By James Caldwell, Torch columnist

ECW TV Report
August 18 in Atlanta, Ga.
Year 2, Week 15 (Week 67 overall) on Sci-Fi

They opened the show with Elijah Burke coming to the ring, presumably to get his heat back after losing to C.M. Punk at the PPV. Joey Styles planted seeds for a re-match that Burke dominated the match, and Punk is fortunate to have retained the belt. Burke congratulated Punk on his victory, but Punk got away with one. He said he would beat Punk nine out of ten times, so now that Punk has his victory out of the way, he will defeat Punk next time they face off. Suddenly, Kevin Thorn's music hit and Robert Roode...er...Thorn walked out to confront his former New Breed partner. Thorn was indignant since Burke had his chance already and he blew it. He said someone more deserving should get the next opportunity. Thorn said he quit the New Breed because Burke is constantly running his mouth, so he better disappear or he would make him disappear. Burke thought that one over before laughing at the idea of The Vampire threatening him. He asked Thorn what he's done to deserve a title shot. Burke said the last time he checked, Thorn had his shoulders pinned in their tag match last week.

Tommy Dreamer decided to crash the party and Burke called him a fossil. He said Dreamer last won a match in 1997. Dreamer said he's done something neither of them have ever done: win the ECW Title. He said he's an ECW Original and he wants the opportunity more than anyone else in the building. Thorn said Dreamer says E-C-W like it means something to him. And now for something different - Stevie Richards marched out to get involved. Burke laughed at the mere sight of Stevie, then asked if Blue Meanie is next out. Somewhere, JBL just choked on his dinner. Dreamer said Stevie knows how much the belt means to him. Stevie was taken aback by Dreamer's selfishness and said he's the only man in the ring right now who wasn't pinned last week. Suddenly, some Caribbean music hit and Armando Estrada came out to end the mid-card madness. Armando laid it out that none of them are qualified, but over the next three weeks, all four of them will participate in the Elimination Chase to No Mercy with the opportunity to face Punk at the PPV. He said the Chase begins with a four-way dance. One man will be eliminated from the Chase right away. He then brought out a referee to start the match.

[Commercial Break]

1 -- ELIJAH BURKE vs. KEVIN THORN vs. STEVIE RICHARDS vs. TOMMY DREAMER -- Four-way Chase match

They came back from commercial with the action already in progress. Dreamer, Burke, and Thorn decided to single out the presumably weakest wrestler in the match, but Richards continued to kick out of pin attempts. Dreamer then scored with a close nearfall on Burke with a roll up.

[Q2]

Richards fought back against Thorn with multiple kicks to the upper body before driving a boot to the face that sent Thorn to the outside. Richards and Dreamer then exchanged pin attempts with referee Scott Armstrong trying to keep up with the rapid fire pin attempts. Richards and Thorn took their fight to the floor before Burke went for a plancha, only to have both men catch Burke. Dreamer seized the opportunity by hitting a baseball slide onto all three men, then he followed with a dive off the apron on Thorn. The crowd applauded as all four men gathered themselves on the floor.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Dreamer nearly pinned Thorn for a win. Richards then jumped Dreamer from behind and slingshot him throat-first into the bottom rope before covering him for a two count. Burke then came to life by pounding on all three opponents with kicks and punches. Thorn then caught Burke in center ring and put him in the Torture Rack before hitting a modified Shock Treatment for a nearfall. Thorn went for an Outsider's Edge on Dreamer, but Stevie straight smashed Thorn in the face with a superkick for a nearfall. The slow-motion brawl continued with Burke going up top, only to have Dreamer crotch him before Stevie dumped Dreamer to the floor. Stevie set up a superplex on Burke, but Thorn decided to get involved with a powerbomb on Stevie for a three-way Tower of Doom spot. Dreamer tried to get back in the mix with a frog splash on Stevie, but then Thorn tossed him aside. Thorn and Burke took advantage of Dreamer's work and covered Stevie for the pin and elimination.

