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Check out more classic ECW Hardcore TV episodes here: https://dailymotion.com/playlist/x9l8oy
Transcript
00:00Hello everyone and welcome to ECW Hardcore TV, I'm Joey Styles at the infamous ECW Arena
00:07in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and here tonight, Sabu challenges Rob Van Dam for the
00:14World Television Title.
00:17Extreme Championship Wrestling.
00:47Let's get started.
01:15We are awaiting the entrance of the challenger Sabu, the suicidal, homicidal, genocidal,
01:44maniac who has held every championship here in ECW over the last six years.
01:51His opponent, Rob Van Dam, the World Television Champion, the longest reigning champion in
01:55professional wrestling, won the belt for Van Van Bigelow in Buffalo, New York, April 1
02:00of 1998.
02:01The stage is set for a classic war.
02:08The man who calls it right down the middle, or does he?
02:11Bill Alfonso, surprisingly, accompanies the challenger Sabu to the ring for this ECW
02:20World Television Title matchup.
02:24Tough spot for Bill Alfonso, manager of both the challenger and champion of this matchup.
02:32Sabu! Sabu! Sabu!
02:40This next match is scheduled for one fall, and it's for the ECW World Television Championship!
02:51The champion about to make his way to the ring.
03:05Sabu and Rob Van Dam were both trained together by Sabu's uncle, the original king, and since
03:15beginning, their training has been made to compete with one another.
03:23On again, off again tag team partners, even holding the World Tag Team Championship, Van
03:30Dam and Sabu have always had their problems, even as a successful tag team.
03:39Two huge superstars, two huge egos, never a good fit.
03:48Sabu, former Grand Slam Champion here at ECW, former World Television Champion, World Tag
03:56Team Champion with several partners, unrecognized FTW World Heavyweight Champion, and of course
04:03Sabu has been the ECW Heavyweight Champion of the World.
04:14Bill Alfonso making his second entrance in this matchup, this time with the champion
04:19Rob Van Dam.
04:22He's got a water bottle for each one of them labeled as well.
04:34Mr. Pay-Per-View Rob Van Dam, without question the most popular athlete in the history of
04:41Extreme Championship Wrestling, and with good reason.
04:46His physical abilities at times defy description, logic.
05:00How long can Bill Alfonso call it right down the middle in this matchup?
05:08It's an all-or-lose situation for Alfonso.
05:11One thing is for sure, at the end of this matchup, he will be managing the World Television
05:16Champion.
05:21Then again, will the champion be offended by Alfonso's actions in this matchup, whatever
05:27they may be?
05:28Because with Alfonso, you never know.
05:30He's accompanied to ringside by the manager of champions, and the man who calls it right
05:46down the middle, Mr. Bill Alfonso!
05:53He represents, weighing in at 230 pounds, hailing from Ball Bay, Michigan, he is homicidal,
06:06suicidal, and genocidal.
06:09Ladies and gentlemen, this is Sabu!
06:16His opponent, he's also accompanied to ringside by the manager of champions, and the man who
06:27calls it right down the middle, Mr. Bill Alfonso!
06:35He represents, weighing in tonight at 235 pounds, hailing from Battle Creek, Michigan,
06:46he's the current ECW World Television Champion, Mr. Pay-Per-View, Rob Van Dam!
07:04Former tag team partner, Rob Van Dam and Sabu with Bill Alfonso stuck in the middle
07:11of battle here tonight on ECW Hardcore TV for the World Television Title!
07:18We've got to take a short break, don't go away!
07:23Welcome back to ECW Hardcore TV from the infamous FTW Arena in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
07:33The bell has rung, but obviously the matchup will not begin until Bill Alfonso says so.
07:41Alfonso with some last minute strategy for both challenger and champion.
07:47Some strength.
07:53And could you have a better manager?
07:56Alfonso's track record here at ECW alone.
08:01Who better to understand the rule than the man who's refereed for over 20 years?
08:06Alfonso starts the match.
08:09Sabu looks for the single leg.
