It’s February 5, 2005 and we’re on the air with WWE Afterburn!
Our host today is Josh Matthews. The Royal Rumble has already passed and it came down to two men: Batista and John Cena. Batista got the W. The problem was, and nobody mentions this, Cena should have won the thing, because Cena’s right foot hit Batista’s head when they both fell out. Anyway,
In the ring, we have John Cena. Cena wants to talk about controversy. He says every time you hear his name, you attach the word controversial. Not really. Well, his hat is blurred. He’s still got his Chain Gang and he appreciates that. He congratulates Batista and even hopes he does come to Smackdown. Theodore shows up, as usual, to ruin the party. He wants to make the WM WWE title match as soon as possible. So, there will be an eight-man #1 contenders tournament. The winner of that tournament will meet the champ at WM (duh). If Batista arrives to SD, then it will a triple threat match. JBL’s cabinet now comes and JBL tells Long “what the hell is wrong with you?” It’s already bad enough he has to wrestle Big Show in barb wire cage match, but he has wrestle against some guy, and possibly Batista. Well, he has to wrestle someone at WM anyway, and JBL said he have no problem wrestling Batista, so what’s his beef? JBL is great wrestler and a draw, or so he says. JBL wants the tournament cancelled. Why? Long says no. Next week, it’s OJ vs John Cena. Now that Jordan is in, JBL has no problem. The fans chant “Shut up”. JBL says Cena isn’t in his league. So, Cena throws OJ over the top rope and gives JBL an FU.
Coming Up: Booker & Eddy have a talk
Up Next: Angle vs Nunzio
Commercials
We’re back with Josh talking about how great it would be for Batista to go to Smackdown. Long is a great GM, says Josh. JBL vs Big Show in a barb wire cage match. An 8-man tournament for #1 contender. As far far as Kurt Angle, he didn’t have such a good night at the Royal Rumble: lost a triple threat and was eliminated from the Royal Rumble. He did however eliminate HBK. Nunzio wasn’t happy about it.
Kurt Angle and Nunzio are in the ring. Nunzio wants to wrestle Angle now, now, now. It’s on. Angle tries to hit Nunzio with the microphone, but it’s ducked.
Angle vs Nunzio. Angle starts by working on the arm, but they get too close to the ropes. Lock up and more mat work. Nunzio gets a cradle for a 2 count. Is this what Nunzio wants? A fluke win? Angle with a slap, now Nunzio with a slap. In the corner, whip by Angle, Angle misses a charge and Nunzio gets a rollup for 2 count. Duck, forearms by Nunzio, off the ropes, reverse, somewhat of German by Angle. Angle Slam. Ankle lock and Nunzio grabs the ropes. Angle brings Nunzio in the center and there’s a tapout.
Coming UP: Rene Dupree vs Undertaker
Up next: Rey Mysterio vs Mark Jindrak
Commercials
Afterburn returns with Josh talking about the tournament. Angle vs Mysterio is in the first round.
JIP, Rey Mysterio vs Mark Jindrak. Mysterio gives Jindrak a kick to the face twice. Two kicks to the knee by Rey, whip by Jindrak, Rey slides under, Rey with punches to the stomach. Off the ropes, duck, springboard cross body block. Forearms by Rey, off the ropes into a big boot by Mark. Mark going for something, Rey gets out of it with a drop toe hold and in the position for a 619. Jindrak blocks it with a sideslam. Kicks and a choke by Jindrak. Hard whip into the corner and now, a chinlock. Rey gets out of it with kicks. Big left hand by Jindrk and gets a 2 count. Suplex by Mark, then a kipup. A few elbow drops, then does a Rick Rude impression and misses a elbow. Rey goes off the ropes, dropkick. Rey with punches and kicks. Jindrak with a back body drop, but Rey lands on the apron. Shoulder to the gut by Rey. Springboard Thesz Press for a 2 count. Kick, off the ropes, Jindrak with a backbreaker for a 2 count. Jindrak misses a charge and Mysterio continues with the stiff kicks. In position for the 619 -> Bang! Rey goes for a springboard something, goes over, flying headscissors into the buckle, rollup for the 1, 2, 3.
