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By James Caldwell, PWTorch columnist

ECW on Sci-Fi TV Report
July 8, 2008 - Year 3, Week 5 (Week 109 overall)
Taped in Baton Rouge, La.
Report by James Caldwell, Torch columnist

The show started with The Miz and John Morrison coming to the ring. Tazz said they've become frustrated with the lack of competition for their WWE tag titles. Miz cut a promo about Hollywood A-listers not coming through these parts very often. They proceeded to talk about hurricane devastation in a derogatory fashion, then talked over themselves before asking for some competition. Any competition. Hornswoggle's music interrupted, then out walked Finlay.

M&M were perturbed by the disturbance, but Finlay said no one came here to listen to them talk. He said the fans came here to see them get their mouths shut. Morrison said Finlay doesn't know what people want because the only person he hangs out with is his troll son. Finlay started to walk to the ring while Hornswoggle slipped in behind the tag champs to super-soak them. Finlay then smashed Morrison with a Shillelagh shot to the gut before the champs retreated. Rinse and repeat.

[Commercial Break. A local promo aired for Victory Road in Houston this Sunday. TNA has bought a significant amount of advertising on WWE TV the last month.]

1 -- FINLAY (w/Hornswoggle) vs. THE MIZ (w/John Morrison)

They returned from break with the action already in progress here. Finlay pulled off his traditional ring apron spot and landed blows on Miz. Morrison tried to run up to him, but Finlay stopped him short. The distraction then allowed Miz to punch him off the apron to the floor and ram him into the ringpost. Back in the ring, Miz continued his attack on Finlay's shoulder.

[Q2]

Fans tried to rally behind Finlay at 7:00, but Miz kept working on the shoulder. Morrison tried to steal the shillelagh on the outside, but Hornswoggle provided distraction. After Miz tried to run-around with Hornswoggle in the ring, Finlay took advantage of the moment to catch Miz the Celtic Cross. He made the cover for the win.

WINNER: Finlay in 10:00 of TV time. Fine singles match. Miz worked hard on the offensive before the standard kids-friendly finish featuring Hornswoggle. It would be nice to see the tag champs pick up a credible victory for once, but that's not the formula for feel-good WWE TV. (*1/4)

Backstage: Teddy Long's assistant, Tiffany, and Teddy talked business, but Armando Estrada interrupted. Armando said he wants his job back. Suddenly, Chris Harris interrupted and Teddy introduced him as the newest ECW superstar. Harris, sporting a singlet wrestling outfit, provided a knock-knock joke. He said his name is Braden (sp?) Walker. Armando vs. TAFKA Chris Harris up later on the show.

[Commercial Break]

Raw Rebound: They focused on Batista winning the #1 Contender match to face C.M. Punk for the World Title at the Bash PPV. This was followed by eerie clips of the voices in Kane's head taking over the end of the show. "Is he alive or dead?!" Kane demanded to know.

In-ring: Armando Estrada came to the ring after Mike Adamle tried to make a joke about bad luck. Braden "Chris Harris" Walker then came to the ring to generic music that had a tinge of ODB's theme music in the opening. Adamle asked if he'll make an...instant Impact on the show. Oh, Mike.

[Q3]

2 -- BRADEN WALKER vs. ARMANDO ESTRADA

Apparently the singlet is there to cover for Walker still having the gut he developed at the end of his TNA run. Walker with a hip toss early on, then Armando came back with a hard clothesline for a one count. Armando focused on the back with a camel clutch and repeated blows to the spine. Adamle filled time talking about Walker fulfilling a dream to grab an ECW contract. Harris came back with a suplex at 3:00 and Adamle said Armando's intestines might have just fallen out. Nice. Walker made his full comeback with a series of clotheslines before hitting a full nelson slam for a nearfall. Walker went up top and nailed a top rope body press for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Walker in 5:00. Crowd was definitely not into this match. Harris showed some rust in the ring, while Adamle seems to have regressed on commentary, even with the benefit of post-production. (1/2*)