08:16Sabu again looking for that single leg. Van Dam now deciding to go low.
08:21So difficult to figure out a game plan to face either Sabu or Van Dam because they can both
08:36purchase so many wings.
08:38There's the single leg Sabu was looking for, he gets kicked off.
08:44Goes right back for the leg, he's tenacious.
08:49One chance to reset out by Sabu, Van Dam rolls through.
08:53Van Dam nice break over the top, getting behind Sabu.
08:57Goes for the rope.
09:05Van Dam and Sabu both excellent mat wrestlers.
09:12Although they don't do it that often.
09:15Sabu looking for a high impact.
09:17The aerial attack.
09:24High up, waist line by Van Dam, drop down by Sabu.
09:27There's the single leg.
09:30Misses, as does Van Dam.
09:33Both lines up, missed, kicked up.
09:41The stand up.
09:46Does it get any better than this?
09:49Rob Van Dam defending against Sabu, a world television title at the ECW arena.
10:04John Peeley-Moore officiating this matchup.
10:09Van Dam turned his back to Sabu and paid series of right hands.
10:14Rehearsal on the Irish whip.
10:17Sabu up and over.
10:19Leg sweep by Van Dam, nicely done.
10:21Went for the lateral thread and Sabu rolled through his stomach so his shoulders wouldn't hit the canvas.
10:26Thread and stakes.
10:28Van Dam now riding Sabu.
10:35Sabu looking for the leg.
10:38Van Dam simply put it behind him.
10:40Forearm.
10:42Up and over goes Sabu.
10:44Hand flip by Van Dam.
10:46Sabu saw him coming.
10:48Up and over, side step, flip.
10:50Fairly a one.
10:54Hip toss, hip toss, the other way, maybe.
10:57DDT, Van Dam holding on.
10:59Goes in line two.
11:00Flies through the ring.
11:02Gets it to him.
11:13Alfonso has now shot water into Sabu's ear and nearly drowned Rob Van Dam.
11:27This reminiscent of the early rounds of the World Heavyweight Boxing Title Match.
11:32The champion and challenger are instantly feeling one another out.
11:37Just look at the opportunity to throw a heavy right hand.
11:41Or left hand.
11:43Side headlock.
11:47Sabu shot off the leapfrog by Van Dam.
11:51Behind goes Rob Van Dam.
11:53Scoop.
11:54Throw behind.
11:56Drop kick to the knee by Sabu and a lateral thread.
12:00He gets it to him.
12:06Sabu, Sabu, Sabu, Sabu, Sabu, Sabu, Sabu, Sabu, Sabu.
12:11Still Alfonso watches on.
12:15Again I can't think of anyone else in the sport of wrestling who had more appearances in wrestling matches than Alfonso.
12:23I mean he refereed between three to eight matches a night.
12:27Now he's managing.
12:28He was flown all over the world by every promotion on the face of the planet.
12:32from WWF, WCW, Japan, Mexico, you name it, he did it.
12:36Drop down by Van Dam, Sabu landing on him.
12:40World Kickboxing World Champion to the outside.
12:48Sabu going outside, they're exchanging right hands.
12:55Van Dam hits the guardrail.
12:59Sabu charges, gets caught.
13:03Van Dam catching up.
13:05And watch as Sabu on the guardrail.
13:09Two right hands, one to the ear, one to the temple.
13:14And a sweet shot, nice kick off the guardrail.
13:24The high impact style.
13:26DCF, DCF, DCF, DCF, DCF, DCF.
13:31Of both Rob Van Dam and Sabu.
13:36He's pulling him wide open for possible injuries,
13:39especially here in the arena.
13:43Rob Van Dam with a somersault and dead time.
13:47He's launching himself at Sabu in the seat.
13:51We've got a war on our hands, don't go away.
13:57We're back and Rob Van Dam drops a corkscrew kick
14:01to the leg, drops down and throws the back of Sabu.
14:09Sabu clutching at his sternum.
14:12He was pressed against the guardrail outside
14:14without trying to revive Sabu.