Next week, in Japan, it’s Rey Mysterio vs Kurt Angle.
Up Next: Big Show vs Basham Bros
Commercials
We’re back with Afterburn.
JIP, Show vs Bashams. Show in with one of them. Two chops by Big Show. Beal and there’s a tag. Headbutt to the other. Bodyslam and whip to the corner. Clothesline to the other. Basham puts the foot up twice and dropkicks the knee. Cross body by Doug and a cover by Danny for a 2 count. Danny beats on Show, but he pushes him away. Tag to Doug. More punching and kicking. Tag to Danny. Doug whips his brother into a big boot by Show. Clothesline to Doug. Headbutts to both, both whipped in the corner and now a splash. Chop by Danny. Shhh, chop. Doug comes in with a chair, almost hits Doug, Show punches Doug. Danny is out of there. Chokeslam to Doug for the cover, the count and the victory.
More Josh Matthews. More hype for No Way Out.
JIP, Undertaker vs Rene Dupree, first round. UT with an old school to Dupree. Luther and Mark are at ringside. UT with Kanyon’s move. UT going for the cover, but Jindrak puts Dupree’s foot on the ropes. Whip by UT to corner, sideslam. Elbow. UT misses another one. Clothesline by Dupree to the outside, but UT lands on feet, just like the old days. UT snaps Dupree’s neck on the ropes. UT has Luther and Mark in a choke, but Rene gets a baseball slide. Luther and Mark are kicking UT. Rene is out and beats on UT. Dupree going for something, but gets caught and hit back first into the post. Legdrop to Dupree on the apron. Back in the ring, UT with a punch to Dupree. UT misses a charge and hits his knee on the buckle. Rene hits the other knee, then the correct one. More work on the knee. UT with punches. Dropkick by Dupree for a 2 count. UT with right hands. Whip to the corner, reverse, Dupree walks into a big boot, powerslam by Dupree for a 2 count. A few elbows. And now, the dance. UT with a situp. Exchange of punches. Off the ropes by UT, backbody drop. Clothesline. Chokeslam comping up, no, knee lift, off the ropes by Dupree, head down, DDT. UT with a chokeslam. Now, a triangle choke. Luther on the apron, UT lets go and Dupree gets dragged out by Jindrak. UT goes out, punches Jindrak, big boot for Luther, Dupree back on the attack. Dupree whipped into the stairs. UT tries to get in, but Luther grabs his leg and both men are counted out. Tombstone to Dupree.
Up Next: Eddy Guerrero vs Booker T
Commercials
We’re back with our final segment of Afterburn.
JIP, Eddy Guerrero vs Booker T, first round. Booker with a resthold. Eddy with a jawbreaker and punches. Clotheslines. Off the ropes, reverse, dropkick by Eddy and gets a 2 count. Three amigos. To the top rope, misses froggy. Spinerooni by Booker and a spinkick to the referee. Eddy on the attack, off the ropes, Booker with a knee to the gut, scissors kick. Booker with the cover, but there’s no ref. Now, Nick Patrick counts 2. Chop by Booker, going for a slam, no, Eddy pushes Booker into Patrick. Eddy goes down and holds his knee. Oh no, first Vince, now Eddy! Booker looks concerned. Eddy gets up, but when Booker turns around, Eddy goes back down. It looks like Booker already figures what’s going on. Kick by Eddy, suplex attempt, but Booker T rolls him up and hooks the tights for the 3 count.
Next week in Japan:
John Cena vs Orlando Jordan
Kurt Angle vs Rey Mysterio
Thanks to Carlito’s petition, Theodore Long will NOT be in Japan next week.
Josh Matthews says his goodbyes and that does it for Afterburn.
