ECW (29) Recap: Wrestling in silence!
Our resident philosopher, Jay Shannon, provides the missing commentary for Tuesday’s ECW broadcast.
I wanted to take just a moment, before I get started, to send out my deepest condolences to the Anoa’i and Fatu families. Over the week-end, the mother of Umaga, Rikishi and the Tonga Kid lost her battle against cancer. To the family of Mrs. Fatu: May the joy of her life serve as a comfort in this time of grief. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this toughest of times.
ECW came from Atlantic City, tonight. Matt Striker was scheduled to take Mike Foley to school. Also, Kane battled Bam Neely and Chavo Guerrero in a Handicap match.
Mike Adamle welcomed us to Atlantic City and then threw it to The Tazz to run down the card.
Shelton Benjamin made his entrance. He had a new gold outfit, this week. Shelton was hot that Kofi Kingston beat him, last week. Shelton asked for a rematch against the Jamaican Sensation. Kofi danced his way to the ring. He got a huge pop from the crowd.
Shelton got on the mic and told Kofi that his win, last week, was a fluke. Shelton promised to end Kofi’s win streak this week.
Kofi Kingston d Shelton Benjamin
Match Highlights:
Shelton went on the attack from the get go. A huge Clothesline and several slams rocked Kofi. Shelton hit a Side Backbreaker. Shelton arched Kofi’s back across his (Shelton’s) knee. Kofi used chops and kicks to fight back. Shelton caught the leg of Kofi and Back Heel Tripped him. Shelton then used beat on Kofi.
Kofi got to his feet and ended up on the business end of several kneelifts. Shelton placed Kofi on the ropes and pounded away. Shelton tried for a Superplex, but Kofi fought back. Kofi hit a mile high Flying Crossbody off the ropes, but Shelton rolled through. Shelton nailed a Running Clothesline in the corner. He missed the second try. Kofi nailed the Trouble in Paradise (Buzzsaw Enziguri), out of nowhere, to take the win.
Grade: B+
Shelton looked ready to explode as he watched Kofi walk back up the ramp. We went to break.
We got a promo for Smackdown. Three championship will be defended. All I ask is that they keep William Regal away from the control room.
The Hardcore Legend, Tommy Dreamer, made his way to the ring. Colin Delaney was at Tommy’s side. Tommy faced Mike Knox.
Mike Knox d Tommy Dreamer
Match Highlights:
Tommy blasted Mike with fists and kicks. Mike reversed an Irish Whip. Tommy blocked a Hip Toss and went for a Clothesline. Mike ducked and hit a Clothesline of his own. Mike worked on Tommy’s neck and then hit a Side Suplex. Mike popped Colin in the face. Mike slid out of the ring and whipped Colin into the steel steps. Tommy Baseball Slid into Mike. Tommy went to the floor to check on Colin. Mike whipped Tommy into the steel post. Mike rolled Tommy into the ring and caught Tommy with the Knox U Out (Spinning Face Plant).
Grade: C
Tazz talked about Mick Foley getting promoted to the Smackdown announce team. I think that’s a great move. Coachman has been doing some announcing, outside of wrestling. Hopefully, Coachman will be brought back as an assistant to William Regal. Maybe, just maybe, he will replace Regal as Raw’s GM.
Matt Striker was in the ring. The crowd cut loose with a huge round of boos. Striker wanted to teach us all. Striker got a great Rush quote in. Striker threw respect to Mike Adamle. I have to admit, Adamle’s getting better. Striker then introduced Mick Foley, the newest member of the Smackdown announce team.
Striker had a lesson for Mick Foley. Mick got some seriously cheap plugs in for his books. He also highlighted his friendship with Katie Couric. Matt told Mick that “you have a face more suited for radio”. I seem to remember an old instructor of mine telling me the same thing. I did do a three year stint on radio, not television, during college. Matt talked about Mick’s smile and the missing teeth in the smile. Matt tried to make fun of Mick’s weight and hair. Mick derailed Matt’s rant. Mick told Matt that the missing teeth and ear are scars of honor that he earned. Mick then called Matt a “pretty boy”. Matt suggested that Mick looked like his just rolled out of a dorm room after “smoking the pot and listening to Bob Seger”.
Mick talked about his testicular fortitude. Matt tried to make fun of Mick’s knowledge of wrestling. Mick brought out Mr. Socko to teach Matt an English lesson. Mick cut a hilarious sentence breakdown to fake out Matt. Mick then locked in the Mandible Claw. Matt dropped to the mat like a stone. Class dismissed. Mick threw Mr. Socko to Mike Adamle. Adamle got a passing shot in at those who have called for his removal as an announcer. Mike, despite my earlier thoughts, I think you are going to work as a WWE announcer. A little more time and you will be tossing barbs with the best of them. Keep it up.
We took a look at the highlights from Backlash.
C.M. Punk made his way to the ring. I so expected him to cash in his Money in the Bank case on Sunday. One Night Stand would be a great place for the ECW Superstar to take out someone for the gold. One Night Stand was originally an ECW-exclusive Pay-per-view. Chuck Palumbo joined us from Smackdown for our next match.
