Florida Championship Wrestling TV Report
September 6, 2009
Aired on the Bright House Sports Network
Report by Cody Endres, PWTorch contributor

First of all, I'd like to apologize for such a long absence. I started a job in September and frankly didn't realize the lack of free time I would have to keep up to date on FCW. With the holidays here, I finally have some time to catch my breath. We have more than three months of FCW television to catch up on, so let's get started.

When we last left the FCW Universe, there were a number of ongoing storylines. General Manager Abraham Washington and his cabinet were in firm control of the company and desperately trying to get the FCW Heavyweight Title off Tyler Reks. Heath Slater had recently turned heel and was getting a big push. DJ Gabriel reinvented himself as Gabriel and wanted a title shot. Alex Riley dumped his girlfriend Courtney Taylor who appeared on ECW before disappearing into a black hole. Justin Angel continued to develop himself as perhaps the best talent on the FCW roster. The Rotundo Brothers had recently captured the FCW Tag Team Titles. Also, at the end of August, a giant of a man named Eli Cottonwood made his debut.

-Announcers Dusty Rhodes & Byron Saxton opened the show by reminding viewers that next week would be the 50th episode.

1 – DREW MCINTYRE vs. YOSHI TATSU

Tatsu is fired up and barely misses McIntyre with a standing high kick to begin the match. Tatsu continues to frustrate his opponent with the Rotundo roll. The action spills to the floor where Tatsu attempts a headlock of all things. McIntryre hoists up Tatsu and drops him shoulder-first onto the ring apron. As McIntyre targets the shoulder, the announcers talk about Tatsu coming from Japan with the sole goal of achieving a better life for his wife and daughter. Tatsu reverses a knee lift into a roll up for a quick nearfall. McIntyre tosses Tatsu shoulder-first into the corner for a nearfall of his own. McIntyre leaps off the second rope, but Tatsu gets a boot up. Tatsu roars back with a spinning heel kick and a northern lights suplex. Tatsu flips out of a belly to back suplex and nails the high kick for the win out of nowhere.

WINNER: Yoshi Tatsu in 7:05. Good match. Although minor, it was nice to get a little bit of character development on Tatsu from the announcers.

-Saxton announced that a Divas 4-Pack Challenge was signed for the 50th show next week. They cut to a pre-taped promo by Tiffany. She was her overly rehearsed, insincere self. Tiffany talked about how excited she was to be in the 4-Pack Challenge where the winner will challenge the Queen of FCW – Angela.

[Commercial Break]

-Serena Mancini (Serena Deeb from OVW) cut a backstage promo about the 4-Pack Challenge. Horrible Italian music played in the background. She told fans to learn her name and her face because after next week they would never forget it.

2 – SWEET PAPI SANCHEZ vs. DONNY MARLOW

As always, Sanchez passed candy to kids around ringside before the match. Sanchez tosses Marlow around the ring early on. Marlow grounds Sanchez and hits him with a headbutt for a nearfall. Sanchez repeatedly gains control of the match by brawling. Marlow surprises his opponent with a dropkick to the leg followed by a bulldog for another nearfall. Sanchez retaliates with a big boot and a body splash for the win.

WINNER: Sweet Papi Sanchez in 4:04. Basic squash.

[Commercial Break]

-Alicia Fox cut a backstage promo about the 4-Pack Challenge. She said that this Fox would become the hunter and she is the future Queen of FCW. She made a few more comparisons to foxes. Lame.

3 – ALBERTO BANDERAS vs. CAYLEN CROFT

Banderas is Dos Caras Jr. unmasked. Banderas grabbed the microphone and cut a short promo on Abraham Washington who made fun of him in the past. His use of the English language was hit-or-miss, but it was delivered better than 90 percent of the people on this roster. You might remember Croft as Chris Cage from his OVW days. Banderas with a missile dropkick off the second rope for a nearfall. On commentary, Saxton mentioned Banderas' MMA career. Fighting as Dos Caras Jr. his record is 7-4, but most people just remember him getting his head caved in by Mirko Cro Cop on Pride's first Bushido show. Banderas hits a fantastic looking running hurancanrana. Banderas hoists Croft up in a military press and drops him across his knees. Croft climbs to the middle rope to attempt something, but Banderas runs up the corner and hits an enziguri for the win.

WINNER: Alberto Banderas in 3:39. Banderas's lucha style really stands out among all of the typical WWE-trained wrestlers. He was rather emotionless during the match, but I'm sure that's the result of wearing a mask for years.

-Immediately after the match, Eric Escobar ran out and attacked Banderas. Escobar choked him with a steel chair and talked about being fed up with the fans. Talk about an uneventful heel turn.

[Commercial Break]

-The debuting April Lee cut a backstage promo regarding next week's 4-Pack Challenge. Lee is from the New Jersey independent scene and was trained by Jay Lethal. Lee said this was the opportunity she had been waiting a lifetime for. She warned Angela that the new girl in town was coming for her.

4 – DAWSON ALEXANDER vs. TRENT BERETTA

In a pre-taped promo, Alexander mentioned that he recently became a father (he's the fiancé of Jennifer Hudson) and will be gunning for the FCW Title. Beretta was trained by Mikey Whipwreck. Dusty Rhodes talked about balancing your professional wrestling career and your children. Goldust turned out fine, right? Alexander clotheslines Beretta to the floor. Beretta climbs onto the apron and surprises Alexander with the Jerry Lynn legdrop in the ropes. Alexander reverses a tornado DDT attempt into a uranage to claim the victory.

WINNER: Dawson Alexander in 3:28. Beretta carried the match by bumping around like a ragdoll. Alexander hasn't shown much in his limited run.

[Commercial Break]

-Byron Saxton stood up at the announcer's table and danced as General Manager Abraham Washington made his way to the ring along with members of his Cabinet. Washington called himself the mastermind behind the spectacle of sports entertainment known as FCW. After some hype for the 50th show next week, Washington introduced the son of perfection – "GI" Joe Hennig who came out to a remix of his father's music. Hennig said he wasn't going to let Heath Slater's actions get in the way of going after the FCW Title. Washington said Hennig was getting a shot at the title next week. Both Slater and FCW Heavyweight Champion Tyler Reks entered the ring. Washington decided to book a triple threat title match for next week. A mini brawl broke out amongst the competitors. Eli Cottonwood entered the fray and choke slammed Hennig for some unknown reason.

[Commercial Break]

5 – THE ROTUNDO BROTHERS (Bo & Duke) vs. DYLAN KLEIN & VANCE ARCHER – FCW Tag Team Championship Match

Klein attempts to toss Bo to the floor early on, but Bo stays on the apron. Archer grabs Bo's foot and sends him crashing to the floor. Klein & Archer take turns working over Bo for a few minutes. Duke gets the hot tag and destroys Klein. Bo runs across the ring and tackles Archer to the outside. Meanwhile, Duke hits Klein with his version of a uranage to pick up the win.

WINNERS: The Rotundo Brothers at 3:24 to retain the FCW Tag Team Titles. The short length and unexpected finish made for a disappointing main event.

-Next Week: The 50th show featuring a Diva's 4-Pack Challenge with Tiffany vs. Alicia Fox vs. Serena Mancini vs. April Lee and a main event triple threat match with FCW Heavyweight Champ Tyler Reks defending against Joe Hennig and Heath Slater.

[Torch photo credit Wade Keller (c) PWTorch.com]

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