By James Caldwell, PWTorch.com assistant editor

WWE - ECW on Sci-Fi TV Report
March 24, 2009 - Year 3, Week 42 (Week 146 overall)
Taped 3/23 in Kansas City, Mo.

The show opened with Todd Grisham and Matt Striker introducing ECW with a plug for the VIP Lounge.

1 -- CARLITO (w/Primo Colon and Brie Bella) vs. JOHN MORRISON (w/The Miz and Nikki Bella)

Carlito took Morrison up top for a superplex early on, but Morrison nailed an enziguiri kick to take Carlito to the floor. Let's grab a break...already?

[Commercial Break]

They finally returned from break with Carlito back-dropping Morrison to the mat before firing off a round of left arm lariats. Striker very subdued on commentary today. Carlito was in control, then Miz hopped on the ring apron to run interference with his lumberjack-quality flannel shirt. Subtle plug. M&M&B decided to high-tail it, but Teddy Long suddenly stepped out and said this match isn't ending like that. He don't play like that, playa. Long said he had it approved for WrestleMania 25 that the unified tag title match will be in a lumberjack match. Striker said that's a bonus AIG would be proud of. Suddenly, the lumberjacks stepped out to back up Miz & Morrison. A mass of mid-carders aligned around the ring. Suddenly, Carlito grabbed a hold and brought Morrison back into the ring. Morrison was tossed back into the ring, then Carlito surprised Morrison from behind with the backstabber for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Carlito in 10:00. Chance to get the jacks on TV for WrestleMania. The tag title situation continues to be one of the more intriguing aspects of the WrestleMania build-up to give ECW something - anything - to hang its hat on. (*)

[Q2]

Announcers: Grisham and Striker did their best Howard Finkel impersonation to introduce The Fink as the last Hall of Fame inductee. Cue up a video package on Fink going through moustache look after moustache look. They focused 90 percent on his wild antics and crazy storylines. That fits Vince McMahon's MO of complementing a loyal employee by making sport of him. No one has a more absurd or warped idea of praising someone than McMahon.

[Commercial Break]

Announcers: Back to Grisham and Striker. Grisham dissed Striker's polyester suit jacket, then Grisham took us back to Raw last night for a replay of Orton cuffing Triple H and knocking out Stephanie McMahon before planting a kiss on her. Back to GriStiker to hype Hunter vs. Orton for the WWE Title at Mania. Plus, three legends try to shut down Chris Jericho. Plus, something has to give between Taker and Michaels. Plus, Hardy vs. Hardy in Extreme Rules. Plus, Edge vs. Big Show vs. John Cena for the World Title. At least Striker said the title matches center on the title even though the storylines don't reflect that.

Jay Leno recap: They showed a clip from John Cena's appearance on Jay Leno last night. They really could have shown the entire interview since it was so short. Transition into another "12 Rounds" video package focusing on Cena's character vs. Miles Jackson.

[Commercial Break]

[Q3]

In-ring: ECW champion Jack Swagger came to the ring pounding his chest and gloating about the ECW Title belt around his waist. "Who da man?!" Swagger shouted toward the front row. Striker called him the straw that stirs the drink. Grisham said Swagger hasn't been in the ring for three weeks, so what gives? Grisham said Swagger told him he'll get in the ring when he's good and ready. Tyson Kidd and Natalya came out next to partner up with Swagger. Out first for the babyface team was Mr. Quest Tommy Dreamer. Grisham said Dreamer once was lost, but now he's been found. Cue up some new intro music for Evan Bourne, who came out to a huge pop in his home state.

