Pro Wrestling Illustrated Presents: Gold Rush

         


 PRESENTS:        







Location: Toronto Skydome








 Bill Apter: "Hello wrestling fans! On behalf of Pro Wrestling Illustrated,  I would like to welcome you to the Toronto Skydome for Gold Rush! Tonight eight men will compete in a single Elimination tournament and the winner will recieve the Gold Rush contract to face the NWA World tv champion any time they choose in the next calendar year! Not only that but what would a Great American Bash tour be without a War Games match? That's right, The Elite will team with Evolution to face the team of Shawn Michaels..... Kevin Nash..... The Usos...... and Roman Reigns! But right now, it's time to start the first round of Gold Rush!"    




 Gold Rush First Round Matchup: "Gentleman" Chris Adams vs "Ravishing" Rick Rude w/ Percy Pringle        

Adams immediately takes Rude to the floor for a beating. He even beats Rude in the eye with a MICROPHONE!  Meanwhile, Percy Pringle is ducking low by the ring apron. In the ring, Adams misses a flying headbutt. Rude hits a suplex so he can stun Adams long enough to get a breather. Running clothesline gets two. Adams escapes a chinlock, but Rude catches him with a knee and drops a flying fist drop for two. Back to the chinlock. Pringle distracts the ref while Rude gets dastardly and rips at the eye of Adams To the floor, Rude slams Adams on a ringside table. Back in, Rude delivers a suplex for two. Now to the chinlock. Then Rude tries one dropkick too many and Adams lets him crash and burn. SUPERKICK puts down Rude. Now the PILEDRIVER. Adams covers for 1......2......NO! Percy puts Rudes foot on the bottom rope. Suplex also gets two. Another SUPERKICK and Adams heads up top, but Pringle shakes the ropes with his cane to send Adams down hard to the mat. Rude hits The Rude Awakening  then covers Adams for the 1.....2......3!!







 Bill Apter: "Well how about that? Fans if you had Chris Adams losing in the first round as your bet in Vegas..... congratulations! Many considered Adams to be the odds on favorite to win this entire thing. But with a little help from his manager, Percy Pringle, Rick Rude advances on. We are only the first match into the tournament and we already have a shocker! Let's move on to our next matchup!"            




 Gold Rush First Round Match: "Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs Taz            

Taz makes his way to the ring with a face of pure determination as Apter says this match against Austin may be the biggest match of Taz career. Glass breaks and the Skydome goes nuts as Austin makes his way to the ring. Taz jumps him as he comes in and pounds on Austin in the corner.  Austin pushes Taz off him and Taz comes right back looking for the early kill as he locks on the Tazmission! Taz has Austion hooked then we see Raven sneak in the ring and hit A low blow to Taz that breaks up the Tazmission. Raven rolls out of the ring just as quickly as he came in. All this unbeknownst to Austin who sees Taz slumped over...... Stone Cold hits the Stunner on Taz! 1.......2........3!!!  





 Bill Apter: "Well if the opening round wasn't crazy enough..... how about the turnabout of that bout? Fans, somewhere, some day you can bet Taz will get his hands on Raven! But right now I'm thinking Austin may want to slow down on those celebratory beers..... he still has another match tonight!"            




  Gold Rush First Round Match: Ricky Steamboat vs Arn Anderson                

Anderson starts this match, complaining that his hair was pulled as Steamboat just outwrestles him on the mat early on. Steamboat gets a figure four on, but Anderson gets the bottom rope quick enough, though when he gets up he’s hit with a dropkick. Steamboat gets an inside cradle for two, then a running crossbody, and Anderson rolls through it, his legs get on the ropes, and the ref counts three.  





  Bill Apter: "As they like to say..... Once A Horsemen, always A Horsemen! And Arn Anderson wasn't afraid to use any dirty tactic to win. The Enforcer moves on!"            




