By Wade Keller, Torch editor

KELLER'S ECW REPORT
FEBRUARY 19, 2008
FROM SAN DIEGO, CALIF. ON SCI-FI

-Joey Styles introduced the show. Ric Flair made his full ring entrance wearing a suit and letting out several "whoos!" Tazz interviewed Flair mid-ring with a big smile on his face. He said he's been in the business for 22 years and from the day he started, the name everybody knew and respected was "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. He congratulated him to being named for the 2008 Class of the WWE Hall of Fame. It's strange Flair was featured on ECW, but not Smackdown later in the week. Flair said being the first active wrestler inducted may be the biggest honor of his career. He said he doesn't want people to interpret this as a signal he's planning to retire. Elijah Burke interrupted Flair as he began talking generically about WWE being the greatest.

Burke walked to the ring to his intro song, then told Flair he's been a fan of his since he was a little kid. He said he wanted to welcome him to "the land of extreme, ECW, my house." He said Mr. McMahon picked him to lead a group of wrestlers, the New Breed, into a new era. Did Burke just wake up from an eight month nap and not realize it? Shelton Benjamin interrupted Burke.

Shelton said great minds think alike, and he wanted to be the second to congratulate Flair. He said as long as he can remember, he's been the gold standard in pro wrestling. He introduced himself formally. "I am the new Gold Standard of Professional Wrestling," he said. Flair didn't look impressed. Shelton told Flair his time is over. Flair said he is really, really struggling with his level of sincerity. Flair told Shelton that whatever he has won so far combined with what he will win in his future - combined with whatever Burke wins - will never, ever equal his 16 World Heavyweight Championships. The crowd cheered. Shelton slapped Flair mid-whooo! C.M. Punk ran out to save Shelton and Burke from a two-on-one attack.

[Commercial Break]

-A replay aired of the previous segment with Tazz and Cole adding more commentary.

-Burke and Shelton complained about Flair's actions. Armando Estrada told them to calm down. He booked them against Punk and Flair. They liked it.

1 -- KOFI KINGSTON vs. JASON RIGGS

Kofi won with is now familiar signature moves and charismatic style.

WINNER: Kofi in 3:00.

-Styles interviewed Kingston inside the ring. He said ECW to him is like paradise. He said if there's trouble in paradise, he will take care of it. Short interview, but another step in establishing his persona with viewers.

[Commercial Break]

-Styles and Tazz threw to a dramatic video package of the beating Hornswoggle took the night before on Raw at the hands of JBL and Vince McMahon. Styles said Hornswoggle is out of shock and in and out of consciousness. He said there may be bleeding in his brain. It was just like the day after Vince McMahon's limo blewup.

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

Styles plugged Miz and Morrison's new "Dirtsheet" segment on WWE.com. I knew I should have trademarked that term years ago. Delaney was taped up from head to waist, with more tape than skin showing. Dreamer gave him some pre-match instructions at ringside. Tazz said Dreamer is the type of help guys like Delaney. When Delaney tried to punch back, Morrison tripped him. The ref ordered him to the back. Delaney schoolboyed Miz for a near fall. Tazz actually called it a schoolboy. Nobody on TV calls it that anymore for some reason. The Miz quickly finished off Delaney with the Reality Check.

WINNER: Miz in 3:00.

-After the match, Dreamer tried to stop further beating, but he got beaten down by both heels. Then Miz and Morrison slammed Delaney face-first to the mat.

[Commercial Break]

-A video recap aired of Maria beating Glamazon on Raw. Styles said her Playboy photo shoot was taking place this week and they'd have highlights next week. They interviewed Kelly Kelly who said she'd love to do Playboy herself. She said it was a dream come true for Maria.

3 -- STEVIE RICHARDS vs. JAMES CURTIS

As Richards shook hands with fans on his way to the ring, they replayed clips of Richards talking about returning to action despite some recommendations by doctors that he retire. Styles said Richards won't relinquish his dream. Richards used karate kicks and clotheslines to soften up Curtis, then charged hard in the corner and followed up with his double-underhook Stevie-T finisher.

WINNER: Richards in 2:00.

-Big Show-Floyd Mayweather highlights aired.

-Flair and Punk were shown heading toward the entrance set.

[Commercial Break]

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

Tazz said it was an huge honor for ECW to feature Flair in the main event. Styles said they knew he was scheduled to speak, but they had no idea he'd be wrestling. Tazz said he's thrilled to have had the chance to interview him. Styles noted that Flair's career is not on the line in this match. Punk took control of Burke early, then tagged in Flair who threw some chops. Burke begged off, then poked Flair in the eye. Tazz pointed out that was a page out of Flair's book. Styles said that proves Burke is a fan of Flair. When Flair went to the top rope, Benjamin tried to knocked him down. Flair fended him off, then leaped off the top rope with chops to the heads of both Burke and Benjamin. They rolled out of the ring as they cut to a break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from the break, Benjamin had Flair in a mat hold. Flair countered and then rolled over to hot-tag Punk. Punk hit Benjamin with a nice high dropkick followed by his running knee in the corner at 6:00. The heels soon too control of Punk. Punk eventually avoided a powerbomb and then followed up with an enzuigiri to Benjamin. Both men were down. Flair showed some fire on the ring apron. Punk crawled over and hot-tagged him in. Flair went on a flurry of offense. When he lifted Burke for a suplex, Benjamin kicked him from behind. Flair fell back leading to Burke getting a two count. Burke went for his Express move, but Flair avoided it and then applied the figure-four leglock. Burke tapped out. Punk jmped into the ring and whispered something to Flair with a smile on his face. Flair said "thank you." The show ended with Punk smiling with his arm around Flair.

WINNERS: Flair & Punk in 10:00.

STAR RATING: ** -- Nice TV match. All four contributed to the match nicely.

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