[2001-02-10-JCW-Rugged Valentine] Da Hit Squad vs The Moondogs 2000 & Ricky O (Handicap)

[Migs]

This is a handicap match, with the Moondogs being joined by their manager (who previously had turned on DHS). If anyone goes to the outside of the ring, they are apparently disqualified, which seems incredibly limiting. I also need to point out it seems like half the commentary has been erased, as there's one announcer but he's clearly replying to someone at points (either that or making very odd non-sequitors about children's birthday parties).

 

The Moondogs get tossed out early, and then Monsta Mack tosses Mafia out onto them - I guess getting thrown out is a loophole?

 

The Moondogs are fun power workers and plausible foes for DHS. They take a lot of the match, and it's pretty enjoyable. Very lame finish with a fake chairshot DQ. Watchable but not strongly recommended.

[GSR]

So Ricky O was the manager that turned on Da Hit Squad at the last JCW event, and they have a chance to get some revenge on him here in this handicap match for the tag team titles. An additional stipulation has been added, presumably at the insistence of O, in that should any team member do battle outside the ring they’ll be disqualified and the match will be over. DHS have got a couple of chairs, swinging them about, making it difficult for the Moondogs to even get into the ring. Eventually they discard them and the two team’s square up to one another. A double clothesline sends Mollson over the top rope to the floor, before back dropping a charging Wenzel out onto him. A tope by Mack, with Mafia slingshotting his own partner to give him a bit of extra speed. Remembering the rules, Mack picks Wenzel up and throws him back inside. Spinebuster for a one count. Mafia with a running splash in the corner that’s followed by a big Mack clothesline. Pumphandle suplex, elbow drop, but Mafia would rather pick Wenzel up to dish out some more punishment than go for the cover. A pair of clubbing clotheslines fail to take Mollson off his feet, Mack heads upstairs, crossbody, but the big man catches him mid-air turning it into a powerslam. Combination side slam/neckbreaker for a two count. Ricky O wants a taste of the action and punts Mack in the sternum. He mirrors the Junkyard Dog, getting on all fours, then headbutts him, although it looks like he hurts himself more than his opponent with that one. Mollson ties Mack in the ropes and the Dogs take in turns splashing him against them. Wenzel and he trade hard chops until a jumping DDT puts a stop to any potential comeback. Leg lariat and this time Mafia is in to break up the cover. Camel clutch, but Wenzel quickly gives up on that when it looked like he might’ve got somewhere had he stuck with it a tad longer. A textbook double suplex and once again Mafia saves his partner. Rolling senton by Wenzel followed by a Vader splash off the middle. He goes for it a second time, but this time Mack gets his knees up before ducking the clothesline and finally making the hot tag. Mafia is the proverbial ‘house of fire’ as the Dogs bump and feed for him. Irish whip, however Mollson sees the back drop coming and keeps hold of the ropes as Mafia gets levelled by a Wenzel flying lariat. Mollson grabs him in a full nelson and O passes Wenzel a steel chair. As O then distracts the referee, he goes to blast Mack over the head with it but ends up accidentally hitting his own partner instead. Wenzel throws the chair to Mafia, the official turns around to see him holding it and instantly disqualifies Da Hit Squad. The commentator is a bit confused over this ruling, thinking that it was only battling around ringside that they couldn’t do. DHS nail the referee over the head with the chair while Ricky O doesn’t realise that he’s all alone in there with them now. When he does he offers them his hand wanting to make peace and when that doesn’t work is down on his knees begging for forgiveness. Is he really that naïve? O gets laid out with a stiff clothesline and DHS then hammer away at his ankle with repeated chair shots, having to be carried from the ring by the time they are done.

 

My favourite of the three matches from this ‘Rugged Valentine’ show, but that finish took the wind right out of me. I thought it was very good up until then, and a different dynamic was added here with the teams being confined to the ring and not being able to fight all around the building (which is what you would’ve naturally expected from them after how their previous two meetings went). A lousy finish in what has been a night for them in JCW, although another match showing the diversity of DHS (and the Moondogs).