Welcome to the SLTD PPV Rewind, a retrospective column looking back at the PPVs of 2006, a decade after they happened. This time it’s ECW One Night Stand.
Tazz Vs. Jerry Lawler
Just a match to get the fans going, Tazz wins this very short match after rendering Jerry Lawler unconscious with the Tazmission. One point for the fans, another for the match.
Rating: 2/5
Randy Orton Vs. Kurt Angle
Definitely one of the best crowds of 2006, the ECW fans take warmly to Kurt Angle and have some choice words for Randy Orton. This is a bit more of a technical wrestling match than one would expect going into an ‘ECW’ show and there were moments in this match where I felt Angle was trying to put a bit more of an aggression spin on his throws/suplexes in order to pander to the crowd but, in an interesting turn of events, the fans in attendance were popping hard and loud for Angle’s amateur maneuvers, even chanting “You can’t wrestle” at Orton.
Very good opener, fantastic ‘introduction’ for Angle to the ECW crowd ready for his position on the newly established third brand. Angle wins after Orton taps to the ankle lock after an enthralling closing sequence.
Rating: 4/5
The Full Blooded Italians Vs. Tajiri & Super Crazy
Solid tag team match with a lot of nice spots, all four men delivering their best to make the most of the time given. A lot of nostalgia for and appreciation from the fans in attendance which I feel is going to be a running sentiment throughout this show.
It’s great to see Tajiri again, Super Crazy impresses as always, Little Guido/Nunzio is largely overlooked while Tony Mamaluke is a very good worker, shame we didn’t see more of a lot more of him.
The FBI win after hitting a double fisherman buster on Tajiri. Big Show comes out after the match and cleans house, maybe not the best idea to try and get the fans on side although they seem to appreciate the carnage and additions to Show’s moveset so who am I to judge?!
Rating: 3/5
World Heavyweight Championship: Rey Mysterio Vs. Sabu
Yet another good match on this card albeit a short one by traditional World Championship match length. Sabu brings all his greatest hits, throwing chairs, triple jump moonsaults, Arabian facebusters and, to his credit, Mysterio hits back just as hard combining his common fare high flying offense with more extreme maneuvers such as driving Sabu through a table with a West Coast Pop.
Despite the short time, both men deliver an frenzied aerial spectacle only downfall is a finish that protects the championship and both competitors. Match ends in a no contest after Sabu jumps off the top rope and delivers a DDT to Mysterio through a table. Bullshit chants ensue!
Rating: 4/5
Mick Foley, Edge & Lita Vs. Terry Funk, Tommy Dreamer & Beulah
Originally set to be a tag team match between the men, Beulah suggests the women get involved too, why the hell not?!
Starting out with some traditional wrestling holds/maneuvers, it’s not long before this one turns into the hardcore brawl we were all expecting. Ladders, barbed wire, tables, fire, nothing is off limits. All six competitors take the pain and bumps in the only way they can but to the praise of the fans in attendance.
The rule book and traditional match pacing/style are thrown out of the window, no false finishes, no internal commentary around who will or won’t win, this match resembles a stunt show and if you like that sort of thing, you’ll love this. Thankfully, I like it.
Edge hits Beulah with a spear to pick up the win for his team.
Rating: 4/5
Balls Mahoney Vs. Masato Tanaka
Tame in comparison to the last match but a perfectly placed crowd pleaser with both men swinging chairs like it’s going out of fashion. More of the same but it reflects the overall card well.
Balls Mahoney wins after hitting Tanaka with a steel chair.
Rating: 3/5
WWE Championship: John Cena Vs. Rob Van Dam
Talk about a hostile crowd, Cena takes it, well, like a champ to his credit. Much like Mysterio earlier, RVD combines his common aerial fare with weapons to create a well-received extreme arsenal of moves that Cena essentially sits back and takes for the most part.
The fans get really vocal when Cena has the upper hand, he tries to incorporate foreign objects to his repertoire but looks a little out of place doing so. However, his slight nods to a heelish persona (influenced by the negative reaction) make for a breath of fresh air from his superman persona.
A very good championship match with many variations to keep it fresh and interesting. Rob Van Dam wins the WWE Championship after Edge interferes, spearing Cena through a table and Paul Heyman counts the 1-2-3.
Rating: 4/5
Final Thoughts:
Need I say more? Good-Great matches all round and not a damp squib in sight. The only thing missing would have been some five star classics but they got pretty damn close.
25/35 – A-
2006 PPV Ranking:
- ECW One Night Stand – A-
- No Way Out – C
- Wrestlemania 22 – C
- Backlash – C
- Judgment Day – C-
- Royal Rumble – C-
- New Year’s Revolution – D-
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