches Passion with an elbow as she came charging into the corner, she then pins Passion in the corner, Jillian comes in with a cartwheel splash, but nobody home as Passion moves out of the way. Passion follows up with a kick to the gut, then a devastating DDT. She almost gets the three count, but Melissa Coates broke it up, Passion wins by DQ. Melissa holds Passion as Jillian Hall smiles and gets to her feet, just as she is about to lay into Passion the crowd erupts and Alexis Laree comes out for the save. Alexis nails Jillian Hall, Melissa tosses Passion to the mat and charges at Alexis, but Alexis and Passion take turns nailing her with hard punches to the face, Alexis takes down Jillian again. Then Alexis & Passion hit a double clothesline on Melissa, sending her out to the floor, Jillian Hall has to hold Melissa back and they leave.
Kenny “Star Maker” Bollin is in the ring, he says tonight is the night everyone has been waiting for, that he has been talking for weeks and weeks about the change in wrestling is about to happen. He says the man he is about to bring out, will violate and annihilate every one he steps in his way. He says he will be the next big star to go to the WWE, he introduces him as “Brock Lesnar times ten” Blaster Lasheley!. Cornette goes ape shit on commentary saying this man is the real deal, that he is a wrecking machine. Cornette says that Bobby Lasheley is as close to unbeatable as anyone walking the earth. “The Giant Killer” Mike Mondo escorts him to the ring. Lasheley will participate in an exhibition with three wrestlers, the first one comes in and after a brief feeling out process is powe bombed, the opponent gets to his feet and Lashlee takes him down, then he hits the running power slam (like the one British Bulldog used) and gets a three count, with an arrogant pin. The next opponent comes in and Laseley tosses him around, hits a suplex and then another power bomb, he pins this guy with one hand for a three count. The third and final wrestler comes in and Lashee hits an over head suplex, followed by a gut wrench suplex. Then he takes him down with a fireman’s carry, into what is called a Sugar Hold, Cornette emphasizes that he is not sure if that is legal in amateur wrestling. Then he finishes him off with the running power slam for a three count. “Blaster” Bobby Lasheley just beat three men in just about three minutes. This guy looks like the real deal, and I see him getting a WWE call up sometime in the near future.
Seth Skyfire & Mac Johnson vs. Johnny Nito & Joey Matthews (c) come out with paparazzi taking there picture. This match is for the OVW Southern Tag Team Titles. The match starts off with Johnny Nitro against Johnny Nitro. Johnson & Nitro exhange quick attacks and then both men tag out, now its Skyfire vs. Johnson, they exhange reversals until Matthews slaps skyfire, Skyfire takes him down. Nitro & Matthews bail out and regroup, Matthews gets back in,Seth baseball slides under Matthews, and then takes him down and punches him repeatedly. They both tag out, Nito and Johnson exchange punches, then takes Nitro down with a side Russian leg sweep, and gets a two count. Johnson misses a crossbody, then Matthews & Nitro hit a double team gut buster (commercial break, for upcoming OVW shows) Nitro lands several shoulder blocks in the corner on Mac Johnson. Nito gets a two count, Nitro taunts Skyfire bringing him into the ring. The referee is distracted with trying to get Seth back outside, taking the opportunity Nitro & Matthews lands repeated double team kicks on Mac Johnson,Nitro follows up with a low blow kick. Tag to Matthews, Matthews charges at Johnson in the corner and Johnson rolls out of the way, makes the hot tag to Skyfire! Skyfire cleans house, Skyfire hits a sunset flip power bomb on Matthews, for a two count.. Skyfire goes up top for the Vegomatic, but Nitro pushes him off all the way to the concrete floor. Matthews brings Skyfire back in the ring and gets a two count. Joey Matthews lands a neck breaker, for another two count. Matthews tags in Nitro, Nitro takes out Skyfire with a clothesline and gets a two count., Tags Matthews back in and Matthews lands a hard right hand, while Nitro holds him up. Matthews drops a knee to the chest of Skyfire, for another two count. Matthews then puts Skyfire on the top turnbuckle, Skyfire lands several right hands to the head of Matthews, and then lands a tornado DDT. Matthews makes the tag to Johnny Nitro, Nitro runs across the ring and tries to takes out Mac Johnson before he can tag in, Johnson staggers him with a punch instead and Skyfire makes the tag, Johnson hits a back body drop off the ropes, Matthews blindsides Johnson, Mac Johnson sends Matthews off the ropes and hits a drop kick. and attempts to do the same to Nitro, but Nitro holds the ropes and Johnson hits a clothesline that sends Nitro outside the ring. Matthews dives through the ropes and takes out Skyfire and Johnson attempts to leap to the top rope for a cross body but slips and falls (YOU FUCKED UP!) Johnny Nitro takes advantage and puts Johnson on the top turnbuckle, Johnson pushes Nitro off of him and stands up on the top turnbuckle, he connects with a flying dropkick and gets a two and a half count! Matthews outside the ring goes over to a Frosty the Snowman mascot that has been handing out candy to kids all night and Frosty slips Matthews brass knuckles, as Johnson comes over to follow up on Nitro whos over near the ropes, Matthews swings and connects with the brass knuckles and Nitro gets the one, two and three count. Skyfire goes over and tears the head off of Frosty and it is Nitro & Matthews valet Melaina who was banned from the match. Matthews blindsides Skyfire, Nitro & Matthews help Melaina over the rail and they run backstage. Your winners and still Southern Tag Team Champions M-N-M! Another solid old school style wrestling match, this is the kind of stuff that made me a wrestling fan.