Gold Rush First Round Match: Shelton Benjamin vs Eddie Guerrero              

Lockup sequence to begin and Guerrero flips thru a snapmare and does one of his own, but falls victim to an armdrag and a *quick* powerslam. Benjamin puts on an armbar as Apter explains that Shelton ran a 4.2 40-yard dash while at Minnesota. Eddy suplexes out of the armbar and locks Benjamin in a head vise. Benjamin makes the ropes, but since Eddy doesnt release the hold, Shelton stands up and hits an electric chair for 2. Benjamin goes to the chinlock, but Eddie fights out and takes him down with a back elbow. The slingshot senton is good for 2. Benjamin hits a HIGH backdrop, then a backbreaker for 2. He charges into the corner, but Eddie turns that effort into a nice twisting suplex for 2. He goes up, but Benjamin follows and wins the fight over the top rope. He tries to bring Guerrero down with an electric chair from the top, but Eddie turns it into the sunset flip powerbomb. Eddie goes up again, this time coming down on  Benjamin with a double axehandle but Shelton moves and Guerrero hots the ref. Low blow by Guerrero! He rams Benjamin into the buckle and goes up again, but misses the Frog Splash. Guerrero rolls out and grabs a steel chair. As the ref begins to rise, Guerrero slams the chair into the mat, then he himself falls to the mat. The ref turns and sees the chair and Guerrero on the mat. The ref questions Benjamin, who pleads his case to the ref that he didn't use the chair. Out comes Tommy Rich! He gets the refs attention and informs him what happened. The ref says the match continues. Guerrero is livid and argues with the ref. Eddie catches a superkick, but Benjamin keeps his balance and spins that into a nice heel kick to pick up the win!  






 Bill Apter: "Nobody lies, cheats, or steals better than Eddie Guerrero! But thankfully for Shelton Benjamin,  that Tommy Rich came out and set the ref straight! Now Shelton advances. And if you have been watching Progress Wrestling,  you already know that he has been on a hot streak as of late. That win could very well propel him to win the entire tournament.  Fans, we are through the first round and only 4 men remain. I'm told that my broadcast partner, Elizabeth is backstage with a man I know for certain, is keeping an eye on all this action! Take it away Liz!"        





 Elizabeth: "Thanks Bill! And your correct, nobody knows the NWA TV dision better than my guest at this time..... he is the NWA World tv champion..... Jimmy Snuka! Jimmy, we are through the first round of action and only four men remain. Who is your odds on favorite to win?"            




 Jimmy Snuka: "Ya know Sista.... it's just too early to tell. But The Superfly has his eyes on all of them. And whoever the last man standing is will deserve a shot at my......."              


In walks Arn Anderson!

 Arn Anderson: "Typical political answer coming from.a political champion! I fi d it real funny that every time one of these announcers around the NWA asks you about your challengers, you never mention my name! Well after tonight Snuka, you will have no choice but to acknowledge me!"        


Then in walks Chris Adams!


  Chris Adams: "Ya know something..... let's not forget that I am still the number one Contender to that title!"          

 Arn Anderson: "Adams..... why are you still here? Didn't you lose your first round match? Why don't you move along? The grown men are trying to have a conversation!"                

  Jimmy Snuka: "Lemme tell you both something Brudda..... I am coming to UWF this coming Monday for the Great American Bash.  And the contract says its a triple threat match with all three of us. And on that night, once the smoke clears you both will know why I am The one wearing this title!"        






The crowd erupts as Canada's own, Chris Jericho makes his way to the ring!




  Chris Jericho: "Did you seriously think that the NWA was coming to Canada and not have Chris Jericho on the show? How absurd would that be? But unfortunately for all you crazy Canucks, I don't have a match tonight! And quite honestly, there's only one reason why........ IVE ALREADY BEATEN THEM ALL!  Just take a look at the list of people I have successfully defended this title against....... Hakushi! I beat him so bad he's now a walking menu for the local Chinese place. Eddie Gilbert? I extinguished that flame! El Hijo Del what ever his freaking name is? Please..... get real! Stinko Malenko? Not in my league! Jerry Lawler? He's flipping burgers at Burger King. Ohhhhh and Bryan Danielson? Ya let's just say I put him in his place for good after last night! Let's face it people...... I'm gonna be the NWA Super Juniors Champion for...... EVVVVEEERRRRR!"      




 Gold Rush Semi-Final: Steve Austin vs Rick Rude w/Percy Pringle                

Austin met Rude with a reverse elbow, tied up Rude in his robe in the corner and unleashed on chops. The Ravishing One shot back to Austin and then ducked a clothesline before catching a Lou Thesz press by Austin. Stone Cold dropped the head of Rude into the top turnbuckle over and over with the crowd WHAT chants.