C.M. Punk d Chuck Palumbo (by DQ)
Match Highlights
Chuck went straight at Punk, before the bell. Chuck moved Punk to the corner. Punk got free and caught Chuck with a Go Behind. Chuck rushed them into the corner. Punk protected his face from a shot by Chuck. Chuck Kneed Punk and slammed him. Chuck misssed a Flying Elbow Drop. Punk broke out a flurry of kicks and knees. Punk sent Punk into the corner. Punk tried to boot Chuck, but Chuck caught the foot. Chuck pulled Punk into a Clothesline.
Chuck pounded on Punk and hit a Belly to Back Suplex on Punk. Chuck locked in a Rear Choke on Punk. Punk made it to his feet and threw several elbows. Chuck over-powered Punk and moved him to the corner. Punk switched position and threw several Fore-arms. The ref dragged Punk out of the corner. Palumbo hit a cheap shot and then started to beat down on Punk. Chuck refused to break in the corner so Mike Posey disqualified Chuck.
Grade: D
Punk took the fight to Chuck, after the bell. Chuck hit a Lariat that nearly took Punk’s head off.
We went to the Raw Rebound. It was another showing of the whole situation with William Regal. Regal cheated the fans out of the ending of the title match between Triple H and Randy Orton. Regal cut the show off due to the disrespect by the fans and Mr. Kennedy. Regal will likely face serious consequences for that action. They say it’s a fine line between brilliance and insanity. I would say that they writers may have crossed that line, last night. Only time will tell on which side of the line the writers ended up.
Next week will be the 100th episode of Raw. Colin Delaney will face Armando Estrada. If Colin wins, he finally gets his contract. Tommy Dreamer will battle Mike Knox in an Extreme Rules Match.
Chavo Guerrero and Bam Neely walked to the ring. We saw Chavo lose to the ECW Champ at Backlash. It was a Chokeslam, from nowhere, that took out the Mexican Warrior. Mike Adamle left the announce table before the match. Adamle gave no explanation for his exit. Tazz was confused by the whole thing.
Kane strolled to the ring after the fire erupted. Bam took off his suit jacket as Kane called for the corner explosions. Tazz promo’d the newest Rambo movie. It will be released soon on DVD.
Chavo Guerrero & Bam Neely d Kane
Match Highlights:
Kane went at Chavo with a fury like you wouldn’t believe. He flipped Chavo over and hit a Low Dropkick. Chavo got a few shots in, but Kane Body Slammed him. Chavo moved to the corner and tried for a Tornado DDT. Kane tossed him off with no effort. Bam dragged Chavo out of the ring as we took a quick break.
Kane launched Chavo from the turnbuckle as we returned. Chavo hit a Dropkick to Kane’s thigh and tagged Bam into the match. The two men threw huge fists at each other. Bam Irish Whipped Kane to the ropes and Chavo kneed him in the back. Chavo double teamed Kane as often as possible. We had no commentary during this part of the match. Chavo hit a European Uppercut, but Kane pushed Chavo off. The two men went to the floor.
When Kane tried to get back in, Bam pulled Kane off the apron. Kane jammed his knee on landing. Chavo came out of the ring and kicked at the thigh. He rolled Kane back in the ring and tagged Bam back into the ring. Bam brutalized Kane with kicks and punches. He then tagged Chavo back into the match. Chavo worked over the leg of Kane and then moved Kane to the corner. Chavo choked and punched Kane in the corner. Kane went for a Double Choke Slam but the leg fave way. Kane sat up and freaked out Chavo. Kane hit a huge Back Body Drop on Chavo. Bam broke up a pin attempt. Chavo tagged out.
Kane caught Bam, coming in, with shots to the face. Kane hit the Running Clothesline in the corner. He then lifted Bam up for a Sidewalk Slam. Kane climbed the ropes and hit his Flying Clothesline. Kane went to Chokeslam Chavo, but Bam clipped the knee. Chavo hit the Frog Splash off the top rope to take the win.
Grade: B
A view to the announce table over Chavo’s shoulder showed it to be empty. I’m not sure what went down with Mike Adamle and Tazz but that was bizarre. Chavo celebrated as we went to silent black.
Final Grade: B-
Final Thoughts:
I am so confused by the last two nights on WWE programming. I’m wondering if this whole Adamle walk out was a work to set up a feud between Adamle and Mick Foley over the announce job on Smackdown. Adamle might be getting ready to demand a bigger announcer job. I could see the whole “I’m an announcing legend and I deserve better than ECW”.
ECW’s matches continue to slide in their intensity. These five minute mini-matches are killing any potential forward movement for the stars. The matches are about as interesting as the old vignettes in the AWA. Next week’s 100th episode of ECW will be a Make it or Break It show. Hopefully, the whole announcer situation will be ironed out. Who will join Tazz on the mic? Adamle? Coachman? Joey Styles? Join me next week and we will learn together.
–Jay Shannon
JayofPWD@SBCGlobal.net
(5/1/08)
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