Extreme Archive: ECW Super Summer Sizzler Spectacular 1993

I’m doing a little something different this week. I purchased the ECW Super Summer Sizzler Spectacular show on DVD, and figured I could review the arena matches instead of ones that are shot specifically for television. ¹. So, let’s go to beautiful South Philadelphia for a rather hot and steamy night in a concrete bingo parlor with no air conditioning!

ECW Super Summer Sizzler Spectacular

Taped: June 19, 1993
Availability: DVD
Taping Location: ECW Arena in South Philadelphia, PA
Announcing Team: Jay Sulli & Various

Synopsis

Pre-match Segment

Tod Gordon (wearing a decent suit) and Jay Sulli (in a horrible tuxedo shirt), are standing around some middle-aged white guys outside the ECW Arena, who are ‘psyched’ for the big show tonight. ²

And we’re greeted to the standard ECW Title Sequence? Really?

Match #1: Television Title Match: Jimmy Snuka vs. JT Smith

Jay Sulli and Paul E. Dangerously announce this match. Sign in the background saying “Sulli must go”. Wow that’s a little cold for an independent wrestling show, but nice to know that the writing was on the wall even to fans in 1993.

The first of two television title matches. Slow to start out, feeling each other out. Headlock on Snuka into a running shoulder block, hiptossed by Snuka. Sulli actually asks a good question, as Snuka is wrestling with boots on and not his normal barefoot, and Dangerously answers that Snuka bases his choices based on his opponent. Good question and good answer.

Smith takes Snuka to the mat. JT on the offense and Snuka slides out of the ring. Snuka back in acting very cocky, and Smith rolls up for a near fall. Snuka backs up Smith, and hits him with knees and knife edges. Flying cross body by Smith. Snuka works over the injured knee of Smith with a knee breaker and a chop block. Jumping piledriver by Snuka followed by a rib breaker. Snuka to the top, Superfly splash for the pinfall.

Time of match: 5:36
Result: Snuka pins Smith cleanly after the Snuka Splash
Rating: *1/2 (Barely an acceptable television match)

Match #2: First Blood Match: Larry Winters vs. “Hitman” Tony Stetson

Interesting pose, as Stetson comes down with his hands clasped behind his back to ensure he doesn’t slap hands with anyone. Winters comes down and Stetson attacks him before he even enters the ring. Off the ropes, and Stetson nails him with a taped fist punch to the forehead, and a second. Chops in the corner. Snap mare and a driving knee to the forehead. Stetson is a little sloppy in this match, but is going at a very nice speed for 1993. Seriously.

Stetson slams Winters, and goes up top and hits a flying leg drop. And Stetson unties the turnbuckle cover. ³ And the ECW crowd chants “We Want Blood” ⁴ Winters blocks being nailed in the corner with the unprotected turnbuckle. Winters takes over and nails Stetson in the corner. Winters up top, and a double axe handle from the top.

Flying clothesline by Stetson. Winters into the corner, and goes down. Stetson up top and thrown from the top rope. Kicks by Winters to the forehead. Winters nails Stetson who goes to the outside. Axe handle from Winters to the floor. Stetson into the corner again.

And down comes the Rockin’ Rebel to distract Winters, allowing Stetson to wrap a chain around the wrist, and nail Winters. And the referee declares the match over. Stetson and Rebel attack Winters after the bell. But Winters comes back and there’s no trace of blood on Winters (though the converted DVD is grainy).

Time of match: 5:37
Result: First Blood Stipulation after Stetson nailed Winters with a chain around his wrist.
Rating: ** (Stetson really picked up his game for this one, so that gets an extra ½ point)

Match #3: Catfight Humiliation Match: Terrible Tigra vs. Miss Peaches

The winner of the match is the one who tears her opponent’s clothes off. There won’t be much recap of this. Slaps and rolling around on the floor. Tigra is able to tear off peaches top, exposing Peaches red bra. Tigra nearly gets peaches shorts off, showing off the white undies. Peaches climbs on Tigra’s t-shirt, who is wearing a glittery bra. Tigra starts running off, and is chased back by an unknown woman, and Tigra’s lycra shorts are ripped off.

