November to Remember 1995

November 18th, 1995 from the ECW Arena

Was going to watch the Hardcore TV going into this show but cant be bothered really so going into this one blind which is always more fun anyway. I've probably read a review of this show before but if so I don't remember anything which goes against the title I guess. I may of had a best of November to Remember in VHS, I definitely had one with Spike on the cover, I got it from Ethel Austens possibly the least extreme shop going. (Actually its very much like ECW as I dont think its going anymore certainly not in my neck of the woods anyway)

The opening says the following is presented in its original form and yet I guarantee the music is dubbed and thus a lie.

Broad Street Bully Vs. Don E. Allen
Buh Buh Ray is the special ring announcer, he brings Big Dick, Sign Guy Dudley, Dances With Dudley and Chubby Dudley with him, all bar Big Dick have debuted between this and Hardcore Heaven. Buh Buh stutters on his Michael Buffer bit and Buh Buh Bombs the participants and pins Broad Street Bully despite their not being a match. These two were involved in a 90 second stinker at Hardcore Heaven so for once i'm glad to of seen Buh Buh. Is Dances With Dudley Drew Carey?

Paul E has the lights dimmed then Sabu's back to a deafening roar, he shakes hands with Paul and they hug. Crowd chant Thank You to Paul as Sabu has gone,  did they fall out already?

Jason Vs. Konnan
This show has the chapter marks so I know who's on, Hardcore Heaven hasn't got them so I had to go to Wikipedia on occasion. Konnan is masked Knight is mulleted. Jason is doing a Buff Bagwell type thing. Taz comes out to ref, he says ECW won't let him wrestle so he's here to enforce his will, Jason runs his mouth off and Tazz drops an unbleeped F Bomb, thankfully I wasn't drinking my Tango. Konnan powerbombs Knight after Taz hits him and gets 3.

El Puerto Ricano Vs. Stevie Richards (w/ Blue Meanie)
Stevie has lost the mullet and man that was a fine mullet even HBKs mullet would've jobbed to it no questions asked. His shirt says RSPW sucks on the back, from the crowd Blue Meanie gives Stevie a half shirt so he brings him ringside. Moonsault and missile dropkick by Ricano. Tope to Meanie. Stevie Bomb is followed by a hot shot.  Stevie Bomb again then Meanie goes up top but misses a moonsault so Stevie kicks him out of the ring and a Super Kick soon finishes the match. 

Eliminators (w/ Jason) vs. The Pitbulls (w/ Francine)
I think this is early in Eliminators ECW run. Saturn with long hair is just plain weird. Despite the obvious difference between the Pitbulls  I can never remember which is 1 and which is 2. Saturn and #1 trade scoop slams. Drop toe hold and elbow combo by Pitbulls. Kronus and #2 in now as Kronus hits a dragon suplex minus the bridge. Saturn sends #2 ringside with a springboard clothesline then Kronus gives him a boost as he moonsaults over onto #2, I liked that. #2 misses a corner splash and goes over the top. Saturn hits an elbow off the top for 2, I didn't see him tag in though. Frankensteiner off the top gets 2 as if you listen carefully you can hear Steiner ranting somewhere. Pitbull #1 makes the tag and cleans house. Fighting tornado style now. Kronus is set up Doomsday style and clotheslined over the top. Saturn is hit with the guillotine, a suplex, powerbomb combo out of the corner but Jason breaks the count. Superbomb ends Kronus. Post match Total Elimination to both Pitbulls. **1/2

Mexican Death Match - Psicosis Vs. Rey Misterio jr
The chapters on this show use Reys ECW name. There's a 'rudo' chant. I can slightly hear Reys WCW theme I think. After a pin or submission they have 10 seconds to answer the bell or it's over. Rey flips the Bird at Psicosis. Psicosis misses a wild dropkick attempt and is ranaed for 3 but survives the count. Hurricanrana sends Psi to the outside where Rey tries to jump off the guardrail but it goes wrong. Moonsault gets Psi 3 but Rey is up before 10 though himself is hurt after the guardrail blunder. Pop up powerbomb gets Psi another 3 count but again Rey is up, I should note the counts are done in Spanish in a nice touch. Inverted Oklahoma Stampede minus the powerslam then Psi gets another 3 from a twisting senton as Rey is thankful this isn't Iron Man rules. Psicosis, who's been dominant for a while now, DDTs Rey on a chair then moonsaults Rey with a chair on him for 3 again but Rey is up. Psicosis comes off the top again but Rey blocks it with a chair. Rey with a crossbody off the apron sending both into the crowd. Springboard moonsault soon follows from Rey getting an ECW chant. They're by Joey now as Rey gets 3 off a hurricanrana and Rey and the ref go over the bleachers and back to the ring as Psicosis doesn't make the count. ***1/2

Jason wants to manage Rey but Rey takes him out so The Eliminators attack Rey but 911 makes the save and Rey poses on 911s shoulders.

