Background: At Born to Be Wired only two weeks earlier, Spike Dudley was able to pin former ECW TV & Heavyweight champion Bam Bam Bigelow in nothing short of an upset. Angered, Bigelow entered “Hardcore Heaven ‘97” looking for revenge.
Hardcore Heaven ‘97
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
August 17, 1997
Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Spike Dudley
Though Dudley came in fired up with a chair in hand, it was Bigelow who dominated the early going; literally hip tossing Spike from one corner to the other. Avalanche splash by Bigelow almost crushed Spike like a cockroach. The fans were looking for Bigelow to pitch Spike into the crowd as he had done in the past. Dudley had something else in mind, turning a crucifix into a modified face buster. Spike was getting some momentum, going for the hurricarana. Instead, Bigelow almost power bombed Dudley through the mat. The fans were going crazy as Bigelow literally press slammed Spike across the steel support that held the turnbuckles. “The Beast From the East” reassured the begging fans he would give them what they wanted. With Spike high over his head, Bigelow got a running start before chucking Spike into the second row!
Dudley was bleeding from the head, barely able to stand, and had a group of fans trying to surf his body until security stopped them. Bigelow watched from the ring, doing cartwheels to pass the time until he got tired of waiting. Bam Bam pulled Spike into the ring, The Bam Bam Moonsault was the death strike for Bigelow, allowing him to pin Spike and avenge his loss.
Winner: Bam Bam Bigelow (7:22)
Is It A Classic: An unadulterated slaughter. Spike Dudley wasn’t given a chance before being mauled and beaten to the joy of everyone watching. It was the death-less equivalent of people being fed to lions in the Roman Coliseum.
