By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

WWE - ECW on SyFy TV Report
July 16, 2009 - Year 4, Week 6 (Week 162 overall)
Taped in Miami, Fla.

ECW Intro: William Regal is in the intro video. Where the heck did he go after Team Europe won that tag match two weeks ago? One week on, two weeks off it seems. Need to get to the bottom of this.

(1) Christian vs. Shelton Benjamin: Ref Armstrong didn't get a clean break to start things off, so he reprimanded the competitors. Striker: "If you've never seen Shelton Benjamin before..." Shelton has been around for nearly a decade. I realize WWE can't figure out whether to push him or demote him to FCW, but let's give him credit for longevity. About two minutes in, Kozlov stomped out on stage not pleased with Christian in control. The distraction allowed Shelton to take control going to a break after smashing Christian's shoulder. Foreshadowing. [CB]

Kozlov on commentary back from break. This ought to be good. "I am ready. Any time." They're certainly teasing a triple threat match involving Kozlov and Dreamer against ECW champ Tommy Dreamer. Kozlov finally said what makes him smile: winning. Well, good to know. Christian made a full comeback after Shelton worked the shoulder for a while before Shelton busted out an awesome-looking top rope single arm DDT after a cat-like leap. Shelton then countered the Killswitch into the Paydirt for the pin and the win. WINNER: Shelton. Cut to a shot of Kozlov with the greatest look ever. No reaction. Just a wry grin. ANALYSIS: Trying to fix the damage to Shelton from two weeks ago, while seemingly setting up a three-way involving Kozlov, who basically set up the shoulder work on Shelton to give him the win. (**1/4)

Ezekiel Jackson interview: Gregory Helms brought in Zeke to discuss the ECW debut last week. Ezekiel said he took time off to work on the guns and he's in the best shape of his life. The Brian Kendrick casting a shadow? Ha. TBK needed him. Now, on ECW, Zeke shoots to the top. [CB]

(2) Paul Burchill (w/Katie Lea) vs. Yoshi Tatsu: Yoshi's theme music makes you want to (a) watch a Japanese game show, (b) bob your head, or (c) play a video game with wacky music. Have another option? Drop a "Yoshi's music makes me want to..." line to pwtorch@gmail.com. Burchill tried to rip Yoshi's neck off with a chinlock early on, prompting a pro-Yoshi chant. Yoshi fired off a round of kicks, then he tried a springboard kick, but slipped. Nobody panic. Burchill followed right up with a rolling belly-to-back suplex. He had a pin, but Yoshi was under the ropes. Yoshi then blasted him with a kick strike to the head for the pin. WINNER: Yoshi. WWE is firmly behind Yoshi, it seems, at this point. Meanwhile, Burchill hasn't won a match in forever. Maybe a haircut will reverse his fortunes. (*) [CB]

GM Tiffany backstage: Tiffany was dropping a Tweet, then Tyler Reks walked in to say he wants to make his in-ring debut on ECW TV next week. Tiffany wasn't sold, but she said would think about it. Tiff has apparently moved on from Ricky Ortiz to T-Reks as her new beau.

(3) Goldust vs. Zack Ryder: I finally figured out who Ryder looks like. Brian Christopher. Maybe it's the headband over the spiked hair look that tells the picture. Goldust, sporting a new bumblebee-like inverse black and gold get-up, tried to intimidate Ryder with his antics. "You serious, bro?" Ryder inquired. Back and forth action here before Goldust exploded with a clothesline. Goldust might be in that Val Venis category of an older late '90s wrestler, but he appears to be in solid in-ring condition. Goldy missed with the Curtain Call and Ryder nailed the Zack Attack for the pin and the win. WINNER: Ryder. Afterward, Ryder gloated to the hard cam and front row fans with the "Woo woo woo" celebration. Ryder just has "it" right now. More TV time and he'll be on top of the ECW brand soon enough. He would really freshen up the main event picture on Tuesday nights. (*1/4) [CB]

Hurricane recap: They went back to last week to show a WWE stagehand on the verge of taking a 15-foot bump off a ladder, only to be saved by The Hurricane.

(4) Sheamus vs. Roman Cornell: Some enhancement talent have great pre-match celebrations. Everyone remembers that Jeff Hardy "headband, fist pump, and 'whoo'" when he debuted on WWF TV about 15 years ago. Roman, on the other hand, just seem puzzled by the whole ordeal. Sheamus cut a pre-match promo on 'em about being a dominant Irishman. Striker let us know Roman is a cell phone app technician. No wonder he looked lost in the ring. Sheamus made short work of the techie with a Rock Bottom backbreaker for the pin and the win. WINNER: Sheamus. Sheamus's look is so curious and puzzling all at the same time. Need about 15 seconds to take it all in. And that's a good thing he has a look that creates interest. (n/a) [CB]

Abraham Washington: AHam brings his show back next week. Guests - Tommy Dreamer and Christian. Thank goodness no episode this week, otherwise, he would be scripted to make the Austin Powers jokes that were left over from last night on Raw.

(5) ECW champ Tommy Dreamer vs. Kozlov - non-title: Dreamer avoided Kozlov's offense early on, then the battle moved to the floor where Dreamer blasted Kozlov with a series of kicks. Dreamer jackknife pinned Kozlov, hit a Russian (haha) legsweep, and then went up top. Dreamer paid for the decision, as Kozlov head-butted him off the top rope. Kozlov with the Iron Curtain on Dreamer for the pin and the win. WINNER: Kozlov. Dreamer had plenty of offense to off-set him being booked to lose, but WWE sure didn't put much effort into building up Dreamer vs. Christian at the PPV.

Afterward, Kozlov tried to inflict more damage, but Christian gingerly made the save. Christian then accidentally bumped into Dreamer and Kozlov knocked Christian down next to Dreamer. Kozlov, satisfied with his work, left the ring with a smile. "What does this mean for Night of Champions?" Mathews asked to close the show. The only plausible explanation for this booking tonight is they make this a three-way title match at the PPV.

We welcome your 0-10 score and comments on this show for an "ECW TV Reax" feature in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com. To contribute your thoughts on ECW TV, email to pwtorch@gmail.com using our Feedback form.

We suggest these recent related articles...

PARKS'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 10/8: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Thursday show, including Roman Reigns & Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt & Braun Strowman

METZGER'S ROH TV REPORT 10/4 & 10/7: IWGP World champ Okada vs. Roderick Strong main event, plus Briscoes vs. Time Splitters, more from "Field of Honor," Overall Reax

MCMAHON'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 10/7: TNA Title Series kicks off, Bound for Glory fall-out, more; Overall Reax