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ECW on Sci-Fi TV Report
June 3, 2008 - Year 3, Week 1 (Week 105 overall)
Taped in Fresno, Calif.
Report by James Caldwell, Torch columnist

Season 3 of ECW started with a plug for Miz & Morrison defending the WWE tag titles against Kane & C.M. Punk later in the show.

In-ring: Kofi Kingston came to the ring to start things off. Matt Sydal, who is now a regular part of the roster, came to the ring. He has a new name of Evan Bourne. OK, that's doable. Knox did The Knox out of the curtain to announce his presence, followed by Shelton Benjamin.

1 -- SHELTON BENJAMIN & MIKE KNOX vs. EVAN BOURNE & KOFI KINGSTON

After a few minutes of solid tag action, Bourne took a hot tag and snapped off a nice standing huracanrana on Knox, but Knox caught him in the corner and dumped him to the apron. Adamle said the Bourne Identity is revealed. You knew that was coming. Back in the ring, Knox slammed Kofi, but Kofi popped up and nailed the Jamaican Buzzsaw kick. Out of nowhere, Bourne smashed Knox in the face with a two-foot smash from the top rope for the pin and the win.

WINNERS: Bourne & Kofi in 5:00. Nice debut two weeks into the program for the wrestler formerly known as Matt Sydal. Crowd was into his high-flying moves and he'll add a nice complimentary dose of athleticism to the Kofi and Shelton-style wrestlers on the show. (*1/4)

Backstage: Someone who looked like a combo of Trish Stratus and Kelly Kelly was shown stretching backstage. She checked some messages, then Armando Estrada walked in and greeted the new girl, Tiffany. Armando talked himself up, then Tiffany said from what she understands, Armando doesn't have an ECW contract. Teddy Long then walked in and said this is his lovely assistant. He then told Armando can earn his ECW contract tonight if he beats Finlay tonight. Tiffany then gave Long a holla, holla, holla.

[Commercial Break]

[Q2]

Video package: They recapped last night's $1.0 million giveaway on Raw. And by recap, I mean they basically showed all of the giveaways.

In-ring: Kelly Kelly came to the ring ready for a match after being MIA on ECW for a few weeks. Victoria came out as the opposition for what should be an interesting match. They showed us what the divas on Smackdown have been up to with the golden star on a pole deal.

2 -- KELLY KELLY vs. VICTORIA

Among the highlights of commentary in the opening three minutes was Adamle saying he played with Barbie dolls back in the day, but he's put them away. You might think it's a pretty low moment in WWE history, but consider WWE has a new licensing deal with Mattel in a year, it's a brilliant piece of commentary! Kelly made a comeback at 3:00, but Victoria threw her off the apron face-first into the mat. Kelly was motionless, so ref Scott Armstrong called for the bell instead of finishing a ten count. Victoria gloated about her victory while refs checked on Kelly's health. They stayed with this a while to sell the injury and let Victoria kick imaginary dirt onto Kelly, who remained out on the floor.

WINNER: Victoria via referee stoppage in 4:00. Interesting development here. Something different, so we'll see where it goes. (1/2*)

[Commercial Break]

[Q3]

In-ring: Finlay and Hornswoggle horsed around on the way to the ring before Armando Estrada walked out to face Finlay. Armando jumped Finlay before the opening bell, which the referee properly put an end to before sending them to their respective corners to start the match evenly.

3 -- FINLAY (w/Hornswoggle) vs. ARMANDO ESTRADA

Armando tried to capitalize on the pre-match attack, but Finlay was angered and expressed that with fist to face. Finlay then dropped Armando with the Celtic Cross in center ring and made a pin for the easy win.

WINNER: Finlay in 1:00. Easy work for Finlay. (n/a)

Post-match: Teddy Long's music hit and Hornswoggle did that shoulder dance Teddy always does. That was a moment in time. Teddy then brought out Colin Delaney to face Armando again. Before Colin could make it to the ring, Finlay smashed Armando from behind with a shillelagh shot.

