By James Caldwell, Torch columnist

ECW TV Report
February 19, 2008
San Diego, Calif.
Year 2, Week 37 (Week 89 overall) on Sci-Fi

In-ring: They start with the Nature Boy Ric Flair. Flair humbly walked into the ring where Tazz greeted him for a promo. Tazz gave props to Flair before reiterating last night's announcement of Flair being inducted into the 2008 Hall of Fame. Tazz handed him the mic, then left the ring. Flair said it's a great honor, especially to be the first active wrestler to be inducted. He said the problem is that people might think this means he's about to retire. The fact is that he gets into the ring knowing that if he loses, his career could be over. Flair said that ain't happening in the near future. He said he's honored to be part of ECW tonight. Flair paused, got the cheap pop for calling out to San Diego, but Elijah Burke interrupted. Hey, where's he been?

Burke strolled out to the ring with a sarcastic clap for Flair. He entered the ring and said he's been a fan of Flair ever since he was a little kid. Burke said he wanted to be the first to welcome Flair to his house, the land of extreme, ECW. Burke said Mr. McMahon handpicked him to lead the New Breed. Wasn't that like three storylines ago? Suddenly, Shelton Benjamin's music interrupted and he strolled out with his big grin.

Shelton told Burke no disrespect for the interruption. He said he wants to be the second man to congratulate Flair. Shelton said Flair has been The Gold Standard in pro wrestling for as long as he can remember. A Flair for the Gold you might say. Shelton introduced himself as the new Gold Standard of professional wrestling. Flair didn't react. Burke was a little agitated. Shelton said Flair's time is over. That got a look from Nature Boy.

Flair then said he's really struggling with Shelton's level of sincerity. He said that if they want to talk about gold, then let him explain something to both of them at the same time. Flair said whatever Shelton and Burke have accomplished or ever will accomplish will never (pause), never equal the 16 World Heavyweight championships worn by the Nature Boy. Whoo. Shelton then smacked Flair with a chop and Burke jumped Flair from behind. Suddenly, C.M. Punk stormed the ring and cleared the heels from the ring to make the save for Flair. Punk stood tall with Flair to close the segment. That's a hot opener, much better than last night, which overstayed its welcome.

[Commercial Break]

Next Monday: They're promoting that Floyd Mayweather will be on Raw next week to prepare for his match against Big Show. ... Video replay: They recapped the end of the opening segment with Punk saving Flair.

Backstage: Shelton and Burke had a mild argument backstage, then ECW GM Armando Estrada interrupted and booked the obvious tag team match for tonight. Shelton and Burke shared a smile over that news. Burke said they're going to prove the Land of Extreme is their home.

[Q2]

1 -- KOFI KINGSTON vs. JASON RIGGS

Kofi was all-smiles preparing for the match. Jason Riggs is just your average independent wrestler with a shaved head and funny-looking shorts for trunks. Looks like a guy who couldn't cut it in the imaginary Spirit Squad auditions. Kofi went for some early mat holds, but Riggs tapped into Orton's playbook with headlocks. Kofi popped up, though, and gave him a jawbreaker followed by a leaping forearm blow. Kofi then landed knockdown forearm blows followed by a double chop to the chest. He then measured Riggs for his now-trademark boom-boom-boom leg drop. Kofi did his hand clap to get the crowd behind him for the 360 roundhouse kick - the Jamaican Buzzsaw - for the win.

After the match, Joey Styles joined Kofi in the ring for a promo. Kofi said ECW is like paradise for him. I think Paul Heyman once said something like that. Kofi said if there's trouble in paradise, Kofi will take care of it. He did his boom-boom-boom catchphrase and handclap to play to the crowd.

WINNER: Kofi in 3:00. OK, well, every week, there's a little progress - both in the ring and in terms of audience reaction. It's going to take time, though. The presentation won't catch fire overnight because Kofi is actually an unconventional babyface in 2008. Why? Because he's actually likable and not booked like a complete jerk trying to re-create Steve Austin. (3/4*)

[Commercial Break]

Ringside: Joey Styles and Tazz talked in quiet tones about what happened to Hornswoggle last night. Tazz said Mr. McMahon took "tough love" to a disturbing level. Sure is a reminder of the night after McMahon's limo blew up when Styles and Tazz did the same deal on McMahon's apparent death. ... They went to a disturbing video package on Finlay crying out in agony as JBL tore into Hornswoggle inside the steel cage. ... Back at the announce position, Styles quietly said Hornswoggle is out of shock, but not conscious, and there could be internal bleeding in his brain. Tazz removed his sunglasses for added effect to show how disturbed he is. Styles plugged WWE's website for more info.

In-ring: The tag champs of Miz & Morrison came to the ring for singles competition. Styles and Tazz plugged their new "Dirt Sheet" video on WWE's website. Tazz said he loves the dirt sheet! Colin Delaney then came out with Tommy Dreamer for a singles match.

