ECW: The Night The Line Was Crossed

ECW: The Night The Line Was Crossed

February 1994 - Philadelphia, PA

CHAMPIONSHIP RUNDOWN: Coming into the show, the ECW Heavyweight Champion was Terry Funk, Sabu held the ECW TV Title, and the ECW Tag Team Titles were vacant. 

COMMENTATOR: Joey Styles

The Night The Line Was Crossed was not a PPV event but a VHS release put out by ECW (then known as Eastern Championship Wrestling). The video begins with an appearance from Tod Gordon, ECW's President, warning viewers that "Eastern Championship Wrestling isn't for everyone."

"Wildman" Sal Bellomo, dressed as an old Roman warrior, makes his way down the aisle for the opening contest, throwing toys into the crowd as he does so. I'm admittedly unfamiliar with Bellomo, so I'm not necessarily sure what's going on. His opponent is Mr. Hughes, seconded by the quote-unquote "Sexiest Man on Earth," Jason. Hughes and Bellomo tie up to start things off with Hughes gaining control, the match being fought at a snail's pace. Both guys' offense consists of mostly shoulder tackles and forearms with Hughes eventually putting the match to an end with an ugly sidewalk slam in under 5 minutes. Shit match with a half-point awarded for keeping it short. (0.5/5)

The Sandman and "Ironman" Tommy Cairo take on The Pitbull and Rockin' Rebel (also with Jason in their corner) in a Double Dog Collar Match next. This is pre-Zubaz & Metallica Sandman, which is always a bit jarring considering his later look would become so iconic. The lack of cameras available to capture the action is unfortunate as the one "hard cam" basically has to swivel back and forth as each pair of wrestlers take each other out with chairs in the early going. Rebel looks to be busted open early, but its hard to tell with the video quality. Sandman and The Rebel end up at the back of the arena where The Sandman gets backdropped onto (but not necessarily through) a table. The Pitbull and Cairo continue their work in the ring as Rebel and Sandman make their way back towards it. Rebel hits a nasty pilediver on a table on the outside to a big pop. With all four men back in the ring, the match goes into an awkward finishing sequence that eventually sees Cairo miraculously hit a belly-to-belly on Pitbull and make the three count with Sandman assisting him. The heels free themselves from the chain and double-team Cairo, but Sandman runs them off. This match had a few good spots, but not nearly enough to make it worth watching. The finish made no sense either as the heels had dominated this one from the start. (1/5)

The Public Enemy take on The Bruise Brothers (aka The Harris Twins, Skull & 8-Ball, The Blu Brothers, etc.) next. This is a messy brawl from the start with the Harris Brothers grabbing chairs and bashing their opponents with little regard for their opponent's safety. Big surprise considering they're white supremacist assholes. Again, the poor production quality prevents us from even seeing most of the action as they fight into the unlit stands. Rocco Rock eventually makes his way towards the concession stand and looks to be trying to set up a cool spot, but the Harris Brother he's working with doesn't figure out what it is so they abandon it. Back in the ring, the Harrises continue to dominate. By this point, Johnny Grunge has been opened up. Back into the crowd they go, the Harrises continuing to no sell what little offense the Public Enemy do get in. Again Rocco Rock tries to climb away but gets bodyslammed onto Joey Styles' table for his efforts in the best moment of the match - largely due to Styles' commentary. Johnny Grunge eventually turns the tides by throwing salt in the eyes of one of the Harrises and Rock decks him in the back with a 2-by-4. They then stack themselves on top to get a cover that elicits boos from the crowd. Yeah, it was a bullshit finish. This was basically the same match as the one before it only with nazis. (1/5)