Rude decided he wanted a breather. Austin ran after him and chopped him outside the ring. Austin gave Percy a shot to let him know he is here. Rude dropped Austin with a clothesline. Rude stomping on Steve and got him to a corner. Rude chops Austin while Percy took the turnbuckle padding off the other side of the ring. Austin shot back with shots of his own but then was sent spine first into the exposed turnbuckle. Percy kicks at  Austin on the outside. Rude punches Austin and puts him back in the ring.

Rude with Austin sent him hard into both corners dropping him with clotheslines. Rude manages a fall-away slam, then a clothesline to Austin and a two. Rude with his leg choked Austin out on the middle rope until Percy gave Austin a cheapshot from the outside of the ring. Stone Cold limped up in the corner while Rude dropped down on Austin. Percy  came over with another forearm shot on Austin behind the ref.

Austin caught Rude off the ropes buying himself some time in the match and both men seem to be out of it. A slow slug-fest breaks out and Rude drops him again with another right. Austin up...... got the Stunner out of no where but Percy distracts the official. Austin who has became tored of Percys antics, gives Pringle the double bird. Rude gets up and grabs a chair. Rude went for a chairshot but Austin got the lowblow, Austin then stunnered Rude!!! Austin still has the cover and a late referee imakes his way to the ring for the count, 1.......2....... Percy drops an elbow down on the new ref so the three is not counted. Stone Cold takes Pringle out over to the floor and turns around finding himself into the Rude Awakening by Rude, 1......2.......3!! Rude advances to the tournament finals!  


 Bill Apter: "If Pro Wrestling Illustrated was to have its year end awards right now you would have to give Percy Pringle the Manager of the Year award after all that interference that leads to his man, Ravishing Rick Rude advancing to the finals! Austin was just absolutely robbed there!"          





 Gold Rush Semi-Final: Shelton Benjamin  vs Arn Anderson      

Doube A takes him into the corner to start and offers a polite slap to the face for the break. Shelton easily wrestles him down twice in a row, with a little slap of his own after the second. A shoulder drops Shelton but he pops up before Arn can even try the knee drop. The DDT is escaped but Arn says it was that close. A backslide gives Shelton a very close two and he does the “that close” gesture right back to Arn.

Arn chops away in the corner. The dragon whip gives Benjamin two and it’s off to an armbar until Arn sends him in for the jumping knee. Shelton goes shoulder first into the post twice in a row. Right hands and the knee drop give Anderson  two and it’s time for the sleeper until Shelton sends him face first into the buckle for the break. A jumping back elbow puts Arn down as he just can’t put Shelton away. Arn suplexing his way out of a sleeper.

Arn dives into some raised boots and falls to the floor, allowing Shelton to hit a clothesline from the apron. The top rope clothesline gets two back inside and a powerslam is good for the same. A DDT attempt is countered into a jackknife cover for Two. Shelton sends Arn into the turnbuckles and hit’s a Stinger Splash into a rollup to give Shelton the victory!



 Bill Apter: "If your counting at home, that's two wins tonight for Shelton Benjamin that nobody said he could win! And now he finds himself in the finals against Rick Rude! But fans, before wr get to that encounter, it's time to go to War!"        




  War Games Match: Shawn Michaels, Kevin Nash, The Usos, & Roman Reigns  vs The Elite & Evolution              








As both teams make their way down to ringside Black Sabbath’s War Pigs fill the night air through the stadium .  The ref calls both Adam Cole and Shawn Michaels to the center of the stadium where he takes the mic .

Larry Hazard: Gentleman. This is Wargames  for the first five minutes , one member from each team will enter . After that , the winner of this coin toss will gain a second team member . Then two minutes after that the other team will gain a second team member . We continue this until all ten men are in the cage . After that the first pinfall or submission wins . Shawn Michaels you call the coin flip .

Shawn : Tails .

Larry : It is heads . Team Cole has won the toss. I’ll give you one minute with your team .

