by Greg Parks, PWTorch Contributor

ECW on Sci-Fi review
January 20, 2009
Taped 1/19/09 in Chicago, Ill.
Aired on Sci-Fi Network
Report by Greg Parks, Torch Team Contributor


-The show opened with a video package on "The All-American American" and new ECW Champion Jack Swagger. They had highlights of his title win from last week in there as well.

-Right to the arena we go, as Todd Grisham was in the ring. He introduced Matt Hardy, who came out for an interview. For some reason, Grisham started the interview discussing Jeff Hardy's mishap this past week on Smackdown instead of Matt losing the belt last week. They showed footage of the fireworks incident as well. Grisham asked for an update on Jeff's condition. He said Jeff went into shock after the fireworks hit him and he is suffering from 1st degree burns, but is home recovering. Matt said what has been happening to Jeff is not a series of accidents. Grisham then asked about his title loss last week and his upcoming rematch. Matt said Swagger is probably better than he thought he was. Hardy gave no excuses, but was soon interrupted by Swagger's music and entrance.

Swagger came out dressed all in black with his ECW Title. Swagger said it felt great to be ECW Champion. He called Sunday's match a formality and deemed himself the face of the franchise. Swagger said Jeff won't be the only Hardy going down in flames after he's done with Matt. Matt nailed Jack in the face, causing the champ to roll out of the ring. Matt continued his onslaught at ringside, where referees attempted to break things up.

-Tonight, Mark Henry, Finlay, The Miz and John Morrison do battle in a Fatal Four-Way Match.

[Commercial Break]

1- RICKY ORTIZ vs. ADAM EVANS

Hip-lock take-over started the match for Ortiz. He followed that up with a couple headbutts. Matt Striker mentioned that he has actually fought Adam Evans in the ring before. Bodyslams and a big back-breaker. Everything Ortiz seems to do in the ring, he does twice. Belly-to-back suplex by Ortiz. He hit a football tackle a la Jim Duggan, then hit the Big O splash for the win.

WINNER: Ortiz, at 2:17. Good idea to have Ortiz fight jobbers since he's not clearly defined yet as a wrestler, but Ortiz needs to kick it up a notch in the ring. He seemed a big sluggish tonight.

Ortiz got on the mic and thanked Chi-town for his support and told them to "Rally Up."

-Striker and Grisham talked on camera about Tommy Dreamer's ultimatum he gave himself last week, then we got highlights of it.

-Backstage, Teddy Long and Tiffany were talking to Dreamer (well, Teddy was). Long said he could line up a shot for Dreamer, but Tommy said he needs to prove to himself that he still has it. Paul Burchill (with Katie Lea) interrupted and wanted a moment with Long, then threw a shot Dreamer's way saying some people have careers worth saving. The two got into an argument, then Burchill demanded a re-match with DJ Gabriel. Long said he'll give Paul a match tonight but it'll be against someone of his choosing. And that match is next.

[Commercial Break]

2- PAUL BURCHILL vs. THE BOOGEYMAN

Burchill went right after Boogeyman, punching him and laying shoulders into his gut in the corner. Running double-knee in the gut, and interesting move by the Brit. We've got a "Boogeyman" chant, folks. Burchill hit the ropes and was summarily hit by a few clotheslines. Boogey also splashed Burchill in the corner as Striker gave us a lesson on worms. As Boogey set up for the pump-handle slam, Katie Lea interfered, kicking Boogey in the leg for a DQ.

WINNER: Boogeyman, at 1:51.

Boogey chased after Katie Lea and was about to give her the worm treatment when Burchill pulled her out of the ring. Boogey proceeded to freak out Striker and Grisham by laying some worms on the ECW announce desk.

-The main event Fatal Four-Way is still to come.

[Commercial Break]

-The Raw Rebound aired.

-Striker and Grisham previewed the Royal Rumble, then the Royal Rumble statistics video aired.

-John Morrison and The Miz made their (separate) entrances for the main event, which will be next.

[Commercial Break]

3- JOHN MORRISON vs. THE MIZ vs. MARK HENRY vs. FINLAY- FATAL FOUR-WAY MATCH

All three heels tried to gang up on Finlay to start, and did so with varying success. Henry sat back while Miz and Morrison did most of the damage. He fought away from the tag champs, but was booted down by Henry. Morrison tried a springboard off the top rope, but Henry knocked him right out of mid-air. The three heels seemed to re-group and continue the Finlay attack as they went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Henry was picking up Finlay for a press-slam as the show returned. After the move, Miz and Morrison went after Henry. The tag champs cleaned house on both men. They wasted time posing and Henry had time to come back and put them both down. Finlay went to the second rope and dove right into Henry's arms. Miz jumped on Henry's back, and Mark tossed him to the mat. Finlay used the shillaleigh on Henry's legs, the DDT'd him. The pin attempt, however, was broken up by both Miz and Morrison. Striker asked Grisham to imagine a world where The Miz won the Royal Rumble and went on to main event Wrestlemania. Henry went to the outside, allowing Miz and Morrison to double-team Finlay. Henry finally got up and waved off the match, a smart move: Save yourself for the Rumble. Tadpole Splash on Morrison from Hornswoggle and Finlay took out the Miz with the Celtic Cross, but Morrison kneed Finlay in the head and pinned Miz.

WINNER: Morrison, at 9:24. Good match with a lot of action, more than I expected. And we've got Henry's knee injury and the Morrison/Miz dynamic to play into the Rumble match on Sunday.

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