Ballpark Brawl V report
August 13, 2005
Buffalo, N.Y.
Report by Mike Rickard II of Williamsville, N.Y., PWTorch.com correspondent

There looked to be around 800-1,000 people attending the show (which followed a Triple A baseball game).

There were some difficulties getting the ring set up but fans waited patiently. As the ring was set up, Jimmy Hart thanked the fans for coming and told them a little bit about the show as well as some items that were being auctioned and raffled.

After teasing the fans that there were some no-shows to announce, ring announcer Chris Hill was happy to report that "everybody's here." Hill directed fans to the Jumbotron where a video recap of Ballpark Brawl IV aired followed by a pre-show warm-up courtesy of announcers "Ivan the Impaler" & Scotty Bender. Backstage, Mick Foley welcomed fans and reviewed the card.

The show kicked off with a backstage promo with Sonjay Dutt. Dutt was interrupted by his opponent for the night Trent Acid.

(1) Sonjay Dutt beat Trent Acid. Acid stalled for the beginning of the match then blindsided Dutt. Short but fast-paced match including a spot where Dutt jumped onto the referee's back and springboarded outside the ring, striking Acid. Dutt went on to win with the Phoenix Splash. After the match, Dutt was attacked by Acid and a partner.

Jennifer Blake interviewed the participants of the six man Scramble Match which was to determine the number one contender for the Natural Title. Participants Glenn "Wonder Man" Spectre, John McChesney, Damien Alexander, Matt Stryker, & "The Enforcer" Bobby Roode were all curious as to who the sixth man would be.

(2) Harry Smith won a Six Man Scramble Match. The sixth man turned out to be Harry Smith, the son of Davey Boy Smith. (Smith wrestled Teddy Hart at last summer's Ballpark Brawl III in the finals of the Natural Title tournament). The scramble match was fast paced and featured a lot of cool spots as well as some comedy spots with Glenn "Wonder Man" Spectre. At one point, Spectre grabbed his opponent and began to lead him around as if he was ballroom dancing. In another spot, all of the wrestlers were in the ring applying submission holds when Spectre grabbed a wrestler and kissed him. The wrestlers were eliminated in this order: (1) Damien Alexander, (2) Glenn Spectre, (3) John McChesney, (4) Matt Stryker, and (5) Bobby Roode. Harry Smith won to become the no. 1 contender for the Natural Title.

Charlie Haas came out and told the fans that he was glad to be able to cut a promo without someone else writing it. He said he's worked hard to establish himself as a tag team specialist but that tonight was going to be "the birth of Charlie Haas singles superstar". He said he came here to wrestle and challenged Natural Champion Chris Daniels and challenger Chris Sabin to a make their match a three way dance. He finished by saying that no one can withstand the "Haas of Pain". Haas received a good pop from the fans.

As "Eat Your Heart out Rick Springfield" played, Jimmy Hart came to ringside and sang a verse of his song. Hart was part of a tag team match between local disc jockey J.T. McCarthy aka "Jimmy T". Jimmy T got to pick Hart's partner who turned out to be "The Genius" Lanny Poffo. Hart was excited to have Poffo as his partner and asked Poffo to read a poem (which he did). However, Hart wasn't excited about the special referee-local Empire State Wrestling star Johnny Puma (who Hart turned on at Ballpark Brawl III after Puma cost him a tag team match). Hart said he was wrestling under protest. T then introduced his partner, none other than the Ugandan Headhunter, Kamala (w/Kim Chee).

(3) "Jimmy T" & Kamala beat Jimmy Hart & Lanny Poffo . Kamala tossed Poffo around as Hart wanted nothing to do with tagging in as long as Kamala was in the ring. Ironically, Poffo looked like he gained some weight (although he looked to be in good shape) while Kamala looked like he lost some weight. When T came in, Poffo went on the offense and tagged in Hart. Not surprisingly, T quickly rallied back, stunned Hart, and tagged Kamala who then splashed Hart and got the pinfall.

Backstage, April Hunter (wearing a neck brace) admonished Slyck Wagner for selling her out to Abyss at Ballpark Brawl IV when Wagner bailed out of the ring and shoved Hunter into Abyss to slow him down, allowing Abyss to deliver the Black Hole Slam to her. Wagner said he was just trying to protect Hunter and that things backfired. He then cut a promo on Abyss who he was scheduled to fight in a bull rope match with the stipulation that if Abyss loses, he also loses his mask. Mike Rosario, Abyss' defacto manager cut a promo on Wagner and Hunter and said that he brought 5,000 of his friends with him, then pulled out a bag of thumbtacks. He promised a Double D body cast for Hunter.