[Q2]

2 -- COLIN DELANEY (w/Tommy Dreamer) vs. THE MIZ (w/John Morrison)

Miz mocked Colin's plight in the early going. He then tore into Colin, who was distracted by any and everything going on ringside. Miz yanked Colin's neck across the middle rope, then Dreamer tried to get some momentum behind Miz. Suddenly, Colin accidentally landed some haymakers before Morrison pulled him from the outside. The ref caught it and tossed Morrison from ringside. Suddenly, Colin rolled up Miz from behind for a nearfall. Miz then measured Colin for the kneelift and neckbreaker combo - the Reality Check - for the pin and the win.

Afterward, Dreamer checked on Colin, then Miz tried to attack Dreamer. Morrison stormed the ring and helped Miz double-team Dreamer. Morrison dropped Dreamer with a corkscrew neckbreaker before giving Colin a double pancake slam. Colin was KO'ed in the ring.

WINNER: Miz in 2:00. The sound of brakes you hear is Colin's momentum. Boy, four weeks ago, he was the greatest man on TV on Tuesday nights. Now, he's lost his edge. It's like someone who has a really great audition on American Idol, then shows up for Hollywood Week and totally bombs. It's like, what happened? There was something there, and now it's not there. Way to go, WWE. Let's hope this leads to something tangible for young Colin. (1/2*)

[Commercial Break]

Announcers: Styles and Tazz talked up Maria's Playboy victory last week. ... They cut to backstage where Kelly Kelly cut a promo about Maria being in Playboy. She said she would like to be in Playboy one day, too. She then showed off her body for the camera before blowing a kiss. Back ringside, Styles and Tazz said Maria's Playboy shoot will debut exclusively on Raw next week.

In-ring: Stevie Richards came to the ring super-happy. He shook hands and kissed babies before entering the ring. A politician in the making. They showed a video package from his sit-down interview two weeks ago about the throat surgeries and why he wants to still compete in the ring.

3 -- STEVIE RICHARDS vs. JAMES CURTIS

Curtis nailed Richards in the throat early-on with a clothesline. Smart work to focus on the target of Richards's throat. Richards gasped for air to sell the work on his throat, then Curtis slapped on a reverse chinlock. Richards broke free and nailed a neckbreaker before catching Curtis with a double underhook DDT - the Stevie T - for the win. Richards was gracious in the ring afterward, whispering "thank you" to the audience.

WINNER: Richards in 3:00. Richards plays a good babyface with this sort of gracious and likeable approach to his return. He's just happy to wrestle and win matches. It's different in today's wrestling environment where everyone wants to be a badass. Good potential for this going forward. (*)

[Q4]

Raw Rebound: They focused on the Big Show vs. Floyd Mayweather segment from last night.

Backstage: Flair and Punk were shown walking down the hallway exchanging Whoos.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Ric Flair came to the ring as Styles and Tazz gushed about Flair gracing ECW with his presence tonight. Punk came to the ring and a PWG sign got some camera time. He pointed at Flair to indicate he's honored to be in the ring with him. Elijah Burke then came out, followed by Shelton Benjamin. Is it about that time to put out an APB bulletin for ECW champion Chavo Guerrero?

4 -- RIC FLAIR & C.M. PUNK vs. SHELTON BENJAMIN & ELIJAH BURKE

The bell sounded and Styles pointed out that Flair's career is not on the line because it's a tag match. Flair, with tape on his left knee, started on the offensive against Burke, who caught him with a thumb to the eye. Flair then flipped him off the top rope and went up top himself. Shelton tried to cut him off, but Flair blocked and came off the top with a double axehandle on both opponents. Flair did a strut, then shook hands with Punk as they cut to break.

[Commercial Break]

[Q5 -- over-run]

They returned with the heels working on Punk in the ring while Flair waited for a tag. Burke then sat down on Punk in Camel Clutch position and came down with forearm blows to the back of the head. Shelton then came in and got himself some. He set up for what looked like a good powerbomb, but then, suddenly it fell apart in the corner and Punk just kinda fell over the top rope to the floor. Back in the ring, Punk made his comeback with an enziguiri kick. Flair took the hot tag at 9:00 and cleaned house with knife-edge chops to the chest. Flair gave Burke a back body drop, then he strutted and around the ring. The action broke down, then Burke went for the Elijah Express in the corner, but Flair casually moved out of the way. Flair then danced his way into the figure four leglock and Burke furiously tapped out. Afterward, Flair and Punk stood tall in center ring after earning a victory. Flair shook Punk's hand, then they talked to each other and shared a smile. Flair blew a kiss and his customary choking-back-of-tears to close the show.

WINNERS: Flair & Punk in 10:00. Fine main event tag match. Some awkward spots that probably came from this combination of men not working together in a tag match situation beforehand. Flair's appearance should give ECW a little ratings boost for a fresh, non-Punk-and-Chavo segment to close the show. (*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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