ECW Tag Titles - Sandman/Scorpio (c) (w/ Woman) Vs. The Public Enemy
Joey calls Scorpio Too Gold Scorpio as he is also TV Champion, Scorpio won the Tag Titles in a singles match with Rocco Rock and named Sandman his partner. Scorpio busts a move for Woman as Sandman looks on smiling. PEs entrance ain't the same without Here Comes The Hotstepper. PE are arguably Paul's greatest success. The winner of the fall faces Mikey Whipwreck tonight for the World Title. The TV Title is on the line too apparently, unsure if Sandman then wins the gold if he wins the fall, i.e. David Arquette winning DDPs world title, or if only one of PE can win the TV title. Too Cold Scorpio looks like Jon Tickle of Big Brother fame. 'Please Dont Go' chant for PE. Scorpio and Rocco Rock start us off with a dance off, I'm sun sure if this would be a 10 from Len, Sandman busts a move too, Woman does too then the Champions attack but the tables are soon turned after they mock the PE arm dance, speaking of which PE dance again when they clear the ring. Sandman is hiptossed over by Grunge then Rocco follows with a dive onto Sandman. It's duelling chairs for all. Scorpio takes the hand off someones prosthetic arm to use in Grunge as Rocco and Sandman fight ringside. Vader Bomb gets Grunge a 2 count. Sandman is thrown i to the crowd and Woman hauls him back. Slingshot boot to the face by Sandman as Grunge is cut open. Rocco Rock with a couple of tilt-a-whirl moves until he is hit with a shoulderbreaker. Rocco misses a springboard moonsault and is superkicked, double underhook powerbomb by Scorpio but Grunge breaks the pin. Woman gets some cane shots in, one right on Roccos bonce. Grunge backdrops Sandman on a table as it doesn't break then Sandman with am front suplex buts Grunge through it. Rocco with a somersault plancha as Sandman is against the broken table. Rocco hits the Drive-By on Grunge by accident and Sandman falls on top for the pin. ***

Sandman is out on the canvas so Scorpio pours him some beer and he is Sandmanning Up. Scorpio drops the beer to Sandmans shock but they hug and make up.

Joey introduces us to highlights of Tod Gordon Vs. Fonzie, Tod is the ECW Commissioner and Fonzie is a ref. We see at one point 911 chokeslamming Fonzie much to the ECW faithfuls delight.

Special ref/ Beulah McGillicutty (?) - Tod Gordon Vs. Fonzie
Fonzie is in his ref gear. Fonzie attacks as Tod is with the fans then clotheslines Beulah after she slaps him. Tod wins a punch off. Fonzie calls for a handshake but is clotheslined. Ringside Fonzie is hit with a baking tray then has his rammed into a chair and he's now busted open. Tod has a frying pan, Fonzie gets it but is lowblowed before he can use it and Tod cracks him with it. Taz coMets out in his ref shirt from earlier to count for Tod but stops at 2 and cleans Tods clock and puts Fonzie on top for 3. Crowd chants for Sabu as Taz says they can chant his f---ing name all night he ain't coming, he then says about fans caring about Dreamer, Terry Funk and Sabu when Benoit broke his neck but not about him. Taz asks who cares about him, his family etc. and says only Bill Alphonso/Fonzie does. Taz says they dont care about him and Fonzie well they dont give a flying f--k about them. Their partnership would last till Barely Legal in 1997.   

ECW World Title - Sandman (w/ Woman) Vs. Mikey Whipwreck (c)
Steve Austin, yes that Steve Austin, attacks Sandman.

ECW World Title - Steve Austin Vs. Mikey Whipwreck (c)
Austin tells Mikey to get out while they announce his name but jumps him as he goes to leave and is all over him. A fan sign Austin: The Future Has Arrived, how little he knew. Fans chant Hogan so Austin does a big boot and leg drop but it only gets 2. Mikey gets some punches in after reversing a whip into the guard rail. Austin tries to get Mikey to stop by pointing to his previously injured triceps. Stun Gun, a flapjack into the ropes, gets Austin 2. Mikey gets a sunset flip for 3. ** Not much to it is a match but it was entertaining as a p'd off Austin is always value for money. Kicking out of the leg drop was a nice touch and the small things are often the good things in wrestling.