A wrestling legend appears next - "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka taking on "Chippendale Era" Tommy Dreamer. As was common at the time, Dreamer gets booed when he is announced. Snuka gets a mild response too, though this is probably because he is accompanied by a nerdy, clearly heel manager, Hunter Q. Robbins III. In the front row, a fan holds up an "ECW: No Pretty Boys Allowed" sign, a clear reference to Dreamer. Snuka gets into it with a number of fans at ringside, drawing heat before a single punch is thrown. Its actually surprisingly clever work as the unpopular Dreamer gains some cheers just by sticking up for the fans. Of course, it runs a little too long as one can hear chants of "boring" sprinkled in towards the end. Snuka and Dreamer start things with off with some pretty pedestrian wrestling, Dreamer eventually hitting the Superfly with a pair of bodyslams and forcing him to the outside. If Dreamer had been more over as a babyface, this probably would've gotten a huge reaction but because much of the audience doesn't like Dreamer either, it doesn't quite work out that way. A "Piper" chant erupts to get under the skin of Snuka as Styles tries to sell it as the crowd getting behind Dreamer, which is debatable. To the outside they go, Snuka grabbing a chair and slamming it into the back of Dreamer. He tosses him back in the ring and hits him with a stomp and then a "vintage" Snuka chop off the ropes. After a backbreaker, Snuka heads to the top rope for his splash but takes his time getting up there. Snuka lands it, but Dreamer kicks out at 2! I wasn't expecting that at all, to be honest, and Styles does a good job selling it on commentary. Had this match actually had some real intense wrestling building up to that moment, it would've been bigger, but because it has been pretty ho-hum, it doesn't quite work. Snuka maintains control, drops an elbow and then goes up top again to hit a second pitch-perfect splash. This time, though, he doesn't make the cover, opting instead to strike him with more punches. Snuka then goes up for a third splash and connects! This time Dreamer stays down. Snuka headbutts the referee and continues to attack Dreamer, who is now bleeding out of his mouth. Snuka hits a FOURTH splash from the top as the crowd boos heavily. Tod Gordon arrives to help the referee and try to prevent Snuka from hitting a FIFTH splash, but gets clobbered with a forearm smash for his troubles. A number of babyfaces come out from backstage to stop Snuka, convincing him to retreat to the back. The "meat" of this match was nothing special and the pre-match shenanigans went on a little long, but everything after Snuka's first splash was smart booking and executed very well. I'm not an ECW historian so I'm not sure if this was "The Match" that made Dreamer a true babyface, but it certainly must've helped. As a whole, this was a pretty cool match/angle. (2.5/5) 

Kevin Sullivan & The Tazmaniac (Taz) vs. The Sheik and Pat Tanaka is the next match. This one barely goes 5 minutes, wrapping up before it even really starts. The Sheik throws a fireball from outside the ring into the back of Taz, but its barely even caught on camera and if you blink, you'll miss it. No big loss if you do. (0/5)

The next match is surprisingly awesome, pun intended, as Mike Awesome takes on JT Smith. I didn't realize Mike Awesome was around in 94' or that he was already a major ass-kicker. He is absolutely incredible here and the crowd appreciates what he does, chanting "Awesome" as he pulls off an insane suicide dive and a bunch of nasty power moves. Smith somehow ends up with the W via a flash pin, which would've been cool if we hadn't already seen similiar endings in the Public Enemy and Sandman/Cairo matches. After the match, Awesome goes to the top rope to attempt a splash on the referee, but the top rope falls off and he falls face-first into the ring. I'm not sure if he is selling the flub or genuinely got a concussion, but its a crazy moment. This is absolutely worth digging up; a very entertaining 5 minutes of sports-entertainment, intentional or not. I kinda just wish it all went on longer. (4/5)

