by Greg Parks, PWTorch.com Contributor

ECW on Sci-Fi review
February 24, 2009
Taped 2/23/09 in Nashville, Tenn.
Aired on Sci-Fi Network

-WWE Open.

-Mr. Voice-Over Man, with the help of a video package, told us that Captain Charisma would be going after the ECW Title tonight against Jack Swagger. Will this be the end of the Swagger era?

-ECW Open.

-Todd Grisham and Jack Swagger discussed the title match slated to take place tonight.

1- DJ GABRIEL vs. MARK HENRY

Striker compared this to Suge Knight vs. one of the Jonas Brothers. Gabriel tried to muscle Henry around, but Mizark wasn't having it. Henry mistakenly turned his attention to Alicia Fox, allowing Gabriel to dropkick Henry. Gabriel made the unfortunate mistake of running right into Henry. Advantage: World's Strongest Man. Hard whip into the buckle by Henry as Fox offered encouragement to her man. Henry settled into a rear chinlock. Henry missed a corner splash and Gabriel tried to go off the ropes and attacked Henry's upper body. That had no success, so he went low. Double axe-handle from the second rope, but Henry was still on his feet. He went to the top, but got caught by Henry and slammed for three.

WINNER: Henry, at 3:03. Surprised they sacrificed Gabriel like that, but then again, he has been off TV for a few weeks.

-Christian faces Jack Swagger for the ECW Title tonight, in case you haven't heard.

[Commercial Break]

-Another Evan Bourne video hyping his return aired. No date given.

2- TYSON KIDD vs. MATT BOYCE

Striker called Boyce "the third lost Mulkey brother." Kidd went to the mat with Boyce first, but Boyce got the ropes. He hid behind the ref when Boyce tried to go after him. Natalya, of course, seconded Kidd once again this week. Hair pull by Kidd and Boyce came back with forearms. Sunset flip for two by Boyce. Kidd struck Boyce right in the chest with some kicks. Elbow right to the nose. Kidd locked in a head-scissors and did the Jericho "ask him!" shout. Spinning heel kick by Kidd, followed by a springboard elbowdrop for three.

WINNER: Kidd, at 2:20. After a few weeks of not being sure whether he was heel or face, he played full heel here. Looked impressive once again.

-Tonight, Christian challenges for his first-ever ECW Title.

[Commercial Break]

-We got a video package on the Triple H-Randy Orton feud, including last night's happenings.

3- TOMMY DREAMER vs. PAUL BURCHILL

No entrance for Dreamer. Dreamer started off hot, with a big hip toss out of the corner and he stayed aggressive. He clotheslined Burchill over the top rope. Neck-breaker back in the ring. Burchill turned the tables and stomped Dreamer. Big uppercut that seemed to catch Dreamer in the chest. Burchill set up for a splash in the corner, but missed. Dreamer made a comeback and landed an elbowdrop for two. Burchill missed a move off the second rope and he catapulted Paul into the top turnbuckle. Tree of Woe set up by Dreamer. Katie Lea pulled Paul's arm and he was able to avoid Dreamer's corner dropkick. But something started pulling at Katie from under the ring. Boogeyman's music played and he showed himself as Katie Lea ran away. Paul got distracted by Boogey and Dreamer hit a swank DDT on Burchll for the win.

WINNER: Dreamer, at 3:41.

-Christian was walking backstage, heading to the ring as his ECW Title Match is next.

[Commercial Break- Including an ad that plugged Kane on ECW next week.]

4- CHRISTIAN vs. JACK SWAGGER- ECW CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

Tony Chimel handled formal ring introductions. Swagger started with some amateur wrestling. Christian powered out, but Swagger slammed him down. Christian peppered the champ with rights, then hit a spinning heel kick for a one-count. Swagger had a counter for everything Christian tried to do early on. Striker said every major championship has changed hands in Nashville at some point or another, then listed the matches. Christian avoided a corner charge, then low-bridged Swagger out of the ring. Springboard cross-body outside the ring onto Swagger by Christian. Both men were down as the show went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Swagger was on offense out of break. Christian was on the apron when Swagger hit the ropes and shoulderblocked him to ringside in a nice move. Christian charged at Swagger, but ended up eating steel ring steps. Swagger attacked the injured arm of Christian in the ring. Swagger got Christian in powerslam position, and ran him into the turnbuckles. Christian was gasping for breath on the apron as Swagger celebrated, taking us to the final break of the show.

[Commercial Break]

Christian had Swagger in a sleeper out of break. Swagger quickly got out and did some rolling with Christian in a front face-lock. Swagger set Christian on the top rope but Christian fought away. He hit a dropkick off the second rope and both men were down in the center of the ring. Striker speculated that Christian could have nerve damage in his arm. Christian choked Swagger in the ropes by standing on his back. To the top, but Captain Charisma missed a flying bodypress. Northern Lights Suplex but Christian kicked out. Swagger came back with a belly-to-belly for two. Vader Bomb by Swagger, but he caught Christian's knees. Springboard Sunset flip by Christian for two. To the top he went again, but Swagger jumped up to meet him and Christian knocked him down. Flying headbutt by Christian for a near-fall. Back elbow by Christian, who hit a Tornado DDT, but Christian again came up holding his arm. That prevented him from making a timely cover and when he did, he once again only got two. Swagger threw Christian shoulder-first into the buckle. Christian couldn't lock in the Killswitch (Unprettier) because of his arm, and Swagger came back with a Blue Thunder Bomb for the win.

WINNER: Swagger, at 20:40. Excellent match. The last 5-10 minutes especially were great, with lots of drama. It'll be interesting to see where they go from here as many expected them to hold off this match 'til Wrestlemania- would they do a 20-minute TV match with them then have them fight at WM too?

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