KINTARO KANEMURA VS. SANDMAN

 Before the match, Cyrus is in the ring with Kanemura, as the Japanese star is the new member of The Network. Sandman start making his way through the crowd as Styles says he will go through anyone to get to Rhino. The commercial break teleports Sandman to ringside as he finishes his cigarette and beer, I mean entrance. Styles mentions that Sandman’s wife is still in the hospital after Rhino’s attack at Hardcore Heaven.

KITARO KANEMURA VS. SANDMAN

ECW Hardcore TV (27^th May 2000)

  Kintaro Kanemura strikes first as Sandman brings back his Singapore cane. Sandman is sent to the floor and then into the guardrail. He’s sent into the guard rail across the arena and his head is sent into the apron.

  Kanemura brings a table on his travels as Sandman tries to make some kind of escape. Sandman gets a shot in but is laid across the table. Kintaro Kanemura goes to the top rope and splashes Sandman through the table. Kanemura slides another table into the ring as Sandman takes a rest against the guard rail, Sandman gets a couple more shots in and sends Kanemura into various sections of the guard rail before bringing it back into the ring. Sandman struggles to stay on his feet as the crowd chant for him to fuck Kanemura up. Overhand chops by Sandman in the corner before he’s sent across the ring with Sandman’s unique irish whip. Sandman sets up a table and sets Kanemura up with right hands before sending him through the table with a swanton bomb. Sandman covers but Kintaro Kanemura kicks out at 2. Sandman hits the hurricanrana from the top rope but is caught in a schoolboy rollup for 2. Kintaro Kanemura’s wife runs to ringside and there’s a tug of war for Sandman’s Singapore cane, she trips Sandman and gets in the ring as Kanemura hits an elbow drop for another nearfall. Sandman gets out of the way of a Singapore cane shot as Kanemura gets leveled.

  Sandman kisses Kanemura’s wife and takes a shot to the back with the Singapore cane by Kanemura. Sandman ducks another shot and hits the White Russian legsweep for the win.

WINNER: SANDMAN

This wasn’t much of a match, but both guys got a bit of shine in the 5 minutes. It furthered the ECW vs. The Network storyline and gave Sandman another hurdle to pass before Rhino but the wife interaction was too much for me. I get it, but it was a thinly veiled attempt to protect Kintaro Kanemura. [*¼] 2/10