ECW Hardcore TV #1
4/6/93Run Time: 38:16
Card:
Super Destroyers (c) vs. Hell Riders - ECW Tag Team Title Match (DUD)
Tommy Cairo vs. Salvatore Bellomo - TV Title Tournament First Round Match (1/2*)
Tony Stetson vs. Rockin' Rebel (DUD)
Jimmy Snuka vs. Larry Winters - TV Title Tournament First Round Match (1/2*)
Sal Bellomo vs. Ernesto Benefico (DUD)
Best Segment
I really dug that opening segment with the showdown between Terry Funk and Eddie Gilbert. There was clearly chemistry there and it sets up tension right away and also lays out that Gilbert is our main heel and will be steering the ship week to week. It got us going strong right out of the gate.
Best Performance
Terry Funk was great on commentary. He was really funny and added some good legitimacy to the broadcast. His opening showdown with Eddie Gilbert was well done too and sets up some strong tension right out of the gate. On a night filled with soft matches, Funk helped keep everything watchable. And he even promised the fans that the show and performances would get better as the weeks go on. What a guy.
Biggest Surprise
I was pretty surprised a bum like Rockin' Rebel was set up as the #1 contender for the ECW Heavyweight Title. He looked like a hack and was pretty poor in the ring in his match tonight. The name is goofy and his look is goofy. Hopefully he is shuffled out of the picture soon. I am also always surprised and confounded that Sal Bellomo was trolling around here in his bizarre Wildman gimmick.
Most 90s Moment
The graphics. All of the graphics were so early 90s. It will be like that for a while, so I will give them an honorary award to open up this series. Honorable mention to Rockin' Rebel's mullet. It was fairly glorious.
Additional Observations
I like the tournament idea, makes the SportsChannel debut feel like a big deal; Pretty fitting that Terry Funk pops up right out of the gate on episode one; I also like how we kick right off with a title match, they definitely are making this episode stand out; The gear on both the Destroyers and Hell Riders is so damn low rent, it is basically backyard wrestling quality; Stevie Wonderful is carrying the commentary here, he sounds the smoothest and is pretty funny; It is so bizarre seeing Sandman as the beach bum in his surf gear; during this music video; Sal Bellomo's bizarre wild man gimmick will never cease confounding me; I like how they announce the seeds of Bellomo and Cairo to add some legitimacy to the tournament; Tommy Cairo is undefeated in ECW apparently; I don't know how Bellomo wrestles in that absurd costume; Tony Stetson's prematch enthusiasm was certainly infectious; Rebel is apparently the number one contender to the ECW Heavyweight Title; Jimmy Snuka's sidepiece, hache mache; Good way to set up Hot Stuff International here, strong out of the gate; Snuka is the #1 seed so he is getting a real hard push here and he really beat the piss out of Winters
Enjoyment Power Rankings1. Terry Funk
2. Stevie Wonderful
3. Eddie Gilbert
4. Jimmy Snuka
5. Sal Bellomo
6. Tony Stetson
7. Rockin' Rebel
8. Jay Sulli
9. Super Destroyers
10. Hunter Q. Robbins
Top 10 Matches1. Jimmy Snuka vs. Larry Winters - 4/6/93 (1/2*)
2. Tommy Cairo vs. Salvatore Bellomo - 4/6/93 (1/2*)
3. Super Destroyers (c) vs. Hell Riders - 4/6/93 (DUD)
4. Sal Bellomo vs. Ernesto Benefico - 4/6/93 (DUD)
5. Tony Stetson vs. Rockin' Rebel - 4/6/93 (DUD)
All Time Appearance Tracker
Jay Sulli
Stevie Wonderful
Tod Gordon
Eddie Gilbert
Terry Funk
Hunter Q. Robbins III
Super Destroyer #1
Super Destroyer #2
EZ Ryder
HD Ryder
Tommy Cairo
Salvatore Bellomo
Cosmic Commander
Johnny Hot Body
Tony "Hitman" Stetson
Rockin' Rebel
Jimmy Snuka
Jimmy Snuka's Side Piece
Larry Winters
Ernesto Benefico
Final Grade: 3/10 Paul E. Dangerously Cell Phones
Original Publish Date: October 2017
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