14:20Van Dam stomping away the champion.
14:22At this point in time, the aggressor
14:24at this point in time, the aggressor in this matchup
14:27has Sabu thrown back in.
14:38Rob Van Dam picks up a steel chair.
14:44And Sabu's back.
14:45Sabu's back.
14:52What a shot to the side of the head of Rob Van Dam.
14:58Rob Van Dam threw the chair in the ring.
15:01Took a moment to pose for the fans at ringside.
15:04Sabu capitalized and leveled Van Dam with a steel chair.
15:09Van Dam hits the steel guardrail and goes down in a heap
15:13all the way to the concrete floor.
15:21Sabu now at the table.
15:26The table bridging the ring and the steel guardrail
15:30as we have seen so many times in the past
15:33and it never goes away.
15:35We have seen so many times in the past
15:37and it never goes well for Sabu's opponent.
15:40In this case, the world television champion, Rob Van Dam.
15:50Alfonso got Van Dam off the table.
15:53And Van Dam is offended that Alfonso
15:56is going to explain this matchup.
16:02Sabu up and over the top.
16:06Rob Van Dam's little chat with Phil Alfonso awesome.
16:15And Sabu hurls himself at the champ.
16:20He's first to the table.
16:25Sabu now going back inside but only momentarily,
16:28I assure you.
16:32My God!
16:35Sabu trying to break the neck of Rob Van Dam
16:38by dropping away from the fence and his head.
16:47Rob Van Dam is down and not moving.
16:51Sabu is right back up.
16:54Slightly, but he always,
16:58he's always trying to break the neck of Van Dam.
17:06Phil Alfonso now checking on Rob Van Dam
17:08who makes a good response.
17:19Van Dam getting up ever so slowly.
17:22What a shot he took to the back of the neck by Sabu.
17:27It's like the back of Van Dam's arm.
17:32And Sabu sends Van Dam back down to the cross
17:35with a baseball punch.
17:45Alfonso now with the worst encouragement.
17:50Of course, what Alfonso can do is
17:53with some worse encouragement.
17:55Of course, what Alfonso can do is cover too.
17:59Van Dam right underneath the bottom rope.
18:01Lucky for him.
18:04That may have been the end of his world television title reign
18:08here at ECW.
18:10And Sabu has knocked him silly.
18:12Snapmare takes Van Dam over.
18:18Sabu setting up the chair.
18:23Triple jump moonsault.
18:25It came down across the knees of Rob Van Dam.
18:28Van Dam punching at his knees.
18:30Sabu punching at his wrists.
18:33And who knows if there are other one-teens
18:35coming into this matchup.
18:36Lateral threads too.
18:39Give Sabu credit.
18:41He's punching at himself all over
18:42and still manages only to go for the lateral threads.
18:48Van Dam strips up Sabu
18:50who goes head first into the steel chair.
18:54Sabu now punching at his knee and his face.
18:58Just a moment ago it was his wrist.
19:03Van Dam's still a little groggy playing Sabu.
19:07Blood coming from Van Dam's nose as well
19:09now putting a chair on top of Sabu.
19:12And it seems...
19:14Sabu!
19:17Down across the chair and Sabu's third.
19:25It seems that Rob Van Dam need to muster up
19:27all the strength in his body
19:29just to execute that lateral thread.
19:33Put across the bottom rope.
19:38Now Alfonso looks on, nods his head appropriately,
19:42but I'm not sure.
19:45He may not be either.
19:49Van Dam back to his feet.
19:52Not walking very well.
19:54Staggering.
19:55Sabu catches Van Dam with a kick to the midsection.
19:58Front kick by Rob Van Dam.
20:03Forearm.
20:06Van Dam just unloading on Sabu in the corner.
20:10Irish whip, Sabu goes for the ride.
20:20Monkey flip on the chair.
20:21Sabu now punching at his tailbone.
20:24Van Dam is picking apart Sabu piece by piece.
20:28Van Dam on top.
20:31Barely misses the three count.
20:36Rob Van Dam in a bad way physically.
