Background: Steve Corino had been picking up wins and impressive losses to the point he earned the chance to not only stick it to The Network associated with Justin Credible, but also win the ECW World Heavyweight title from Credible.
ECW on TNN
New York, NY
August 26, 2000
Justin Credible vs. Steve Corino
After having his manager Jack Victory banned from ringside, Steve Corino announced Dawn Marie would be his second for this one; potentially preventing Francine from interfering on behalf of the champ. Dey was a clubberin’ at da sound of da bell in New Yolk, Tony! Big Irish whip from Corino sent the champ sailing to the floor for some more brawling in the challenger’s favor. The fans were even being taken out by Credible’s flying body being pitched over the steel guardrails. With Corino getting cheered, the challenger turned his back to the champ in hopes of gaining some unusual adulation; only to get mule kicked in the groin when he refocused on the task at hand. Justin was finally able to turn the tables in his favor, though Corino wasn’t going down without a fight as he exchanged knife edge chops any time Credible threw some of his own. Francine handed Credible a chair that Justin opened in the ring’s middle to slam Corino face first against the steel. It was all Credible as the fans jeered him. Tossing Corino to the floor, Credible grabbed the timekeeper’s table across the ring and nearby guardrail to create a bridge. Before Corino could fight back and potentially put Credible through the table, Francine came off the apron with a hurricarana that took out Corino and had Dawn chasing her until Marie ran into the champ.
Taking control again by bring the fight back into the ring, Credible tried to ground his latest challenger while the fans rallied behind Corino. Feeling their energy, Corino fought out of the rear chin lock to utilize the slingshot to propel Credible over the top rope to put him through the table!
Thankfully for Credible he didn’t take the most horrendous fall possible, but was still behind the figurative eight ball thanks to the fisticuffs of Corino including a bionic elbow a la Dusty Rhodes. Credible got a taste of his own medicine, being kicked in the groin as well before he had to save Francine from being attacked by Corino when she attempted to interfere. Corino turned Credible’s Irish whip against him, only to send the champ into the unsuspecting referee. Lou E. Dangerously ran in, smashing his cell phone on Corino’s head! As if that wasn’t enough, Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins fame entered to get some retribution on Dangerously by bashing him on the head with a guitar. Credible saw his chance, looking to Singapore cane Corgan, but the champ hit nothing but turnbuckle as Corgan fled and Corino super kicked the stunned titleholder … to gain a near fall!
The fans were furious that a new referee not running into the ring fast enough hampered Corino’s sure pin. Credible left the ring to retrieve another table after catching Corino with the clothesline. Placing the table in the corner, Credible’s instrument of destruction was used against him after he was driven through another table. Before Corino could go for the pin, Francine entered the ring. Dawn ran for the interception to cause a catfight. With Francine staggered, Corino had the chance to unleash his fury on her; but Credible had other things in mind as he split Corino’s skull with a well-place Singapore cane shot. Corino was lying against the ropes, getting caned repeatedly until Credible caught him with another cane shot to the head as Corino demanded him to bring it on. Credible went for the pin on a collapsing Corino, but it wasn’t over just yet. The champ wasn’t deterred, going for That’s Incredible; only for “The King of Old School” to reverse it into Old School Expulsion … to give the challenger a near fall!
Grabbing steel chairs and throwing them into the ring, Corino wanted to crack the champ’s skull. Francine jumped in front of her client, only to take a tombstone piledriver. Corino rose to a thunderous ovation, only to walk into a kick to the stomach topped off by That’s Incredible on the chairs Corino tossed into the ring. Credible made the pin, getting the three count to retain.
Winners: Justin Credible (14:27)
Is It A Classic: Absolutely fantastic outing and something of a lost gem during the last days of ECW. The crowd was white-hot and really added to the atmosphere of two guys busting out all the best hits you’d expect from a big time ECW title match. It’s hard not to recommend this match more if you wanted to see, no matter the time, just what the original ECW was all about.
