[2000-09-07-ECW-Cleveland, OH] Kid Kash vs Chris Hamrick

[soup23]

Kash has the ECW tv title even though it doesn't air until tomorrow. Hamrick is making the most of this manager/wrestler role by working his ass off in these mid card matches bumping like a loon like usual but also adding some neat offensive touches when called upon. He has a unique ability of having flashy offense but it also looks smooth. He does this by making himself look menacing and competent even though his gimmick really isn't. Kash is fairly good in that regard as well although a bit more spotty. This was a good match that was a nice win to catapult Kash in his tv title reign. *** (6)

 

[Migs]

I think ECW was assuming everyone was reading results on the internet and thus already knew about the title change. Sort of an inherent issue for them at the time - they had the internet savviest fans but couldn't do a live show other than on PPV.

 

I sort of feel like Kash could have used an opponent with a bit more credibility to suggest he was moving up the card (and maybe part of it was that he wasn't really moving up - this was just a temporary thing to get a pop and the belt was going back to Rhino).

 

The match itself is fine, typical ECW undercard at the time with good spots but not a ton of flow. It's weird - all these ECW undercard guys from this time are all sort of in amber from this time for me as spot guys, no matter how they may have developed later in their careers (and maybe they didn't, for a variety of reasons).

[AstroBoy]

This match features just nonstop derogatory chants at Hamrick's second. I liked the opening standoff sequence a little more than a typical one because Hamrick is the type of guy to get bested at almost every turn to make Kash come out of even a sequence like that looking one step ahead. Kash's step up springboard was really smooth and Hamrick takes nice bumps so this was pretty good, it just didn't have a great hook.

 

**3/4

[GSR]

Oh Elektra is in Cleveland then, just seconding ‘Confederate Currency’ rather than Mr Money.  This ECW crowd will wolf whistle and go giddy for any female showing some flesh no matter how rough and skanky that woman, or Elektra, may be.  In her Southern drawl she turns to RF and says “we’re taking that belt home because Mommy wants champagne and we’re fabulous”.  If you say so love.  We’ve seen plenty of ‘stand offs’ this year but the one here between Kash and Hamrick felt different, more natural and less choreographed.  As an example in the leg trip/cover spot there was actually some force behind the trip, not just a flimsy tap of the ankle or the wrestler looking like he was falling backward of his own accord.  A dropkick sends Hamrick to the outside where Kash launches himself at him with a slingshot plancha.  Springboard lariat and as Kash makes the cover Elektra gets up on the apron shouting “ref, ref” at official H.C. Loc.  Rather than do his job he stops his count to go and speak with her as she starts flirting with him.  The “show your tits” chants she was receiving earlier in the match have turned into “she’s a crack whore”.  Kash is next to be somehow mesmerized by her non-beauty, and as he is, Hamrick nails him from behind.  A great flying elbow drop for a two count.  The chants get even more disgusting towards Elektra, the audience now wanting to see her “beaver”.  Hamrick telegraphs a backdrop and Kash with what looks like a double jump double axe handle.  It’s not long before Hamrick is back in charge though after Kash runs into an elbow.  Elektra is badly out of position for her interference, probably distracted by the non-stop crass chants she’s been on the end of.  The match goes one way and then the other from here until Hamrick misses on the top rope legdrop.  Kash with the ‘Money Maker’ (which gets the best response of anything in the match) and he picks up the win.

The crowd were completely obnoxious throughout, more interested in making derogatory chants at Elektra than anything the men were doing.  A back and forth match that would’ve played better in front of a more respectful audience.