Breaking News – ECW Extreme Moment #011

Rebel and Stetson come down to attack Peaches, and they tear the top off the unknown woman exposing her boosomages. (Rather massive boosomages actually). She covers up as Sandman and Winters make the save.

Time of match: 3:37
Result: Stipulation
Rating: ½

Match #4: Television Title Match: Jimmy Snuka w/ Paul E. Dangerously vs. Tommy Cairo

Cairo has smartly ditched the chaps. Paul E gets introduced to a tremendous ovation ⁵. Terry Funk joins us in the broadcast booth.

Lockup and clean break. Test of strength, and Cairo hits and overhead suplex, and a series of hip tosses, slam, and a running enzugiri. Snuka out of the ring and confers with Paul E. Lockup again, Snuka with a knee to the midsection, knife edge. Snuka sits on Cairo who goes for a sunset flip for a pinfall. Snuka with the thumb to the throat to ensure that he turns away from the referee. ⁶. Chops by Snuka. Running dropkick by Cairo, and a snap vertical suplex And a back-body drop.

Cairo with Snuka in the comer. Running elbow on Snuka. Scoops slam, and Snuka rolls out of the ring. Vertical suplex from outside the ring. Near fall. Snuka throws Cairo off the ropes, and Paul E grabs Cairo’s leg, and he goes down. Snuka gets a pin with his feet on the ropes. Snuka and Paul E. head for the back. And Cairo slaps hands as he leaves the ring after a loss?

Time of match: 6:08
Result: Pinfall with interference from Paul E. Dangerously and pinfall with feet on the ropes.
Rating: *1/2

Match #5: Philly Street Fight: The Sandman vs. The Rockin’ Rebel

Rebel comes down in street clothes with a T-shirt that reads “I had peaches” and I think he’s eating one. Sandman comes down and slaps hands of the fans ON THE WAY TO A STREET FIGHT! Sandman attacks before the bell, pulling Rebel’s shirt over his head and lays in with punches and the horrible DDT. Starts choking Rebel over the top rope with the t-shirt. Scoop slam on the outside of the ring. Rebel thrown all over the ringside area. Back in the ring, Rebel is sent to the corner. Sandman runs in and runs into a boot, and Rebel hits the bulldog. Savante kick and then a reverse neck breaker on sandman. Side slam by Rebel.

Rebel throws Sandman out of the ring. Tries to hit him with a chair that bounces back into his own forehead ⁷). Sandman takes over. Chair shot by Sandman. Chair to the back by Sandman. Thrown back in the ring. Scoop slam on Rebel. Sandman to the top rope, but Rebel pulls referee John Finnegan in the way. Ref bump and on cue down comes Tony Stetson. Sandman fights off Stetson. DDT on Stetson. Atomic drop on Rebel. One leg dropkick from the top rope. Some unknown girl comes in, and Sandman pauses allowing her to spray hair spray in his eyes. ⁸ Rebel whips him with a belt, and covers Sandman for the three count.

Time of the match: 5:13
Result: Pinfall after interference from an unknown woman.
Rating: * (This wasn’t pretty, nor was it very exciting)

Match #6: Special Challenge Match: Dick Murdoch vs. Dark Patriot #2

Paul E. Dangerously says that the Dark Patriot is appearing in Japan, and cannot make it to the show, so his replacement will be Dark Patriot #2.

I have no clue as to the Dark Patriot #2 is, or why Doug Gilbert would be unable to attend the Super Summer Sizzler. I’ve looked all over the internet, and there’s no sign of him. But there’s also no sign of him ever appearing in another match for ECW.

Dick Murdoch comes down and starts attacking Paul E, and the Dark Patriot comes down attacking Murdoch. Series of punches and slams by the Dark Patriot. Funk is regaling us with stories of how tough Dick Murdoch is. Series of elbows by Murdoch and a solid standing dropkick by Dirty Dick Murdoch. ⁹. Driving elbow on Dark Patriot, and Terry Funk is actively cheering Murdoch. Dark Patriot hits him with something from the outside, and stuns the big Texan.

