By James Caldwell, PWTorch.com assistant editor

WWE's ECW on Sci-Fi TV Report
January 27, 2009 - Year 3, Week 34 (Week 138 overall)
Taped in Cleveland, Ohio
Report by James Caldwell, Torch columnist

Opening: Todd Grisham and Matt Striker introduced the show, then ECW GM Teddy Long came out dressed for a chat. Long jogged into the ring and talked up the Royal Rumble PPV on Sunday. He rolled footage from the Rumble, with focus on everything happening until stopping short with Matt Hardy cracking a steel chair over Jeff Hardy to cost him the WWE Title. Back to Long, who said Hardy has asked for his release from ECW and he has requested to be part of Smackdown. There goes the June '08 Draft. Long said that's fine with him. And to make up for it, The Boogeyman is in action! Um...nice try.

Jack Swagger's music interrupted and the ECW champion Swagger strolled out to the ring dressed for a night on the town. Swagger so looks the part. He said Long should be celebrating the new face of the ECW franchise. Swagger said now is the time for the official championship celebration for himself. Big heat (enhanced) for Swagger. His music hit and Swagger taunted the front row with the title belt held high.

Suddenly, Boogeyman's music interrupted. Swagger decided to take off from the ring as Boogeyman danced into the ring. He's in action next. Whew. I thought they were transitioning into a Swagger vs. Boogey feud. I can breathe again.

[Commercial Break]

Video package: Hogan and Piper as mainstream media icons leading to McMahon's "big gamble" of WrestleMania in March 1985.

In-ring: Boogeyman was still in the ring, then Ricky Ortiz strolled out. He said you don't have to eat worms to get people behind you; all you need is a Ricky O rally towel. Fans booed. Boogeyman then decked Ortiz with a right hand that sent Ortiz scurrying to the outside. Striker said some people would love to see that happen to Ricky. Yes, people with good taste.

Backstage: Teddy Long was on the phone chatting about Mickey Rourke to the mystery person on the other end of the line. Swagger interrupted and said someone stole his ECW Title. He set it down for five seconds and it disappeared. Swagger said the championship celebration is up later and he needs the belt. Teddy isn't doing anything about it; if you have beef, go to Tiffany. Swagger sarcastically thanked Teddy, then walked off. WWE has managed to cut the legs out from under Teddy in two segments. Haven't even reached the mid-way point of the show.

[Commercial Break]

Burchill was in the ring with Katie Lea for a singles match. Finlay came out alone, then waved to Hornswoggle, who was under the ring. England vs. Northern Ireland tonight.

1 -- FINLAY vs. PAUL BURCHILL (w/Katie Lea)

Striker said Burchill is tough because Terry Funk picked him for a series of hardcore matches in the U.K. recently. First foreshadowing for Funks in the 2009 Hall. Finlay in here to test out Burchill and see if he's national-TV ready. Action was pretty slow, so Horny got involved with Katie at 3:00 and distracted Burchill in the process. Hornswoggle then disappeared under the ring and Finlay kicked Burch in the face.

Back in the ring, Finlay went on the offensive and hit a rolling gutbuster for a two count. The move cut Finlay over the eye and opened him up pretty good. Grisham equated Belfast, N. Ireland to Cleveland for its weather and blue-collar work ethic. Finlay then finished off Burchill with the Celtic Cross for the win. Afterward, Finlay bowed to Katie, who didn't appreciate the gesture. They continued to make eye contact while Katie checked on big brother.

WINNER: Finlay in 5:00. Decisive victory to set up Finlay for a potential ECW Title feud against Swagger. Meanwhile, Burch continues to be Burch. Katie has a ton of potential and will break out soon enough. (*1/4)

Backstage: Ortiz was looking for sympathy from Tiffany after what happened with Boogeyman. Swagger then interrupted and wanted some answers as to where his ECW Title is. Swagger took Tiffany along while Ortiz continued to rub his temple. Let's get that heel turn already.

[Commercial Break]

Video package: Secondary world premiere of John Cena's "12 Rounds" movie.