Main event time - Sabu vs. Shane Douglas vs. Terry Funk for the ECW Heavyweight Championship. This is a 3-way Dance, but the stipulation is a bit different than your typical triangle match as Sabu and Douglas start things out in a 15-minute singles match with the winner going on to challenge Funk. This initial contest is a mixed bag - some of the work is sloppy and slow, but there's also bits of good hardcore violence, including a table spot that nearly ends the match. As there is no winner after the first 15 minutes, though, the match becomes a true Triple Threat, with Funk arriving and going right after Douglas as Sabu sells a knee injury on the outside. Funk and Douglas brawl in and out of the ring, the Funker eventually landing a piledriver on the floor that the camera is unable to capture. Funk tosses Douglas back into the ring and hits him with a pair of DDTs and then goes for a pin, for Douglas' manager, Sherri, breaks the count. To the outside they go, where Funk slugs Sherri and then hits a DDT on the floor. He then launches a number of chairs into the ring and asks the crowd for more, with some audience members tossing their seats to him. Funk stacks up the 5-6 chairs in the middle of the ring and DDTs Douglas into the pile, hurting himself in the process. Douglas uses the opportunity to go to the top rope and hit a splash onto Funk's back. The Franchise hits a belly-to-back and gets a 2 count. Out of the ring they go and Douglas sends Funk into the guardrail. This match has definitely picked up from the Douglas/Sabu stretch and the reason is purely Funk - his punches are world-class, his selling is great, and there's an unmistakable, unparalleled level of deliriousness to everything he does. It really is hard to predict what he's going to do next in this match, even if, in the end, its just another DDT or Funk blindly swinging for anything that moves (and nearly breaking his arm on the ring post). At one point, Funk busts out a roll-up and an inside cradle, and its genuinely shocking. Douglas exposes the top turnbuckle and bashes Funk's bloodied head into it, the referee unable to call a DQ (if it even would be) after getting tossed to the mat. Funk falls through the ropes in dramatic fashion and, intentionally or not, ends up hanging from them for a second in a great visual. Douglas continues his assault, stomping on Funk's head. He rolls him back into the ring and tries to send him into the exposed buckle, but Funk counters and its Douglas who hits the steel. Funk then hits him with a series of open-hand slaps followed by some big right hands in the corner. Into the crowd they go soon after, the camera nearly losing them in the dark stands. Funk hits an atomic drop and puts Douglas on the rail, embarrassing him further by pulling his trunks down. Funk goes after Sherri and a photographer, which gives Douglas a chance to slide into the ring. Funk chokes him out with some tape, but Douglas manages to escape and Funk ends up on the arena floor out of exhaustion. Sabu returns at this point, a portion of the crowd chanting his name. Funk wanders into the crowd, climbing his way to the announce stable. Funk grabs a microphone and demands that Sabu and Douglas come out to the crowd, but can't hear him because he has confused Styles' commentary mic for an actual microphone. Its a surreal moment in a match that is already plenty bizarre. Funk makes his way back into the ring and applies an ankle lock on Sabu, further damaging his knee. As 911 distracts the ref, Paul E. hits Funk with a phone, but Sabu is unable to make the cover. Douglas comes back into the fray and eats a neckbreaker from Funk. Funk then hits another one on Sabu and goes for a cover - - but Paul E. breaks it up at 2. Douglas continues to work on Sabu's bad knee as Sherri chokes Funk in the corner. A loud "Sabu" chant builds up as Douglas applies a headlock onto him only for Funk to apply a sleeper on Douglas at the same time! This sort of spot has obviously been done to death since, but, at the time, was pretty clever. Douglas clotheslines Funk out of the ring and stomps on Sabu's knee, eventually locking him up in a figure four. Sabu won't give up, though, grabbing the ref so that Paul E. can break in and rake the eyes of Douglas. Moments later, Sabu attempts a springboard moonsault but botches it on his first attempt. His second attempt goes much better and he attempts to follow it up with an even crazier move, but Sherri distracts him. Sabu continues to chase Sherri and Douglas beats down on Funk with a chair. Axl and Ian Rotten come out to try to protect Funk as Douglas and Sabu continue their match in the ring. Douglas hits a nasty fisherman brainbuster for two. Sabu tries a hurricanrana, but can't get Douglas over. Sabu then hits a big rope-assisted leg drop onto Douglas before applying