(4) Abyss (w/Mike Rosario) beat Slyck Wagner Brown (w/April Hunter) (Bull Rope Match)- Match went back and forth until Brown seemingly had match won and went to touch fourth turnbuckle only to have April Hunter lean over and cover it up. Brown was stunned and Abyss went to tag corner when Hunter pulled off neck brace and threw powder in his face. Rosario chased Hunter to the back. Another wrestler (possibly Damien Alexander?) came out and helped Brown work over Abyss. They set up a table and then slammed Abyss threw it. As Abyss lay in the wreckage, Brown demanded an apology only to have Abyss grab him and his cohort by the throat. Brown's accomplice fled the ring and Abyss spilled the thumbtacks onto the ring. Abyss then tagged all four corners winning the match. After the match, Brown put the thumbtacks to use by power-bombing the referee onto them. 

Jimmy Hart came to ringside to announce the winner of the raffle.

Backstage, Jennifer Blake (doing a weak Maria impression) interviewed Shawn Spears about his tag team match against Team Canada's Petey Williams & "Prime Time" Eric Young. At Ballpark Brawl IV, Team Canada sold Spears out so they could win a match and Spears said he was out for revenge. 

Before the match, indie wrestler "Completely" Cody Steele was introduced as guest commentator for the match.

(5) Petey Williams & "Prime Time" Eric Young beat Shawn Spears & "Dangerboy" Derek Wylde (w/Jennifer Blake). Good tag match where it soon became apparent that Spears had set Wylde up. Every time Wylde went for the tag, Spears was conveniently not around. Finally, Wylde's valet confronted him only to get pie faced. Spears left the match as Wylde tried to hold his own in a two on one situation. Steele then left the announce table and went to Wylde's corner. Steele was tagged in and cleaned house. However during the confusion, Team Canada got to Wylde and pinned him. Team Canada and Spears then led a three on two beat down until Harry Smith and another wrestler made the save.

A promo aired for Ballpark Brawl VI, scheduled for August 14 in nearby Rochester, New York. 

Mick Foley came out in a Buffalo Bisons (the local Triple A baseball team) jersey and threw some baseballs out to the fans. He told the fans he knew the way to success: (a) Wear a Bisons jersey, (b) Give out free merchandise) and (c) Tell the fans it was great to be in Buffalo. He then grew somber as he told the fans a young fan came to him and told him his mother beat him and that his father beat him. The fan told Foley that he wanted to go and live with Matt Stryker because Stryker's never beat anyone.

The Rock's music played and Matt Stryker (dressed as the Rock) came out. Foley told Stryker that he's fought the Rock, teamed up with the Rock, and that he's no Rock. Stryker took the mic and said, "Finally, the Rock has come back to Rochester". He asked Foley what kind of pie he likes, and when Foley replied he said "It doesn't matter what kind of pie you like". Really weak Rock imitation with Stryker doing the "If you smell…." bit before Foley applied Mr. Socko and dispatched with him. 

Foley was then interrupted by Bill Alfonso (The fans popped big for Fonzie). Foley asked Fonzie what he wanted and when Fonzie went to reply Foley countered with "It doesn't matter what you want". Fonzie said he wanted the match between Sabu and Sandman to be a traditional Greco-Roman match. As he talked, Foley pulled out a bottle and began to blow bubbles. Foley asked Fonzie if he ever blew bubbles. Fonzie said yes and Foley said "Good because Bubbles is in the back looking for him". 

Another surprise followed as ECW's Tod Gordon came out to a nice pop. Gordon praised Foley and said that Foley was his inspiration to start the hardcore movement. The fans went nuts when Gordon announced that the match between Sabu and Sandman was being changed to a Singapore Cane, Tables and Chair Match. The fans went nuts.

Backstage, a Miss Jackie promo aired for the five woman battle royal. Jackie Gayda cut a promo and called herself "Just Jackie". The rest of the participants then cut promos including Jamie D. (whose gender was in question), TNA's Traci Brooks, April Hunter, and Nattie Neidhart, daughter of Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart. Jennifer Blake was announced as the guest referee. 

