SANDMAN VS. RAVEN

 This is the original Raven’s Clockwork Orange House of Fun match, Kevin Sullivan is the Special Guest referee, because none of the NWA TNA referees wanted to be involved with the match.   

Mike Tenay and Don West are on commentary for this match 

RAVEN VS. SANDMAN 

(Raven’s Clackwork Orange House of Fun) 

TNA Weekly PPV #35 (5th March 2003) 

  The match begins as Sandman enters the ring, Raven is already there, and he hits Sandman over he head with a trash can lid. Sandman low blows Raven and hits a running dropkick in the corner before dumping Raven through the ropes. 

 Raven’s head is bounced off a lid that’s on a trash can and Sandman takes the guard rail apart. Raven is draped over the guard rail, Sandman softens him up with clubbing blows and hits a legdrop from the apron. Sandman throws some weapons in the ring and slides a table in. Raven’s head is busted open, Sandman bounces it off the ring steps before taking it back in the ring with the weapons. Raven reverses an irish whip but Sandman blocks the drop toehold. Raven ducks a flying trash can and hits the Evenflow DDT. Kevin Sullivan helps Raven adjust the chainlink gate, Raven sends Sandman into the gate and uses the chain to whip Sandman’s back. Raven chokes Sandman with the chain and he starts setting up the table before hitting Sandman with a sign and a steel chair. Kevin Sullivan hands Raven another chair, which Raven uses to hit Sandman in the skull. He drops it so Sullivan hands it back, Raven stands the chair up and hits the drop toehold on to the chair. 

 Raven finishes setting up the table and hits Sandman with another sign. Sandman is dropped throat first across the frame of the sign, Raven sets Sandman up on the table but he falls off. Raven puts Sandman back on the table and hits him with a trash can lid to keep him there. Raven hits and elbow drop from the top rope and we get a random cut. Sandman fights back with trash can lids before Sullivan shows his impartiality by handing Sandman a singapore cane. Sandman hits Raven with the cane, Raven starts making his way to the perch. Sandman follows Raven up the steps and Raven is sent over the barrier. He’s hovering over the tables, and if he goes through two he loses the match. It was a strange set-up to begin with. Raven fights his way back to the top of the stairs, he sends Sandman into the barricade as they struggle for an advantage. Sandman connects with punches, and 7 minutes into the match I notice that he’s a Southpaw. Sandman hits Raven with the trash can. 

 Raven brings Sandman to the upper balcony, called Raven’s nest, Sandman reverses an irish whip and grabs another trash can, Raven cuts Sandman up with the fire extinguisher, setting it off into Sandman’s face. Raven throws a blinded Sandman over through the tables to the floor. 

WINNER: RAVEN 

 This was a basic brawl between guys that have 8 years of history. It was almost a best hits in a sprint with a big finish. [**½] 5/10 

After the match, Raven gets back in the ring and he begs Jeff Jarrett for an NWA World Heavyweight Championship match. This brings out the champion, who beats down on Raven.