Backstage: Tony Atlas was shown backstage shaking hands with a friend. Teddy Long stepped in and asked Atlas why he's here. Atlas said he had some things going on locally, then Long told him to take a payday as guest ring announcer for the main event. Mark Henry then walked in and said he was a big fan of Atlas growing up. He asked how much Atlas bench-pressed back in the day and Atlas said 650 pounds. Henry said that's impressive, but he'll never be the world's strongest man. Atlas brushed off the verbal blow, then extended his hand for a shake. Henry simply looked down at his hand, then walked off. Nice promo exchange. Atlas showed good poise here.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage: Lena brought in Atlas Ortiz for a promo. Ortiz said his friends just call him Ricky. This led to the most awkward exchange of all-time with Ortiz or Atlas or DaBone or whatever he's called trying to get Lena to call him undefeated after his win last week. He then put his arms behind his back and looked into the camera while Lena wrapped up the interview. Welcome to Development on national TV.

Video package: They showed a video on the Hardys for some reason. Matt Hardy is apparently part of this brand.

Backstage: Tony Atlas walked up to Tommy Dreamer and Colin Delaney. Dreamer gushed about Atlas helping him out back in the day when he was a rookie. Well, that certainly dated Atlas. It was impossible to take this seriously with Delaney standing there with the taped ribs. Dreamer said it will be awesome having him guest ring announce his main event match against Mark Henry.

[Commercial Break]

[Q4]

In-ring: Nunzio was in the ring ready to get beaten up. He's still around? Evan Bourne then came out to the ring as the opposition. They showed a promo from earlier in the day when Bourne said he defies the odds because he defies gravity.

3 -- EVAN BOURNE vs. NUNZIO

Adamle flubbed early on trying to get over Nunzio's credentials. He called him a two-time ECW champion and two-time ECW tag champion. Tazz quickly corrected him that Nunzio was never an ECW champion. Nunzio worked over Bourne's back early on as dead air took over. Bourne came back with a sweeping leg kick before snapping off a running head scissors. Bourne then went up top for an electric Shooting Star Press for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Bourne in 3:00. Nice finish for Bourne. Something has to stand-out on this show, so there's our winner tonight. (*)

Backstage: More of Atlas and Henry. Henry said he heard Atlas was looking for a payday. He said the old-timers are all-alike just looking for another payday. Henry suggested Atlas carry his bag after the show if he wanted to get paid. Atlas breathed in a deep breath, then walked off.

[Commercial Break. A local promo aired for the NWA show July 26 in Houston.]

In-ring: Tony Chimel introduced Tony Atlas as the special guest ring announcer for the main event. Generic legends music hit, then Atlas came to the ring shaking hands with the fans on the front row. Atlas then introduced ECW champion Mark Henry. Tell you what, Atlas looks like he could still hold his own in the ring. He then introduced the "heart and soul" of ECW, Tommy Dreamer.

[Q5 -- over-run]

4 -- ECW champion MARK HENRY vs. TOMMY DREAMER (w/Colin Delaney) -- non-title match

Henry dominated early on, then he wanted a big splash on Dreamer, but Colin pulled Henry's foot from the outside. Henry then went to the outside and asked Delaney if he wants a piece of him. Atlas stepped in and made sure everything would settle down, but he suddenly chucked Delaney into the announce table. Dreamer asked Atlas what's going on, then Henry gave Dreamer a big slam on the floor. Ref called for the bell, throwing out the match.

Post-match: Atlas laughed and entered the ring with Henry to announce him as the winner. Adamle said Dreamer invited Atlas to the show, and this wasn't what Dreamer had in mind for Atlas to repay him. Henry stood tall in the ring to close the show.

WINNER: Match thrown out in 3:00. Henry is a great heel with his mannerisms and how he carries himself as a bully. Atlas showed tons of charisma on this show with his subtle behavior early, then the abrupt toss of Delaney. Atlas as a recurring character on the show (presumably to promote his book) will give ECW a nice boost. (n/a)

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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