[2000-10-01-ECW-Anarchy Rulz] Little Guido & Tony Mamaluke vs Mikey Whipwreck & Yoshihiro Tajiri

[soup23]

I can see how some would be down on this match as it wasn't big like the Hammerstein match and actually worked more like a throwaway sprint but the work within the match was really strong and again these four proved why they are some of the strongest workers in the US in 2000. Especially Tajiri, Guido and even Mamaluke. The way Sal is able to position himself for the big spots work and that gives a frantic vibe allowing Tajiri and Mikey opportunity to avoid him and create drama that they can win the big one. FBI has been able to escape with these wins while also looking strong which isn't easy to do. Overall, this was a win for me. ***1/4 (6.5)

[GSR]

Mikey and Tajiri attack the tag team champions at the bell as they’re having a pre-match hug.  They whip them into one another however the FBI put on the breaks and go to clothesline the Unholy Alliance, only for them to duck out the way as they end up clotheslining each other.  Tajiri with a kick to the head of Guido, Mikey following suit on Mamaluke, showing that he’s been taking lessons from his partner.  Tarantula by Tajiri, while over on the other side of the ring Mikey with a guillotine legdrop as the challengers continue to have their way with the champions.  Big Sal grabs Mikey as he takes off after Guido, but he manages to free himself from his grasp and send the big man crashing into the ring post before Tajiri kills him with a kick.  The Alliance tie Mamaluke in the ‘Tree of Woe’ and, after a Tajiri baseball slide, the Sinister Minister then enters the ring and shoots fire at his crotch.  It’s laughable that the official didn’t see any of this, even by ECW standards, as they didn’t even attempt to try and distract him, he was just looking the other way.    Guido tries to surprise them with a chair, but a Mikey drop toehold sends him head first into it.  That ends up bloodying the Italian’s forehead.  Mamaluke with a low blow while Mikey is unloading on him in the corner, and Guido is over to help his partner on a double powerbomb.  As the crowd start up with our first “Where’s my pizza?” chant of the night, Cyrus goes on about the blatant stereotyping by this obviously uneducated crowd!  ‘Sicilian slice’ for a near fall.  Mikey catches Mamaluke on the bodyscissors and pancakes him face first to the mat.  He makes the hot tag and Tajiri takes out his anger on Guido.  Handspring elbow.  Mamaluke lands on his feet from the attempted German and responds with one of his own, Joey Styles quickly correcting Cyrus and calling it an ‘Italian’ suplex.  Rib breaker by Mikey and a Guido slingshot legdrop breaks up the cover.   As he tries for the ‘Kiss of Death’, Tajiri blinds him with the mist.  ‘Double Whippersnapper’ but Big Sal pulls the official from the ring, his team’s titles.  The Sinister Minister fruitlessly attacks Sal with his cane, which has no effect and Sal ends up squashing him up against the guard rail.  Asai moonsault by Tajiri takes out the big man.  Mikey looks for a ‘Super Whippersnapper’ however Guido clocks him with one of the title belts.  Some sort of double team move out of the FBI, the referee slides back into the ring and the champions retain their gold.

Shorter match than I expected, almost a sprint, as they only go ten minutes.  Very good as always with these teams, but refer to my comments in the opener about what I think should’ve happened here.