by James Caldwell, Assistant editor

WWE's ECW on Sci-Fi TV Report
January 20, 2009 - Year 3, Week 33 (Week 137 overall)
Taped in Chicago, Ill.
Report by James Caldwell, Torch columnist

Opening: We get a good look at the new face of Extreme, Jack Swagger, after his ECW Title victory on last week's show. They showed highlights of the Hardy vs. Swagger title match with Swagger grabbing the victory via head-shot to the exposed turnbuckle and gutwrench for the pin.

In the arena, they start with Todd Grisham center-ring to welcome out Matt Hardy sans ECW Title belt. Out came Hardy dressed for an interview about the ECW Title. Or so we thought. Instead, Grisham's first line of questioning was about Jeff Hardy's pyro accident on Smackdown. Hardy had a look of either annoyance or concern before they rolled footage. Back to ECW where Grisham asked for an update. Matt said Jeff's at home recovering and he went into shock, plus is suffering from first-degree burns.

Grisham asked if this all one big coincidence. Matt shot him a look and said they both know it wasn't an accident. He won't comment further. Not only did that happen, but also Hardy lost the ECW Title to Swagger last week. He said Hardy gets his re-match at the Royal Rumble. Hardy said Swagger is good, and probably better than he originally ever thought he was. Can't take it away from him; he got beat. But, one victory on one night doesn't ---

Swagger's music interrupted and out walked with the new ECW champion looking very sharp in an all-black suit with a little cross jewelry dangling around his neck. Hardy smiled it up and paraded around the title belt while Hardy stood by not amused. Swagger wiped the grin off his chin, then soaked in the boos. Swagger said it feels great as the new champ. He said Sunday at the Rumble is a mere formality; he's the new face of the franchise, brother. Swagger pushed it talking about Matt going down in flames just like his brother, then Hardy gave him a blow that knocked Swagger to the floor. Hardy followed to the outside and got the upperhand until what's left of the refs tried to separate the men. Swagger took advantage and cold-cocked Hardy before running up the entrance ramp. Hardy tried to recover to close the segment. Nice sell for Sunday.

[Commercial Break]

1 -- RICKY ORTIZ vs. ADAM EVANS

Ortiz needs to turn heel or just go away. Crowd quiet as Ortiz easily worked over Evans, who over-did the selling of a weak-looking backbreaker. Grisham said Ortiz is still trying to "find his way here in ECW." In other words, he isn't that good in the ring. Ortiz attempted a side belly-to-back suplex and managed not to break the dude's neck before landing a football shoulder tackle. Ortiz then pulled out the rally towel, which drew boos. Ortiz then landed the Big O splash for the pin and the win. Post-match: Swagger took the mic and looked for the cheap pop asking Chi-Town for their support. He told them to "Rally Up." Ortiz then walked over to a fan on the front row and gave him a towel. Fan really didn't want the towel, but he accepted to be nice.

WINNER: Ortiz in 2:00. Let the crowd response indicate the direction of the character. Either turn him heel or send him away. (n/a)

Announcers: Grisham and Striker talked about Tommy Dreamer's promo last week, leading to a recap of last week when Dreamer pre-hospital-visit said he wants to prove to the fans he can still compete in ECW by capturing the ECW Title before his contract expires.

Backstage: Dreamer was on the couch with Teddy Long and Tiffany. Long said Dreamer could have come to him first. Dreamer said he appreciates it, but he needs to prove to himself that he can still compete at that level. Suddenly, Paul Burchill interrupted and shot a line toward Dreamer about his job, then Dreamer stood up and said he better be concerned about keeping his own job. Katie Lea stood by as Burchill demanded a re-match with D.J. Gabriel. Long said this is ECW, playa, and you don't barge in demanding this and that. (Worked for Swagger.) Long said he'll give Burchill a match tonight, but of his choosing. Match is next, playa. Burchill walked off and Dreamer watched him sternly.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Paul Burchill was in the ring with Katie Lea ready for the mystery opponent. After a pause, The Boogeyman's music hit for a match-up not to reach "future endeavors." Boogeyman took forever to show up, then he came out and scared Katie out of the ring. Striker said the odor of his ring entrance smells of morning breath and stale cheese.

2 -- THE BOOGEYMAN vs. PAUL BURCHILL (w/Katie Lea)

Striker said Burchill has an "interesting workout regiment." Couldn't see the match, as Boogeyman's ring entrance smoke hovered over the ring for the length of the match. So much for McMahon taking wrestling out of smoke-filled arenas. Fans chanted Boogeyman's name, then Katie snuck into the ring and kicked Boogey in the back to cause a DQ. Boogey clotheslined Burchill to the floor and chased after Katie. He tossed her into the ring and teased the worms down the throat, but Burchill pulled his sis out of the ring. They took off running to avoid Boogey.

WINNER: Boogeyman via DQ in 2:00. Eh. Would have liked to have seen this given a chance to test the limits of both wrestlers with at least five minutes. Yes, as torturous as that could be, but they need to find out whether either one can do anything of substance on this show. (n/a)

Raw Rebound: They recapped the end of the show with Vince McMahon returning, Chris Jericho begging for his job back to Stephanie, Vince and Steph hugging it up, then Randy Orton interrupting to save his job by kicking Vince McMahon in the head. Lots of subtle plugs for Stephanie leading the second-generation Legacy group. Or, perhaps, Shane McMahon sneaks in there.

Announcers: Striker talked solemnly about Orton kicking McMahon in the head as one of the biggest acts of brutality in WWE history. He said Orton's fate will be decided at the Rumble on Sunday. Cue up the Rumble hard-sell and Rumble video package with all the stats.

In-ring: John Morrison came out for the fatal four-way main event. The Miz came out next, then they cut to break with the tag champs in the ring.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Mark Henry was on the way to the ring with Tony Atlas out of the break, then Finlay came out with Hornswoggle to round out the field.

3 -- FINLAY (w/Hornswoggle) vs. MARK HENRY (w/Tony Atlas) vs. World tag champion THE MIZ vs. World tag champion JOHN MORRISON

One pin or submission ends the match tonight. They did some Rumble spots early on, including Finlay dumping Morrison over the top rope to the floor. Cut to break.

[Commercial Break]

Miz and Morrison tried to double up on Henry, but Henry fought them off easily with a round of clotheslines. Finlay then snuck in behind Henry and wanted a second rope splash, but Henry caught him, dropped him to his feet, and kicked him to the mat. Finlay then came back with a DDT on Henry before Miz and Morrison dropkicked Henry underneath the bottom rope to the floor. Tag champs then stomped on Finlay before giving him a double gut-buster. Things slowed down considerably as Finlay fought the champs in an odd fashion.

Henry decided he was done with things, despite Tony's pleadings, so he walked off. Meanwhile, Horny with a tadpole splash on Morrison. Finlay then dropped Miz with the Celtic Cross, but Morrison prevented a pin with a stiff knee smash to the face. Morrison then covered Miz ? for the pin and the win. Morrison declared himself victorious while Miz was shocked that his partner pinned him. A little Shelley-Sabin deal here. Grisham said it's every man for himself at the Rumble on Sunday. Morrison posed once more while Miz remained annoyed to close the show.

WINNER: John Morrison in 10:00. Had some rough patches, but a nice finish to (a) build-up the Rumble and (b) preview the future and inevitable splitting-up of Miz and Morrison for singles pushes down the line. Not the epic hard-sell for Sunday to close the show, which I thought should have been the Swagger-Hardy pull-apart. (*1/2)

We welcome your 0-10 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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