Hack Myers Vs. Sabu
Paul E is in Sabus corner. Dodgy snapmare is followed by a springboard leg lariat as someone chants Alex Wright, if one person counts as a chant. Chair assisted springboard leg lariat gets 2. Powerslam gets Hack 2. Hack comes off the top slamming Sabus head between his legs on the way down Pedigree style, minus the arm holding, but Sabu has a leg on the rope. DDT gets Sabu a 2 count. Hack is ringside where Sabu slingshots over into a hurricanrana, during which Sabu seems to hurt his noggin. Back in Sabu comes off the top but is powerbombed for 2. Victory roll from the top doesn't live up to its name as it gets 2. Hack gets a chair from the crowd, with a coat on it, and cracks Sabu with it. Sabu gets a table to cheers as Joey says he was too extreme for the cartoon network (WCW), Sabu sentons over the top putting Hack through the table. Senton Arabian Facebuster gets Sabu the 3 count. ** Sabu makes to punch Hack post match but instead offers a handshake after acknowledging his effort according to the announcer.

Terry Funk/Tommy Dreamer Vs. Raven/Cactus Jack
Cactus has a Dungeon of Doom shirt on. Terry cracks Jack with a chair and then throws it into the back of Ravens head. Stevie Richards is here but is soon dumped in a trolley and pushed into the ringpost. Weapons have been strewn all over the ring but Tommy decides a VCR given from the crowd is of more use and hits Raven with it then again not long after. Funk hits the ref with a dustpan then hits Jafk and Raven too. Golf club to Raven's conkers, well tickle me KO'd. 'E-C-F----N-W' chant. Ravens been busted. Jack cuts open Funks arm with something. Cactus and Raven try to clothesline Dreamer with a chain but he jumps into it which pulls Jack and Raven into each other, that made me laugh. Jack now has a shirt with 'Forgive Me Uncle Eric' on the back and Bischoffs fave on the front but a bloodied Dreamer pulls it over Jack's face and punches Bischoff/Jack. Double Arm DDT onto a chair for Funk. Fonzie and Taz are here to referee and attack Funk. Dreamer DDTs Raven then hits a piledriver and Funk gets 3 so Dreamer doesn't actually beat Raven. ***1/2

16.5 / 30 -  Firstly the first few matches are too short to be rated and the Tod/Fonzie match for me isn't rateable as it's two non-wrestlers.
All the Tag matches had their moments, seems to be a style ECW does well as there's always something going on without rest holds even If there is no psychology to speak of. The main event tag match was prototypical ECW, a fun brawl which fans were I into.
Rey/Psicosis was good, I'd of thought more of it had I seen it in 1995 but its impact is lessened with what's followed in the 23 years since, still good though bar the Rey rail botch. 
Sabu and Austin's matches weren't much really, the Sabu one went too long and just didn't click, maybe should've been a quick squash featuring Sabus big moves.
Taz's heel turn was a corked too.

Thumbs up for 1995's November To Remember.

Hardcore Heaven 1995

July 1st, 1995

Not done an ECW review in awhile. My ECW history is spotty at best, like the fans bwahaha, Power Slam magazine and Scott Keith reviews being where I pick it up mostly. This is in the PPV section of the Network but I assume it wasn't as I'm fairly sure Barely Legal in 97 was the first PPV of ECW. I was never a fan of ECWs general style, the weapon shot, no sell, weapon shot style is not my cup of tea and its still going on now in WWE but with big move, rest, big move being their no psychology style of choice. This comes with TV Mature warnings. I should note that Aaron Rodgers has just had an amazing game/comeback Vs. Chicago 9/9/18.

Raven, Stevie, Pitbulls and Beulah are here, Raven and Stevie are the Tag Champions.

Pitbulls (w/ Raven, Stevie and Beulah) Vs. Dudley Boys (w/ Big Dick Dudley)
Dudley Dudley and Little Snot Dudley are the Dudleys here. Pitbull #1 and Pitbull #2 start off in control of the Little Dudley. I should note Stevie has a 1993 HBK mullet. Dudley Dudley is in  ow and has a far better showing against Pitbull #2, Little Dudley is soon in and same as before Pitbills get the better of him. Stevie has a fan ringside who kisses him, looks like Francine then Raven takes his crew to the back. Powerbomb off the top to the Little Dudley but Dudley Dudley comes off the top on to Pitbull #2, or #1 I can never remember despite one being bald, and it gets 3. ** - Pretty basic match where the squashee ended up winning but fans were into the match/people.