a camel clutch. The Rottens arrive and a battle of chairs ensues, the match really deteriorating at this point. I understand that ECW and "hardcore wrestling" meant anything went, but what's the point of even having a referee if outright interference from random friends is legal? Even Styles seems surprised that the original match is still going on at this point. Axl Rotten proceeds to beat down Sabu, eventually even bringing him backstage, but Sabu re-emerges and the fight with Douglas continues. At this point, Funk returns too, Douglas egging him on. Dangerously and 911 beat down on Ian Rotten on the outside, the camera inexplicably more interested in this action than anything the actual match's competitors are doing. Douglas and Funk brawl their way out of the arena, the camera unable to actually follow them (though dozens of fans do). Funk ends up back in the ring first as Douglas then hits an atomic drop on Sabu onto the rail. Funk knocks out the ref and then hits Douglas with a low blow. Styles exasperated commentary is brilliant here as the announcer states the match has reached the 50-minute mark. Funk starts delivering headbutts but basically knocks himself out. Sabu then takes control, hitting Funk with a stiff clothesline followed by a big bodyslam. Sabu attempts a springboard moonsault but the ropes are too loose. He goes up to the top rope and hits a moonsault, landing squarely on Funk's legs. Sabu connects with another moonsault, this time hitting Douglas. Funk and Sabu both cover Douglas, but there's no referee to make the count! Douglas hits a piledriver and then front-suplexes Sabu on top of the Funker. Douglas goes for a cover on Funk and the ref wakes up enough to make a 2 count. Sabu regains control, launching himself onto Funk for another 2 count. Douglas hits a legdrop on Funk and then a strong vertical suplex, but can't make the count. Sabu splashes both men and it looks to be over - but both men kickout at 2! Sabu applies a clutch on Funk, but Douglas comes from behind and rakes Sabu's eyes in another cool visual moment. With 5 minutes left, Sherri jumps on Funk's back and gets suplexed for her troubles! Funk tries to apply the spinning toe hold on Sherri but Douglas connects with a big clothesline. Douglas attempts a piledriver on Sabu but gets back-dropped. Funk, with Sherri's boot in his hand, hits Sabu with a big low blow to a huge response from the crowd. Funk then uses the heel of Sherri's boot to needle Douglas in the ear. With under 3 minutes left, Funk hits Paul E. with an atomic drop and then inexplicably attempts to cover Sherri. Douglas comes off the top rope with a big splash, though, hitting both of his opponents. At one point, Douglas seems to have the match sewn up, pinning Sabu for well over 3 seconds but the referee is nowhere to be found. As the match winds down, there are more random pinfall attempts, but none for a full 3 count. The crowd erupts in applause at the match's conclusion, a nice show of respect to the hour of brawling these guys put in. I know this match is a personal favorite for some, but I'm not sure I'd even recommend it to most fans. It is overlong, has no actual finish, and the rules-free structure is too outrageous. Joey Styles' commentary is great, but there's only so much that can be said about the same handful of spots and sequences happening over and over again over the course of 60 minutes. This is too wild to be considered just average, but I tend to only reward matches with 4 points that I would want to watch again. I've got no real interest in doing that with this match. (3.5/5)


The Night The Line Was Crossed is considered an ECW "SuperShow" and maybe, in 1994, that is what it would've seemed like. Watching it in 2019, though, I was disappointed. Even if one can ignore the low production value, which does have its own charm, most of the matches are outright bad and lack even the slightest hint of logic. All three tag matches are basically the same and end with the same ridiculous finish of the dominant team basically tripping over a banana heel and costing themselves the match. Snuka/Dreamer has some truly inspired moments, but the "meat" of the match is really no better than the crap we saw in the opener. The Mike Awesome reverse-squash, aside from its stupid finish, is the most entertaining stretch on this entire show and it runs well under 5 minutes. As for the main event, it is regarded by some as a classic and, in a certain sense, it does represent everything ECW would become - it is wild, lawless, and shocking at times, but it never feels like a real title fight, like a match being structured with a clear beginning, middle, and end. With a Kwang Score of 1.79-out-of-5, The Night The Line Was Crossed is not where I would go to scratch my ECW itch...

FINAL RATING - High Risk Maneuver