Torch Feedback ECW Reax #2: "ECW's in-ring product is a cut above the other two brands."
Aug 30, 2007 - 4:42:00 PM
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A.A. Norman of Tulsa, Okla. (4.0): Best Match: Balls vs. Elijah. Worst Match: Thorn vs. Richards. I miss my extreme wrestling. Thorn and Richards would have a better rivalry going if you didn't get the feeling that Stevie was jobbing to Thorn all the time, then given "pity wins" at the very end. Balls continues to be a crowd favorite, and not just because his name is "Balls" and it's fun to chant. Elijah is very talented, but underutilized. The shot to his chin that sent beads flying was a perfect highlight. I love C.M. Punk as much as the next fan, but his drive for the title is starting to get a little old. Punk deserves the title, yes, because he's carried the show for so long. But, he also deserves better wrestling outfit than a few stars and weird colored boots. With ECW, they have a chance to really develop talent and give them a chance to go all-out to impress the crowd in a way that can't be done on other shows, because first, it's only an hour long, and second, there's a limited roster, so there's no need to share face-time with dozens of wrestlers. They're wasting talent, and my patience.
Kevin Wang of Dallas, Tex. - Torch VIP member (6.0): I can't give best/worst match ratings, since the two preliminary matches were both equally good, and the main event was only worsened due to the involvement of The Boogeyman and Big Mabel Daddy Viscera. While it may be considered the distant third brand of WWE, it seems that there's been a concerted effort lately to make the moves a little more realistic-looking and impactful. The in-ring product is a cut above the other two brands, but the continued rematches each week could kill the building momentum of the show if they don't figure out something else to do soon. While I am not sure where the Kevin Thorn vs. Stevie Richards feud is going from here, they put on a nice little match that raised the intensity level from their previous offerings. Elijah Burke continues to shine while they keep using him without giving him a real program. They are also doing well to only give us a little bit of the Balls/Kelly storyline each week, instead of rushing things. Most surprisingly to me, though, is the continued in-ring improvement of The Miz. The move to ECW has really helped him settle in as a legitimate wrestler instead of the celebrity wannabe he looked like just a year ago.
Herb Calf Robe (8.5): Best Match: Fatal Four-Way. Worst Match: None. I enjoyed this show and felt entertained. Even though we all knew who was going to win every match. I still felt like they could go either way. Especially the Balls-Burke match. Stevie Richards was good in his losing effort and makes Thorne look even better than usual. Hopefully they work together more. The Fatal Four-way was awesome. Big Daddy V looked like the monster WWE wants him to be. The Miz was at his best I have ever seen. Boogeyman was just what he is. C.M. Punk was his usual Goodness. (That knee to The Miz looked devestating!) Finally, to the hero of ECW, John Morrison. He is all but the Lizard King to me. The Shamen of Sexy had a great promo and reminds me of Chris Jericho in so many ways. Here's hoping he keeps it up.
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