By Greg Parks, PWTorch Contributor

ECW on Sci-Fi review
September 23, 2008
Taped 9/21/08 from Columbus, Ohio
Aired on Sci-Fi
Report by Greg Parks, Torch Team Contributor

-WWE Open.

-ECW Open.

-Jim Ross and Matt Striker opened the show. Striker said he was truly humbled to be announcing with a Hall-of-Famer like JR.

-John Morrison and The Miz came out. Miz complained about losing to Evan Bourne last week, and blamed Ricky Ortiz for causing him the loss. They showed highlights of how the match ended. Miz said he and Morrison should be nurtured and showcased. He put the blame on Teddy Long. Before they could insult the GM any more, Teddy came out in what must've been his father's suit.

Long said Bourne and Ortiz are part of the New Talent Initiative. He said he believes all the new superstars will be very successful. Morrison said he's sure Braden Walker will be successful, since he was released from ECW after two matches. That's an "ouch" for Walker. Long said if they have a problem with competition, they should get to steppin'. Miz said they'd take on Bourne & Ortiz tonight. Long said Bourne isn't even in the building. Miz said they were there to compete. Ortiz came out and apparently, the audio sweetener is quite a fan of his. Miz and Morrison said they can both beat anyone. Long said they can't both be right, then put them in a match against each other. Long said immediately after the match, the winner would face Ortiz.

[Commercial Break]

-A video package aired from the Bourne-Kane match on Raw, as well as the aftermath involving Rey Mysterio.

-Backstage, Teddy Long told Ricky Ortiz he had a big challenge ahead of him tonight. Tiffany walked up to them and made what sounded like a double entendre. Ortiz brought out the Ricky O Rally Towel and Tiffany put it around her neck. Not sure the point of that segment.

1- FINLAY vs. BAM NEELY

Neely looks a lot less intimidating without the suit. Finlay laid into Neely early on. Finlay put an elbow right to Neely's throat as he was draped over the apron, then pushed him over a kneeling Hornswoggle. Neely came back with a corner clothesline and kicked Finlay out of the ring. Bodyslam on the outside. Neely then kicked Finlay, whose head was rammed against the steel steps. Finlay came off the top, but Neely brought him down into a Boston crab. Hornswoggle was looking to get himself involved, so Neely tossed him around. As the ref checked on him, Finlay used the shillaleigh on Neely for the pin.

WINNER: Finlay, at 3:46. Neely has done nothing in-ring wise, so why did they book Finlay to need the shillaleigh to beat him?

[Commercial Break]

-WWE 24/7 Classics on Demand: March 23, 1992 at MSG, Ric Flair & Sid Justice fought Roddy Piper and Hulk Hogan. Hopefully, this is a precursor for a return....

-Don't forget, ECW on Sci-Fi is at 9pm EST next week.

2- MARYSE vs. MICHELLE MCCOOL

OK, so they fought at Unforgiven, then on Smackdown this past week, and now in a non-title match on ECW? I understand the "talent arrangement," but shouldn't at least one of the divas in this match be on the ECW roster? And why are we getting this match again?

McCool went after Maryse before the bell and speared her twice. Maryse took the advantage on the outside, then applied a version of the Camel Clutch inside the ring. Michelle fought back with a dropkick and a neck-breaker. McCool went to the top, but Maryse brought her down the hard way. Instead of going for a pin she went for a DDT and hit it. She got the three-count.

WINNER: Maryse, at 3:29. Fine match, but these two are a bit hit-or-miss in the ring.

-Striker and JR previewed No Mercy.

-Mark Henry and Tony Atlas came out. Henry once again reminded everyone that he wasn't pinned to lose the title, and said Matt Hardy could never pin him. Henry said he'd pin Matt in two weeks and that he is the true champion.

-Still to come, John Morrison vs. The Miz, with the winner facing Ricky Ortiz

[Commercial Break]

3- MIKE KNOX vs. CHASE STEVENS

Knox got a bicycle kick to put Stevens down, then a big splash in the corner. JR said in 2008, Knox will be ECW Champion. Well, there's just about three months left in the year....that's quite a bold prediction. I'd go with 2009. Knox Out for the win.

WINNER: Knox, at 1:39.

As Knox was going back to the locker room, Jack Swagger's music hit and he walked to the ring, huge grin on his face. JR noted the difference in the looks of Swagger and Knox, who briefly exchanged glances. Swagger got into the ring and hit the Doctor Bomb on Stevens, his opponent last week. Tommy Dreamer came out to make the save and Swagger backed down. Knox came back on the apron to distract Dreamer, allowing Swagger to attack and hit the Doctor Bomb on him. Don't tell me Stevens is going to be the next Colin Delaney...

-Morrison and Miz were walking separately backstage, heading to the ring for their match next.

[Commercial Break]

-The Smackdown Rebound aired.

4- THE MIZ vs. JOHN MORRISON

There was a bit of a feeling-out process to start, with neither getting the defined advantage. Morrison got an inside cradle, but only two. The two traded pinning combinations, and that led to both men spilling to the outside. Morrison was standing over Miz as the show went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Miz had Morrison in a chin-lock upon return. Morrison made a comeback, drilling Miz with punches on the mat. Clothesline in the corner by Miz, but Morrison countered the pin with one of his own for a two-count. Morrison tried to put his feet on the ropes on a pin attempt, but referee Mike Posey wasn't having it. Back-breaker, then Russian leg sweep by Morrison for two. Nothing home on the Reality Check, but a knee to the face by Morrison got two again. Springboard leg-drop by Miz got two himself. Miz set Morrison on the top rope, but both men fell hard to the mat. Striker: "Tiffany, if you're a Pokemon, I'd love to get a Pikachu (peek-at-you)." Neither man could answer the ten-count, so Posey threw the match out.

WINNER: Double Count-Out, at 11:17. I think that's the first time I've seen that finisher in God knows when.

-Ricky Ortiz ran out to the ring and added more punishment to what Miz and Morrison already received. He posed with fans on the way up the ramp to end the show.

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