ECW (3/25) Recap: Battle of the 24!
Our resident philosopher, Jay Shannon, brings us the action from Tuesday’s ECW.
We were in North Carolina for ECW. The World Tag Team champions, Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes, made their entrance. They were followed by Kofi Kingston. The ring was already full of men. The pyros of Kane exploded…so did the crowd. This was the largest tag team match of all time: 12 on 12!
12 v 12
Super Tag Match
Cody Rhodes tried for a roll up on Brian Kendrick. The two men exchanged pin attempts, several times. Cody trapped the head of Brian, but Brian flipped out. The two men flipped, flopped and flew all over the place. Cody tagged out to Jaime Noble. Brian flipped out of a Back Suplex attempt and stumbled towards his side of the ring. Chuck Palumbo blind tagged his way in.
Chuck and Jaime threw fists, big time. Chuck nailed a huge Back Suplex. Jaime scooted to his teammates and tagged out to Jimmy Wang Yang. Supposedly, these 24 men are the ones involved in this Sunday’s 24 Man Battle Royal. Sadly, there are very few actual ECW guys in this one. Palumbo Clotheslined Yang. Palumbo launched Yang with an Inverted Border Toss. Yang waited in the corner and booted Chuck as he rushed. Yang then flew off the ropes with a Hurancanrana. Yang threw a mean Dropkick that sent Palumbo through the ropes and to the floor. Yang came flying over the top rope with a Crossbody. Paul London came out of nowhere to take out Yang with a Tope Suicida. Shannon Moore then took out London with a Tope Con Hilo over the top rope. Trevor Murdoch completely surprised everyone with a Flying Crossbody off the top turnbuckle to the floor. Welcome to Redneck Airlines.
And in answer to Joey’s question…Yes! Waxahachie, Texas does have a small airport. My sister, Lucy, lives in Waxahachie with her husband, Abe, and their three girls.
Back to action, Jaime Noble flew into Trevor Murdoch. We took a quick break while the bodies were sorted out.
Tommy Dreamer battled with Snitsky as we returned. Tommy hit his D(reamer)DT, but Miz made the save. The match broke down into a serious slugfest. Deuce and Domino Double Clotheslined Tommy. Kofi flew off the ropes with a Crossbody on both members of the Throwbacks. Elijah took out Kofi wiht his Power Clothesline. Holly took out Burke with the Alabama Slam. Holly then chopped Miz into burger meat. Festus hit his Horny Toad Splash onto Miz. Khali then chopped the skull of Festus. Kane attacked Khali and dropped him. Matt Striker rushed Kane, and ended up Chokeslammed. Mark Henry ran at Kane and ended up Booted. Snitsky waited for Kane to turn and then booted him into oblivion.
Snitsky charged at Tommy Dreamer in the corner, but Tommy moved. Snitsky crashed and burned. Mark Henry caught Tommy in a Bear Hug and rushed him to the corner. Henry whipped Tommy into a boot from Snitsky. Snitsky covered Tommy to take the pin.
Grade: B+
The ring filled up with all 24 men. There was a massive Mexican Stand-off as we learned that the 24 Man Battle Royal has been taken off the main card of Wrestlemania and offered up as a freebie on WWE.com, just before Wrestlemania kicks off. Again, two dozen decent wrestlers get shoved into Dark Match Hell.
We get another Big Show v Floyd “Make a ridiculous amount of Money” Mayweather. They had a bunch of “mainstream” sports people talking about how Mayweather might get hurt. That is just not going to happen. After Sunday, Big Show will be able to change his name to Big Jobber. Make book on it.
Chavo made fun of Tommy Dreamer getting beaten in the last match. Chavo then made fun of Colin Delaney. Tommy challenged Chavo to a match, albeit non-title. Chavo talked about Tommy being a loser. Chavo wimped out of the match. Tommy then questioned Chavo’s heart and guts. That was the button that needed to be pushed. Chavo accepted the non-title match for later in the show.
We went back to the ring, where the Money in the Bank briefcaase hung from a hook over the ring. Carlito walked out, first. He stared up at the briefcase. Shelton Benjamin made his entrance to gold pyro.
Shelton Benjamin d Carlito
Money in the Bank Preview Match.
Carlito popped Shelton in the face as the bell rang. Carlito stomped away and punched Shelton in the head. Carlito Monkey Flipped Shelton out of the corner. Shelton actually landed on his feet and then attacked Carlito. Shelton Irish Whipped Carlito to the ropes and went for a Hip Toss. Carlito flipped over and landed on his feet. Carlito then attacked Shelton.
Shelton grabbed a Headlock. Carlito shoved Shelton off and to the ropes. Shelton bounced back with a massive Shoulder Block. Shelton took a moment to look at Carlito and then bounced off the ropes. That momentary pause was enough to let Carlito re-energize. Carlito hit a Dropkick, right on the button. Carlito punched Shelton and sent him flying over the ropes. Shelton caught the ropes and “Skinned the Cat”. Carlito waited for Shelton to get back in the ring and then wallopped his back.