20:39Perhaps the worst we have seen him in recent memory.
20:43And Sabu kicks him right in the face.
20:48Leg drop down across the neck of Rob Van Dam
20:51who has not been the same since Sabu put him
20:54face first to the table at ringside.
20:57Cover by Sabu.
21:00Van Dam just barely kicks out.
21:03What's still pouring from Van Dam's nose?
21:08Minimally, he may have a broken nose.
21:11Worst case, a concussion and that won't help.
21:17Leg drop down across the back of the neck
21:19of Rob Van Dam with a forehand hit in the steel chair.
21:23Van Dam's eyes are closed.
21:24Cover.
21:27Van Dam again with a weak kick out
21:30just barely escapes the three count
21:33and the end of his world title reign.
21:41Van Dam cinching up Sabu.
21:44Takes him over, nice float over.
21:47It's a two, Sabu kicks out a four and five.
21:50Sabu's arms are caught between the legs of Van Dam
21:53maybe hyperextending his right elbow.
21:57Back flip split.
22:00Two count.
22:03Seems that Rob Van Dam is not flowing as he usually does.
22:06He's got quick bursts of energy, quick bursts of offense.
22:10Sabu really rung his bell when he put him to the table.
22:16Van Dam fighting a defensive matchup
22:18just trying to defend his title,
22:19just trying to get out of this matchup
22:21and kill the world television champion.
22:23Sabu is the aggressor but now finds himself
22:26tied to the tree of walls.
22:30And Van Dam surfboards the chair
22:33into the midsection of Sabu.
22:39Van Dam drags Sabu out of the corner, steps through.
22:45Van Dam looking for the inverted surfboard
22:47but again Sabu is trying to fight it.
22:52He's got it.
22:54Rob Van Dam up top.
22:57Sabu launches him.
23:02And the crowd here at the ECW arena has come alive.
23:08Van Dam and Sabu both up top now.
23:13My goodness, come on up by Sabu
23:16who immediately plunges his right knee.
23:18Can he come out of this match?
23:21Sabu immediately plunges his right knee.
23:23Can he cover Van Dam?
23:25Victory is within his grasp.
23:28He drops the leg.
23:31Two and a half.
23:35Two and a half says referee John Ewing Moore.
23:40Real Alfonso now trying to inspire Rob Van Dam.
23:51Rob kick to the knee once again.
23:56And now it seems Sabu is taking a point.
24:01Rob Van Dam again back to the neck
24:04organized by Sabu.
24:06This time the leg of the chair, lateral press.
24:09Van Dam kicks out with some authority.
24:14Sabu with the Fujiwara arm for Van Dam rolling through.
24:21Rolls up Sabu.
24:23It's an ugly two count.
24:25Sabu floats over now riding Van Dam.
24:29Arm comes out of the hammer lock, floats over.
24:31Takes Sabu on his shoulders.
24:33Barely a two Sabu on top.
24:35Van Dam now on top.
24:36They're putting the ropes.
24:43And this has just degenerated into a fight.
24:47Look at this now being closed.
24:50Both men just collide.
24:53Look at that.
24:54Ooh.
24:55Sabu, Sabu, Sabu, Sabu, Sabu, Sabu, Sabu, Sabu, Sabu.
25:00What?
25:02Sabu, Sabu, Sabu, Sabu, Sabu, Sabu, Sabu, Sabu, Sabu.
25:11Ladies and gentlemen,
25:12the time for the squad in the match.
25:16Sabu, Sabu, Sabu, Sabu, Sabu, Sabu, Sabu.
25:18Timekeeper, heaviest Donny Allen
25:20says the time limit has expired.
25:2420 minutes is up.
25:25Five more minutes, five more minutes, five more minutes,
25:30five more minutes, five more minutes, five more minutes.
25:36The fans are chanting for five more minutes.
25:38I'm not sure if Sabu or Van Dam
25:42have five more minutes left in them.
25:45Rob Van Dam will retain the world television title on a title with Raw.
25:56He'll be happy with that.