WINNERS: Thorn via pinfall; Burke and Dreamer by not getting eliminated; Stevie Richards eliminated in 16:00. It was like they were moving in quicksand at times, but a fine TV match to give everyone some extended TV time. Stevie won't advance in the Chase, but he had a good showing in the match. (**)

They aired a video package on the Diva Search. Definitely not a good sign when the contestant I picked to win was eliminated first.

[Commercial Break]

[Q3]

The Raw Rebound aired, focusing on

C.M. Punk was watching backstage with the ECW Title belt over his shoulder. Burke then approached him with the new WWE Magazine in hand. He asked Punk to sign it since it will be worth something when he beats Punk for the belt. Burke said he's doing whatever he needs to do to get the belt back. Punk said he's in a hurry, so good luck. Burke said he doesn't need any luck since Punk said luck is for losers. Punk said that's why he said it.

The Miz's music hit and Miz walked out dressed for the club. He brought Extreme Expose with him to ringside and Kelly Kelly still had the Balls Mahoney teddy bear with her. Miz said the chick magnet is here. Boos. He said he knows the fans can't get women like EE, so he presents a gift to the audience. Leyla took Kelly's bear away, then they did an old school dance number to Salt 'n Pepa. Back to WrestleMania 11 we go. After they finished, Balls Mahoney's music hit and he walked out for a match. Kevin Thorn then followed out as the opponent.

2 -- BALLS MAHONEY vs. MIKE KNOX

Knox landed a dropkick in the opening minute before hitting a leg drop for a nearfall. Balls then came back with a seated powerbomb for a quick win. Kelly Kelly jumped up and down with glee while Miz and the other two ladies were indignant. They stopped on the entrance ramp, then Balls popped a question. Will you go out with me? Kelly smiled, but Miz whisked Kelly away before she could formally answer with anything other than a smile. Balls took that as a yes.

WINNER: Balls in 2:00. Not much to the match, as they didn't have time to build momentum. Not a good sign for Knox when he's already being jobbed two weeks into his return. (1/2*)

And then this from Joey Styles: "You know what's going to be entertaining? Our main event." Cue up the Boogeyman vs. Big Daddy V graphic.

[Q4]

[Commercial Break]

They recapped Undertaker's victory over Mark Henry at the PPV. Now order the replay. WWE is begging you.

Styles and Tazz talked about the main event of Boogeyman vs. V. They killed more time before going to the match by recapping the last two months of back-and-forth between the two men.

They cut backstage where V was leading Matt Striker toward the ring. The match we've all been waiting for is next.

[Commercial Break]

V and Striker came out for the main event. Joey said V almost looks inhuman. He said many tag teams weigh less than V. Good to see Joey is learning on the job to pick on the dead tag division. Boogeyman did his elaborate entrance before they finally started the match after killing 15 minutes.

[Q5 -- over-run]

3 -- BIG DADDY V (w/Matt Striker) vs. THE BOOGEYMAN

V landed clubbing forearm blows to start the match. He then landed a short-arm clothesline before grabbing Boogeyman's worm sack. Boogeyman took offense and jumped V from behind with a splash. V quickly answered with a brick wall body block to send Boogeyman to the outside in search of someone easier to pick on. V saved Striker from certain peril and smashed Boogeyman across the chest with a big chop. Back in the ring, V stood on Boogeyman's face and tried to separate Boogeyman's head from his neck, but Boogeyman made a comeback with elbow smashes. V cut him off with a headbutt, then landed another chop to the chest. He then got the train on the tracks for a big splash into Black Hole Slam. He did the Vader hand signal before dropping an elbow for the win.

WINNER: Big Daddy V in 4:00. Not that bad if you're into that kind of thing. Just a big man match to fill a main event. (3/4*)

We welcome your 1-10 score and comments on this show for an "ECW Reax" feature in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com. To contribute your thoughts on ECW TV, click here.

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