Shawn enters the cage first . Randy Orton enters next . Shawn with a hip toss on Orton and then a flying forearm knocks Randy back into the cage . Shawn with a back body drop and then a flying head scissors take over hurl Orton face first into the cage . Orton is bleeding .  Shawn works kind of a makeshift sleeper to wear his man down more . Things change quickly however ……

3……..2…….1

Batista enters and right away chokeslams Shawn . Now he and Orton stomp the hell out of HBK .  Orton punts Shawn in the head . He and Batista seem happy to taunt Shawn’s team mates .

3……2…….1!

Jey Uso hits the ring , but HBK is still down from the Orton Punt . So it’s really a two on one advantage . Evolution sets him up for The Final Conutdown ( Batista Bomb into an RKO) but Shawn has recovered . He dives at Batista’s leg clipping him . Jey now with a spear on Orton .  

3…..2…..1!!

Matt Jackson hits the ring . Grabs Jey by the hair and hurl him into the cage . Jey is busted open . Batista with a Bearhug on Shawn . Matt gets off a Destroyer on Jey . Orton then hits a hangmen’s DDT !

3……2…..1

Kevin Nash hits the cage . Big boot to Jackson . Big Boot to Orton . And clotheslines Batista in the back of the head . Kevin picks Jackson up and tosses him straight up into the top part of the cage .

3……2…..1!!!!

Nick Jackson comes in and brings a damn chair . He slams it into Kevin’s back . Then hits Shawn in the ribs . Jey gets a shot to the ribs as well .

3……2…….1!

Jimmy Uso joins the fray . He brings in a chair to even things up . Jimmy with a chair shot to Batista and then one to Orton . 3…..2….1.

Adam Cole comes in and he’s dodging flying chairs and clotheslines . Kevin Nash goes for a big boot , but Cole hits him with a knee strike and then a Backstabber .

3……2……1!  

Larry Hazard: It is now time for the match beyond . Pinfalls and submissions count .

We are going left to right . Left being ring 1 . Right is ring 2 .

In ring 1 , you have HBK , and the Young Bucks .  Ring 2 consists of Evolution, The Usos . Kevin Nash who is getting stomped on by Adam Cole and an approaching Roman Reigns.


HBK over in ring 1 is chopping both Jacksons across the chest when they get close . He’s got his back to the turnbuckles so they can’t get in from behind. He fights his way out of the corner and then hits Matt with a Slingblade. Nick however catches him with a Superkick . He covers 1……..2…….broken up by Jey Uso who has gotten away from ring 2 .

Meanwhile over in ring 2 . Kevin Nash isn’t playing anymore . He chokeslams Cole . Batista falls victim to Reigns Superman Punch ! Orton ducks under a enzuguri by Jimmy and gets off a DDT .  Cole has rolled in between the rings and seems caught down there .

Over in ring 1 that battle with Jey and HBK vs the Youngbucks is going strong . Nick rakes HBK’s eyes and then slams his head repeatedly into the cage . HBK is a bloody mess . Remember he’s been in there the longest . He can barely function now . Jimmy has broken from ring 2 and now both brother teams are exchanging punches .


Over in ring 2 , Nash is trying to pull Cole up out of space between the rings , but Cole has slithered down even further . Orton now attacks Kevin from behind with a reverse neck breaker . Batista and Roman are exchanging punches to the delight of the fans .  Cole finally comes out from between the rings . He has a hammer in his hand . He hits Roman in the back of the head with it . Orton and Batista are holding Nash down .

The Bucks over in ring 1 have picked up chairs and are beating the Usos unmercifully.  HBK is out of it . The ref’s focus is back in ring 2 .

Cole waits as a dazed Roman turns around… SUPERKICK BY COLE !!! He covers 1………2……..3 !!!!

You’re winners of Wargames  Adam Cole The Young Bucks and Evolution.






Bill Apter: "What an epic war! That was everything we thought it would be and more! If you thought Cole and The Bucks were abnoxious before, just wait until you hear from them next! Alright folks, it's time for our tournament finale! One man....Man..... either Shelton Benjamin or Rick Rude will be holding the Gold Rush contract after this bout. Could one of these two men be the next NWA World tv champion? Let's go to the ring for our Main Event!"          