Murdoch starts giving potatoes to Dark Patriot 2 making him fall down. Out of the corner and gives Murdoch a shove. Murdoch thrown outside to the floor, and Dark Patriot 2 with an axe handle. Patriot back in, and tires to slam Murdoch from the apron, but Dick rolls through for the three count.

Time of the match: 5:40
Result: Pinfall from a roll-up.
Rating: * (Nothing special)

Match #7: Suicide Blondes (Johnny Hotbody & Richard Michaels) and Hunter Q. Robbins III vs. Sal Bellomo, Super Destroyer #1

I think Robbins is wearing a tuxedo body suit. This was supposed to be all three Suicide Blondes and Robins vs. both Super Destroyers. But Chris Candido left ECW to go to Smokey Mountain Wrestling, and I have no clue what happened to Super Destroyer #2. ¹⁰

Breaking News – ECW Extreme Moment #011

Jay Sulli announces that he has a guest joining him on the broadcast booth. He says that his co-host is from Pro Wrestling Illustrated, and I’m thinking that Gordon leveraged Bill Apter to do some color commentary, but no… To my utter delight he introduces… the future voice of ECW… Joey Styles!!!!!! ¹¹ Joey immediately heels it up, saying that Gordon opened the coffers and allowed him to come for the show. No mention of Candido, but the absence of Super D #2 is noted.

Super Destroyer is starting it with Richard Michaels. Arm wringer by Super D. Michaels then turn the tables on Super D and works on the arm. Super D back to his feet and drops an elbow. Super D tags in Bellomo. Arm drag by Bellomo. Sal tries to get Robbins to tag in, but Hunter refuses. Back in the faces corner, and Sal tags in Super D. Shoulder blocks in the corner, and Michaels goes to tag in, but no one is there. Richards gets the advantage, and tags in Hunter, who tries to choke Super D #1, but is immediately thrown back to his corner. Super D tags in Wonderful who forces Robins to run into the foot of Super D. Lots of tags, and Michaels is in the ring with Bellomo.

Bellomo with a chinlock, and lifts Michaels to his feet and hits the standing drop kick. Tag into Super D #1. Power slam on Michaels, but Super D pulls him up breaking up the count. ¹² Enzugiri by Super D. Joey Styles calls the reverse bulldog on Michaels, which completely baffles Jay Sulli. ¹³ Tag back into Sal. Richard pushes Bellomo back to the heel corner, and they choke Bellomo. Tag into Hotbody, and all three heels kicking Bellomo. Hotbody goes to work on Sal, driving his neck into the ropes. Triple team on Sal, who gives Hunter and Hotbody a double-clothesline and tags in Super D. Everyone in the ring, and the managers are fighting on the outside. Super D flips and lands on Michaels, and Bellomo follows it up with a running splash. Three count.

Sulli thanks Styles for joining him in the booth, and hopes to work with him in the future. ¹⁴

Time of the match: 10:09
Result: Sal Bellomo pinned Richard Michaels after a running splash.
Rating: * ½ (half comedy, half power match)

Match #8: Texas Chain Match Massacre: “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert w/ Paul E. Dangerously vs. Terry Funk

Jay Sulli is joined by Tod Gordon in the booth. Funk comes to the ring with the chain attached to his wrist. The rules are that after they are chained, the match only stops when one wrestler has touched all four corners. Gilbert tries to slide out of the ring, but Funk pulls him back in. Gilbert throws Funk over the top rope and out of the ring, but Funk pulls Gilbert out after him. Punches in the corner, and Funk rolls out of the ring. Wow this is really slow both guys are just pulling on the chain trying to get an advantage.