4 -- COLIN DELANEY (w/Finlay and Hornswoggle) vs. ARMANDO ESTRADA

Colin hit the ring and pinned Armando for the win.

WINNER: Colin Delaney in 0:05. (n/a)

Teddy Long then gave Armando one more chance, this time against... Hornswoggle.

5 -- HORNSWOGGLE (w/Finlay and Delaney) vs. ARMANDO ESTRADA

Hornswoggle came off the top rope with a tadpole splash on Armando for the pin and the win. Afterward, everyone danced and had a good time. Colin danced with the green derby, then suddenly Finlay smashed Colin with a shillelagh shot after Colin had too much fun with the hat. Hornswoggle shrugged his shoulders, then danced with Finlay some more. They danced on the way out of the ring while Colin checked for his teeth.

WINNER: Hornswoggle in 0:05. It's ECW. It's Tuesday night. You never know what kind of odd and/or bizarre segment you'll see. (n/a)

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Mark Henry was on my television set. He was apparently on my TV last week, but I do not recall this. Henry said the only thing standing between him and Big Show right now is air opportunity. He told Show to get his butt out here. Oh my, he said butt! Henry waited, then smiled at scaring off Show, until Show's music hit. Show strolled out to the ring sporting a huge 'ole shiner over his left eye and he stared down Henry. Henry started the talking by saying if Show beats Kane for the ECW Title at the PPV, he wants to be the first one to face him. Henry said he wants to shake Show's hand.

Henry extended, then Show shook. Show thanked him for the heart-felt speech, then Henry tried to leave. Show pulled him back, though, and said if Henry is campaigning for an ass-whooping, he's going to get elected. Ah, that's what went wrong with Hillary's campaign. Henry slid out of the ring, then Show cut a promo about winning the ECW Title at the PPV. He said it's not about luck, but about fact.

[Q4]

Show's music hit as he left the ring, but ECW champion Kane's music interrupted and Kane walked down the ramp. They met half-way down the ramp and had a nice staredown. Well, as much as Show could stare. (Sorry, bad joke.) Show then stepped aside and told Kane the ring is all his. Kane smirked and walked past Show as they cut to break.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: C.M. Punk came to the ring as Kane's partner while Tazz continued to plug the McMoney charity giveaway. He also plugged WWE at Hard Rock Café in NYC this Thursday afternoon. Maybe the next press conference in Madagascar will help boost the ratings. Miz then came out by himself, followed by Morrison to defend the straps.

6 -- WWE tag team champions THE MIZ & JOHN MORRISON vs. ECW champion KANE & C.M. PUNK -- WWE tag title match

Early on, Punk dumped Miz to the outside. Tazz kept talking over Adamle, who was unsuccessfully trying to send it to break with Miz clutching his ribs in pain.

[Commercial Break]

[Q5 -- over-run]

They returned from break with Punk clutching his ribs in pain on the ring apron. Meanwhile, Kane was working over Miz in the ring with submission holds. Or, was Miz working over Kane with submission holds? Tough to tell what was going on out of the break. In any event, Miz landed forearm blows until Kane nailed a sidewalk slam. Kane tried to follow with a top rope clothesline, but Miz moved and dropkicked Kane into the corner. Heels double-teamed Kane in the corner, then Morrison came off the top with a missile dropkick for a two count at 10:00. Punk finally took a hot tag and cleaned house with kick strikes while clutching his ribs in pain. Punk snapped off a powerslam, but he couldn't make a cover. He was still in pain as Morrison took a tag and dropped Punk with his corkscrew neckbreaker finishing move. Morrison made a cover for the win.

WINNERS: Miz & Morrison in 12:00. Nice tag team work from the champions. They looked more credible at the end of this match than they have in previous tag team affairs on ECW. Meanwhile, Punk continues to meander on ECW with the usual rib-injury story. Time to move him to another brand. (**)

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