ECW on The SciFi Network
Taped in Houston, TX

[Q1] A recap video aired of the money giveaway, followed by the horrific events that followed. Teddy Long stood in the middle of the ring and said Vince McMahon was in the prayers of the ECW roster. He said he could not give any information regarding Vince’s condition.

Long said Vince would want the show to go on. He then introduced ECW’s lone acquisition from last night’s draft, the United States Champion, Matt Hardy. C.M. Punk came out next for the opening tag team match.

Twill’s Two Cents: I know ECW is a distant third brand, but I like the star attention Hardy received here.

1. Matt Hardy and C.M. Punk defeated The Miz and John Morrison in a non-title match 11:23. Hardy and Morrison began the match. Punk and Miz found their way into the match within the first minute. Hardy and Punk isolated Miz with some double teaming. Miz and Morrison returned the favor to Hardy.

Punk received the tag and hit closelines on Miz. Punk and Hardy then hit simultaneous bulldogs as they gave each other a high five. Punk fell to the floor when Morrison pulled down the top rope… [C]

Punk attempted to fight out of a Miz reverse chinlock coming back from commercial. Miz and Morrison hit the double team slingshot/springboard elbow on a knee bridge maneuver. Morrison and Miz continued the onslaught on Punk, scoring a nearfall with a double gutbuster.

[Q2] Punk hit a belly to back suplex, but Miz tagged Morrison and he prevented Punk from tagging Hardy. Adamle talked about Morrison’s “togs,” which means overall apparel. Tazz laughed his ass off at that.

Punk finally tagged Hardy, who nearly scored a pin with a Side Effect. Punk took Miz to the floor. Hardy went for the Twist of Fate but Morrison countered with the springboard shining wizard. Hornswoggle came out of nowhere to distract the tag team champions, allowing Hardy to hit the Twist of Fate on Morrison for the win…

After the match, Adamle and Tazz plugged Kofi Kingston vs. Shelton Benjamin in an extreme rules match…

Twill’s Two Cents: That was a solid match. It could have been better but it was serviceable. My question is: why did they not promote this match and the extreme rules match? These two matches make this a very good show on paper and they only promote Kane vs. Mark Henry? Also, why is Punk wrestling on the show when he was drafted? They should have mentioned that.

2. Kofi Kingston defeated Shelton Benjamin in an Extreme Rules Match in 8:15. Seeing the ring entrances of these two makes me wonder where Shelton Benjamin would be if he had Kofi’s charisma. I guess we will know in a few years when Kofi himself gets there.

Kofi tried to dive at Shelton and missed, striking his head into the top rope, but he recovered to hit a dropkick, sending Shelton to the floor. He followed him outside, but Shelton hit him with a microphone. Shelton then irish whipped Kofi into the steps. Adamle said, “He hit those stairs face flush.” Tazz said, “Or face first.” Hilarious.

Shelton threw two garbage cans and Kofi back into the ring. He threw a can at Kofi, who sold it as if it exploded on him. Shelton lodged the can in the corner. After a brief struggle over the second can, Shelton landed a few underwhelming shots. He then a nice suplex onto the garbage can.

[Q3] Shelton hit a Stinger Splash, but upon trying the second one, Kofi nailed him with a garbage can lid. Kofi followed that shot up with many more. He tried a chairshot but Shelton kicked him in the gut. Shelton went for a powerbomb but Kofi countered it with a hurricarana on Shelton into the long forgotten lodged garbage can. He hit Trouble in Paradise for the win…

Twill’s Two Cents: That was awkward at times but it had its moments. So far, there have been two long matches (for TV) and they were not even promoted. I am wondering if Shelton is on his way to Smackdown or Raw because a clean win in a match like this does not really call for future rematches.

They showed footage of MVP vs. Kane last week with Mark Henry interfering, leading to a plug of tonight’s match of Kane vs. Henry… [C]

The recapped last night’s draft in a very solid video. JR’s voice was much more enthusiastic before he was drafted. At least Triple H went with him. The announcers ran down the card for Night of Champions this Sunday. The draft made a few of these matches much more intriguing. Tazz wondered what would happen to the ECW title since neither man wrestling for the title at the PPV actually work for ECW…

Kane was shown backstage and he broke into an evil laugh. Adamle tried to make a fluid transition to commercial but he was cut off… [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: Adamle flew under the radar for a few weeks but he sucks now more than ever.

[Q4] A commercial for The Rock’s DVD set was aired. The narrator said his charm and charisma led him to Hollywood stardom. I think talent may have something to do with it. I have charm and charisma and I have only been an extra…

3. Mike Knox defeated Evan Bourne in 3:41. Bourne went for the legs but Knox overpowered him. He then chased Bourne around and eventually caught him with a hard closeline. Knox applied an abdominal stretch, pulling up on the loose leg and pounding on Bourne’s ribs.

Bourne continued to work on Knox’s leg. He was able to hit a missile dropkick and hurricarana. He went for a spin kick but Knox caught him, hit a backbreaker, and in the same motion hit his finisher for the win…

Twill’s Two Cents: Decent match. Bourne reminds me a lot of Rey Mysterio in the ring. Everything he does seems so effortless and smooth. Knox still does not do much for me.

Mark Henry walked through the backstage area in preparation for his match vs. Kane… [C]

Big Show’s music hit and he made his way out to have a closer look at the main event. Tazz pulled an Adamle and briefly spoke over Tony Chimmel. Show joined the announce booth…

4. Mark Henry defeated Kane in a non-title match in 3:24. Show put over Kane as a great champion and his former tag team partner. He complimented Henry’s strength but questioned his long term endurance.

[Overrun] The bell rang right at the top of the hour. Henry powered Kane into the corner and hit him with multiple right hands. Henry applied a bearhug at 1:33. Show actually rooted for Henry so Kane would be weakened for Sunday.

Kane hit an ensiguiri for a two count. He went to the top but he allowed Show to distract him. Henry crotched him. Henry hit the World’s Strongest Slam for the clean victory. Show gave himself the assist. Henry celebrated as he retreated up the ramp…

Twill’s Two Cents: That was odd. I doubt anyone expected that. Normally, world champions do not do clean jobs on a PPV go home show. The match itself was decent given my expectations. Henry winning was surprising and ensures he is entrenched in the ECW Championship picture.

The show flew by tonight. I am trying to figure out if that was a good thing or not. The in ring action was above average and Kane losing was a surprise, but Mark Henry is not the guy who should be getting this push. What did you think of the show? Let me know by dropping an email to dotnetrich@gmail.com.

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