By James Caldwell, Torch columnist

ECW TV Report
October 2, 2007 in Dayton, Ohio
Year 2, Week 17 (Week 69 overall) on Sci-Fi

They opened the show without the ECW intro, but with Vince McMahon's music. McMahon strolled to the ring and took a deep breath. No big strut. He looked frustrated. Joey Styles said McMahon is on ECW with a major announcement tonight. Tazz echoed that sentiment. McMahon said he has bad news tonight. He said John Cena suffered a "debilitating" injury on Raw that required immediate surgery to repair a torn muscle. McMahon said we should ask the question of who is responsible. They showed footage from last night of Cena and Mr. Kennedy wrestling and Cena wincing in pain after being injured. Man, you really have to respect Cena for going through with the finish and post-match angle despite being having a torn pec all the way through. Although, it probably wasn't too smart to risk further damage in hindsight. Back on ECW, McMahon said surgeons have informed WWE that Cena will be out of action for six to twelve months. Some fans clapped. McMahon then announced that Cena is no longer WWE champion. Heavy boos with a mix of cheers. McMahon shook his head in frustration. He said the title is vacant, but it will be rectified at No Mercy. He said there will be a title match to determine a new champion and history will be made. His music hit. No match. No wrestlers. No indication of who's in the match. Ringside, Styles repeated that history will be made.

ECW champion C.M. Punk then came to the ring all smiles. Punk's music stopped and he soaked up the crowd reaction. Punk said he should be focused on his ECW Title defense at the PPV, but there's one thing he can't get out of his head. They went to footage from last week when Punk beat Matt Striker, but Big Daddy V squashed Punk in center ring. Back live, Punk cut a promo on V. He said he still respects V for his size, ability, and wanting to make an impact, so he has his respect. Punk said V also has his attention now. Striker and V then showed up on the screen. Striker said what V did last week wasn't designed to get Punk's attention, but to make a statement about wanting the ECW Title. Striker made a roundabout statement that Viscera would leave Punk alone until they're in the ring for the title. Or something like that. Striker, having power to book matches apparently, sent out Mike Knox to face Punk.

1 -- C.M. PUNK vs. MIKE KNOX -- non-title match

The former love interests of Kelly Kelly locked up with Punk working on Knox with an arm bar. Knox then came back with an elevated dropkick for a close nearfall. Knox then started working on the left arm until Punk came back with a round of kicks that cleared Knox to the floor. Punk then hit a springboard plancha before they cut to a break.

[Q2]

[Commercial Break]

They returned with Knox in control in the ring. Knox settled into a reverse chinlock on the mat before knocking Punk down with a shoulder block. He then went back to a chinlock. And a third one. Punk finally made his full comeback and nailed a charging knee to the face. He went for the bulldog, but Knox moved. Knox tried to answer with a big kick, but Punk ducked and hoisted Knox up for the Go 2 Sleep and the win.

WINNER: Punk in 15:00. That dragged and dragged and dragged. (One drag for each reverse chinlock.) Crowd wasn't into the action and Knox did nothing to build up any heat as the heel on the offensive for the majority of the match. (3/4*)

They cut backstage where Balls Mahoney was walking backstage looking quite nervous. Styles and Tazz plugged Tommy Dreamer vs. Elijah Burke for tonight to determine the #1 Contender to Punk. They aired a video package on Dreamer's journey from the Heyman ECW to today's ECW.

[Commercial Break]

[Q3]

Balls Mahoney came to the ring and they recapped Mahoney popping the question to Kelly last week, only to have The Miz interrupt before Kelly could give an answer. Balls then cut a promo about people telling him he might be lovesick right now. He said Miz's time would come for his revenge down the line, but he needs an answer from Kelly tonight. Kelly's music hit and Balls pumped his fist in celebration. Kelly then came to the ring with her big teddy bear and Balls repeated his question. Kelly bit her lip and surveyed the crowd, then took the mic and said yes. And everyone is happy ... Until Miz's music hit.

Miz walked out with Leyla and Brooke and Miz asked Kelly if she was for real. Miz said the date to Mickey D's isn't going to work for Kelly. Miz said it's been fun and games, but it's time to go. Miz grabbed Kelly by the hand and tried to get her to leave, but Balls punched Miz in the head. Miz bailed with Leyla and Brooke as Kelly held off Balls from going after Miz again. Miz then cut a promo about now owning the contracts to Extreme Expose. He said if Kelly doesn't join him, she would be out of EE and out of ECW. Kelly was torn as Balls pleaded his case for her to stay with him. Kelly reluctantly left the ring and left with Miz's entourage while continually looking back at Balls to apologize.

They showed a video package on Elijah Burke ahead of the #1 Contender match.

[Commercial Break]

Styles and Tazz recapped the John Cena developments. Styles said there will be a new WWE champion at No Mercy. Tazz said history will be made. Maybe it will be a 20-man reverse battle royale inside the Punjabi Prison match.

Elijah Burke came out first for the #1 contender match.

[Commercial Break]

[Q4]

Tommy Dreamer came out after the break. He was wearing the official t-shirt for the PPV, so you know he's losing. Or is he? Reverse the jobber t-shirt curse!

2 -- TOMMY DREAMER vs. ELIJAH BURKE -- #1 Contender match

Dreamer took control early on and hit a basement dropkick with Burke upside down in the corner. Dreamer then dropkicked Burke to the outside and ran off the apron with a fall-down dive. Dreamer landed forearm blows on Burke before re-entering the ring to get his shine. They cut to a break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Burke was in control with that darn reverse chinlock. Dreamer came back with forearm blows before they went up top and Burke fought him off to the mat with successive headbutts. Burke then went for a sunset flip, but Dreamer hooked Burke for a close nearfall. Burke immediately came back with a hard clothesline for a nearfall to regain control. Burke got overly aggressive and missed with a splash. Dreamer then hit a spike DDT for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Dreamer in 12:00 to become #1 Contender. Serviceable TV match with a surprise outcome, although it wouldn't hold up. (*1/2)

[Q5 -- over-run]

Armando Estrada came out and congratulated Dreamer on the win. He said the Elimination Chase isn't over, though. He brought Big Daddy V as the final competitor. So unproductive with the GM bait and switches from Coach and now Armando. Really annoying more than getting the heat on the heel.

3 -- TOMMY DREAMER vs. BIG DADDY V -- #1 Contender match

V ran over Dreamer with a big clothesline on the floor, then took him back into the ring and sat down on Dreamer's chest by pushing down the bottom rope. V pounded on Dreamer in the corner with slaps to the chest before missing with a splash. Dreamer tried to fight back with clotheslines, but V wasn't shaken or stirred. V then landed a big titty splash in the corner. Dreamer staggered out and walked into a Samoan Drop from V. Striker told him this was everything they've worked for, then V dropped an elbow and scored the win.

WINNER: V in 4:00 to become #1 Contender. And all those squash matches the past two months finally add up to a PPV title match for V. (1/2*)

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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