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CALDWELL'S ECW TV REPORT 6/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of WWE's Sci-Fi show
ECW on Sci-Fi TV Report
June 17, 2008 - Year 3, Week 2 (Week 106 overall)
Taped in San Jose, Calif.
Report by James Caldwell, Torch columnist
The show started with Mike Adamle plugging a confrontation between Big Show and Kane. He added an unnatural question at the end of his opening statement. And, we get C.M. Punk vs. John Morrison.
In-ring: Hornswoggle came out to the ring to put smiles on people's faces. He's billed at 4'4". That's a bit generous. They showed clips of Armando losing three times last week to Finlay, Colin, then Hornswoggle. Armando came out as the opponent for Hornswoggle.
1 -- HORNSWOGGLE vs. ARMANDO ESTRADA
Some tomfoolery ensued when Hornswoggle went under the ring and dumped a bucket full of marbles on the floor causing Armando to slip and fall on the marbles. Hornswoggle ran under the ring, then he appeared in the ring. That led to Finlay popping out from under the ring and spraying Armando in the face with a Super soaker. Hornswoggle then went up top and nailed a tadpole splash for the pin and the win.
Post-match: Tazz grabbed a word with Finlay to ask him what lives under the ring. Finlay said there are short people, fat people, skinny people, and all kinds of craziness beneath. Finlay and Hornswoggle then danced a jig in the ring.
WINNER: Hornswoggle in 2:00. Sad day for Armando. I'm sure it put many a smile on people's faces, but I'll pay attention when Armando snaps on someone after this round of shenanigans at his expense.
[Commercial Break]
Video clip: They told us to check out WWE's website for Layla's complete dance routine from during the commercial break. Not so much.
2 -- MATT STRIKER vs. EVAN BOURNE
Striker dominated early on while screaming at Bourne/Sydal that he won't let him make a name for himself at his expense. Bourne tried to come back with a standing moonsault, but Striker got his knees up right in Bourne's crotchal region. Bourne recovered and came back with a kick strike out of the corner. He then went up top and nailed a sweet-looking Shooting Star Press clean on Striker. He made the cover for the win. Post-match: Mike Knox jumped into the ring and attacked Bourne for no good reason. Apparently he's scheduled to face Kofi next.
WINNER: Bourne in 3:00. Another fine showing for Bourne, who is getting a nice early push on ECW TV. (*)
[Q2]
[Commercial Break]
3 -- KOFI KINGSTON vs. MIKE KNOX
Nice crowd reaction for Kofi, who is getting more and more recognition each week. After Knox dominated early, Kofi came back with the boom-boom leg drop. He wanted to finish off Knox, but Shelton Benjamin's music interrupted. Shelton hit the ring, then tackled Kofi causing a DQ. They brawled for a while with Shelton nailing his t-bone suplex. He tried another move on Kofi, but Kofi moved and Shelton accidentally popped Knox in the mouth with a spin kick. Kofi then bailed from the ring and smiled at Shelton, who huffed and puffed in anger. After Kofi left, Knox and Shelton traded choice words.
WINNER: Kofi in 3:00 via DQ. Fine development for the program. This could be a featured singles match for the ECW brand at the PPV following Night of Champions if a) they're both on the same brand after the Draft and b) if WWE takes their time developing this program.
[Commercial Break]
[Q3]
Video package: They aired a video package on Vince McMahon giving away money to the lucky McMoney contestants last night. And by video package I mean they showed everything. Actually, they made it kind of entertaining with sound effects on the weird moments including the barking dog, the voice mail, and the poor rendition of the National Anthem.
Backstage: Teddy Long talked to Finlay while Hornswoggle horsed around with Tiffany, the assistant. Long then handed Finlay a contract to sign. Tiffany explained that by them signing the contract, they get a tag title match against Miz & Morrison at Night of Champions. After Finlay signed the deal, Hornswoggle pulled out a giant green pencil and signed. He tried to bite Tiffany as a sign of his love, then Miz interrupted and mocked the challengers. Finlay answered with a shillelagh shot square to the jaw on Miz. "We're serious," Finlay said before slamming the contract onto Miz's stomach.
[Commercial Break]
4 -- C.M. PUNK vs. JOHN MORRISON
Typical featured TV match on Tuesday nights with Punk in control to start before Morrison found the ribs as a suitable body part to begin working over.
[Q4]
Work on the ribs continued into the fourth quarter hour where Morrison kicked Punk in the gut several times prior to slingshotting him stomach-first across the top rope. The rib work crossed the line when Tazz asked Adamle to explain the intercostal muscles and Adamle said he learned the location of the muscles from watching "Grey's Anatomy." Punk came back at 8:00 with a flying knee in the corner, then he snapped off a powerslam off the ropes. Morrison tried to come back with a springboard move, but Punk caught him off the ropes in fireman's carry position. Punk then finished him off with a Go 2 Sleep in between deep breaths.
Post-match: Punk capped off the victory with an invigorated celebration while clutching his ribs. Adamle with a good line about the injured ribs keeping Punk from breathing normally, but not keeping him from smiling after victory. Afterward, Miz stood on stage with an ice pack on his face. Morrison crawled over to his side and Miz said they will still be tag champs at the PPV.
WINNER: Punk in 10:00. Fine match, although quite slow in the middle with Morrison working over the ribs. It's fundamentally sound, but doesn't make for good TV. WWE wrestlers constantly need to be learning how to make the beat down on the babyface more interesting as they build for the babyface comeback. Whether it's incorporating more moves or letting high-impact moves sink in more or telling the story more with facial expressions and body language, they need to figure it out. (*1/2)
[Commercial Break]
[Q5 -- over-run]
In-ring: Teddy Long was in the ring to welcome out champion and challenger. He brought out Big Show first, and Show was still sporting a nasty-looking shiner over his left eye. Kane walked out next with the ECW Title belt over his shoulder. Long gave them an open forum to talk out their feelings. Show said he's taking back the ECW Title. Kane said Show might be the world's largest athlete and one of the most dominant superstars in the history of WWE, but Show is not going to be ECW champion.
Show smiled, then Kane said Show knows what he's capable of, but Show has no idea what he's willing to do to keep his ECW Title. Show stroked his goatee in thought, then said Kane is a sick, sadistic, twisted freak. Kane smiled his gap-tooth smile. Show said he went through hell to get this match and he'll go through hell to win it. Kane smiled and said hell is standing right here in front of you. They went face-to-face and Teddy told them to calm down a moment.
Suddenly, Mark Henry's music hit announcing someone is getting their ass kicked tonight. Henry said before they beat each other up, they need to calm down. Henry said they're going to need to save their strength because if he's not drafted, they can bet that after Night of Champions, he's coming after the ECW Title. Henry smiled, then Kane and Show grabbed Henry around the neck and they gave him a double chokeslam in center ring. Kane then walked over to Show and stared him down as the show ended.
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