 Gold Rush Tournament Finals: Shelton Benjamin vs Rick Rude w/Percy Pringle            

They lock up. Rude gets a wristlock. Chain wrestling to start. Shelton gets a waistlock. Rude reverses to a headlock, but Shelton gets a back suplex to break it.  Shelton gets a takedown, to a waistlock and a waistlock takedown. Rude gets up and reverses to an armwringer. Rude goes for a neckbreaker, but Shelton blocks it takes him down again. They go to the ropes to break. They line each other up, and then Rude gets a kick and the Fujiwara armbar. Shelton gets up to his knees, to his feet, and Rude decides to go to the wristlock again. Shelton springboards off the top rope  but Percy grabs his foot trying to trip him up! The ref sees it!! The ref points at Percy and demands he leave the ringside area! The fans erupt and Rude throws a fit over the decision..

Benjamin with a backflip to reverse, and then gets an armdrag!. Another armdrag, and Shelton gets the no-modifiers armbar. Rude  gets to his feet, and slugs Shelton with a right. Armdrag by Rude, and he taunts Benjamin.  Rude ducks a clothesline and tries the German, but Benjamin lands on his feet! Shelton taunts Rude. Rude is pissed and charges… but Shelton casually dumps him and talks trash as Rude recovers on the outside.

Back inside, Rude slows things down and rakes the eyes of Benjamin. Rude got a belly-to-belly suplex to the outside. Cover, 1......2...... Shelton kicking out, and now Rude locks in a rear chinlock while grapevining the left leg. Shelton releases his leg and gets to his feet to elbow out. Shelton gets a whip into the corner, but nobody’s home on the charge. German suplex! It gets two. And TWO. Rude is annoyed, so he goes to a series of stomps and a blatant choke. Rude gets the uppercut forearm. He stomps the head and gets an overhead bellyto-belly for two. Rude gets a bodyscissors and just tries to squeeze as much as possible. Crowd is red-hot. Shelton has to kick out once, and he’s fading as the ref asks the question. Shelton tries to elbow out. He gets to his feet and elbows out, but Rude comes back with a forearm. Hard whip into the corner, but Shelton dodges the blind charge, and Rude runs straight into a big spinebuster! Double-KO time. The ref starts the 10-count as the crowd is with him every step of the way. Both men get up at 7, and Shelton blocks a right and gets four rights of his own. Rude reverses a whip, but Shelton gets a forearm and a clothesline, and another clothesline. Shelton gets a whip into th e corner, but Rude elbows him to block the Stinger splash. Rude runs nito the Samoan drop, though, and Shelton gets a near fall. Shelton gets a whip but dropkicks air as Rude  stops himself, and now Rude tries the Rude Awakening. Shelton kicks him off before it can get locked in, though. Rude blocks the superkick… SPINNING LEG LARIAT! 1...... 2...... NO!!! Shelton heads up a bit slowishly… Rude follows him up....... SUPERPLEX! But when they hot the mat Shelton reaches back and hooks the leg of Rude, 1......2......NO!!! Rude up first and drives his knee into Sheltons midsection.  Rude swivels his hips! Rude sends Shelton into the turnbuckles and comes flying in but Benjamin moves and Rude crashes hard into the turnbuckles.  Shelton grabs Rude....... T-Bone Suplex!! 1.......2.......3!!!!! Shelton Benjamin is your Gold Rush tournament winner!!!  







Elizabeth enters the ring and presents Benjamin his open Gold Rush contract.



 Elizabeth: "Shelton Benjamin..... congratulations to you on a huge tournament win! On behalf of Pro Wrestling Illustrated, I would like to present to you this open contract for a shot at the NWA World tv title at any time of your choosing!"      


  Shelton Benjamin: "Thank you! Let me start off by saying what an honor it is to win this contract. And I know there's still some Bash tour dates left. Ya never know..... you may see me cash this contract in at Oklahoma next week..... or maybe Yankee Stadium! But right now, I'm going to take this accomplishment and let it all soak in for a while! But I'm telling all you great people right now...... you haven't even seen the best of Shelton Benjamin yet! Thank you!"            


Bill Apter: :There he goes fans..... Shelton Benjamin...... your Gold Rush tournament winner! And something tells me that Jimmy Snuka may not rest as easy tonight as he normally does! Fans I want to thank you for joining us tonight! Until next time, we will see you at the matches."