ECW One Night Stand 2005 Review

Match 1: Lance Storm vs. Chris Jericho
ECW's huge 2005 return starts with some technical wrestling between Lance Storm and Chris Jericho. People tend to forget ECW also represented wrestling at its purest form and not just violent wrestling. These two are perfect representations of that fact as they put on a strong, but fairly short match. Lance Storm is apparently declaring this as his final professional wrestling match even though he would go on to wrestle for many years after this. Tons of reversals and just great wrestling from the opening bell. Storm scores the win with some help from Jason Knight who smashed Jericho with a Singapore Cane. Great opening match that featured two veterans who have been going up the ranks together since the start. The chemistry they displayed showed that. Good way to start the show.
Winner: Lance Storm
Rating: ***

Match 2: Tajiri vs. Little Guido vs. Super Crazy
We get ourselves an international triple threat match with elimination rules. About what you would expect from these three guys, lots of interference from their respective groups and lots of cool spots including a sick Moonsault from Super Crazy off a balcony. After Little Guido was first eliminated, it came down to Tajiri and Super Crazy where Crazy was able to hit another Moonsault to seal the win. Fun match here that also allows the viewers to reminisce about the company's wide range of wrestling styles. Good stuff here.
Winner: Super Crazy
Rating: **3/4

Match 3: Psicosis vs. Rey Mysterio
If the last match wasn't enough crazy for you, no pun intended, you get more craziness here. Just like the previous match, you get some awesome spots and fast action from the opening bell. Even as a WWE guy in 2005, the ECW fans were definitely welcoming of Rey Mysterio. The crowd wasn't too fond of the rest holds but they were damn sure ecstatic for the sick dives into the first row. Mysterio scored the win after hitting a 619 before the WWE crusaders made their arrival to the show. Good stuff here and just like the last two matches, not too long and not too short. A nice amount of time to get the guys on the card and have them display their work.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
Rating: ***

Match 4: Rhyno vs. Sabu
Rob Van Dam came out to interrupt JBL and have a very emotional speech about his passion for the company and how hurt he was for not being able to perform due to injury. Rhyno then comes out and Spears RVD before kicking RVD's knee. Lights go out and out comes Sabu! We have an impromptu contest here as Sabu looks to defend his friend in RVD. Quick match here that saw RVD throw the chair in Rhyno's face before Sabu was able to hit his Arabian Skullcrusher through a table for the win. Anyone else think Bill Alfonso is the most annoying dude ever?
Winner: Sabu
Rating: *3/4

Match 5: Chris Benoit vs. Eddie Guerrero
Can't lie, it's a bit creepy to watch this match. A little more creepy when you think that Eddie Guerrero would unfortunately pass away just months later. Guerrero is a heel here as he goes against his longtime rival in Chris Benoit. These were two of the toughest and most respected guys in the locker room in the ECW days, watching them wrestle here was a thing of beauty. Like all the other matches, they didn't have too much time to work with. However, they made the most out of it and did what they did best. They were masters of playing the game, the crisp and fast moves they would showcase here just showed how great they blended together. Benoit would eventually pick up the win by making Guerrero submit to the Crippler Crossface. A pleasure to watch.
Winner: Chris Benoit
Rating: ***1/4

Match 6: Mike Awesome vs. Masato Tanaka
Before I even go in depth about this match, I should mention that this may have been one of the most disturbing matches I have ever seen in recent memory. Scoring this match was certainly an odd task. This match infamously featured commentator Joey Styles absolutely bury Mike Awesome for ditching the company and even referenced Awesome's failed suicide attempt. Talk about nasty chair shot after nasty chair shot. This match was absolutely loaded with chair shots and table spots that will make you cringe like crazy. The amount of unprotected chair shots Awesome delivered to Masato Tanaka was pretty disgusting to watch. Even still, it was a fun to see their passion for the business on full display as the crowd ate it up. The Awesome Bomb off the apron through the table may have been the sickest spot I have ever seen in my life. Ending saw Awesome toss Tanaka out of the ring through a table before diving onto him afterwards. Insane.
Winner: Mike Awesome
Rating: ***1/2

Match 7: The Dudley Boyz vs. Tommy Dreamer & The Sandman
If there was one match to close out the night, it would certainly have to be this one. These are arguably ECW's biggest stars and what better way for them to show it then having a bloody and nasty match. Let's not also forget The Sandman's famous Metallica entrance. Before the match, an array of old ECW guys came out from The Blue World Order to Kid Kash for whatever reason. Finally, the bell rings and the action starts. By action, I mean the usage of Singapore canes, cookie sheets, chair shots, barbed wire, a cheese grater, interference from Francine and Beulah McGillicutty and finally, a flaming table. Yes, a flaming table that The Dudley Boyz used to drive Tommy Dreamer through to mercifully end the match. Afterwards, Sandman desperately calls for a beer as he looks on upon his fallen comrade. Great main event that would be followed with a war between the ECW guys and the WWE crusaders that saw the ECW guys get the better of it.
Winners: The Dudley Boyz
Rating: ***1/4

Overall Show Thoughts and Rating:
What an incredible show. This was ultimately the spark that led to the WWE relaunching ECW as a third brand. A perfect blend of nostalgia and a perfect display of what ECW represented. There was hardcore wrestling, lucha libre wrestling and even technical wrestling. All that and the amazing promos ranging from Rob Van Dam's return, Paul Heyman's shoot and the ending with Stone Cold Steve Austin leading the ECW charge against the WWE crusaders make this one of the most memorable WWE shows of all time.
Rating: 9/10