Pitbulls aren't happy.

Don E. Allen/Dino Sendoff Vs. Broad Street Bully/Chad Austin
Thank you Wikipedia for their names as I couldnt make out what Joey Styles said and there's no on screen graphic as this is ECW. Austin is almost back dropped on his nonce right away 'You F'd Up' chant. Pitiful 'match'goes about a minute which Styles noting how bad it is and getting a decent dig in at WCW Slamboree then 911 and Paul E. come out as 911 has Chokeslams for all.

Big Malley Vs. Hack Myers
Big Malley is the Wikipedia name Joey is saying Poochio or something, though he does later say Malley. Someone in front of the hard camera tells Malley to kiss his behind using actions and blow me I think it's Tatanka. Malley has the body shape of Viscera and the skin tone of Sheamus. Stalling for an eternity. Someone in the crowd has a King of The Ring t-shirt on and from the look on his face knows he's in the wrong. Malley reverses a whip and lands a corner splash then some more. Total nothing match and Malley misses an elbow drop and is pinned as Myers got no offence, post match, if you can call that a match, Malley gets another splash in. At least the crowd were making noise mocking Malley. 1/2

Taz Vs. Too Cold Scorpio
Things may pick up now. Scorpio is wearing Taz colours. Scorpio takes a powder after taking a clothesline. Taz has a side headlock locked on which he keeps hold of after Scorpio hits a back suplex. Scorpio goes for a leapfrog but Tax fakes out and hits a belly to belly. They wristlock and Tax bridges but that's not saying much as he's hardly high off the ground. Powerbomb by Scorpio then a double underhook suplex but Taz kicks out. Paul E. is ringside,  this show has no entrances really as the matches just cut to the next one. Taz-plex, kind of a T-Bone suplex. Too Cold nails Taz with a Tombstone, I assume Taz hasnt had the neck break yet unless he's crazy, Tumbleweed connects but Tax is soon up with a Taz-pled for 3 but Scorpios foot is on the rope. Fonzie comes in and wants it restarted. Fonzie says if a wrestler touches him he'll shut down ECW but Paul E. points out he isnt a wrestler but Too Cold hits Taz with a chair and Fonzie cheapahots Paul then counts 3 for Scorpio. ***. 

Styles plugs the hotline then Shane Douglas comes out, I believe this to be his final ECW appearance for this run as after this his Dean Douglas WWF stint begins. The fans needle him with a We Want Flair chant. The Tatanka man turns round and blow me I think it's Scott Norton in a Tatanka syrup. Shane is rabbiting on for a while bringing up him and Cactus Jack training at DeNucci's together and how they're friends. Dean holds up a shirt which is helpfully blurred out. Woman is here, this was boring me now it's saddening me, she slaps him after he insults her, Shane blocks another and Sandman attacks which brings out Cactus. Knock me down with a feather there's a woman in the crowd.  

ECW Tag Titles - Raven/Richards (c) (w/ Beulah) vs. Tommy Dreamer/Luna Vachon
Dreamers left hand is in a cast. It kicks off pre-bell but the camera misses it. Stevie stomps Luna as Raven and Dreamer fight ringside where Raven is DDTd. Testicular Claw to Stevie then a testicular toss I guess. Fallaway Slam and a neckbreaker to Stevie by Tommy and Luna respectively. Raven's been cut as he and Tommy fight by the entrance. Stevie is hit with an ironing board. Dreamer and Raven are back by the entrance way where Raven shuts Dreamers hand in a newspaper box. Double suplex to Luna then a double DDT. Raven ends up tied up in the ropes allowing Dreamer to hit a chair shot. Richards is superplexed but Beulah throws powder in Lunas face and Stevie gets 3. **1/2

Tod Gordon calls out Fonzie and makes him ref of the Taipei Deathmatch.

