By James Caldwell, PWTorch columnist

WWE's ECW on Sci-Fi TV Report
November 25, 2008 - Year 3, Week 25 (Week 129 overall)
Taped in Providence, R.I.
Report by James Caldwell, Torch columnist

The show started with a preview of tonight's show focusing on Tommy Dreamer vs. Jack Swagger. And we're starting the show with said battle under Extreme Rules. Tommy was already in the ring awaiting Swagger. Swagger then came out pounding his chest ready for a battle.

1 -- TOMMY DREAMER vs. JACK SWAGGER -- Extreme Rules match

Things started with a nose-to-nose square-off before Dreamer went to the classic Kendo stick weaponry on Swagger. Dreamer then picked up a chair and introduced Swagger to a scoop slam/chair combo. Swagger quickly bailed to the floor for a break and a breather, while Matt Striker referenced Colin Delaney as being a previous victim of the ER match. Swagger then took control with a whip into the ringpost that knocked Dreamer senseless. Back in the ring, Swagger snapped off a Northern Lights Suplex for a nearfall, then he shoved Dreamer head-first into a steel chair wedged into the second turnbuckle. Let's grab a break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Swagger was on the mat taunting Dreamer, who was trying to recover from a trashcan blow shot. Swagger then applied several submission holds utilizing a chair before Dreamer managed to retrieve a Kendo stick mid-hold to smack Swagger across the back. He then busted out a trashcan lid shot on Swagger to subdue Swag momentarily. Dreamer then grappled Swagger with a kendo stick below Swagger's...um...external member...but Swagger blocked a pumphandle slam and smashed Dreamer in the face.

[Q2]

Enter the trashcan and Striker with the Duke the Dumpster Droese reference prior to Swagger missing a Vader Bomb from the second rope and eating the can. Dreamer then hung Swagger upside down in the corner before setting him up for a surfboard E-C-W smash. Instead of grabbing a pin, Dreamer went under the ring and retrieved a table. Swagger used the time to recover and he executed a suplex for a nearfall. Swagger then tried to put Dreamer through the table, but Dreamer blocked with a DDT for a close two count.

Dreamer tried to follow with a can shot, but Swagger turned it into a drop toehold into the seat of a chair. Swagger then picked up Dreamer and gave him the gutwrench powerbomb hard through the table in center ring. Swagger made the cover for the win. Welcome to the big show big man. "Swagger has officially arrived," Striker said.

WINNER: Swagger in 12:00. Heck of a battle. Concern over the brutal damage each man took in this one, but Swagger had a star-making performance tonight in terms of how he carried himself with intensity and well, swagger. Swagger made himself right there. (***)

Tonight: Henry vs. Finlay.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage: Miz and Morrison cut a promo about this year's Survivor Series being the best ever. So, order the replay. Why? Was it because of John Cena's return from months and months of video packages? No. It was because of Miz and Morrison debuting their new matching outfits. Suddenly, Boogeyman's music interrupted and he slithered up behind them while his music played. "Be jealous," M&M quickly said before exiting the set. Boogeyman said he's coming to get you.

Announcers: Grisham and Striker brought in ECW champion on the video backstage. They asked him about Jeff Hardy for an update. Matt said a lot of people were pleasantly surprised he showed up at Survivor Series and he's home recovering now. Jack Swagger then interrupted and told Matt to forgot about his brother and be more concerned about himself. He vowed to come after Hardy's ECW Title. Swagger smiled, then walked off.

Backstage: Hornswoggle was looking for some candy when Mark Henry and Tony Atlas interrupted to scare him. Henry then held the product placement in his hands before throwing it down on the ground to represent what he'll do his pops tonight.

[Commercial Beak]

[Q3]

In-ring: D.J. Gabriel and Alicia Fox were in the ring dancing it up out of the break. They busted out some interesting dance moves, then Gabriel prepared for a battle against the nameless man in black trunks.

2 -- D.J. GABRIEL (w/Alicia Fox) vs. SOME GUY

Striker named the opponent as Jared something or another. Gabriel with a hip toss, then a spinning backhand chop into a standing dropkick. Gabriel busted out Claudio Castagnoli's big swing that sent Jared flying to the outside, then he settled into a neck vice on the mat. Gabriel eventually finished off the young man in the black trunks with a leaping European uppercut from the second rope for the pin.

Post-match: Grisham entered the ring to interview Gabriel and Alicia. He asked Alicia about what happened on Smackdown earlier this year when she was the wedding planner. She nervously said she moved on, then looked up some contacts to get them booked on ECW. They have a connection. A passion. A love for music! Gabriel said they share a passion for dancing and having fun. Most of all, a passion for winning. She excitedly clapped her hands.

WINNER: Gabriel in 3:00. Good progression in the ring. Tons of work needed on the mic. Without trying to be over-critical, that really was not ready for prime time. (1/2*)

Video package: Our customary John Cena video package aired on Raw focusing on how Jericho earned the #1 Contender opportunity setting up Cena's beating on Jericho at the end of the show.

DX video: They re-aired the Hunter & HBK merchandise plug for DX involving Kelly Kelly that aired last night. Not again.

[Commercial Break]

ECW Rewind: Three weeks ago, Ricky Ortiz won a match to 6-0. His grunt prior to performing the Big O finish needs some work. ... Striker and Grisham then plugged Ortiz appearing on the Cha$e reality show airing on Sci-Fi after tonight's ECW.

[Q4]

In-ring: Time for someone to get their wig split, as Mark Henry came to the ring flanked by Tony Atlas. Finlay then came out with Hornswoggle for the main event battle tonight. I believe Grisham said this is the perfect example of a "grunge" match instead of a grudge match. I enjoy a good grunge match from time to time.

3 -- MARK HENRY (w/Tony Atlas) vs. FINLAY (w/Hornswoggle)

A few minutes into the match, Henry retrieved Finlay's shillelagh and surveyed the object before tossing it out of the ring toward the feet of the timekeeper. Finlay said that's fine and went on the attack, but Henry snapped off a powerslam. He missed with the big splash (has he ever nailed that thing during a match?) before rolling to the outside to chase Hornswoggle. Finlay tried to capitalize, but Henry caught him in mid-air and rammed him back-first into the ring apron. This was followed by a scoop slam on the floor and a break...

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Henry was still in control on Finlay. Finlay then tried to come back with a double-foot dropkick to the knees, but Henry came back with a hard Irish whip into the corner before nailing a big corner splash. Henry had a good, jovial laugh before kicking Finlay over the top rope with a boot to the face. Atlas had enough of Hornswoggle, so he took Horny into the ring. They tried to run interference, but Finlay retrieved a second shillelagh and snuck into the ring to nail Henry in the knees. Things totally broke down, then Finlay smashed Atlas on the floor with his shillelagh. Henry and Atlas tried to take Hornswoggle away, but Finlay smashed them with the shillelagh again. The show then concluded with Striker plugging Cha$e, Finlay and Hornswoggle on one side of the ramp, and Henry and Atlas on the other side all catching their breath. That's all she wrote.

WINNER: No One in 13:00. Well, that was a unique way to close the show. Unique as in cop-out finish. WWE obviously didn't want either man to lose here, but simply ending the show with everyone standing on the floor with their hands on their hips with a plug for the next show on Sci-Fi was about as lame as it gets. (*1/2)

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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