By James Caldwell, PWTorch columnist

ECW TV on Sci-Fi Live Report
May 1 in Birmingham, Alabama
Week 47 on Sci-Fi

We start with a photo package recap of Vince McMahon beating Lashley at Backlash to capture the ECW Title.

Bobby Lashley opened the show for the promo he needs to cut after losing his ECW Title two nights ago. He took the mic and surveyed the crowd while trying to calm himself down. Lashley said there isn't a person outside of the McMahon family who's happy about Vince winning the ECW Title. He said he has a way of making things all better. "I will give Mr. McMahon the beating of a lifetime," he said. Injury, no injury, he doesn't care. He wants a re-match right now. Armando Alejandro Estrada then interrupted and wheeled himself out in a wheelchair. He said it's because of Lashley that he's in a wheelchair right now, which put a brief smile on Lashley's face. Armando said Lashley isn't going to ruin a special night for the McMahons, and he will get his re-match, but not tonight. He then said Lashley cannot touch Umaga, Shane McMahon, or Vince McMahon unless physically provoked. No consequences were attached to the threat. Lashley then jumped out of the ring and asked for a further explanation, so Armando listed the three men again. He attached the consequences that Lashley would forfeit his title re-match if he touched any of them. Lashley smiled, realizing he had a rat trapped, and asked Armando to say his name. Armando began his name intro, but stopped short when he realized he was set up to take the fall since his name wasn't on the list. Lashley smiled and wheeled Armando into the ring steps. Good personality development for Lashley. Not ultra-smooth on the mic, but Lashley provided a solid opening segment.

The Originals will confront Vince McMahon tonight.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage, Elijah Burke explained to the rest of the New Breed that C.M. Punk set them all up and turned his back on the group. Marcus Cor Von was more interested in doing some bicep curls. Burke told them to follow his lead. They didn't seem to be that interested in doing as Burke said.

C.M. Punk came to the ring and we saw a recap of Punk turning on Burke last week. Elijah Burke brought out the New Breed and he told Punk that he used his New Breed for personal gain. Burke told Punk that he's going to fight Thorn tonight. Thorn didn't react, and simply turned to walk to the ring with Ariel.

[Q2]

1 -- C.M. PUNK vs. KEVIN THORN (w/Ariel and New Breed)

Thorn had early offense, but Punk quickly hit the Go 2 Sleep and scored a clean win. Afterward, Burke held back Striker and Cor Von as they stood on the stage. Frustrated, Burke threw down his ring jacket and took his group backstage. Punk stared in their direction, looking for more action.

WINNER: Punk in 2:00. Well, that was short and to the point. Thorn isn't exactly being pushed these days. (1/2*)

We saw a video package on The Sandman, RVD, and Tommy Dreamer cutting a promo after McMahon's ECW Title win at Backlash.

[Commercial Break]

Extreme Expose returned with a rock ballad, Cherry Pie. They went to the outside and grabbed what we presume was whipped cream and sprayed each other. Yawn.

Backstage, Burke, Striker, and Cor Von were discussing things, then Thorn entered the camera shot and wanted to know where they were for his match. Burke put all the blame on Thorn for losing, and even said Ariel could have beaten Punk. Ariel gave him a dirty look. Thorn told Burke to shut up. He paused, then defiantly told Burke, "I quit." Ringside, Styles and Tazz wondered aloud whether the New Breed is falling apart.

We saw another piece of the ECW Originals promo from after Backlash. Tommy Dreamer doesn't know what he believes in anymore. RVD has one foot out the door.

[Commercial Break]

[Q3]

They aired a wonderful video package on Snitsky. Styles assured us that Snitsky is not here tonight.

3 -- MATT STRIKER & MARCUS COR VON (w/Elijah Burke) vs. MAJOR BROTHERS (BRIAN & BRETT)

We have some Deep South call-ups re-locating to ECW tonight. I thought having to tell apart the Bashams again would be difficult, but these Major Brothers look exactly the same. Cor Von dominated the first few minutes of the match, then he slapped on a reverse chinlock and grounded one of the Majors. A hot tag was made by the babyface underdog team, but Cor Von tossed one of them out of the ring. Suddenly, Striker found himself on the other end of a nearfall out of a sunset flip. They showed Burke's eyes bulging out of his head. Styles and Tazz assumed the New Breed would put away the Majors at this point, but one of them came off the top rope with a turnaround splash on Striker for the win.

Afterward, Burke screamed at Striker, who said it was a fast count. Burke screamed at Striker that he embarrassed him after everything he did for him. He said, "You disgust me. I made you!" Striker stood there and took the abuse, then started to walk away. He left up the entrance ramp with his head hung low as Burke continued to fume on the outside.