25:58Taboo quite frankly was putting a hurt on Rob Van Dam.
26:03This match has been declared a draw.
26:12Bringing out Sir Mark James with a very unpopular decision by Kiwi of a time of a draw.
26:33And the fans want this matchup to continue.
26:42Sabu, I heard what the ring announcer said but tonight it's not enough for the student to beat the teacher.
26:52It's not even enough tonight that I leave the world television champion.
26:56Tonight between you and me there's something different Sabu.
27:00Tonight what I need to be happy is I need to beat your ass.
27:05I know I can do it in 5 more minutes.
27:10More swords by Rob Van Dam.
27:24The drill is won. We're going to go for 5 more minutes.
27:27Not a smart move by the world television champion who quite frankly is behind on weight.
27:34And there's the camel cry.
27:37Kiwi's right there with Van Dam going on.
27:41Rob Van Dam has been working on the back of his neck.
27:46We may be witnessing the founding of the new world television champion here in Philadelphia.
27:53Van Dam escapes.
27:56And puts Sabu in the camel's clutch.
28:02And they'll go for the bottom rope.
28:12Double underhooks Sabu.
28:14And it's face first into the canvas.
28:164 feet to the side of the head.
28:20Cover for Dave Krupp.
28:25Rob Van Dam is keeping it shut.
28:29Keeps it shut to the left.
28:33Alfonso throws the chair to Rob Van Dam.
28:39Could he be the difference in this all important matchup for world television title?
28:49What a shot.
28:52After a seat earlier in this matchup.
28:59Alfonso tosses the chair to Sabu.
29:05Right down the middle, daddy.
29:13Sabu got the better of that exchange.
29:19And it's not over.
29:21It's not over.
29:25Van Dam catches Sabu and sets him up.
29:30Van Dam now going up top.
29:37Sabu with the hood edge coming wide and takes Rob Van Dam over.
29:42And first on the steel chair.
29:44And it's in.
29:49A wave in, face first to Krupp.
29:55Fairbanks blocks.
30:08Cover.
30:10It seems that tonight here in Philadelphia,
30:13Sabu has Rob Van Dam's number.
30:19Never before have we seen Rob Van Dam sustain this kind of physical punishment.
30:29And again we've got a slugfest.
30:33Both feet in the rims of Sabu by Rob Van Dam
30:37out of desperation seemingly.
30:41Van Dam trying to pick up Sabu.
30:43He's met with a couple of right hands.
30:52Van Dam going for a Northern Lights suplex.
30:54Sabu counters with the DDT.
31:00But again Sabu clutching at his sternum.
31:04Van Dam right in the face.
31:08And now Sabu hitting that steel chair.
31:12Rob Van Dam is down.
31:13Sabu is charging outside of the steel chair.
31:17Sabu all the way up top.
31:19Chair in hand.
31:24Oh my.
31:25Look.
31:34Atomic Olympian, face first to the edge of the chair.
31:39For Rob Van Dam right on the bridge of the nose.
31:44Cover.
31:48How did Van Dam kick out?
31:51You think it's heavy but Krupp's arm break were now applied.
31:57Van Dam yelling out in pain.
31:59But Peely's right there and Van Dam is not willing to submit.
32:02The matchup ends the ECW World Television title.
32:12Cover.
32:15Nearly a two.
32:19Down comes the leg.
32:22Two again.
32:23Three.
32:28Arabian press knee to the face.
32:31Cover.
32:32Sabu is so close.
32:35Not again.
32:36That's five minutes.
32:38Five more minutes have elapsed.
32:40These two have been at war for 25 minutes.
32:44Will this matchup continue into yet another overtime period?
32:48At this time we're going to take a look at what went down recently.
32:52ECW on TNN.
32:54Just Incredible is just like his tag team partner, Lance Storm.
33:01He's a f***.
33:09Just Incredible.
33:11Lance Storm, you may be afraid of Tommy Dreamer and Raven.
33:16But Tommy Dreamer, Raven, I'm not afraid of no man.
