HeadLocker — Jay Shannon
The ECW (12/16) Extreme Examinatio!
Our resident philosopher, Jay Shannon, looks at all the action and adventure for this week’s Tuesday Night Delight, ECW.
Todd Grisham welcomed the home audience and talked about the main event. Matt Striker mentioned Jeff Hardy winning the WWE title.
Matt Hardy came out wearing the ECW title. Matt grinned as the crowd exploded. Matt took to the mic. Matt said that the past couple of days had been some of the best of his life. Matt praised his brother for beating the odds. Matt talked about the Hardys being in the WWE for 10 years. Matt said that on Smackdown there would be a huge celebration.
Chavo Guerrero’s music brought Matt’s comments to a stop. Chavo asked Matt if he was happy. Matt said he was. Vickie Guerrero sent Chavo out to “take care of” Matt, because of his last name. Chavo challenged Matt for the ECW title.
Teddy Long came out, dressed in a red and green elf outfit. Teddy called for the match…right now. Before the bell, Teddy trash talked Vickie’s weight.
Matt Hardy d Chavo Guerrero
ECW Title Match.
The match spanned two segments. Chavo had one of the best matches in recent history. The end was reasonably predictable but still exciting.
Matt hit a Bulldog out of the corner. Chavo reversed and Irish Whip but ate an elbow. Matt climbed the ropes but got caught. The two men fought on the ropes. Matt hit a Super Side Russian Leg Sweep off the ropes. Both men were stunned. The two men started throwing fists. Matt hit the Side Effect but only got a two count. Matt tried for the Twist of Fate. Chavo countered and tried for the Three Amigos. On the third Suplex, Matt spun into the Twist of Fate to retain his title.
Grade: A-
Jay’s Thoughts: Matt should have dropped the belt on Sunday. I know that the WWE wanted to push the two Hardys as champions. I’m wondering if Creative is thinking about having a title unification match between the two brothers, down the road. Chavo got a chance to look good, even though he lost. Chavo is so over-looked, these days. i really enjoyed this match.
Tuesday’s show came from Baltimore. Next up was the Raw Rebound. It focused on the Legacy v Cena/Batista battle. Orton slapped Batista in the interview area. Cody Rhodes and Manu joined Orton in a 3-on-1 attack. Cena ran out to make the save. Todd Grisham informed Cena and Batista that they would have to face Legacy. Orton said that if Legacy had to be 100% successful or disband. The battle went back and forth. Legacy lost by disqualification after the match broke down. Orton hit the R-K-O and the Orton Punt to the temple of Batista. Batista twitched in agony after the match.
The Extreme Rewind was next. It replayed the re-debut of The Boogeyman, complete with worms.
Finlay was in the ring waited for the next match. Hornswoggle threw water on Matt and grabbed the Slammy award and ran off with it. Striker was ready to squash the squirt.
Finlay d Gavin Spears
Finlay and Spears had a decent back and forth match.
Finlay Irish Whipped into the corner and threw a hard Shoulder Block. Striker got a shot in on the movie, The Wrestler. Spears attacked Finlay on the outside and then rolled Finlay back in the ring. Spears had been going after Hornswoggle when he caught Finlay . Finlay nailed a Jawbreaker but Spears came back with a Dropkick to the back of the Irishman. Finlay punted the face of Spears, hit a pair fo Clothesline and nailed the Bombs Away. Finlay hit his Rolling Senton. Finlay whipped Spears to the corner, threw a shoulder and nailed a Celtic Cross/Emerald Fusion to end the match.
Grade: B+
Jay’s Thoughts: Why was this match booked? Finlay gets to trash another young kid. I just hate to see Finlay wasted in this way. While I hate to see Finlay mis-used, he does help to push the new talent. Spears has had several false starts in the WWE career. Time will help convert him to a superstar.
Triple H and Shawn Michaels were back with their Holiday Gift Giving ideas. It was another chance to push the D-X t-shrts, sweat shirts and bears. These are shameless plugs for the product but they are so hilarious to watch.
Striker and Grisham had their Slammy back. D.J. Gabriel and Alicia Fox was dancing. Santa Henry showed up to read an odd Holiday poem. Mark Henry was dressed like Rudolph, complete with antlers and red nose. Mark threatened to give Hornswoggle the World’s Strongest Slam.
Tiffany spoke with Ricky, Kofi and Punk. Orti had a present for Tiffany. It was her very own Rally Towel. Punk made fun of the towel. Ortiz also gave towels to Punk and Kofi. ECW, thankfully, went to break.
Miz, John Morrison and Jack Swagger waired in the ring for their opponents. Striker talked about Miz and Morrison winning the tag belts over the week-end at a house show. Kofi was the first of his team to arrive. He was quickly joined by Ricky Ortiz. Finally, Punk joined the party.
Miz, John Morrison and Jack Swagger d Kofi Kingston, C.M. Punk and Ricky Ortiz
Six-Man Tag Team Match
All six men got to shine in this one. The crowd really wasn’t happy with the finish.
Miz tagged in and worked over Kofi with a Bodyslam. Swagger came in and hit several Spinning Elbow Drops. Swagger cinched in the Rear Chin Lock. Swagger nailed a Kneelift to the ribs and took Kofi to the enemy corner. Swagger caught Kofi when the Jamaican dove for his corner. Kofi was able to tag out to Ortiz after Swagger was distracted. Ortiz hit a Belly to Back Suplex. Ortiz went to the top rope and hit a Missile Dropkick. Morrison made the save. The match broke down. Miz, Morrison, Kofi and Punk battled on the floor. Swagger caught Ortiz with a kick to the face off Ortiz’s Springboard move. Swagger then nailed the Gut Wrench Powerbomb to end the battle.
Grade: B+
Jay’s Thoughts: Ricky Ortiz was called up just too quickly. He is not in the same league as the others. Unless he self-destructs, Swagger should become a top star within the next few months. I hate to admit it but I think Miz and Morrison are correct about their claims as the best tag team of the 21st century. They remind me of various great smaller teams: The Rockers, Strike Force/Can-Am Connection, Rock and Roll Express, Midnight Express, etc… I foresee them going into the Hall of Fame in a few years as a team. They are the perfect example of the total being stronger than the individual parts. Punk and Kofi are now in a kind of limbo, right now. Kofi really needs to head to Smackdown and challenge Shelton Benjamin for the US title.
Final Grade: B+
Final Thoughts: ECW threw out another mediocre show. The brand has minimum depth, these days. They don’t build up stories like the other two brands. The show seems so disjointed. I hate to see ECW continue to spiral down. WWE really needs to reboot the brand, again. They need a new GM, a new group of stars (perhaps bringing back a few old ECW stars), and some new writers. I’d give the GM job to Tommy Dreamer. He comes across as the only person within ECW that still has the passion and fire for the business and the brand.
–Jay Shannon
[email protected]
(12/17/2008)