Backstage: Swagger and Tiffany approached Mark Henry in the hallway. Swagger hesitated asking Henry if he took the belt. Henry said even if he did take the belt, Swagger wouldn't do anything anyways. Henry and Tony Atlas walked off, then Swagger stared at Tiffany with his hands on his hips before continuing his search.

[Commercial Break]

Raw Rebound: Randy Orton's IED explanation. Let's see how they cover for Shane's punches... they edited them out completely. Well, that's not telling a complete story. How dare they deceive the viewing public.

In-ring: Mark Henry came to the ring with Tony Atlas for a singles match to close out the in-ring portion of the show. Henry is not in a good mood because, although he drew a good number in the Rumble, he didn't win the Rumble. Tommy Dreamer's music hit and the potential retiree came out as the opposition.

2 -- MARK HENRY vs. TOMMY DREAMER

"E-C-W" chant after the opening bell sounded. Henry quickly went to work on Dreamer with a mat-based attack. In other words, very slow paced action. Grisham told us a story about Henry getting WrestleMania ticket requests from his family considering the proximity of Silsbee to Houston, but Henry said he told them all no because he doesn't want anyone there but himself. Striker one-upped, saying he went to the movies with Henry to see NOTORIOUS and Henry cut to the front of the line because he can. Great storytelling from the announcers to flesh out the character during the slow period of the match. Dreamer came back at 5:00 with the basement dropkick, then went up top for a crossbody splash, but Henry caught him in mid-air for the World's Strongest Slam and the win. Afterward, Henry had a good chuckle. Striker said Dreamer has a long road ahead of him to the ECW Title journey.

WINNER: Mark Henry in 6:00. Highlight was Grisham and Striker's commentary. They are simply great working together, telling compelling stories to enhance the characters. Match was okay. (*)

Backstage: Tiffany and Swagger have looked everywhere for the ECW Title. Teddy Long made sure they've looked everywhere, so the only way to solve this is to head to the ring. "We're going to get your title back," he said.

WM 2001 recap: They showed the mini-movies from WrestleMania 21 in April 2005 from Los Angeles before showing highlights, just like on Raw.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Teddy, Tiffany, and Swagger were in the ring. Teddy said someone needs to bring out that ECW Title. Short-term immunity of no harm, no foul. Otherwise, you could face some harsh punishment. "This is lame," Swagger said. Yes, this storyline is lame. Swagger demanded the belt right now. Finlay's music hit and out came Finlay to explain things. He said he thinks he knows who has the belt. He checked under the ring and Hornswoggle came out holding the ECW Title belt. Swagger was not pleased. Horny ran around ringside with the belt and said it's his. Finlay told him to give it back. "Mine, mine, mine, mine," Hornswoggle said like those seabirds in "Finding Nemo." In the ring, Finlay tried to explain that his son sometimes gets into things he shouldn't do. Hornswoggle screamed in his own defense, then Swagger said he knows Finlay put him up for this and he doesn't Hornswoggle putting his grubby hands on his title again.

Finlay said that if he really wanted Swagger's title, he'd take it from him. Video feed cut out on my end as Swagger answered back. In any event, Finlay told Horny to give it back. He slowly walked over to Swagger and handed it over, but Swagger pie-faced Horny to set off Finlay. Finlay knocked him down, then landed a belt shot to the head that laid out Swagger. Finlay and Horny then stood over Swagger before Finlay handed the title belt over to Long and left the ring to close the show with Swagger flat on his back looking up at the lights.

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.

We suggest these recent related articles...

PARKS'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 10/8: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Thursday show, including Roman Reigns & Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt & Braun Strowman

METZGER'S ROH TV REPORT 10/4 & 10/7: IWGP World champ Okada vs. Roderick Strong main event, plus Briscoes vs. Time Splitters, more from "Field of Honor," Overall Reax

MCMAHON'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 10/7: TNA Title Series kicks off, Bound for Glory fall-out, more; Overall Reax