WWE “ECW on Syfy”
Taped earlier tonight in Richmond, VA

[Q1] The opening video aired and fireworks lit up the stage. Josh Matthews and Matt “Beer Can” Striker welcomed us to the show. Yoshi Tatsu and his cool entrance music made his way to the ring. William Regal made his entrance, grabbed the mic, and said he “hated foreigners.” ...

1. Yoshi Tatsu defeated William Regal in 6:01. Yoshi frustrated Regal early in the match with his quickness but Regal came back with a suplex and Japanese catch hold. Yoshi stood Regal up but Regal hit a butterfly (double underhook) suplex. Regal locked in a Million Dollar Dream and Yoshi fought out with a kick to the head.

Yoshi hit a few more kicks and went to the top rope, but Regal crotched him. Regal went for the running boot to a kneeling Yoshi, but he moved and hit a kick to the face for the win. The announcers sold it as a huge upset...

Twill’s Two Cents: Enjoyable match for me that was a definite contrast in styles. The finish was odd with the referee hesitating into the count, but I am probably just nitpicking. I like Yoshi and although his offense is not as physical as Yosihiro Tajiri’s, you could say he has a little more charisma. Regal played his role well here, but I think the six minutes was a perfect match time and much longer would have been too long.

The announcers hyped Tommy Dreamer and Christian on the Abraham Washington Show... [C]

Did you know? More people watched ECW than any show on a bunch of other cable networks last week...

[Q2] 2. Ezekiel Jackson defeated Mike Williams in :45. Zeke hit a closeline and Rock Bottom for the squash victory...

Vladimir Kozlov’s music hit and he came out the ring. He stared at Jackson for a moment and then hit his finisher on Williams. He left. Zeke just stared at him before heading back up the ramp...

Twill’s Two Cents: Zeke is an awesome specimen and fun to watch. Kozlov is an awesome specimen and well, he is an awesome specimen.

Striker introduced a new segment called “Ask the divas.” Eve, Maria, Kelly, and the Bella Twins said what they are looking for in a man and answered a letter from a reader... [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: I wonder how many losers will write “Is Kelly Kelly single? I would love to go out with her. Can you give her my phone number if you read this letter?” in their letter.

Goldust was making his entrance coming back from the commercial break...

3. Shelton Benjamin defeated Goldust in 4:07. The Gold Standard vs. Goldust. Hmmm, I wonder how many times they’ll mention that or when they will make them a tag team. Both men are former Intercontinental Champions. Striker did it :30 into the match by saying all we needed was Harry Goldwater and Golda Meir. Too bad there wasn’t a Goldberg mention.

Shelton locked in a nasty neck vise but could not get the submission. Goldust fought back and hit a powerslam. He followed with a bulldog and legdrop for two nearfalls. The finish came with Shelton closelining Goldust across the top rope and following up quickly with Paydirt for the win...

Twill’s Two Cents: Striker mentioned that the new superstars in ECW could learn a lot from watching this match and they were right. Everything was a bit more crisp and a bit more fluid than matches involving the newer guys. Enjoyable match.

[Q3] The announcers hyped tonight’s “main event” of Dreamer and Christian on the Abraham Washington Show... [C]

Sheamus cut a backstage promo saying ECW was used to an Irishman running around with a leprechaun and dancing an Irish jig after matches, but those days were over...

The announcers quickly ran down the Night of Champions card...

Gregory Helms interviewed Paul Burchill backstage. Burchill kept getting distracted by Goldust, who was convulsing and making noises (from his electrocution gimmick years back). He “accidentally” slapped Burchill. Katie Lea told Paul to focus on tonight and worry about Goldust another time...

Tyler Reks made his ring entrance for his ECW in-ring debut... [C]

Matthews hyped Shaquille O’Neal hosting Raw next week. Contrary to what my boy Jason had to say on this matter, I think it is a nice coup for WWE not because he was a former Los Angeles Laker, but because I think ESPN will be all over this (good or bad, I think it is good for WWE)...

4. Tyler Reks defeated Paul Burchill (with Katie Lea Burchill) in 5:10.Burchill did his best Randy Orton impression early while locking in a reverse chinlock. Reks fought back with a springboard high cross body for a two count. Burchill regained the advantage with a Samoan Drop and locked in the chinlock again.

[Q4] Burchill hit a huge knee and Striker mentioned that the usage of a knee brace is legal in a match. Gorilla Monsoon would have been all over that and would have called for a ruling from President Jack Tunney. Reks hit a flapjack and a springboard missile dropkick for a two count. Impressive. Reks won the match with a schoolboy...

After the match, Burchill attacked Reks with a knee to the midsection as he was leaving the ring...

Twill’s Two Cents: Solid performances by both competitors. I don’t mind Reks’ gimmick because at least he doesn’t carry around surfboards and act like a surfer in the ring. Burchill is grossly misused but it is what it is I guess.

Abraham “I look like The Rock when I smile” Washington made his way through the backstage area in preparation for his show... [C]

The star of the Abraham Washington Show, Abraham Washington, came out to the stage. Washington welcomed us to the Abraham Washington Show and introduced himself, Abraham Washington. Any George Lincoln jokes?

Abe introduced “his dog” Christian. Washington is hilarious with his hand and head gestures. Washington said Dreamer was a guest before and thinks he only came back because of the free buffet in the green room. He introduced the man “who would do anything for a Klondike Bar,” Tommy Dreamer!

Dreamer came out in a suit and both men sat down. Washington said Christian had a face for radio. Christian said Washington had a show for public access with jokes that weren’t funny since 1991. Washington reminded Christian that Dreamer won the championship from him. Christian blamed Jack Swagger and Dreamer was offended.

[Overrun] Tommy said he had enough of “Legohead’s” jokes. Tommy talked about the importance of going back to Philadelphia and Christian asked him if he retains the ECW Championship, if he was going to cry again. Funny. Dreamer stood up and called that question a slap in the face. Christian slapped Dreamer and called that a slap in the face. Dreamer slapped him back and both men stared each other down as the show went off the air...

Twill’s Two Cents: Unfortunately, the ECW Championship match won’t mean much on Sunday, but this segment hyped it pretty damn well. Washington is annoying as hell, but both Dreamer and Christian were great during this segment. I liked the one slap per competitor and stare down, as opposed to a pull apart brawl. That was effective and well done.

What did you think of the show? Feel free to let me know by shooting an email to dotnetrich@gmail.com.

RECOMMEND THIS ARTICLE: