By James Caldwell, PWTorch columnist

WWE's ECW on Sci-Fi TV Report
December 2, 2008 - Year 3, Week 26 (Week 130 overall)
Taped in Washington, D.C.
Report by James Caldwell, Torch columnist

The show started with Todd Grisham talking about change coming to D.C. from Barack Obama, but will there be change to MVP's losing streak when he faces ECW Matt Hardy tonight?

In-ring: The star-made Jack Swagger came to the ring to start the show. He was grinning it up for everyone to see before talking trash to the fans ringside. Swagger did his big sweep pose to see how far he smacked that baseball, then he smiled toward the crowd. Hey, there was a sign in the crowd against Swagger. He's officially made now, barring it being a plant.

Swagger instantly stole Dolph Ziggler's gimmick by introducing himself to the audience. Swagger claimed to be undefeated (is Ricky Ortiz still undefeated?) and talked about taking out Tommy Dreamer last week in Tommy's own match. He then ordered ECW GM Teddy Long to come out here and officially name him #1 Contender to the ECW Title.

Long then walked out with assistant Tiffany to share a word or two with Swagger, who stood in the ring ready to be christened as the next big thing in WWE. Long started to talk, but Swagger cut him off and said as the soon-to-be-face of the ECW franchise, it should be a big deal for him to be named #1 contender. Long answered back that he doesn't think he wants to do that. Tiffany interjected that Ricky Ortiz is qualified. Swagger did not buy that.

Ortiz's music interrupted and he strolled to the ring while Tiffany smiled it up. Grisham pointed out that they appear to have eyes for each other. Ortiz said he's undefeated, just like ole Swagger here. The only difference is that he can say E-C-W, making a point about Swagger's lisp. So lame, Ricky O. Swagger cut off Long and said Long is probably going to make a main event match of Swagger vs. Ortiz tonight. Long said no, it's going to happen...right now. Gimme a ref.

1 -- RICKY ORTIZ vs. JACK SWAGGER -- #1 Contender match

Grisham took a moment to point out that ECW is settling the #1 Contender in the ring rather than by doing a bunch of talking like the college football BCS system. Oh, Todd, how you have become my favorite announcer. Swagger knocked Ortiz out of the ring at 2:00, then they cut to break with Ortiz looking to regroup.

[Commercial Break]

They returned from break with Swagger working over Ortiz in the corner. Matt Striker really really stretched to put Ortiz in the same sentence as John Cena, saying Cena lost his first WWE match and can never claim to have ever been undefeated like Ortiz can. Back to the ring where Ortiz landed a series of weak-looking right hand punches before leaving a lot of light on a spinning elbow smash. Ortiz fired himself up, but ran into a boot to the face. He then wanted the Big O dive, but Swagger easily rolled out of the way. On the floor, Swagger smashed Ortiz on the floor with a clothesline before rolling him back into the ring. Swagger then finished him off with the big gutwrench powerbomb for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Swagger in 8:00. Thank goodness they booked the right finish here. Swagger is at a level far above Ricky O right now. The man is a future World champ and it's embarrassing he even had to sell for Ricky, who looks so hesitant and tentative in the ring. (*)

[Q2]

Backstage: Long and Tiffany were shown watching the match backstage. Tiffany was concerned about Ricky's loss. Apparently she had some money or a date on the line. MVP then barged in and reminisced with Teddy, who signed him to his original Smackdown deal. MVP tried to explain himself for not reaching the incentive deals, but Long kept ignoring him. He said he doesn't have a problem, and he'll fix things tonight with a victory over Matt Hardy tonight. MVP walked off, then Long told Tiffany he's looking forward to that match.

[Commercial Break]

WWE Studios promo: Mr. Kennedy stars in the first of many straight-to-DVD releases. Without any more John Cena Rought Cut videos to fill time on ECW, apparently we're getting Kennedy videos. ... Announcers: Matt Striker is not happy about Barack Obama's swearing-in next month.

In-ring: Finlay and Hornswoggle came to the ring ready to dance and/or have some fun. Or cut a promo. Finlay said he's been involved in wrestling his entire life and he knows how this business works. His pops and granddad were in the business and his sister was even a ref. He's not out here to complain about things, but his match against Mark Henry last week ended poorly when Henry and Tony Atlas went after his son. He said they need to finish what started.

Somebody's getting their wig split, as Mark Henry emerged on stage with Atlas flanking him. Henry said he didn't start nothing; Finlay started it. The he-said, he-said battle continued with Henry saying every time they have a match, Finlay hits him with that shillelagh. Finlay's cost Henry some big money matches and he's not happy about it. Now that Finlay has messed with his life, he's going to mess Finlay's life. Henry said it's not going to become real clear to Finlay until he sees his son in a broken heap. He threatened to take out Horny when he least it expects it, but he'll be a gentleman about it and propose a mixed tag match. Well, mixed of sorts.

