By James Caldwell, Torch columnist

ECW on Sci-Fi TV Report
April 8, 2008 - Year 2, Week 44 (Week 96 overall)
Taped in Boston, Mass.
Report by James Caldwell, Torch columnist

This week's episode of ECW Television started with fireworks and Joey Styles announcing we're on Sci-Fi. Good to know I'm on the right channel. Styles said they make Kane vs. Chavo official tonight for Backlash. But, they start with The Miz, who was accompanied by John Morrison to the ring. Morrison joined the announce table to comment on the proceedings. C.M. Punk came out holding his briefcase to oppose Miz.

1 -- THE MIZ (w/John Morrison) vs. C.M. PUNK

The bell sounded and Punk pointed at Morrison, who claimed Punk is scared of him. The fans cheered for Punk, so Morrison cut a promo on society. He said fans shouldn't follow a loser like Punk, but a role model like himself. Styles was left out of the conversation for a while. Back in the ring, Punk worked on Miz's left knee with submission holds and kick strikes. Morrison called Punk over-rated, then said he'd like to expose Punk as being more over-rated than a Ric Flair send-off video. Punk found himself on the apron, then he pointed at Morrison, allowing Miz to smash Punk off the apron into the announce table. Punk made a comeback at 5:00 with a springboard clothesline, but Morrison got up from the announce table and distracted Punk, allowing Miz to hit a weak-looking clothesline for a close nearfall. Crowd was hot for the false finish. Ref Armstrong then gave Morrison the boot for his interference. They cut to a break with Miz working on Punk with a submission hold.

[Commercial Break]

They returned with Miz still in control working on Punk's shoulders and back. They suddenly broke into a Lucha double run-the-ropes spot where each man kept running until they knocked each other down with a double clothesline.

[Q2]

Punk was the first to his feet and he landed back hand slaps, followed by a powerslam for a nearfall. Miz drove Punk into the ring corner, then he nailed a leaping clothesline through the ropes. He grazed Punk with a slingshot splash from the apron for a nearfall, but Punk came to his feet and abruptly nailed an enziguiri kick. Nice. Punk followed with the knee strike and a bulldog, followed by the Go 2 Sleep. Just like that, Punk with the cover for the win.

WINNER: Punk in 15:00. Nice match with two acts to the story. Morrison helped them navigate the setting-the-stage portion of the match, which can often drag on TV. The second act was a nice showcase of wrestling (well, except for a few of Miz's moves), focusing on C.M. Punk's offensive repertoire. (**1/2)


Backstage: Armando Estrada was looking at a clipboard, then Colin Delaney walked in with Tommy Dreamer. Colin said he wants to inquire about an ECW contract. Dreamer cut off Armando's ramblings and said Colin just wants to earn a contract. Armando sarcastically said that's so nice, but if Colin wants a contract, he has to beat Dreamer. "What?!" was the response from Dreamer. Armando then tied up the loose end that if Dreamer goes easy on Colin and loses, then he's fired. Armando laughed, then walked away. Dreamer and Colin exchanged looks in close proximity, while Colin appeared to be near tears.

[Commercial Break]

Raw plug: They plugged the three-hour Raw on April 21. The gimmick is that they're inviting Obama and Clinton to settle their differences in the ring.

In-ring: Armando Estrada was standing by for the contract signing. He introduced Chavo Guerrero first, and Chavo came out with Hawkins and Ryder. Kane then came out with the ECW Title belt and placed it on the contract table. Chavo put his feet on the table, so Kane kicked his feet away and said he didn't appreciate the disrespect. Armando asked Kane to sign first, and he started to sign before Chavo cut him off and asked Kane if he really wants to do it. Kane said Chavo is acting really cocky for having lost the strap in eight seconds at WrestleMania. Chavo said Kane won't be able to do that Backlash because he'll have someone watching his back.

[Q3]

Suddenly, a bearded man in a suit about 6'1" and 235 lbs. strolled to the ring and hopped into the ring, allowing Chavo to jump Kane from behind. Chavo and his goons attacked Kane, then they placed Kane on the contract table. Chavo went up top and landed a frog splash through the table. After finishing off Kane, Chavo signed the contract. The new dude looks like a cross between Roadkill, Karl Anderson, and a bunch of bald wrestlers.