WINNERS: Major Brothers in 6:00. You could see that upset coming to keep adding more fuel on the fire that's burning down the New Breed. They pulled the trigger on Punk's face turn very early in the program, but now it could be leading to a series of interesting twists after Punk planted seeds two weeks ago for the New Breed to think freely and not be controlled by Burke. (*)

[Commercial Break]

They aired a video package on The Condemned's hazardous filming locations.

[Q4]

Mr. McMahon came out alone, with the doo-rag, and without the ECW Title belt visible. He said he's about to do something that he might regret. McMahon said there are a lot of children here tonight, but he's going to expose himself. He unbuttoned his jacket and whipped out... the ECW Title belt wrapped around his waist. McMahon said he would defend the belt when and where he sees fit. He addressed the Originals and their derogatory comments made behind his back, then paused for the "You Suck" chant. McMahon asked for the Originals to come to the ring and tell him what they truly feel. After a brief pause, the old ECW theme hit and the Originals came to the ring through the curtain. Dreamer led the troops into the ring, and RVD stood tall as the leader of the group. McMahon stood his ground and started with RVD, who said McMahon killed ECW and has no idea what it means to be ECW champion. He turned to Sabu and said maybe they would get his comments later on. McMahon turned to Sandman and asked what that smell is. Sandman held up three fingers and told McMahon to read between the lines. Dreamer was up next, and after McMahon mocked his boots, Dreamer said the fans demanded that ECW come back, not McMahon. Dreamer said McMahon's name might be on his paycheck, but the fans in the arena and the millions at home pay his salary. He said the fans know what the spirit of ECW is all about. McMahon then asked for some action and asked who would face him one-on-one. McMahon ran down the list of potential candidates, and teased giving RVD the title shot. He then booked a four-way #1 Contender match between the Originals, with the winner receiving a title shot next week. He brought out a ref, then said it would be Extreme Rules in his vision. McMahon then called for "the crap" to be brought out. Stagehands brought out weapons of all kinds to the ringside area. They had a dumpster full of various street objects and a cement mixer, among other notable items.

[Commercial Break]

[Q5 -- over-run]

4 -- ROB VAN DAM vs. THE SANDMAN vs. TOMMY DREAMER vs. SABU -- #1 Contender's match -- Extreme Rules

The bell sounded and the fans chanted for tables. McMahon made his point by motioning right along with the chant. RVD and Sabu hit a combination Rolling Thunder and leg drop on Dreamer, as Styles suggested that if they were willing to destroy each other for a shot at McMahon, imagine what kind of punishment McMahon would be in for next week. Dreamer then clotheslined Sandman over the top rope to the floor, reminding us of yesteryear. RVD turned his back on Sabu and did his pose on the apron, but Sabu leapt over the top rope and pulled RVD to the floor. Sandman and Dreamer returned to the ring and battled, then Dreamer left the ring and confronted McMahon. He accepted a chair from McMahon, then smashed Sandman as he hung upside down in the Tree of Woe. Sabu and RVD returned to the ring and brawled amongst the debris in the ring. RVD then hit a skateboard chair blow on Sabu in the corner. Dreamer quickly grabbed RVD and gave him a leaping piledriver. Sandman then caned Dreamer, and Sabu cut him off with a chair shot to the head. Fast-paced action here. Sabu then showed off his athleticism with a triple jump moonsault on Sandman, but it was good for a nearfall only.

At 5:00, we have a table inserted into the match. Sabu set it up in the ring, then he placed Sandman on the table. He went up top, but Dreamer cut him off with a superplex off the top rope, taking Sabu and himself crashing into Sandman through the table. RVD, ever the smart man, then came off the top rope with a Five Star frog splash on Sandman for the pin and the win. After getting his hand raised, RVD stood on the ring steps and pointed down at McMahon. Great camera shot here. He glared at McMahon with a look that could kill, then McMahon slowly backed away while holding his ECW Title belt over his shoulder. McMahon walked to the other side of the ring and stared at the carnage in the ring, then RVD held open the ropes for him to come get himself some. McMahon instead held up the title belt to close the show.

WINNER: RVD in 6:00. Great drama, using the formula Extreme match that they can pull out every once in a while. They have an RVD vs. McMahon match, that if saved for a PPV, could do decent business. Based on WWE's recent history of bait and switch on TV, it wouldn't surprise me to see this match not happen next week, and saved for Judgment Day. Might as well get one big PPV match out of RVD before his contract runs out. (*3/4)

We welcome your 1-10 score and comments on this show for an "ECW Reax" feature in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com. To contribute your thoughts on ECW TV, click here.

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