Finlay said if Henry needs to prove something, he needs to waddle on down to the ring and make it between the two of them, with it having nothing to do his son. Henry retorted that Finlay just talked about his daddy being a wrestler and all that, but you're going to tell me the troll isn't a fighter too? He told Finlay not to punk out now and act like he's protecting him. Horny wanted it. Finlay wasn't sure, but Henry told him to man up. Finlay paused then reluctantly agreed. Henry laughed his deep laugh while Horny pointed his finger toward Henry and Atlas on stage. I love a good Henry promo. Nicely done.

DX Christmas promo: Poor man HBK and married-to-the-boss's-daughter Triple H cut a promo promoting the Elimination Chamber. Same deal from last night on Raw. "It is a nice box." Quote it. Love it. Know it.

[Q3]

[Commercial Break]

Smackdown promo: Final chapter of Undertaker vs. Big Show with the match inside a steel cage.

In-ring: D.J. Gabriel and Alicia Fox were dancing it up in the ring. A little rough around the edges here as Grisham and Striker talked up their dancing equal to "Dancing with the Stars." Striker asked if a half-leather jacket with trunks is still in style. Paging Alex Wright.

2 -- D.J. GABRIEL (w/Alicia Fox) vs. JOSH DANIELS

Grisham said he peruses the WWE Universe boards to gauge the response to Gabriel. He reported some positive opinions, but some people saying he's "nothing but a bad dance." Gabriel busted out the Claudio C. giant swing before posing for the camera. Daniels tried to take advantage, but Gabriel cut him off with a chop to the gut and a double underhook suplex. Gabriel then nailed a sit-down chinbreaker before hopping up top for the leaping European uppercut for the win. Afterward, Gabriel and Alicia danced it up. Cut the dancing. We have a Hardy vs. MVP match to promote.

WINNER: Gabriel in 3:00. Just another squash victory for Gabriel. Fine build, but it's time for some quality opposition. (1/2*)

IC DVD promo: Michaels vs. Razor in the "first-ever ladder match." Hahaha. Well, if you own the business, you own the history. In any event, go for the gold.

[Commercial Break]

Slammys promo: MOTY? Diva of the year? Wrestler of the year? Tune in for three hours of WWE giving away PPV matches six days before asking people to spend $40 on more PPV matches.

Announcers: Grisham and Striker broke down the Match of the Year contenders that will be made available on WWE's website. Well, Striker to break it down, but Grisham cut him off and said they need to send it to MVP's intro.

In-ring: MVP had no big ballin' blow-up intro to emerge through or the pyro. Striker said it must be a cost-cutting measure since MVP isn't making his incentives in the Smackdown contract. They really missed the ball on showing some MVP vs. Hardy clips from their 2007 feud that pretty much carried the entire Smackdown brand last year. Matt Hardy came to the ring and Striker filled in the blanks recapping their feud last year. Still could use some video here. Anything. Throw the audience a bone. Fine, I will.



[Q4]

3 -- ECW champion MATT HARDY (ECW) vs. MVP (Smackdown) -- non-title match

Grisham said MVP hasn't picked up a singles victory since August, meaning he's losing out on plenty of cash from not collecting on his incentive bonuses. Hardy dominated early, including a double sledge from the second rope for a nearfall at 3:00. I love Grisham equating MVP's losing streak to a new baseball pitcher striking everyone out, then the batters adjust and the pitcher starts getting hit around a little bit. MVP, frustrated with Hardy on the offensive, bailed to the floor before they cut to a break.

[Commercial Break]

Hardy was still in control back from the break, but MVP caught him with a big boot to the head to start working on Hardy on the mat. MVP became frustrated following a nearfall, then Hardy tried to kick back against MVP. They battled for momentum until MVP landed a chinbreaker across his knee for another nearfall. Grisham then asked Striker about his many losses in WWE and how to rebound. Striker hesitated and said he's self-admittedly not the caliber of MVP, then Hardy made a comeback in the ring at 12:00.

Hardy landed a leg drop from the middle rope, but MVP kicked out. MVP tried the big boot, but Hardy avoided it. Hardy then charged MVP, but MVP nailed him with the big boot. Another nearfall, though. MVP then wanted a big Chono boot in the corner, but Hardy moved and landed a clothesline. MVP came back with an elbow smash for a two count, then MVP wanted the playmaker, but Hardy reversed into the side effect. He then measured MVP and nailed the Twist of Fate in center ring. One, two, three it's over for Hardy winning.

WINNER: Hardy in 14:00. Good match. MVP showed some good fire, Grisham and Striker were solid on commentary, and it continued MVP's quest to pick up a victory of any kind. Hardy played a strong lead champion without needing to set the world on fire going for a five-star match. Fundamentally sound. (**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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