Chris Cage (c) comes out, the arm injured earlier by Matt Morgan is wrapped up. Chad Toland is outside the ring with his cousin Tank Toland, Cage runs outside and chases Chad around the arena and around the broadcast table with Jim Cornette. Chad runs into the ring and when Cage slides in behind him, Chad lays into him with kicks, Cage sweeps Chad’s legs out from under him. Chris Cage lands a few hard punches and is fired up. He lands a hard chop in the corner and follows up by slamming Tolands head into the turnbuckle, Cage then lays into him with punches and kicks until Chad falls to the mat. He then sends Toland into the opposite turnbuckle and slams his head repeatedly into it, follows it up with a knee drop. He attempts a second more powerful knee drop, but Chad moves out of the way. Chad does the old heel favorite, and pokes Cage in the eyes. Cage now blinded, swings wildly at the air trying to find Chad Toland, who moves behind him and does a football tackle to take out Cage’s legs, Chad now lands several hard elbows and punches on Cage. Chad now slams Cage’s head into the turnbuckle a few times. Chris Cage fights out of the corner, but Chad connects with a hard kick to Cage’s injured arm, Chad then stands on Cage’s arm and Cage screams in agony, for good measure Chad uses the ropes for leverage (logically it doesn’t do anything, but it’s a wrestling tradition damn it! lol) Chad follows up with an uppercut to the injured arm of Cage, he gets a 1 ½ count. Chad then chokes out Cage, Chad sends Cage into the corner. He charges in after him, but Cage moves out of the way, Chad Toland misses a lariat and misses, Cage lands some punches. Chris Cage hits two clotheslines in a row and follows up with a dropkick, Cage is wrestling with one arm (Selling an injury should be taught in Wrestling 101, good job Cage) Chris Cage goes outside the ring and clotheslines Tank Toland who is in the wheelchair , Cage nails Chad as he attempted to stop him from getting back in the ring. Chad swings and misses with a hard clothesline attempt, Cage rolls Chad up and gets a 2 ¾ count, as Chad Toland kicks out he sends Cage arm first into the corner, as Cage staggers backwards holding his arm, Toland rolls him up, grabs a handful of tights for good measure and gets the ONE, TWO and THREE! The winner and NEW OVW Heavyweight Champion Chad Toland! Jim Cornette can’t believe it and says Chad Toland did not beat Chris Cage, it was that damn Matt Morgan! Chad and Tank celebrate and the show goes off the air.
This was my first full OVW Show I have seen and I came away very impressed, the best way I can describe it is think of the high quality matches you sometimes see on Velocity or WWF in the 1980’s when there was still wrestling involved in the show. While I had only heard of a few of these guys, and had never seen any of them in action (except for Morgan’s brief WWE run) I was impressed with how well all of the wrestlers put on quality matches and remembered the fundamentals. There are three more shows on the tape, and when I find time I will write a review of them too. One quick note, Chad Toland reminds me of a younger, better in shape Greg Valentine WWE should really scratch one of their B-Shows and get OVW on nationally as it would be great for OVW and would grant exposure for WWE’s future superstars. I would much rather watch OVW then the WWE Experience. Thanks for reading.
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