ECW Hardcore TV #16 27/07/1993

This is a REALLY tough episode of ECW to get through, starting with a long press conference with Tod Gordon, and with the majority of the episode dedicated to Eddie Gilbert's increasingly tiresome "King of Philadelphia" schtick, which culminates in a really embarrassing vignette at a wrestling show that seems to be filmed in someone's back garden. It makes ECW look so small-time, and it also means we only get two matches.

Terry Funk vs The Canadian Wolfman

No idea why the Wolfman, of all people, gets to fight Terry Funk this week, when he’s not appeared on the show since week #8. It’s not like he’s a guy who’s going to put on a good match with Funk either, as he’s a slovenly fat guy with awful tattoo’s who bumps awkwardly. He tries to get some control by gouging Terry’s eyes, but is soon put away with 3 slams and a spinning toe hold.

Johnny Hotbody vs The Sandman

Well, this is definitely the best Sandman match so far in ECW, and you can give full credit for that to Hotbody. His movement here is excellent, just adding little touches to ensure that he turns round at just the right time to take a move from the Sandman, and he takes a big bump face-first on the mat, as Sandman pulls him over the top rope from the floor. His diving elbow to the concrete floor earns what feels like a legitimate cry of shock from Paul Heyman on commentary. Sandman ends up victorious, as Hotbody tries a cocky bicep pose pin following a shot from Hunter Q Robbins’s cane, only to get rolled up for the pin. Still, a great performance from Hotbody.