33:22So right here tonight, in this s*** hole.
33:36I'm going to kick the s*** out of both of you and take home the titles.
33:41And after tonight, you're only going to remember one name.
33:46And that's crying out.
33:52Tommy Dreamer.
33:53Tommy Dreamer.
33:54Tommy Dreamer.
33:55Tommy Dreamer.
33:56Tommy Dreamer.
33:57Tommy Dreamer.
33:58Tommy Dreamer.
33:59Tommy Dreamer.
34:00Tommy Dreamer.
34:01Tommy Dreamer.
34:02Tommy Dreamer.
34:03Tommy Dreamer.
34:04Tommy Dreamer.
34:05Tommy Dreamer.
34:06Tommy Dreamer.
34:07Tommy Dreamer.
34:08Tommy Dreamer.
34:09Tommy Dreamer.
34:10Tommy Dreamer.
34:11Tommy Dreamer.
34:12Tommy Dreamer.
34:13Tommy Dreamer.
34:14Tommy Dreamer.
34:15Tommy Dreamer.
34:16Tommy Dreamer.
34:17Tommy Dreamer.
34:18Tommy Dreamer.
34:19Tommy Dreamer.
34:20Tommy Dreamer.
34:22Hey, Brian, just the person I wanted to see.
34:26I just had this incredible idea.
34:28Yeah, tell us about it.
34:30Yeah, you don't understand.
34:32I like big, strong, muscular men.
34:36You said you were not a big, strong, muscular man.
34:40I was kind of thinking of overtaking you up to the janitor's closet and...
34:52Brain Buster!
34:55It's Steve Carino!
34:57What the hell is he doing here?
35:06Nice right hand!
35:09It's the Green Mist!
35:13What a kick!
35:14What a kick!
35:18Brain Buster on Super Crazy!
35:20Outfalls to zero!
35:26Giamalto is still blinded!
35:31Cover!
35:33Senior official Finnegan now makes the count!
35:37Jimmy Lynn on cover!
35:39I don't think he saw what happened to Super Crazy!
35:43It's a conspiracy!
35:44It's always a conspiracy!
35:46Jerry Lynn and Tajiri are in cahoots!
35:50Skull and News are going to take on Balls and Axel in a street fight.
35:57Loser of the fall splits town out of ECW forever.
36:07Axel with the chair!
36:10Nutcracker's weight on the chair!
36:16Skull is gone!
36:19Our plan!
36:20Look, we've got everything under control.
36:22Don't worry about your plan!
36:23Look at the rookie monster!
36:24We've got the...
36:25He fell to the side of this guy!
36:30Clothesline in the corner!
36:33Leapfrog by Leyman!
36:35And Candido gets scored!
36:37There's the chair!
36:44Plano is still up!
36:46What's that conveyor?
36:48What the...
36:49Face first to the chair!
36:51Cover!
36:53Candido makes the save!
36:55Candido makes the save!
37:02Weaver puts on the brakes!
37:05Spicoli's driver coming up!
37:09Here be with the low blow!
37:13In comes Francine!
37:21Can't fight!
37:22Can't fight!
37:26Can't fight!
37:27Can't fight!
37:28Tammy on top!
37:32Dragging Francine up by her hair!
37:39Suplex flushed!
37:45DDT!
37:47DDT!
37:49DDT!
37:51DDT!
37:53DDT!
37:55DDT!
37:57Candido swings and misses!
37:59DDT by Dreiber!
38:07The Women's Tag Team Champions are here to destroy!
38:11Here in Binghamton, New York!
38:13Here on TNA!
38:17In the ring, Corrino and Rhyno are relentless!
38:26Corrino screaming in the face of Raven!
38:32Dreiber and Raven, the World Tag Team Champions!
38:43But the odds...
38:45The odds are about to be evened out!
38:58It's the Sandman!
39:07The Sandman is here!
39:16The Sandman!
39:30The Sandman has seen both World Tag Team Champions!
39:34And Raven attacks the Sandman!