Carlito stomped away on Shelton. Shelton fought back with shoulders to the ribs. Shelton slid onto the apron and continued to shoulder Carlito. Shelton tried to Sunset Flip into the ring, but Carlito caught him and hit a Diamond Cutter that sent Shelton’s throat into the top rope. Shelton fell off the apron and to the floor.
Shelton climbed onto the apron. Carlito charged at Shelton, who flipped Carlito over the ropes and onto the apron. Carlito kicked at the ribs of Shelton. Carlito grabbed a Headlock on Shelton and then stepped off the apron. It basically turned the move into a modified DDT. Carlito rolled back in the ring and tried for a pin, but Shelton kicked out.
Carlito locked in a Rear Chin Lock. Shelton battled back to his feet. Carlito used the tights to pull Shelton back down. Carlito kept working on the neck as the crowd started to yell “Boring!”. Shelton elbowed his way out. Shelton sent Carlito to the ropes. Carlito stopped and then hit a Springboard Back Elbow to take down Shelton. Carlito moved Shelton into the corner and threw several hard shoulders. Shelton fought back with fists. Carlito hit a Kneelift and a Suplex. Carlito then locked up the head of Shelton, again.
Carlito tried to lock in a Stump Puller-like move on Shelton. Shelton slipped under Carlito and lifted him up for an Electric Chair Drop. Both men were down and stunned. Shelton rolled over for a near pin. Carlito rolled onto the apron. Carlito popped Shelton in the face a few times. Shelton staggered backwards. This allowed Carlito to hit a Springboard Dropkick on Shelton. Carlito got a 2+ count on Shelton. Carlito pounded on Shelton and then nailed a Neckbreaker. Shelton kicked out of the pin. Carlito slowed the match down with a Neck Wringer.
Shelton made it to his feet and reversed an Irish Whip attempt. Shelton dropped Carlito with a Crescent Kick to the side of the head. Shelton dropped Carlito with a Spear. Shelton shocked Carlito with a Lethal Injection Backbreaker. Carlito came back with a Kneelift. Carlito went to the ropes. Shelton caught Carlito with the Exploder Suplex. Shelton went for the pin, but Carlito kicked out. Shelton went for the Windmill Kick, but Carlito ducked. Carlito grabbed Shelton for a Suplex, but Shelton floated over and locked in a Neckbreaker. Carlito grabbed the ropes to keep Shelton from being able to finish the Neckbreaker move. Carlito spun Shelton around and looked to be going for a Suplex. Instead, he hit a Spinner Neckbreaker that got a collective “ooh” from the crowd.
Shelton kicked out at two and 99/100. Carltio went for the Back Stabber (Lung Blower) but Shelton turned in mid-move. Shelton launched Carlito with a Horizontal Powerbomb into the corner. Shelton went for The Market Crasher (Flying DDT/Bulldog) but Carlito turned it into a Flying Backbreaker. Carlito stomped on Shelton and climbed the corner. Shelton rushed up the corner and took Carlito to the mat with a Super-DDT off the top rope. Shelton rolled an out-cold Carlito over and took the win.
Grade: A+
We went to a promo for Triple H. Don’t forget, Triple H’s new King of Kings DVD set has just been released. I picked it up and it’s incredible. I so expect Triple H to take his spot as the WWE champion on Sunday. The video then looked at both John Cena and Randy Orton. The Triple Threat Match will be the number two match of the night, behind Shawn v Flair.
We got another run-down of the Wrestlemania card. Ashley has replaced Candace in BunnyMania. Candace re-broke her clavicle, last week.
This brought us into the annoucement of the final WWE Hall of Fame inductee. It should have been Jake Roberts, but it wasn’t. It was the voice of Florida wrestling and the NWA, Gordon Solie. Solie was perhaps the greatest announcer of all time. I question his induction, since he never called a single WWE match. This was a gift to Jim Ross, Dusty Rhodes and Ric Flair. Rhodes pushed hard for Solie to get this induction. He was a fantastic announcer, just not in the WWE.
Back to WWE/ECW-Based wrestling, Kelly Kelly and Stevie Richards talked strategy. They were scheduled to face Mike Knox and Layla, after a set of commercials.
Layla sasheyed her way to the ring. Layla slinked into the ring with Shelly “Salinas” Martinez’s old ring entrance. Mike Knox just stomped to the ring. Knox always looks like he’s in a bad mood.
Stevie got a decent pop as he made his entrance. His pop was eclipsed by the eruption of emotion for Kelly Kelly’s stroll to the ring. Kelly was almost dressed in red and black (Go Bulldogs!).
Mike Knox & Layla d Kelly Kelly & Stevie Richards
Mixed Tag Team Match
Kelly and Layla got into a shoving match. They then locked up with a Collar and Elbow. Layla reversed a Kelly Headlock into a Hammerlock. Kelly reversed the Hammerlock. Layla elbowed her way free and kicked Kelly in the ribs. Layla Irish Whipped Kelly to the ropes, but the Blonde Bombshell ducked a Clothesline, bounced off the opposite ropes and dropped Layla with a Crossbody.
