By James Caldwell, Torch columnist

ECW on Sci-Fi TV Report
April 1, 2008 - Year 2, Week 43 (Week 95 overall)
Taped in Miami, Fla.
Report by James Caldwell, Torch columnist

How do you follow Flair is Raw? Well, you certainly don't start off with highlights of the pre-Mania battle royale. The highlight video package went about as long as the match. They showed Kane winning the battle royale, then surprising Chavo Guerrero to win the ECW Title.

They did a pretty sweet transition from Kane doing the pyro on the video at Mania, and simultaneously cutting to the arena for Kane's pyro to star the show in Miami. That was impressive. Kane walked out to a strong reception with the ECW Title belt around his waist. He surveyed the crowd, then said he had the satisfaction of unleashing his destruction on 23 other men to face and defeat Chavo for the ECW Title. They're officially calling it eight seconds on the match victory. "E-C-W" chant was followed by Kane talking about past brutal, exciting, and memorable moments in history. He said we haven't seen anything yet with him as champ.

C.M. Punk then interrupted with the briefcase in hand. Oh no. He flashed the briefcase to the crowd, then entered the ring to approach Kane, who got the first word about Punk having a good day Sunday too. Kane said if Punk tries to cash in the title shot now, he won't be in for a good night tonight. Punk told him to take it easy. He said he has a guaranteed contract for a championship match. Punk said he can have it whenever he wants. It could be next year, next month, next week, or right here and right now.

Before anything could happen, Chavo Guerrero's music interrupted. Chavo stepped out on stage and said no one is getting an ECW Title match before him. He said Kane's victory at WrestleMania was a fluke. Kane said he beat him in eight seconds. That's no fluke. Punk then proclaimed Chavo as a proud record holder of having the shortest match in WrestleMania history. Chavo sarcastically laughed, then said he had the task of preparing for 24 other opponents. He said Kane knows he can't beat him face-to-face. Chavo promised he's going to be ready for Kane's game next time. He said everyone will then be proud to call him ECW champion. Big boos for that. Chavo then booked Kane and Punk in a match together. He said Armando Estrada booked them vs. Chavo and someone who feels that he has unfinished business with Punk.

Shelton Benjamin's music hit and Shelton stepped out on stage to join Chavo. Shelton took the mic and asked, "Are you feeling lucky, Punk?" Everyone groaned. Shelton said the only reason why Punk has that briefcase because two men tipped him over the top rope through a ladder. After a very long pause, Shelton said a normal man would be laid up in the hospital. But he's the gold standard. Punk said he looks forward to that, Goldilocks. And he also looks forward to proving why he's Money in the Bank and Shelton isn't.

[Commercial Break]

Video recap: They aired the post-WrestleMania wrap-up video to hype the replay.

[Q2]

In-ring: Stevie Richards came to the ring to a lukewarm reception. Might need to replay that pre-return interview he did about just wanting to compete. They showed a clip from three weeks when Mike Knox jumped him backstage. Then, one week ago, Richards jumped Knox at catering and beat him down. Knox then came out to face Richards.

1 -- MIKE KNOX vs. STEVIE RICHARDS

Knox dominated early on and Knox slapped on a bear hug. Tazz said it reminds him of the Russian Bear Ivan Koloff. Yeah, that's it. Slap an accent on Knox and maybe he'll be more interesting. Richards broke free then avoided a top rope splash from Knox. Richards pounded on Knox with kicks to the body, then covered him for a two count. Suddenly, Knox dropped Richards with a back breaker across his knee. Awkward. Knox then finished him off with a corkscrew facebuster for the win.

WINNER: Knox in 4:00. Well, Knox is apparently more valuable at this point after Richards had some momentum a month ago. Just a match. Welcome back to wrestling reality after Flair's moment last night. (1/2*)

Video package: Styles and Tazz introduced a highlight video from the Hall of Fame ceremony, with the focus of course on Ric Flair.

