The Flying Hammerlock Video Review #19: Prototype Vs. Storm

 

The Prototype (John Cena) vs. Devon Storm, dark match from before the taping of the April 12, 2001 WWF SmackDown!, First Union Center, Philadelphia, PA, April 10, 2001.
 

Historical background: Well, there isn't one.  Cena was still a developmental talent and WWE didn't pick up Storm/Crowbar's contract when they bought WCW a few weeks before this.
 

Prototype comes out first to no reaction, as the fans don't know him yet.   Storm gets a good pop, as he had last been seen on television two months earlier as Crowbar in WCW.   Storm runs to the ring, rolls under the bottom rope, gets up, bounces off the ropes and takes a few bumps before the match has even started.  Storm grins out to the crowd and Prototype attacks him from behind to start the match.   Prototype punches Storm, sending him into the ropes.  Prototype punches Storm some more.   Into the ropes, Prototype tries to whip Storm across the ring but Storm reverses, sending Prototype into the ropes and following with a dropkick when Prototype bounces off the ropes.  Storm brings Prototype to his feet and chops him a few times to "Whoos!"   Storm tries an arm wringer but Prototype punches him.   Prototype goes for the arm himself but Storm escapes and hits a Northern Lights Suplex.  Prototype gets back to his feet and Storm levels him with a chop, with Prototype rolling out to the floor to recover.   The crowd is behind Storm.  Storm runs over and hits a low dropkick to Prototype on the floor.  Storm goes out to the floor himself.  Storm clotheslines Prototype to a good reaction.   Storm gets up on the apron and raises his fist to a very good reaction.   Storm runs down the apron and leaps off with a double axehandle to Prototype on the floor.   Storm rolls Prototype into the ring and hits a slingshot splash for a 2 count.  Storm headbutts Prototype and chops him.   Storm goes for a whip but Prototype counters with a knee to the midsection.  Prototype clubs Storm, knocking him down to the mat.  Storm tries to get up and Prototype hits him with a knee strike.   Prototype brings Storm to his feet, slams him and drops an elbow.   Prototype covers and gets a 2 count.   Prototype brings Storm to his feet then knocks him down with a big punch.  Storm gets up and staggers until Prototype knocks him down with a clothesline.   Prototype brings Storm to his feet and punches him.   Prototype whips Storm into the ropes and catches him with a powerslam for a 2 count.  Another 2 count.  Another 2 count.   With Storm down, Prototype stomps him and brings him up to his feet.   Prototype punches Storm as some guy in the crowd yells "Boring!"   Prototype whips Storm off the ropes and hits him with an elbow.   Prototype stomps Storm a couple of times.  Both guys up, and Storm comes back with punches and a chop.   Storm grabs Prototype and goes for a whip but Prototype blocks it and hits Divorce Court (single-arm DDT.)  Prototype lifts Storm for a Side Slam and flexes his right arm, then hits the move.   It gets 2.   Both guys up, and Prototype punches Storm in the head.   Prototype whips Storm and lowers his head for a back body drop but Storm kicks him in the head.  Storm then hits a neckbreaker to a good pop.   Both guys up, and Storm kicks Prototype in the midsection.   Storm punches Prototype and whips him into the ropes and hits him with a back elbow.  Storm follows with a clothesline.   Then another punch.   Storm backs Prototype into the corner and chops him three times.   Storm goes for a cross-corner whip but Prototype reverses it but Storm kips up in the corner.   Prototype runs in but hits the turnbuckles.   Prototype gets a front facelock but Storm counters with another Northern Lights Suplex.   It gets 2.   Both guys up, and Storm slams Prototype.   Storm raises his fist as a signal, goes out to the apron, and hits a slingshot somersault legdrop.   It gets 2.   Storm gets in the referee's face about the count as Prototype gets back to his feet.   Prototype grabs Storm and hits an inverted Atomic Drop.   Prototype punches Storm and goes for a Vertical Suplex but Storm blocks it.   Storm hits the Mindbender (Falcon Arrow Suplex).   Prototype bounces up then falls on his face.  Storm points to the top turnbuckle.  Storm exits the ring and climbs up as Prototype rolls over on his back but moves out of the way of the somersault senton.  Prototype rolls up Storm with a handful of tights (well, jeans) for the pin. ***1/2.
 

Very good match.  While the Prototype gimmick wasn't going to take Cena to the heights he would achieve, he kept up with the veteran Storm very well.  You can watch the match here