OVW TV 4/30/2005

Written by: Bob Colling

OVW TV
Date: 4/30/2005
From: Louisville, KY

Matches:
1.) Elijah Burke defeated Gangrel
2.) Danny Inferno defeated Steven Richards
3.) OVW Television Champion Brent Albright defeated OVW Heavyweight Champion Matt Morgan to win the title

Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) Gangrel has the early advantage working over Burke with basic strikes but misses a splash in the corner. Burke gets control with an arm drag to keep Gangrel on the canvas. Gangrel stops Burke with an eye rake and drops Burke across the top rope. Burke works over the chest of Burke on the apron and sends Elijah to the floor. Gangrel decks Burke with a right hand but only gets a two count on the cover attempt. Gangrel avoids a backdrop by hammering Burke over the back. Gangrel scoop slams Burke but misses an elbow drop. Burke delivers a series of strikes to drop Gangrel. Burke nearly wins with a spinning forearm but Gangrel stops him with an eye rake. Gangrel plants Burke with the Impaler DDT but Burke got his boot on the bottom rope. Burke gets up and plants Gangrel with a face buster for the win. (*1/2. It is neat to see Gangrel in the developmental scene for the company, but this wasn’t exceptionally good or anything. It’s a decent win for Burke since he recently lost the championship.)

2.) Steven Richards is brought out for an interview with Jim Cornette. Originally, Danny Inferno was supposed to be interviewed. Richards calls out Inferno to the ring so they can clear up a few things. Richards says that the father of Aaron Stevens has put a bounty on Inferno. Richards came down here because the father wanted him to collect on the bounty. Richards doesn’t need the money, thought. Richards says that he is the biggest survivor in this business and not Inferno, despite surviving the streets of New Jersey. Richards lists surviving many top names in ECW. Richards is a superstar of yesterday, today and forever while Inferno isn’t. Richards issues a singles match challenge to Inferno. Inferno has never backed down for a fight and he won’t tonight, either.

3.) Inferno gets the early advantage avoiding a leapfrog and clotheslines Richards. Inferno blocks a right hand and hammers away on Richards in the corner. Richards sends Inferno through the middle rope to the floor. Richards sends Inferno into the guard railing and they trade strikes on the floor. Richards stomps away on Inferno before hitting a neck breaker for a two count. They begin to trade strikes and chops with Inferno winning that exchange. Richards misses a splash in the corner and Inferno nearly gets a three count. Richards nearly sends Inferno into the referee and hits a super kick for a two count. Richards puts Inferno on the top turnbuckle but Inferno fights back with right hands. Richards kicks the ropes and crotches Inferno on the top. Inferno tosses Richards off the middle rope and hits an elbow drop from the top for the win. (*1/4. Seriously, they are trying anything they can to get Inferno over but it’s just not working. The angle with Richards seemed forced out of nowhere, too.)

4.) Albright quickly takes Morgan down to the canvas and dropkicks the knee of Morgan to keep him on the canvas. Albright went for the crowbar submission but Morgan avoided it and went to the floor. Morgan misses an elbow drop and Albright goes back to the arm looking for the submission. Albright spears Morgan in the corner and avoids a spear attempt by the champion. Morgan hit his shoulder on the post and Albright went for the crowbar again but Morgan reached the bottom rope. Morgan dumps Albright to the floor. On the floor, Morgan rams Albright into the apron back first. Morgan clotheslines Albright but can’t keep him down on the cover. Morgan drops a few elbows on Albright but only manages a near fall. Morgan drives Albright down to the mat with a side slam for a two count. Albright avoids an elbow drop but runs into a big boot which gets Morgan a near fall. Albright gets out of a vertical suplex and takes Morgan over with a German suplex. Albright hits an overhead belly to belly suplex but Morgan lands on top of his head. Morgan knee lifts Albright and goes for the power bomb which he connects with. Morgan signals for the choke slam but Albright gets out and counters with the crowbar submission! Morgan is close to the ropes but can’t reach the ropes apparently and taps out! (*1/2. Morgan easily could have reached the ropes, so the finish doesn’t make much sense to me. The action was underwhelming but I think Albright as the top champion is great because he clearly has some great in-ring skill and I’m looking forward to what he has to offer in the main event scene.)

Final Thoughts:
Well, three matches that featured top talent for the area and they were all underwhelming. I’m optimistic about Albright as champion. He just needs challengers with his skill set for some memorable TV matches.

Thanks for reading.