Tommy's dreaming of a championship win

Tommy Dreamer to battle Austin Lane

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Former ECW great and House of Hardcore founder Tommy Dreamer is headed to Cape Girardeau this weekend. He'll be facing the CCW (Cape Championship Wrestling) Heavyweight Champion Austin Lane. It's all a part of CCW's Super Show II event at the AC Brase Arena.

I love Super Show. It's the indy company's WrestleMania weekend and part of the annual Cape Comic Con. There will be CCW wrestlers and other guests on hand at Cape Con all weekend too. Tommy Dreamer will be on hand Saturday prior to his championship opportunity. 

Tommy Dreamer

The match poses an interesting scenario for CCW. If Dreamer wins the belt, he would likely take it out of the area and defend it in other areas, including his House of Hardcore show. That would give CCW nationwide exposure. It would also ensure future appearances by Dreamer who would have to come back to Cape and defend against the wrestlers on the current roster. But will the recent attitude change from 'The Best of the Best' Austin Lane translate to a victory in this high profile title defense? Personally, I wouldn't bet against him.

Delirious

CCW has also been working with Ring of Honor on some projects, including training sessions with the company's lead booker, Delirious. He's from the region originally and is coming back to help train men and women who want to pursue a career in the ring. 

MMA star turned pro wrestler Dan "The Beast" Severn will be on hand too. He is part of a special six-man tag team match and hopefully gives Roger Matheus a taste of his own medicine, but I digress. Severn will be sticking around and doing a dinner event called 'Feast with the Beast' at the Isle of Capri Casino Sunday night. 

This is just a sample of what you'll see this weekend with Cape Con and CCW. Click here for all the action.

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SummerSlam: A to Z: Lion's Den Matches

Owen Hart vs. Ken Shamrock
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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The Attitude Era in the WWF saw an uptick in hardcore style matches.  Besides the Hardcore championship fans were introduced to Hell in a Cell and on a lesser scale Lion's Den matches.  The company was cashing in on the popularity of UFC and SummerSlam '98 and '99 former champion Ken Shamrock stepped into the den.

At SummerSlam '98 it was Owen Hart on the other side of the den against Shamrock.  Owen had another MMA competitor and champion turned wrestler Dan "The Beast" Severn in his corner.  I don't remember Shamrock and Severn ever actually having a match in the WWF, this may have been the closet the two MMA stars came to doing battle.  Shamrock not surprisingly won the match with Owen.  

Battling Steve Blackman
Courtesy: WWE

A year later it was Steve Blackman's turn to step inside cage.  This time around though the combatants were allowed to bring a weapon into the ring.  Shamrock ended up knocking out Blackman with a kendo stick to win the match.

Ref's eye view
Courtesy: WWE

On TV the Lion's Den matches came off just fine, but I would imagine seeing it at the arena would be difficult if you weren't seated right near that area.  Neither match lasted terribly long, so I guess that would make up for the lack of not being able to see.