Kelly grabbed a Headlock. Mike tried to interfere in the match, but Stevie took him out. Mike went to the floor. Layla sent Kelly to the ropes. Mike grabbed Kelly’s ankle and tripped her. Layla went for a pin, but Kelly’s foot was in the ropes. Layla went for a second pin, but Kelly kicked out. Layla slung Kelly across the ring by the hair. Layla stomped on Kelly and locked in a weak Camel Clutch. Layla missed a Leg Drop. Layla grabbed the leg of Kelly. Kelly bounced up and caught Layla with a Enziguri. The men both tagged in.
Stevie ducked a Clothesline and started kicking the thighs of Mike. Mike shoved Stevie off, but the Comeback Kid came back with more sharp kicks. Stevie got a Straight Kick to the jaw of Mike. Mike collapsed and Stevie went for the pin. Layla made the save. Kelly rushed in and attacked Layla with a Spear. The two girls rolled to the floor. Stevie went for a Monkey Flip, but Mike used his power to block it. Mike brought Stevie to center ring and finished him off with Knox U Out (Corkscrew Neckbreaker/Faceplant).
Grade: C
After a couple more Wrestlemania promos, it was time for our main event. We had about 5 to 7 minutes left for this match. That was kind of sad. The ring was surrounded by the 23 men that will join Tommy Dreamer on Sunday for the 24 Man Battle Royal.
Chavo’s music announced his arrival. The crowd showed it’s disdain for the ECW champ. Chavo demanded that the men around the ring move out of his way. Dozens of daggers flew from the eyes of the men around ringside. Tommy, in Wrestlemania T-Shirt, walked to the ring. Since Colin isn’t going to be in the Battle Royal, which surprised me, I hope to see Tommy take the Battle Royal win. I doubt that it will happen, but I’d sure like to see it.
Chavo Guerrero d Tommy Dreamer
Non-Title match
The two men locked up in a Collar and Elbow. Chavo hit a Kneelift to stun Tommy. Chavo worked over the neck of Tommy, which seemed to wake up the Hardcore Icon. Tommy blasted Chavo with numerous shots to the face. Chavo reversed an Irish Whip, but Tommy held onto the ropes. Chavo charged Tommy, who flipped him over the ropes. Chavo landed on the apron and hung on with all his power to the ropes. Tommy punched Chavo, who fell into the sea of humanity that surrounded ringside.
The guys at ringside grabbed Chavo and tossed him back in the ring. Suddenly, this match turned into a Lumberjack Match. Chavo yelled at the ringsiders, which allowed Tommy to School Boy Chavo for a two count. Chavo grabbed Tommy and slung him into the corner. Chavo used the boot to choke Tommy. Chavo Snap Mared Tommy to the mat and tied up the neck with less than 3 minutes of TV time left.
Chavo locked in a Front Face Lock. Tommy battled out. Tommy reversed an Irish Whip and then planted Chavo with a Bulldog. Tommy nailed a Clothesline. Tommy then locked Chavo in the Sullivan Tree of Woe. Tommy backed up, yelled “E-C-W” and caught Chavo with the Hesitation Dropkick. Tommy went for his finisher, the D(reamer)DT, but Chavo grabbed the ropes. Tommy landed hard on the back of his head. Chavo did the Eddie Shimmy to taunt Tommy. Chavo tried for the Three Amigos, but Tommy turned out of the move and nailed a Hangman’s Neckbreaker. He learned that move from the Texas Legend, the King of Hardcore, Terry Funk. Tommy climbed the ropes, but Chavo rammed the ropes. Tommy crotched on the ropes and fell into the ring. Chavo sprinted up the ropes and nailed the Frog Splash to take the win.
Grade: B-
After the match, the 23 men at ringside jumped in the ring and beat on Chavo. They then turned on each other. We faded to black as the 25 men in the ring went at it with full force.
Final Grade: B-
Final Thoughts:
I’m really disappointed that all the tag teams are going to be thrown in the 24 Man Battle Royal. I’m even more disappointed that very few ECW guys are going to be in the match. It looks like Big Daddy V may be on the shelf. I haven’t heard of an injury or an issue with the Wellness Program, so I’m not sure what caused him to be pulled.
Giving a Chavo v Tommy match only 5 minutes is a slap in the face to the fans. It’s just another show of disrespect to the ECW Originals. Chavo was a poor choice to put the ECW Strap on. It was an even poorer choice to have Chavo defeat Tommy is such a short time.
I expect this will be our final year to have ECW represented at Wrestlemania. I just expect ECW to be absorbed by Smackdown within the next few months. I still hope, against hope, that the whole brand situation will be eliminated and we will have a unified WWE. I’m not sure in Vinny Mac is ready to do that, just yet.
– Jay Shannon
JayofPWD@SBCGlobal.net
(3/27/08)
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