ECW Barely Legal

ECW BARE-KNUCLES IT OUT IN PHILLY - TERRY FUNK CAPTURES ECW TITLE!

April 13th, 1997, will go down in the annals of Extreme Championship Wrestling history as a night to remember. The ECW Arena in Philadelphia was packed to the rafters with a passionate crowd of 1,250 fans, all eager to witness some of the most electrifying action the wrestling world has to offer.

The show kicked off with a thrilling tag team contest, as The Eliminators (John Kronus and Perry Saturn) successfully defended their ECW World Tag Team Titles against The Dudley Boyz. The high-flying action was non-stop, with both teams trading moves and near-falls in a match that had the crowd on its feet.

Next up was Rob Van Dam, who put on a clinic in his singles match against Lance Storm. The "Purist" proved why he's one of the best in the business, showcasing his incredible aerial abilities and technical grappling skills to earn a hard-fought win over Storm. Match time: 10:10.

The Six-Man Tag Team Mayhem that followed was an absolute war zone! Gran Hamada, Masato Yakushiji, and The Great Sasuke - three of Japan's finest exports - took on Kaientai DX (Dick Togo, Taka Michinoku, and Terry Boy) in a match that featured more moves than you can shake a stick at. In the end, it was Hamada's team that emerged victorious, with Hamada himself scoring the pinfall victory. Match time: 16:55.

The ECW World Television Title was on the line next, as Shane Douglas faced Pitbull #2. Douglas' cunning and experience proved too much for the young challenger, as he successfully retained his title with a clever roll-up. Match time: 20:43.

Taz continued his winning ways by defeating Sabu in a hard-hitting singles match that featured plenty of high-impact action. The "Wild Child" got the best of Sabu, using his patented Tazmission submission hold to force the tap-out victory. Match time: 17:49.

The main event was an absolute barnburner - a Three-Way Elimination Match for the #1 Contendership to the ECW Heavyweight Title. Big Stevie Cool, The Sandman, and Terry Funk all clashed in a match that saw eliminations coming left and right. In the end, it was Funk who emerged victorious, last eliminating Sandman to claim the spot as next-in-line for Tommy Dreamer's title.

And speaking of Dreamer, he was the one defending his ECW Heavyweight Title against Raven. The two competitors put on a show, trading moves and near-falls in a match that had the crowd absolutely enthralled. In the end, Funk's experience and cunning proved too much for Raven, as he captured the title with a vicious chair shot to the back of the challenger.

What an evening it was! ECW once again proved why they're the premier professional wrestling promotion on the planet. If you missed this one, don't worry - just wait until the replay hits your TV screen or PPV. Trust me, you won't want to miss it!

Grade: A+

Recommendation: Don't miss the replay!

Card Details

• Date: 13 Apr 1997
• Promotion: Extreme Championship Wrestling
• Arena: ECW Arena
• Attendance: 1250
• Type: Pay Per View
• Broadcast Type: Live
• Broadcast Date: 13 Apr 1997

Matches

1. The Eliminators (John Kronus and Perry Saturn)(C) defeat The Dudley Boyz in a ECW World Tag Team Title Match

2. Rob Van Dam defeat Lance Storm in a Singles Match
   Match Time: 10:10

3. Gran Hamada, Masato Yakushiji and The Great Sasuke defeat Kaientai DX (Dick Togo, Taka Michinoku and Terry Boy) in a Six Man Tag Team Match
   Match Time: 16:55

4. Shane Douglas(C) defeat Pitbull #2 in a ECW World Television Title Match
   Match Time: 20:43

5. Taz defeat Sabu in a Singles Match
   Match Time: 17:49

6. Terry Funk defeat Big Stevie Cool and The Sandman in a ECW Heavyweight Title #1 Contendership Three Way Elimination Match
   Match Time: 19:10

7. Terry Funk(C) defeat Raven in a ECW Heavyweight Title Match