Already able to manhandle more equally matched opponents, Awesome had an absolute field day with Dudley. Here, being able to work with a Dudley, a man nearly half his weight and around a foot shorter, truly allowed Awesome to let out his monstrous capabilities. Awesome's biggest matches had been with Masato Tanaka, a man of sturdy structure in his own right. ![]() Of course, Awesome was an immense wrestler, but his pairing really allowed him to display that. But, Mike Awesome's greatest strengths were always his actual performance in front of the crowd. More than just shock factor, the act was something to garner sympathy for both her and Dudley and to put over the mean spirit of Awesome, setting up a blood feud for Guilty as Charged.įor Awesome, his promos heading into the title bout were serviceable, with Judge Jeff Jones acting as his mouthpiece before Awesome himself taunted his smaller opponent. Whilst the use of Dudley's girlfriend as a victim is just one entry in a long list of women used as collateral damage in a male-focused feud, particularly in ECW, the nature of it was treated with a little more care than usual. Left lying in the ring by Awesome, the shocking development was the catalyst that threw gas on the fire between Awesome and Dudley. But, after delivering as Acid Drop bulldog to Jones, she was swiftly met by a running lariat from Awesome. ![]() Dressed in the same tie-dye, taped glasses, and dungarees as Spike joined in with spoiling Mike Awesome's celebration as she attacked the champion's manager, Judge Jeff Jones. One that was presented in a less gross way was Spike Dudley's girlfriend, played by Kari Bullock who was also a lighting director for the hardcore promotion. Now, ECW had a pretty spotty track record when it comes to its presentation and use of women in its programming. RELATED: 10 ECW Wrestlers Who Would Have Done Well In Modern WrestlingÄudley and Awesome would start to brawl, but the key element that brought something special to the feud came from an additional character in this feud. Upon celebrating the start of his second world title reign, Dudley's music hit, and the runt of the litter marched down to the ring. Tanaka had defeated Awesome for the belt, but only for a few days before Awesome took it back. ![]() Spike Dudley had challenged the big man a few times at house shows, but the feud between the two really ignited on December 23rd, 1999. Awesome spent the next few months defending the belt at house shows and on television. Mike Awesome, a freak athlete that had the look, the power, and a surprising amount of agility, had won the ECW World Heavyweight Championship at Anarchy Rulz in September 1999, taking the belt from Taz in a Three-Way Dance also starring Masato Tanaka. Instead, all they needed was something to take it to the next level, and a main event was born. The dynamics of the two rivals already did a lot of the heavy lifting in selling this match as a must-see bout, making a long, drawn-out build completely unnecessary. Working to cement this feud as one of the best of its type in the short span between set up and climax.
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