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TV Reports
ECW ON SCI-FI ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 6/23: Donofrio, Hoops, Parks rate and review Jun 24, 2009 - 1:20:20 PM
This was a solid show leading into The Bash that featured all 5 wrestlers in the ECW Championship match, while also giving us a solid match between Tyson Kidd and Evan Bourne. Kidd and Bourne, despite their size, are two of the top rising stars in the company. I hope they're going to have Bourne feud with the Hart Dynasty, most specifically Kidd. If they give those two the proper amount of time, they could put on some PPV caliber matches.
As I said, all 5 guys in the Championship Scramble were featured nicely on ECW too. Having Mark Henry look strong going into Sunday was a smart move considering he had lost a few matches in a row before last weeks win over Bourne. I haven't checked out the non-spoiler preview for Superstars, but I'm hoping they squeeze a little more promotion for the scramble match with at least three of these guys on Thursday. I smell a quick title change because I still don't see Tommy Dreamer as they guy to carry a brand at this day and age.
Brian Hoops, PWTorch.com Contributor (4.5)
This was an average show as there was not a standout match or performance. In fact, it may be most memorable for breaking its direction of having good shows, that focused on wrestling and not silly, backstage comedy. With the goofy interview segment in which Helms "saved" the stagehand by using his alter ego, "the Hurricane", it reminded me of those terrible "Eric Young/Super Eric" segments on TNA Impact. Tyson Kidd and Evan Bourne were not given enough time to accomplish anything and the tag match was decent, but unspectacular. Mark Henry leaving Dreamer, Swagger and Christian laying to close the show gives the impression that Henry is in line for another push. I hope not as I really have liked the direction of late with ECW elevating fresh, young stars.
Greg Parks, PWTorch.com Contributor (6.0)
Even on what could be considered a "down" week, ECW still did a good job of at least promoting their lone match at The Bash. Bourne vs. Kidd was on one hand, disappointingly short. On the other hand, it's good they didn't give a potential ECW PPV match a ton of time for free. Sure, I'd like to see what these guys could do if they were let loose for 10-15 minutes, but I'd also like to see WWE utilize that on a PPV.
Finlay vs. Zack Ryder was surprisingly good. I wonder if Curt Hawkins is jealous seeing his former teammate get this kind of TV time, while he's sitting on the sidelines. Unless he's hurt, I don't know why they don't send him to FCW for more seasoning or to work on a gimmick that could get him back on the big stage. The main event was a fine tag match; I had no problems with it. Mark Henry was one of the least likely, I would think, to win on Sunday, so it made sense to put him over strong here to give fans the idea that he'd have a chance to go over.
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