[Commercial Break]

2 -- ELIJAH BURKE vs. NUNZIO

All right, Burke should be back on the winning track tonight. Styles and Tazz talked about not being accustomed to seeing Kane taken out like that. Good reinforcement of the previous segment. Burke punted Nunzio in the head early in the match, then he came off the top with a leaping fist smash for a nearfall. Nunzio made his obligatory two-punch comeback, but Burke landed a German Suplex. He measured Nunzio for the Elijah Express, but Nunzio was lifeless in the ring. Burke then picked up the dead weight and dropped Nunzio with a legsweep/clothesline combo for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Burke in 3:00. Good to see Burke back on the winning side of things. As with Mickie on Raw, bets are off on whether WWE follows up. (1/2*)

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: One of the Greasers was on the way to the ring out of the break. Without Cherry, they're just nameless men wearing old jackets. Kofi Kingston came out and they showed a promo from earlier in the day. Kofi said he's here to have a party and give some good vibrations to the fans. That's good to know.

3 -- DOMINO vs. KOFI KINGSTON

Early on, Kofi landed a leaping Bronco Buster as Domino was perched up top in the corner, then Domino came back with a top rope face plant for a one count. Domino worked the back, then Kofi slipped out of a standing back breaker and he made a comeback with clotheslines. Kofi did his boom-boom leg drop, then he missed with a flying splash. Domino charged him off the ropes, but Kofi surprised him with the Jamaican Buzzsaw for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Kofi Kingston in 5:00. Basic TV match. Still a work-in-progress with Kofi. (3/4*)

Backstage: Eve was all bubbly talking to Kelly Kelly about something. Layla then interrupted and said there's room for only one diva search winner on ECW. Kelly said Eve has something to say, but Layla cut her off and said yes, they're real, no, she's never dated him, and if she ever sees Eve on the show again, she'll regret it. Layla stormed off, then Eve asked Kelly what her deal is.

[Commercial Break]

Raw promo: They re-aired the invitation to Obama and Clinton for Raw on April 21.

Announcers: Styles and Tazz recapped the meltdown in the contract signing earlier tonight. They plugged Undertaker on ECW next week to join Kane against Chavo and His Backup.

In-ring: Colin Delaney walked out without ring entrance music. Hey, at least he has a video on the Titantron. They had the classic shot of Colin getting his head smashed while wearing a Chicago Bears helmet. Armando was ringside for this. Tommy Dreamer then walked out sporting the "I'm a jobber" official WrestleMania 24 t-shirt.

4 -- TOMMY DREAMER vs. COLIN DELANEY

Stips: Colin gets a contract if he wins; Dreamer is fired if he loses. The bell sounded and Dreamer grabbed Colin with a waistlock and drove him into the ropes. Colin tried to return the favor, but Dreamer put him in a hammerlock. Colin tried to come back with a roll up, but he couldn't even manage a one count. Dreamer landed a hard clothesline, then he hip tossed him half-way across the ring. Dreamer charged Colin against the ropes, but Colin pulled the ropes down and Dreamer flew to the floor. Colin suddenly came over the top with a plancha.

[Q5 -- over-run]

Colin rolled Dreamer into the ring, then he landed a springboard dive for a one count. Another one count on an Oklahoma Roll. Dreamer then cut him off and took Colin up top for a superplex, but Colin knocked him off the top to the mat. Colin missed with a top rope dropkick, then Dreamer shoved him hard into the corner turnbuckle. Dreamer nailed the basement dropkick with Colin upside down in the corner, then Dreamer nailed a spike DDT in center ring after a brief pause to ponder the consequences. Dreamer made the cover for the pin and the win. Armando simply chuckled from ringside.

Afterward, Dreamer helped Colin to his feet as Armando gave them a sarcastic round of applause from ringside. Dreamer gave Colin a post-match pep talk as Styles and Tazz plugged Kane and Taker on the show next week. End show.

WINNER: Dreamer in 5:00. Fine match, but nothing to get excited about since Dreamer hasn't been positioned as a top act on ECW in months. There's still the weekly intrigue to see where Colin's program is leading to. (*1/4)

Final Thought: Paging Mike Knox. Hm... No answer.

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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