2 -- ECW champion JACK SWAGGER & TYSON KIDD (w/Natalya) vs. EVAN BOURNE & TOMMY DREAMER

This should be pretty tight. Match started with Bourne vs. Kidd. There we go. Kidd backed away from Bourne to escape a leglock, then he landed a turnaround strike kick. Bourne avoided a leap frog and snapped off a dropkick that sent Kidd to the floor. Bourne teased a flying move, but Kidd hid behind Natalya, then sucker-punched Bourne. Nice heel move. Kidd tossed Bourne back into the ring, then Dreamer tagged in. He put Kidd in the Tree of Woe, but Swagger ran interference. Dreamer cleared Swagger from the apron, though, then nailed the Joey Lawrence "Woe" dropkick. Ah, Striker always good for an early '90s TV reference. Off to break with Dreamer and Bourne in control.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Swagger was taking it to Dreamer, who was suddenly tied up in the ropes by Kidd to set up Swagger with a kick to the face. Nice heel tag combo. Crowd chanted, "Tommy, Tommy" as the heels tagged in and out to work over Dreamer. Announcers let us know Swagger is running the Chuck Norris Facts gimmick to show how impressive he is. Personal fave is Norris's tears cure cancer, but too bad he never cries. Heels continued their attack on Dreamer, who avoided a corner smash and nailed a neckbreaker. Dreamer crawled across the desert to Bourne, who accepted the hot tag as Kidd tagged in. Wham, here we go. Bourne snapped off a huracanrana, then nailed a back kick on Kidd and enziguiri on Swagger. Bourne went up top, knocked Kidd off, then came off the top with the Shooting Star Press for the pin and the win. Post-match: Bourne celebrated with Dreamer and a hot crowd as they replayed Bourne's SSP several times.

WINNERS: Bourne & Swagger at 10:00. Bourne brings so much excitement to the ring that it's very exciting to watch him. He's got that "it" factor and then some, while the first match-up of Bourne vs. Kidd should set up a lengthy program on ECW depending on how the Draft goes next month. WWE provided a glimpse into the future with the young guns of Swagger, Kidd, and Bourne in the same match. Book that in a three-way title match at WrestleMania with ten minutes of PPV time and they have their official show-stealer. (**)

[Q4]

[Commercial Break]

Mania plug: Kid Rock performs live at WrestleMania 25.

In-ring: C.M. Punk was the last man into the ring for MVP's VIP Lounge featuring Money in the Bank contenders. Very crowded ring with Kane standing underneath a ladder. MVP announced himself as the new U.S. champion, then they cut to Shelton Benjamin, who was chilling in the corner not looking too happy about that. Best facial reaction of Shelton's career. Kofi Kingston appeared to be looking for the snack bowl by the couch. MVP hyped himself up, then Mark Henry raised his hand as the eventual MITB winner.

MVP talked to Christian for a second, then took us back to the Peep Show, which drew a crowd reaction. Christian cut off MVP to a vocal cheer, then said this is probably going to turn into a huge brawl and he didn't want his Peep Show furniture to get ruined. Christian looked MVP right in the face to proclaim himself the eventual MITB winner. Finlay wasn't so sure about that. Shelton stepped in and reminded everyone that the Gold Standard is in the match. He looked MVP up and down, then asked where the cheese and crackers are. Where's the wine glass? MVP said he doesn't care about all that because he's the U.S. champion. Ouch.

Shelton said this furniture sucks because MVP probably got it in repo after failing to pay his bills during his losing streak. He accused MVP of being about talk, not action. MVP reminded Shelton that he won the U.S. Title on Smackdown. MVP cut them off and said he's the one with experience winning the whole thing. Kofi then interjected that all of them have MITB experience, but the briefcase will be one jump away for him. Mark Henry wanted his time to preach a good word to everyone. Henry looked up at the briefcase hanging above the ladder and said no one will be able to wrestle the briefcase away from him.

MVP tried to restore order and said everyone wants to hear a word from Kane, who hadn't moved from being underneath the ladder. MVP gave Kane the mic and he smiled. Kane then slammed his arms down to cue up his pyro and red lights filled the arena. Everyone else cleared out of the ring while Kane stared up at the briefcase to close the show.

Caldwell's Analysis: Good closing segment on the show to set-up the unofficial ECW "title" match at WrestleMania. "Title match" being a chance to challenge for a title. MVP did well holding court and Shelton had one of his better promos in recent memory. Christian looked and sounded good, while the strong crowd reaction was another confirmation that he's still a star in WWE fans's eyes. Vince was probably in the restroom, though, and missed it.

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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