39:38And once again, Tommy Dreiber is stuck in the middle!
39:43Trying to play Peacemaker!
39:48The Sandman just came, Tommy Dreiber!
39:52I think he was aiming...
39:54It's the Impact Players!
39:57The Impact Players are back!
40:01Lance Storm is just incredible!
40:06Layout Raven!
40:09He's a Sandman!
40:12We're back to live action as now Sabu is demanding 5 more minutes
40:17as Rob Van Dam did at the end of the last period for lack of a better word
40:23and Rob Van Dam is walking out with the World Television title in tow!
40:29Sabu is limping but he's ready to soar!
40:32Sabu with the plunge and down across Rob Van Dam!
40:37The bell has rung!
40:39Sabu will not take no for an answer!
40:42The fight goes on!
40:47ECW Hardcore TV is back!
40:50Van Dam and Sabu battling for the World Television title!
40:54Kick clock!
40:56And now Sabu trying to twist the ropes!
40:59And now Sabu trying to twist the right knee of Rob Van Dam!
41:07Van Dam fighting and screaming!
41:12Van Dam desperately trying to escape, trying to kick his way out
41:16but Sabu twisting away on that knee!
41:19Van Dam frees himself!
41:22But the damage has already been done!
41:29Rob Van Dam and Sabu at war over the World Television title!
41:35What a kick!
41:37Like an uppercut thrown by a heavyweight champion of the world!
41:42Five star frog splash!
41:45But can Van Dam capitalize?
41:49He's inching his way towards Sabu!
41:54Alfonso Rivas out and touches the leg of Van Dam!
41:57Was that out of concern?
41:59Or was he trying to stop Van Dam from covering Sabu?
42:04Alfonso claims he's still pulling it right down the middle!
42:07There's the cover!
42:10Two and a half! Sabu kicks out!
42:16Van Dam and Sabu have taken the best that their opponent has to offer in this matchup
42:24And then some!
42:25And they are still going!
42:27What a sweep by Van Dam!
42:29Down goes Sabu!
42:31Corkscrew leg drop down across the throat!
42:37Van Dam positioning Sabu!
42:42Ascending the turnbuckles!
42:46Leaping split-legged moonsault!
42:50Van Dam has got to make the cover!
42:55Lateral press!
42:58Two count only!
43:02And now Sabu is up!
43:06Sabu positioning Van Dam!
43:12Arabian press cover!
43:15Two and three quarters as Sabu draws his knees into the midsection of Van Dam!
43:21Lateral press again!
43:23Only a two!
43:29Rolls up Sabu!
43:33Two count off the Oklahoma roll!
43:37Short snap there! Lateral press! Two count only by Sabu!
43:42Both champion and champion!
43:47Five more minutes have elapsed!
43:49Time limit has expired!
43:52Referee John Peewey Moore has signaled definitively that this matchup is over!
43:57It is a draw!
43:59Peewey had the right to declare a decision in favor of either the champion or challenger
44:04Instead he said the matchup is a draw!
44:08Enough is enough!
44:10A smart decision by John Peewey Moore!
44:13Had this continued without question, Sabu or Rob Van Dam would have been injured
44:19And that's not good for anybody!
44:24Rob Van Dam will retain the world title!
44:27Sabu can barely stand! Van Dam can't even get up!
44:30And they still want a go!
44:33Peewey making a gutsy call here!
44:44And the fans here in Philly applauding both Rob Van Dam and Sabu!
44:50Who may not get any more of each other here tonight at the ECW Arena
44:55But you can bet we'll do this again sometime, somewhere in the very near future!
45:03Sabu can barely stand up!
45:06Sabu can barely stand up!
45:19Bill Alfonso, true to his word, called it right down the middle!
45:25Alfonso!
45:31Maybe not always, but at least for tonight, Alfonso was as honorable as he is experienced!
45:39Van Dam actually applauding Sabu!
45:44A rare display by the somewhat conceited world television champion!
45:50Quite the feat, he's that good!
45:54Van Dam and Sabu are going to go at it again!