[Commercial Break]

WrestleMania 25 promo: They promoted WrestleMania 25 at Reliant Stadium in Houston. They flashed the skyline of downtown Houston in the video clip. I get the feeling there's going to be 12 months of cowboy references.

In-ring: Tazz brought in Colin Delaney to talk about the WrestleMania experience. Colin said it was great because he didn't get beat up. He said he hopes to have a contract and a match at next year's Mania instead of having to buy a ticket. Armando then interrupted and said he has some great news tonight. He said he's here to offer Colin his first official contract. Colin was all-smiles and Armando said he earned it. Armando then said there's one stipulation: April Fools. Ha-ha! The fans popped, then booed. Colin sulked with Tazz, then Armando said Colin just has to defeat this man to earn a contract. After a lengthy pause, Big Show's music hit and the crowd popped. Show walked out on stage looking very serious about the task at hand. Colin nearly started to cry.

[Q3]

2 -- BIG SHOW vs. COLIN DELANEY

Before the bell sounded, Colin stood nose to nipple with Show, who took a deep breath. The bell sounded and Colin started to walk, but Show followed his every move. This is great. Colin turned to walk away, but Show placed on hand on his shoulder and shrugged his shoulders. Colin could only turn and look up at him. Show then slapped on the Million Dollar Dream and the ref called for the bell. Show tossed him down to the mat and Colin spun around on the mat like a top. Show shook his head, then stepped out of the ring.

WINNER: Show in 15 seconds. No one sells a beating better than Colin Delaney. Greatness with Show playing into Colin's character. (n/a)

[Commercial Break]

Announcers: Tazz and Styles plugged WWE's website for clips on last night's Raw. Styles said last night they said farewell to the greatest professional wrestler to ever grace the squared circle.

Video package: They showed Michaels defeating Flair at WrestleMania with audio of Flair's promo on Raw last night. They showed highlights from the Raw Farewell. Just a beautiful, state-of-the-art video package. I loved the mix of old school clips with clips of each former colleague who came to the ring last night, including a really old school clip of Flair and Valentine. They closed with everyone on stage celebrating Flair before they did the Hollywood fade-out shot of the arena.

[Commercial Break]

[Q4]

In-ring: Chavo Guerrero came to the ring for the main event. Shelton Benjamin then came out second to join him. Punk led out the babyface team, and Styles asked what kind of shape Punk can be in after MITB on Sunday and wrestling Jericho last night on Raw. Kane did his entrance to round out the field.

3 -- ECW champ KANE & C.M. PUNK vs. CHAVO GUERRERO & SHELTON BENJAMIN

Hard-hitting action early on, as all four men traded blows before Kane dumped Shelton to the outside. Kane then dumped Chavo over the top rope to the floor and the babyfaces stood tall before a break.

[Commercial Break]

They returned with Punk and Kane trading control working over Shelton. Punk blocked a splash in the corner and tried the G2S, but Chavo held onto the ropes long enough for Shelton to smash him with a kick. Chavo then went to work on Punk's back and shoulders at 10:00.

[Q5 -- over-run]

Punk tried to fight out of the heel corner, but Chavo cut him off and Shelton continued the beating on Punk. Chavo got caught in the corner and Punk smashed him with a running knee and bulldog. Punk finally made it to the corner and made the hot tag to Kane, who cleaned house. He ran into a back elbow from Shelton, then Shelton punted him in the chest. Kane shook it off and landed a big boot to the chest for good measure. Kane then went up top, but Chavo ran into the corner and crotched him. Punk then tagged himself in and smashed Shelton with a kick to the face. He followed with the Go 2 Sleep, then made the cover for the pin and the win. Afterward, Chavo talked trash on the outside while Kane and Punk stood tall in the ring.

WINNERS: Kane & Punk in 15:00. Good main event match to re-establish the key players on the ECW brand going forward from WrestleMania. Not going to draw big ratings, but it gives ECW an identity each week. (**)

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