TV REPORTS ECW ON SCI-FI ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 3/24: Caldwell, Hoops, Mayer, Parks rate and review
Mar 24, 2009 - 9:57:20 PM
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James Caldwell, Torch Assistant Editor (8.0)
WWE turned in a newsworthy and exciting hour of television on Tuesday night with two specific matches hyped effectively without needing chair shots, a bleeding 60 year-old man, sexual advances on an unconscious woman, or graveyards. WWE opened the show hyping a potential show-stealing tag title unification match at WrestleMania and book-ended it with a compelling VIP Lounge to set up the Money in the Bank match. In between, they delivered a great tag match featuring three future main eventers.
The only "down time" in the show was the customary second-quarter-hour repeat video package segment hyping last night's Raw and "12 Rounds," but that was bearable this week because of the other three great segments on the show.
WWE has to find some way to incorporate ECW champion Jack Swagger into the WrestleMania card and I don't mean as a lumberjack for the tag title unification match. Swagger vs. Bourne vs. Kidd would steal the show, so perhaps WWE doesn't want to put that match on the card to hurt the main event matches. Or, they simply want to hold off on that match until they have time for legitimate build-up. Yeah...right.
VIP Lounge that closed the show made for very good TV. Even Shelton Benjamin sounded good after delivering his best facial reaction of all-time when MVP introduced himself as the new U.S. champion. Christian was great with his talking points and the crowd reactions continue to build for him since his return. People actually remembering the Peep Show segment three-and-a-half years later was remarkable.
Brian Hoops, PWTorch.com Contributor (7.0)
Very entertaining show. I guess we know how all the WWE roster members will get their big WrestleMania payday as the tag match is now a lumberjack match. If I was a lumberjack, I would be very worried about a "future endeavors" letter in my very near future. I missed half of the Matt Striker lumberjack history story as I was laughing so hard. He is the best thing on WWE TV right now. Two good matches on the show, Evan Bourne continues to look very impressive.
Dominick Mayer, PWTorch.com Contributor (7.0)
Most of the show was split up between the three main segments. First was the Carlito-Morrison match, which continued to build a surprisingly strong foundation for the Tag Title unification match at Mania. Good action between the two as well. Then, there was the tag match, which featured some incredible exchanges between Kidd and Bourne. Surprised to see Bourne pin Kidd clean though, especially when there looks to be a brewing feud between the two.
Also, I guess there won't be an ECW Title match at the biggest PPV of the year, unless they sneak something underdeveloped in next week. At this point, I'd rather there be nothing than have it be a last-minute deal, or worse, a dark match. Then, the end of the show had the eight-man MVP Lounge, which was a pleasant surprise in that it didn't turn into a free for all like this segments tend to. Instead, each man in the match got some time on the mic, and this was much needed to establish that something is in fact in stake besides cool spots being on the way. Strong show to bring ECW into the home stretch.
Greg Parks, PWTorch.com Contributor (6.5)
Solid show this week. I'm wondering what would happen if Morrison didn't try to walk out of his match, since that's the only reason it would've made sense to make it a Lumberjack Match, yet Teddy Long seemed to have already made it so. Match was good. Great to see The Fink in the Hall-of-Fame. I agree with Wade, it's a shame he's not still ring announcing. He sure beats the heck out of "at a total combined weight of 580 pounds, Ted Dibiase and Randy Orton" Lilian Garcia.
The tag match in the middle of the show was a good showcase match and I still can't believe Swagger isn't going to be on WM (thus far). I was also a bit surprised they had Bourne pin Kidd. The final segment of the show was a nice change-of-pace as far as the build to the MITB match. Better than ANOTHER tag match between some combination of those eight.
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