By Dominick Mayer, PWTorch contributor

ECW on Sci-Fi TV alt. perspective report
November 18, 2008
Report by Dominick Mayer, PWTorch contributor

Title sequence.

Grisham and Striker introduce the show and hype being only five days away from Survivor Series.

Miz and Morrison make their entrance, with a noticeable lack of slow motion. Their win over Michaels and Mysterio last night is recapped; loved the ending with Morrison hitting Michaels with Sweet Chin Music.

Miz talks about them being part of JBL's heel team at Survivor Series, and having him as their captain. They talk about MVP, and how he is overpaid for his wins. The continued burying of MVP makes me incredibly sad, especially given how talented the man is.

They round out the team with Kane, and then talk about how the above three men get to team with the greatest tag team of the 21st century: John Morrison and The Miz. They then nail the Rock's nose-up pose in unison. Hilarious.

They go after Khali and his Kiss Cam gimmick, Mysterio's small stature, Cryme Tyme's affinity for stealing (it bothers me every time WWE does that, even if it is their gimmick), and Shawn Michaels. Shawn isn't a future first-ballot Hall of Famer for nothing, and Miz and Morrison hope Michaels is the last man standing for his team, so that Michaels can see himself becoming a stepping stone for the stars of the future. Be jealous.

Such a great promo from Miz and Morrison. WWE's continuing reluctance to give them a real push is distressing on a very real level, because both these guys (and yes, I've warmed up to Miz as of late) have serious future potential. They're doing virtually everything they can in the spot they're being given, and all that remains is for WWE to put them over. I'm not just blaming Triple H here, because that's the fashionable thing; every main eventer scared of losing their spot is to blame, as is Vince's inability to see a big picture that involves anybody not named Cena.

Tonight: Six-man tag with Finlay, Kofi Kingston and Matt Hardy vs. Cody Rhodes, William Regal and Mark Henry. Hooray for the brand split!

[Commercial Break]

Tony Chimel lets us know that the following contest is scheduled for one fall. D.J. Gabriel (accompanied by Alicia Fox) comes out. He's part of the Superstar Initiative. And...they're dancing. He looks like George Michael, and he has music that sounds like Prince. There's choreographed dancing happening here. Oh, God. The crowd is booing. Frankly, I am too. He is built, though.

1 -- D.J. GABRIEL (w/Alicia Fox) vs. ???

He even dances during his matches. Wow. The designated jobber hasn't even been given a name, so far. I'll leave it to Striker to help me out, or else I'm not sure.

[Q2]

Gabriel hits a spinning European uppercut off the top rope for the pin and the win. Still don't know who the jobber is.

WINNER: Gabriel in 1:00. After the match, more dancing. Okay debut, as it were. The dancing thing is incredibly distracting, though, and not good in the same way as Jack Swagger's smiling.

Speaking of which, Swagger is on his way out, next.

[Commercial Break]

Tony Chimel again, announcing an amateur wrestling challenge. This is new, but these segments have a history of not going well. Swagger is out first, to some heat. Dreamer gets a good pop, and Striker explains the rules of the point system in wrestling. This definitely doesn't bode well. No fists, knees or elbows.

2 -- JACK SWAGGER vs. TOMMY DREAMER – Amateur Wrestling Challenge

Swagger gets the first takedown in about fifteen seconds, for two points. Dreamer gets a point for an escape next. This looks awkward, given that Swagger is wearing the serious attire, and Dreamer isn't. Swagger gets another takedown, but Dreamer gets an escape. Swagger has to be ahead by a few points, I think. I can't add and watch at the same time, which is probably a poor reflection on me. Three minutes left now, and Swagger takes off the headgear to taunt Dreamer. Dreamer basically spears him for a takedown for two. Swagger takes Dreamer down and applies a camel clutch and armbar while screaming trash-talk. Instead of taking a pin, he lets Dreamer go and tells him to get in the referee position. Swagger gets down on all fours, and kicks Swagger in the ribs for a DQ. He gives Swagger a DDT in center ring.

