PWInsider - WWE News, Wrestling News, WWE

 
 

RICKY STEAMBOAT & FTR VS. JAY LETHAL & NICK ALDIS & BROCK ANDERSON AND MORE: 11/27 BTW RETURN OF THE DRAGON LIVE RESULTS FROM RALEIGH, NC

By Tyler Cates on 2022-11-28 01:19:00

 

Big Time Wrestling
“Return of the Dragon”
November 17, 2022
Dorton Arena
Raleigh, North Carolina
Commentators: Joe Dombrowski and Shane Douglas


There was a pre-show match but the sound wasn’t very good and I didn’t catch the names.

The Jimmy Valiant Boogie Jam Battle Royal: A mass entrance of nameless competitors that may have been named on the Fite PPV feed but not live in the arena surrounded the ring- Tommy Dreamer came out to a brief, but boisterous “ECW” chant. Tommy Rich came out and was ringside as Jimmy Valiant made his “Boy from New York” entrance.
Valiant started to speak to “all his brothers and sisters” when southern independent veteran Stan Lee interrupted the proceedings which lead to Valiant applying the testicular claw, a kiss, and a finger to the bum, before tossing Lee out to Tommy Rich, who drug him to back.

The other entrants including Dreamer entered the ring and began to brawl. Even Shane Douglas tried to get involved but Dreamer quickly put an end to that.  Scott Steiner made his entrance and quickly began clearing the ring, quickly winning the Boogie Jam Battle Royal. Dreamer took the mic and praised Scott and Rick Steiner.

The PPV portion then began...

Matt Hardy defeated Crowbar.   Crowbar looked great. There was a fair amount of action outside the ring in this one, including use of a guard rail.

NWA World Jr. Heavyweight Champion Kerry Morton defeated Brian Pillman Jr.  The crowd loved Pilman and booed Morton. Even Pillman attacking Morton after the match and flipping off the crowd couldn't change their reactions.

BTW Champion Danny Miles came to the ring to complain that no one had accepted his open challenge.  Guest Commissioner Teddy Long came out and said he wasn’t here to make “a tag team match, playa!”. He was here to introduce the challenger, “The Neon Ninja” Facade...

BTW Champion Danny Miles pinned Facade (with Dani Mo).

Mr. TA  (not to be confused with Magnum TA) came out in the aisle way, insulted Raleigh and earned a Cobra Clutch from Sgt. Slaughter for his efforts.

The Rock N' Roll Express defeated Mark & Jay Briscoe.

Savannah Evans pinned Amber Nova.

Ricky Steamboat and FTR defeated Nick Aldis, Jay Lethal, and Brock Anderson (with Arn Anderson).    Steamboat looked good here. Not good for 69, but good period. He earned a “You Still Got It” chant.   Arn teased that he was the mystery partner before introducing Aldis.  Steamboat and FTR applied Figure 4 leglocks to all 3 opponents for the victory.  Lethal was in full “Black Machismo” persona here and it got a big reaction from the crowd.  FTR praised both Steamboat and Arn after the match.  Steamboat said that Raleigh held a special place in his heart because it was the first place he wrestled the World Champion and it was a 60 min draw with NWA World Champion Harley Race in 1979.  Steamboat and Arn shook hands after the match.

Attendance looked to be 1,500-2,000.

Others taking part in the pre-show meet & greets that didn’t appear on the card were Kane, Magnum TA,  Lex Luger, Ron Simmons, Rick Steiner, and Mr. Hughes.  The longest line and consistent from 2 PM until the dark matches started around 4:30 PM was Ricky Steamboat (obviously), followed by FTR, Rock N' Roll Express, Matt Hardy and the Andersons.

Videos played throughout the evening of luminaries wishing Steamboat well including David Crockett, Ted DiBiase, Tully Blanchard, Bret Hart, Nikita Koloff, Marc Mero, Jake Roberts, Eric Bischoff (whose video was booed loudly), Earl Hebner, Barry Horowitz and others.

If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!