Source: Slam! Sports
Only in Canada, eh? What a pity. Die-hard grappling fans who attended last night’s ECW – Smackdown! house show in Barrie, Ontario, were treated to a truly special main event featuring WWE World Champion Edge putting his title on the line against the ‘Rabid Wolverine’ Chris Benoit.
Unsure of which native son to cheer for, the crowd was split evenly with chants of “Let’s go Benoit!” followed closely by chants of “Let’s go Edge!” The fact that he grew up in the nearby town of Orangeville did not seem to play in Edge’s favour at all. The champ however did receive some applause when he offered to shake Benoit’s hand twice and did so without pulling any shenanigans.
Edge’s polite streak did not last long though. As Benoit unleashed with some trademarked chops that echoed around the Barrie Molson Centre, Edge halted the assault by tearing a page out of Roddy Piper’s rule book and poking him in the eyes. Edge attempted to ram Benot into the ringside stairs but the Irish Whip was reversed and Edge ended up colliding with the steel.
Back in the ring, Edge narrowly rolled out of the way as Beniot went for his Swan Dive Headbutt finisher. A vicious baseball slide sent Benoit careening out of the ring and into the steel barricade. Edge then got a measure of revenge by hurling Benoit into the same stairs he had become aquianted with just minutes before.
With Benoit clutching his ribs and grimacing in pain, Edge locked in a bear hug squeezing for all he was worth. Deafening shouts of “Benot!” and “Edge!” broke out as the two struggled in the centre of the ring. Once Benoit broke free, the battle continued on the top rope and ended with Benoit supersplexing Edge.
As the crowd began to solidly back Benoit, he picked up the pace chopping and elbowing Edge to the mat. After a complete Three Amigos followed by three German Suplexes, Benoit dragged his thumb across his throat and vaulted to the top rope.
A collective “Awwww!” went through the crowd when Benoit’s Swan Dive Headbutt only scored him a two count.
The ever crafty Edge pulled Benoit into the steel ring post by the trunks and then went for his Spear. Benoit sidestepped the move and locked in half a Crippler Crossface. Edge managed to seek refuge in the ropes only to then be put into the Sharpshooter. Reaching the salvation of the ropes once again, Edge pulled out a pair of heavily taped brass knuckles from his trunks. As Benoit grabbed him by the hair, Edge whacked Benoit in the skull and stole a three count victory much to the chagrin of the crowd.