WINNER: Swagger by DQ in 4:00.

Dreamer takes the mic after the match: "Oops, my bad. You win." There's a staredown as Dreamer exits.

The John Cena video from last night airs again. I get that it's a big deal, but on every show? Really? Cena's not going to save ECW, and this just wastes time.

[Q3]

Another Boogeyman promo. He returns next week on ECW. He should feud with this DJ Gabriel character, and WWE can conduct an experiment in how low quarter hour ratings can go.

[Commercial Break]

Ricky Ortiz is backstage with Tiffany when Jack Swagger bursts in, yelling at Tiffany for not being able to solve his issues with Dreamer. Ortiz and Swagger make fun of each others' gimmicks for a while, and then Teddy Long returns. Swagger demands a rematch next week, and Teddy Long gives him a rematch, but under Extreme Rules. Swagger doesn't look pleased. It does make me happy that they're giving time to this feud. Given the fluctuating nature of Hardy, Miz and Morrison on the three shows, this is actually the most official feud ECW has right now.

Striker has a chalkboard out, explaining the Survivor Series team match with Team Batista vs. Team Orton. He breaks down the appeal of a five-on-one scenario. Mark Henry then comes out to start the main event as we go to another commercial. The last ten minutes of the show totally just felt like filler.

[Commercial Break]

Regal is coming out as we return from break, and Cody Rhodes is already in the ring. Kofi is out first for the face team, then Finlay and Hornswoggle, and the ECW champion Matt Hardy rounds things out.

[Q4]

3 -- MARK HENRY (w/Tony Atlas) & CODY RHODES & WILLIAM REGAL vs. KOFI KINGSTON & FINLAY (w/Hornswoggle) & ECW champion MATT HARDY

Finlay and Regal start things off. Regal sells a shot to the back of the head from Finlay like an absolute champ, doing a full frontflip. Regal tags out to Rhodes, who has to deal with Hardy. Rhodes gets an elbow quickly. Big "Hardy" chant. A brawl nearly ensues in the ring with all six men entering and standing off, going into another commercial. Just like last week, the flow of a match is quickly interrupted by a fast break.

[Commercial Break]

Kofi and Rhodes are going back and fourth as we return from break. Kofi gets dragged into the corner where Regal gets tagged in. Kofi in turn brings Finlay in to go at Regal, and the two work incredibly stiff on each other. I love watching the two of them go at it, there are few guys in WWE right now who hit like those two. Finlay gets a boot up in the corner, but gets flung right out of the ring off the top rope. Before he can re-enter the ring, he gets his head stomped by Regal. Regal pulls him in and continues to work at him. Rhodes tags in and stomps at Finlay. He drops a knee for two, but Finlay tackles him down and hits him in the jaw. Rhodes tags Henry in and begins to hit Finlay with fists and stomps. Finlay attempts the comeback at 12:00, but gets cut down to size, and Regal tags back in.

Regal locks Finlay in a full nelson as the crowd gets behind Finlay. Finlay goes for a rolling sunset flip, but gets headbutted. Finlay backlsides Regal, but gets a belly to belly suplex. Hardy runs in to break up the pin, but gets forced out of the ring. He takes Regal with him, and Cody Rhodes comes in. Finlay clotheslines him, and gets the hot tag to Kofi for a big pop. Kofi hits the frog bodyblock and clotheslines. He gets the Boom Boom legdrop for two before Regal breaks things up. As Rhodes hits the ropes, Henry tags himself in. Kofi mounts some offense, but when he goes for a springboard bodyblock, Henry hits the World's Strongest Slam for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Henry, Rhodes and Regal in 14:00. Fine for a main event, though I don't like Kofi taking the loss. Being that he has gold, even tag team gold, Finlay should have been the one to take the pin if Henry's team was to win.

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