Funk back in the ring, slaps Eddie. Two chain wrapped punches by Gilbert after which he touches two turnbuckles. Funk pulls back, and whips Gilbert with the chain. Funk then wraps the chain around Eddie’s neck, and pulls him over his back choking Gilbert. Funk touches three turnbuckles, but Gilbert hits him with a punch. Gilbert ties up Funk, wrapping it around Funk’s neck. More punches from Eddie. Funk on the outside, and Gilbert gives chase. Funk is busted open and acting Funk-punch-drunk. Gilbert pulls the chain between Funks legs from behind. Gilbert wraps the chain around the head of Funk bleeding him more. Gilbert slaps three turnbuckles, but Funk pulls back on the chain. Gilbert punches, but back comes Funk. Funk with a series of punches with the chain, and Gilbert is busted open too.

Out of the ring for more punching. Funk chokes out Gilbert over the guardrail. Fighting into the crowd, and Funk starts beating Gilbert with the chain close to the entryway. Funk pulls Gilbert back to the ring. Funk tries to use the steps, but Gilbert fights back. Back in the ring, and both are punching each other. In a very contrived spot, Funk moves the referee (John Finnegan) into the corner for some help, and Gilbert accidentally nails him. Funk with an atomic drop, and touches two corners. John Finnegan is helped to the back and Kevin Christian will take over referee duties for the match. ¹⁵

Gilbert nails Funk and touches three turnbuckles, but Funk pulls him away. Funk gets the crazy look in his eye, and Funk attacks and drops Gilbert. Funk touches three corners, but as he is going for the fourth corner, the referee gets involved with Paul E, and Funk touches the fourth corner. Sulli and Gordon are elated, but Christian didn’t see the fourth turnbuckle. While Funk argues with the ref, Dangerously hands Gilbert a chair. Eddie nails Funk with it, and finishes with a piledriver. Eddie touches all four corners for the victory. Paul E puts the crown on Eddie as the announcers act disgusted, but given the ‘referee rules’ that we all know, it wasn’t blatant. But then Eddie hugs the referee and Paul E declares that Kevin Christian is “Freddie Gilbert”, but the microphone was bad and the fans were loud, so no one heard it.

Gordon enters the ring, and fires Christian on the spot. Both men push each other, and Dangerously nails Gordon with the phone. Out go the heels, as Gilbert runs from Funk. Funk puts the crown on Gordon’s head.

Time of the match: 17:16
Result: Eddie Gilbert touches all four corners to become King of Philadelphia.
Rating: ** (Sleepwalking through a violent match, in my opinion.)

Analysis

Historical Significance

• Eddie Gilbert defeats Terry Funk to become the King of Philadelphia.
• Jimmy Snuka defeats two wrestlers in the same night for the Television Title.
• First girl naked in an ECW ring.

Debuts

• Dick Murdoch
• Joey Styles (Extreme HOF)
• Angel
• Unknown Girl
• Freddie Gilbert

Verdict

Well, after two rather lousy weeks of ECW Television, this was a slight breath of fresh air, but it still isn’t very good. I can’t say that a single match rose above a 2-star for me. It’s out there on YouTube if you want to check it out, but there’s not much there.

Footnotes

1. Not that these would end up being that much better.
2. God I hope those are Tod Gordon’s friends who he promised to get on camera because that’s just sad otherwise.
3. Even in 1993, that trick always backfires.
4. Surprising to hear that in the ECW Arena, only because usually you got more blood than you wanted.
5. Welcome to Philly. We don’t play by standard face and heel rules here.
6. I said nice things last week about that one.
7. I’m totally not sure if that was an accidental hard way chair shot.
8. That’s two unknown women on the same card. Did the wrestlers hit the strip club BEFORE the card started and ran out of money?
9. That’s the 46 year old, 288 lbs. of Dick Murdoch.
10. Logic suggests that he would have been Dark Patriot #2, but I didn’t see the trademark arm tattoo of Super D #2, but it could be.
11. OMG… I totally wasn’t expecting that. I have rough knowledge of when the other members of Team Extreme showup, but I had no clue that Joey would be debuting at the Super Summer Sizzler.
12. Huh, a face pulls up a man when he’s down?
13. In full disclosure I would have called it a reverse DDT, but still.
14. Thank him for taking your job, too.
15. Once again telegraphing the action, they say that Christian is a new referee to ECW.