Taipei Deathmatch - Axl Rotten Vs. Ian Rotten
Glass is glued to their fists. Ian looks like the drummer from Les Alanos off of Phoenix Nights but with Brian Knobs-ish hair whilst Axl apparently loved tennis. Apparently they're Geordies as they're billed from Newcastle making both heels to me. All gets the first shot in and Fonzie stops the match saying Ian has impaired vision. The Gangstas and Public Enemy are fighting by the entrance. Gordon's in the ring and restarts the match. The blood is flowing now as Ian cuts All with the glass across his forehead then digs it in. All hits a superkick then digs glass into Ian's turnip as Ian is wearing the crimson mask. There's a guy in the crowd who looks like my best mate from high school. Ian goes low which should end the match as aint no man getting up from that, I'd still be lay out in Philly 23 years on. Thumbtacks are brought into play by Ian but he gets dropped on them then Axl hits a splash for the 3 count. *

Cut now to Dreamer/Luna fighting Stevie/Raven. Pitbulls come out as Stevie tells them to Superbomb Luna but soon Pitbulls and the champions are fighting and Stevie is about to be Superbombed when the Dudleys make the save. There was a drink/drug problem in wrestling and going by Dreamers pants he may be the worst affected. The first teams are fighting again until Pitbills get involved as do the Dudleys.

ECW World Title - Sandman (c) (w/ Woman) vs. Cactus Jack
This being WWE I'm guessing Sandmans theme is a dub job here. Cactus has barbed wire around his fist. One fan seems to be having the time of their life dancing to Jack's theme. Cane shot to Cactus after Woman hits him with a beer or something. Cactus is sent ringside then Sandman comes over the top with a cane shot, surely that should add 50x the power and send Cactus into the floor thus leaving just his head and shoulders visible. Cactus gets in cane shots of his own, Sandman pump fakes when Cactus swings at the post but Cactus pump fakes the pump fake and hits Sandman. Cane shot to the barbed wire wrapped wrist. Sandman lands some cane shots, Woman gets one in too, then DDTs Cactus on a chair. Slingshot legdrop gets Sandman 2, he's that drunk I assume he thinks he's Rey Mysterio Jr. Woman brings some barbed wire as Sandman piledrives Cactus on a chair then puts the barbed wire around himself and splashes Cactus, I think Sabu does something similar at Born To Be Wired. Cactus Elbow with a chair connects after Sandman is dumped to ringside. Cactus pulls Sandmans shirt, with barbed wire, over his head then hits a legdrop with a chair. Woman canes Cactus so he shoves her down. Ref Bump! Shane Douglas runs in and piledrives Sandman then hits Cactus and Sandman gets 3. ** Tod Gordon comes out and Shane says he'll stay in ECW if Gordon begs him, Gordon tells him he's f----ing fired. Shane attacks as fans seem to chant for 911 who comes out and Chokeslams Shane straight into Dean Douglas hell.

The Public Enemy Vs. The Gangstas
No real themes here. I'm a big fan of Public Enemy,  the hip-hop maestros not the tag team. Gangstas are rocking Raiders. Mustafa walks straight into a frying pan shot. Grunge is cut. Mustafa and Fly Boy have fought through the crowd. As Grunge uses an umbrella to clothesline New Jack. Fly Boy hits a drive-by off the announce area putting Mustafa through a table but the tables are soon turned as Mustafa puts Fly Boy through a table. New Jack is busted and hit with a mailbox. Fly Boy goes into a fan, of the air blowing variety not human, if ECW fans count as human mind. Grunge leg drops, sort of anyway as he lands stamding, New Jack through a table. Grunge has a frying pan and he's not afraid to use it now he has a bat with RSPW on it, think that's a wrestling site or something. Mustafa powerslams Grunge but Fly Boy makes the save. Grunge goes low with a croquet mallet. Fly Boy Moonsaults New Jack through a table. Fly Boy comes off the top with the croquet mallet on Mustafa and gets 3. The fans are invited to join Public Enemy to celebrate, turns out it wasn't the ring break episode. **1/2

13.5/35 - Thats not a good score obviously but two matches combined for 1.5/10 which kind of gave the show no chance of breaking .500 and they were just ridiculously booked (Hack Myers match) and just horrendous (Rottens match), the latter of which belongs on one of them shows promoted in early 2000 by the garbage companies and not on a 'big 3' show, it was ECW at its worst.
There's nothing here which is must see although the main and the Tag Title matches were kind of ECW at its best in terms of structure, you can see how they were ahead of the times with this as it's basically the formula WWE would emulate for their hardcore division, albeit done in a more comical than violent way, and the WWE brawl style Stone Cold would bring to the masses.
It's not good in the traditional sense but there is something endearing about it in terms of excitement and the crowd shows you how a noisy crowd, in a good way not a trying to make it about them way like 2018 WWE crowds, makes a difference and its no wonder this was popular in 1995 with the style and characters when compared to 1995 WCW and WWF, you have an exciting mature product here compared to the Hogan show down in Atlanta and Diesel topping the bill in New York, though Diesel did have the odd cracker with Bret and HBK overall it was a low point.