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ECW on Sci-Fi TV Report
June 17, 2008 - Year 3, Week 4 (Week 108 overall)
Taped in Tulsa, Okla.
Report by James Caldwell, Torch columnist

The show started with a recap of the ECW Title match at the Night of Champions PPV where Mark Henry captured the ECW Title. It was officially the first time TMZ paid attention to ECW.

In-ring: Justin Roberts welcomed out the new ECW champion Mark Henry. Henry called himself the savior of ECW. He said Kane was going to take the title to Raw, but he brought it back where it belongs. (Boos.) He said he is the epitome of a champion. Tommy Dreamer's music disagreed, and out came Dreamer with his good friend, Colin Delaney.

Dreamer apologized for interrupting, but he wanted to be the first man to challenge for the Title. Henry told him to stop playing because Dreamer was hot in the '90s, but this is 2008. He said Dreamer's time has passed and he needs to walk out with his little buddy. Dreamer said Colin represents the heart and soul of ECW by always coming back for more. He asked Henry about the legacy of the ECW Title. Dreamer pointed out Tazz at the broadcast position, and said Tazz broke his neck for that title. Henry told Dreamer that he has to earn a title shot. He then pointed to Colin and told him that he can earn Dreamer his title shot by defeating him. Basically, Colin beats Henry and Dreamer gets the title shot. Colin quickly said he accepts, which upset Dreamer. Henry vowed to rip the heart and soul out of Colin's chest tonight.

Backstage: They showed Hardy, Finlay, and Hornswoggle gearing up for a six-man tag match. Good ole Matt Hardy.

Raw preview: They focused on the new youth movement on Raw which will carry over to next week's show. Good marketing.

[Commercial Break]

1 -- U.S. champion MATT HARDY & FINLAY & HORNSWOGGLE vs. CHAVO GUERRERO (w/Bam Neely) & WWE tag team champions THE MIZ & JOHN MORRISON

A few minutes into the deal, Hornswoggle took out the heels on the floor with a big, funny splash. Feel good moment and let's cut to a break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, the tag champs worked over Matt Hardy in their corner. Morrison screamed at Hardy to give up already. Good, aggressive work from the champs here. Hardy came back with the side effect on Morrison and made the hot tag to Finlay, who cleaned house on Guerrero. Action broke down at 10:00 with Hornswoggle surprising Chavo with a tadpole splash in the chaos. Finlay then nailed a Celtic Cross for the pin and the win as Adamle tried to catch up to the action.

WINNERS: Team Finlay in 12:00. Fine six-man tag match with a predictable finish and formula storyline. About what we can expect from ECW going forward. (*1/2)

[Commercial Break]

Raw Rebound: They recapped the opening segment that concluded with C.M. Punk winning the World Hvt. Title in surprise fashion before JBL goaded him into a title match later in the show. They showed Punk surviving a stacked deck to leave the show with the World Title.

Announcers: Tazz and Adamle hyped the title change on Raw, then Adamle talked about Henry facing Delaney later tonight. ... Backstage: Dreamer talked to Delaney about not needing to do this facing Henry. Colin said he knows how much the ECW Title means to Dreamer, but Dreamer said he didn't need to do it this way. Delaney cut him off and said he needs to prove himself.

Backstage: Atlas Ortiz and a new diva were talking it up with ECW GM Teddy Long when Armando Estrada interrupted. Teddy hyped up Atlas as part of the new superstar initiative (read: Florida Championship on national TV), then he booked him in a match against Armando up next. Armando wasn't impressed by this.

[Commercial Break]

2 -- ARMANDO ESTRADA vs. ATLAS ORTIZ

Basic description of Atlas is a giant fro, red track pants, and Dwayne Johnson-like tattoos on his chest. Atlas worked over Armando early on with a series of headlocks. Maybe not the smartest move for the national TV debut. Armando came back with a kick to the gut and a single-arm DDT before making a cover for a one count. Armando then grounded Atlas with some mat work while the crowd quietly rallied with a "Let's go Atlas" chant. Atlas fired himself up and nailed a dropkick, but Armando kicked out. "Sorry to interrupt you while I was talking," Tazz told Adamle. That was so great. Atlas then pinned Armando with a backslide for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Atlas in 6:00. Pretty slow at times with the crowd not really into either wrestler or what they were doing in the ring. Work in progress for Atlas, but definitely some promise with the unique look. (3/4*)

[Commercial Break. A local promo aired for the Victory Road PPV in two weeks.]

In-ring: Mark Henry walked out for the main event. After kissing the ECW Title belt, Henry held up his finger to signal he's number one on ECW. Delaney then came out as the opposition.

3 -- ECW champion MARK HENRY vs. COLIN DELANEY (w/Tommy Dreamer) -- non-title match -- Dreamer gets title shot if Delaney wins

The bell sounded and Delaney ducked beneath a Henry clothesline. Dreamer told him to use his feet. Henry had enough of that and shoved Colin across the ring. He then stood on Colin's hair with Colin lasting past the 30 seconds Adamle predicted. Crowd really into this underdog challenge early on. Henry went for the big elbow smash, but Colin moved and nailed a double-foot dropkick. Colin built some momentum, but Henry cut him off with a double sledgehammer smash to the chest. Henry then landed the big front slam in center ring for the decisive win to silence the crowd. Afterward, Dreamer slid into the ring to check on Colin while Henry simply raised his hands in victory. Henry then walked out while Colin tried to collect himself.

WINNER: Henry in 4:00. Fine match. Week 1 of the Henry-as-champ program was fine to build up sympathy for Dreamer and Delaney, with the crowd responsive to the match. We'll see where this goes, if anywhere. (*)

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