[1996-06-11-ECW-TV] Rob Van Dam vs Mikey Whipwreck

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Loss]

Pillman's first post-accident appearance. More of an angle than a match, as Pillman challenges Whipwreck and Mikey slaps him, leading to RVD jumping him and making quick work of him. Then we get a music video recapping the match that's almost as long as the match itself (??) and Joey Styles interviews Pillman from ringside, who is sitting in his wheelchair.

[Cox]

I believe this was controversial at the time, because Pillman used the n-word in referring to the Gangstas, and New Jack tried to start a fight with him when he came back through the curtain. I think they may have cut that out of the version that aired.

[PeteF3]

Yeah, this was the "Niggas with Attitude" incident, and that doesn't make air. Mikey literally having to hold the chair *twice* so RVD can knock it into his face was pretty eye-rolling (this is probably the debut of the Van Daminator, and thank goodness for that) but it's a fresh look at RVD for him to be booked as a killer heel, at least. Pillman hasn't mellowed at all since the car wreck, obviously. This promo was pretty good and I really kinda wish we'd gotten the whole thing, just to see exactly what he said.

[soup23]

RVD is now embodied in an angle but I didn't see much redeeming about this and it feels disappointing to be Pillmans return and him involved with this although the car wreck really stunted any momentum for him.

[tim]

The Vandaminator looked like it killed Mikey here.