(6) Jackie Gayda won a Five Woman Battle Rumble. The match started with Traci and Neidhart battling. During their struggle, Neidhart pulled Traci's trunks down and it looked like her naked behind was showing (can't wait to watch that DVD) It was Royal Rumble style rules with a new opponent entering at certain intervals (seemed like every minute). Order of entrance: (1) Traci, (2) Nattie Neidhart, (3) Jamie D, (4) April Hunter, (5) Jackie Gayda. April Hunter and Nattie Neidhart eliminated each other. Jamie D was then eliminated. Jackie Gayda won when she threw Traci over the top rope. Good action and the match didn't overstay its welcome. 

Before the "Natural" Championship match, contender Harry Smith was introduced. Chris Daniels then cut a promo on Charlie Haas and ran him down for even considering himself to be in the same league as Daniels. However he said he would make the match a three way dance. 

(7) Charlie Haas defeated champion "Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels and Chris Sabin to capture the "Natural" Championship. The match was announced as having a twenty minute time limit which seemed way too short for a title bout. All three men put on a terrific match. During the last five minutes of the match, a timer was shown for the fans. The match had a terrific ending with Sabin applying the Crippler Crossface to Haas. Haas looked like he was ready to tap with just 20 seconds left when Daniels came in the ring and grabbed Haas' hand to prevent him from tapping. The match ended in a draw but Sabin and Haas demanded 5 more minutes. They threw Daniels in the ring and continued the match. The match ended when Haas small packaged Daniels for the pin, winning the title. 

After the match, Haas invited Harry Smith into the ring. He told Smith that they both shared tragic losses (Haas's brother dying and Smith's father dying). Haas told Smith it would be his honor to wrestle him tomorrow (at Ballpark Brawl VI). Smith congratulated Haas on his win only to have Haas blast Smith with the title belt. Haas told the fans he doesn't need anyone's accolades and told Smith "Nothing personal, just business".

Backstage, Tod Gordon and Sandman cut a promo for the main event. They promised that Fonzie was going to end up being Chachi. Sandman drank a beer and smashed the can into his head.

(8) Sandman pinned Sabu. Mick Foley was introduced as guest commentator. Sandman came out to "Enter Sandman" and a huge pop. He drank some beers with the fans and mingled for a few minutes before Sabu was introduced. Sabu jumped Sandman before the match but Sandman quickly rallied back. Gordon got the Singapore cane and gave it to Sandman. Classic hardcore match with Sabu doing his usual spots using a steel chair. Fonzie then jumped in the ring, knocking Sandman and Sabu outside the ring. Gordon came in at which point Fonzie told him he had until a five count to exit his ring. Gordon responded by kicking Fonzie in the groin. He told Sandman it was time to give Fonzie the Malachi Crunch and Gordon and Sandman double splashed Fonzie. After the double-team on Fonzie, Sabu blasted Sandman with a chair and put him on a table. Sabu went to leg drop Sandman through the table but Sandman moved and Sabu smashed through the table. The match ended when Sabu swung the cane at Sandman and missed, striking the referee. Sandman took the cane and Russian leg sweeped Sabu with the cane. Foley came in to make the three count.

After the match, Sandman, Foley, and Gordon celebrated. Sandman told the fans he was drunk. When Sabu went to leave, Sandman told him he shouldn't leave without drinking a beer. Sandman then thanked Sabu for the match. Sandman asked the fans if Fonzie should drink a beer and he did. Sandman then told Foley that he had to drink a beer and Foley agreed only to take a sip. Sandman told him to chug the beer but Foley spilled most of it out of the side of his mouth. Finally, Sandman backed Foley into a corner, climbed on top of Foley, and poured a beer down his mouth. Sandman told the fans that Tod Gordon is the godfather of wrestling and asked him to down a beer (which he did). Sandman climbed the ladder in the ring and fell off. After the show, Chris Hill thanked the fans for coming.

A really enjoyable show with consistently good wrestling, some big names and a lot of fun surprises. Ballpark Brawl V once again showed fans how an independent show should be run. There were solid production values including ring entrance videos, video recaps, backstage interviews, and a pre-game show that set the storylines for the night's show. The sound was excellent and you knew exactly who was wrestling who and why. While there were a couple Russoesque booking moves , the show was excellent overall.

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