By Wade Keller, Torch editor

KELLER'S ECW REPORT
NOVEMBER 18, 2008
ATLANTA, GA.
AIRED ON SCI-FI

[Q1]

-After the ECW opening, Todd Grisham introduced the show as the camera panned the cheering fans.

-John Morrison and The Miz walked out to the ring. Grisham told Matt Striker, "You can smell the arrogance in the air." They addressed the elimination mach they're in. They said JBL is their leader on Sunday. "As long as he's leading us to victory and not Krispy Kreme, he's good enough to be our captain," said Morrison. Miz said they ought to trust JBL since he's the only financially solvent person in this economy. Morrison said MVP is the highest paid wrestler in WWE. He said he averages about $1.6 million per victory, a good deal if you can get it. They were nervous to talk about Kane because he can start fires. They bragged themselves up as the single greatest tag team of the 21st Century.

They turned to their opponents. They made fun of Great Khali for being nearly eight feet tall and making out with fat chicks. They said if you average in the four foot Rey Mysterio, it averages out to two six-footers, and that's hardly a challenge. Morrison said, "It's simple math." Miz said Cryme Tyme will get eliminated on purpose so they can go back to the locker room, steal everyone's money, and go to the shopping mall to buy their bling. They shifted to "Captain High Pants, Shawn Michaels." Miz said they're hoping Michaels is the last man standing on his team. Morrison said he should realize that Michaels is becoming a stepping stone for them to become the two greatest superstars in WWE history. Miz said there are winners and losers in life. "Be jealous!" they concluded. Good segment. Entertaining and purely heel.

-Grisham plugged the six-man tag team main event.

[Commercial Break]

[Q2]

1 -- D.J. GABRIEL (w/Alicia Fox) vs. SAL RAUNARO

Striker acknowledged that she is the former wedding planner. Gabriel and Fox did a flamboyant dance routine on their way to the ring. Striker said fansdon't konw what to make of him. "Nobody likes a man who gyrates and gesticulates," said Striker. Gabriel looked like a throwback to way before there were Wellness Tests in WWE. Gabriel won with a flying European uppercut off the ropes. He then immediately began his obnoxious dancing routine, including some breakdancing.

WINNER: Gabriel in 1:00.

-They showed (Smilin') Jack Swagger approaching the entrance tunnel backstage.

[Commercial Break]

-WWE Fact: WWE.com has more monthly visits tan NFL.com, UFC.com, Maxim.com, FHN.com, and NASCAR.com combined.

2 -- JACK SWAGGER vs. TOMMY DREAMER -- Amateur Challenge

A five minute clock began counting down. After Swagger scored some takedown points, he got arrogant. He even stuck a leg out for Dreamer to grab. Dreamer scored a couple points of his own with a takedown. Swagger took Dreamer down and yelled that he embarrassed him. Swagger got on all fours at 3:30. Rather than engage in an amateur move, Dreamer kicked him in the ribs. Then Dreamer said, "Ooops. My bad. You win." Striker called it something of a moral victory.

WINNER: Swagger via DQ. That was good at getting across Swagger's emerging heel persona and furthering a feud between them.

-A video package aired on John Cena.

-A vignette aired promoting the return of The Boogeyman.

[Q3]

-Swagger walked up to Ricky Ortiz and Teddy Long's assistant and asked where Teddy was. Swagger was upset with her not knowing where Long was. Ortiz told him to cool down. Swagger made fun of his towels. "They might it like it more if they used it as a blindfold." Ortiz told him to wrap it around his tongue to help with his lisp. Long walked in. Swagger said he's sick of Dreamer. He said he's a two-time All-American and he just embarrassed him. He demanded a match with Dreamer. Long said he got his style of match last time, so next week he'll face Dreamer in an extreme rules match. Swagger didn't react, but seemed to be suppressing a fit.

-Striker and Grisham were shown on camera as they plugged Survivor Series. Striker then moved to a chalkboard at ringside with the names from each of the teams in the Team Orton vs. Team Batista match. He erased all names from Batista's team other than Batista and said it could end up being a five-on-one battle. He said that's part of what makes the Survivor Series tag matches so intriguing.

[Commercial Break]

[Q4]

3 -- MARK HENRY (w/Tony Atlas) & WILLIAM REGAL & CODY RHODES vs. FINLAY & KOFI KINGSTON & MATT HARDY

Apparently Cody Rhodes was traded to ECW since Raw aired 24 hours ago. He'll probably be traded back before next Monday. At 2:00 with all six "squared off" in mid-ring, they cut to another break.

[Commercial Break]

Striker explained that William Regal used to be known a Steve Regal, but upon finding out he was a descendant of William the Conquerer, he changed his first name. Another mystery solved courtesy of Striker. Striker touted the wrestling history in Atlanta, including the Road Warriors' first tag team title win and the home of "Badstreet USA" by the Freebirds. Finlay hot-tagged Kofi at 11:00. He went to work on Cody with a flurry of offense. Cody tagged in Henry. Kofi flew at him, too, but Henry caught him in mid-air and powerslammed him for a sudden win, proving once again that in WWE size is more important than anything.

WINNERS: Henry & Regal & Rhodes in 12:00.

STAR RATING: ** -- Good basic six-man tag team action.

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