by Greg Parks, PWTorch.com Contributor

ECW on SyFy
July 14, 2009
Taped earlier tonight in Miami, Fla.
Aired on SyFy Network


-WWE Open.

-They showed highlights of the number one contender’s match between Christian and Vladimir Kozlov that aired last week.

-ECW Open.

-The camera panned the crowd, which included someone wearing a Major League Wrestling t-shirt. Wow, that brings back (obscure) memories.

1- CHRISTIAN vs. SHELTON BENJAMIN

Referee Scott Armstrong initiated a clean break following the opening lock-up. Spinning heel kick by Christian that may or may not have connected got him a two-count. I wonder what would’ve happened if it were Shelton Benjamin, not Christian, who went to TNA. And how he would’ve been received had he returned to WWE. Flying back elbow by Christian off the second rope. He went to the top, but Vladimir Kozlov’s music blared over the loudspeakers and he came out in his new get-up. Shelton kicked Christian off the top and to the outside as Kozlov walked around ringside and apparently over to the commentator’s table.

[Commercial Break]

Benjamin was working Christian’s arm out of break as...oh no...Kozlov was on commentary. When Mathews introduced him, Kozlov raised his arm in acknowledgment, I guess. Knee-lift by Benjamin on Christian. Shelton continued to twist and contort the left arm of the ECW #1 Contender. Kozlov bragged that he could beat both Christian and Tommy Dreamer. Benjamin leapt to the top rope, but was pushed off and Christian dropkicked him. Both men were down following that exchange. Tornado DDT hit by Christian for only two. After a pin attempt, Benjamin tried to go back to the left arm of Christian, but couldn’t keep the arm-bar on. Benjamin again jumped from the ring to the top rope to meet Christian, with a bit more success this time, landing a one-arm DDT on Christian. Benjamin tossed Christian into the ring post shoulder-first and then hit Paydirt for the win.

WINNER: Benjamin, at 11:33. This is why no one gets over. He loses to Yoshi Tatsu, a nobody, in two seconds two weeks ago, then wins last week and beats the #1 Contender for the ECW Title clean this week. Next week, I’m sure he’ll be jobbed to Goldust or something.

-Last week, Ezekiel Jackson destroyed a jobber. We saw highlights, and he was backstage with Hurricane Helms. Zeke said he was happy to come to ECW and flexed, showing he was in the best shape of his life. Helms asked if Jackson felt the need to step out of The Brian Kendrick’s shadow. Jackson said Kendrick hired him because Kendrick needed him, but now, he’s the most important person to him. I’m glad they at least addressed that past relationship, since they acted like it never happened last week.

[Commercial Break]

2- PAUL BURCHILL vs. YOSHI TATSU

Tatsu tried to stay away from any consistent Burchill offense. Fans were immediately chanting, “Yoshi, Yoshi.” Single-leg take-down by Burchill, followed by a hard elbowdrop across the throat. Katie Lea took the opportunity, with the ref’s back turned, to slap Tatsu in the face. Roll-up by Tatsu for one, and Burchill just got angrier. Rear chin-lock by Burchill, sitting down on the lower back of Yoshi for extra effect. Looks more like a choke hold though. Yoshi flipped out and got some kicks to the body. Yoshi went for a springboard kick, but fell off the top rope. Burchill capitalized, wasting no motion in suplexing Tatsu right on the back of his head (a Saito suplex, as called by Striker). As he argued with the ref on after a two-count, Tatsu out of nowhere hit a kick to Burchill’s head, like the one he hit on Shelton. “Are you Karate Kidding me?” Striker exclaimed.

WINNER: Tatsu, at 3:35. Fine match, but I still feel Burchill is being wasted in this JTTS role.

-They plugged the main event of Vladimir Kozlov vs. Tommy Dreamer for later tonight.

[Commercial Break]

-Mathews and Striker hyped ZZ Top’s appearance on Raw this coming week.

-Tiffany was in her office texting or Twittering or whatever when Tyler Reks came out. He thanked her for giving him a chance to wrestle on Superstars, then asked to make his ECW brand debut next week. Tiffany said she’ll think about it.

3- GOLDUST vs. ZACK RYDER

Arm-drag by Goldust out of the gate. Looks like Goldy has new designs on his suit as well. Ryder pushed him out of the corner and took it to Ryder with shoulder-blocks. Butt-butt by Goldust and Ryder was clotheslined over the top rope. Goldust went to the top, but Ryder met him up there. Ryder brought him down throat-first over the top rope, causing Goldust to spill to ringside. Running boot to the face by Ryder in the corner, and the match was solidly his at this point. After getting thrown into the buckle, Goldust powerslammed Ryder. Vintage Goldust with the thrust to the throat from his back. To the middle rope, where he hit an elbow on Ryder for two. Ryder suckered Goldust in to the corner, then hit the Zack Attack. It was academic from there.

WINNER: Ryder, at 4:24. See my comments from the last match (though I do realize Goldust certainly doesn’t have the ceiling that Burchill does at this point). Ryder continues to grow on me.

-The Raw Rebound aired.

[Commercial Break]

-Striker and Mathews talked on-camera about the accidents that have been happening behind the scenes in ECW and the mystery man who keeps making the save. They showed last week’s segment. Pretty absurd for them not to realize the guy looks exactly like The Hurricane.

4- SHEAMUS vs. ROMAN CORNELL

Sheamus got on the mic and talked to his opponent, calling himself the Celtic Warrior. He predicted he’d be the most dominant superstar in ECW. Striker gave background on the jobber, as he usually does. Not sure if it’s true or not though. Shoulderblock by Sheamus, then he pounded away at Cornell in the corner. Cornell came down of Sheamus’ back and got some offense in until Sheamus hit a bicycle kick. Uranage into a back-breaker by Sheamus for the win.

WINNER: Sheamus, at 1:31. I like his finisher. The guy has a different look and he does show promise.

-Another plug for the main event, up next. Well, it’s 10:52 EST at this point, so I’m not expecting a classic.

[Commercial Break]

-The Abraham Washingto Show will host Tommy Dreamer and Christian as special guests next week. I can’t wait.

5- VLADIMIR KOZLOV vs. TOMMY DREAMER

Loud “USA” chants from the crowd right at the opening bell. Kozlov took Dreamer down then elbowdropped him on his back. He missed a second one though. He ran into a knee in the corner, then no-sold a head-shot to the buckle. Low dropkick by Dreamer when Vlad was on his hands and knees, then a clothesline off the second rope. Kozlov picked Dreamer up and dropped him throat-first across the top rope. Headbutts to the chest of the ECW Champion, then a belly-to-belly suplex that got two. He grabbed a waist-lock on the mat. Dreamer quickly made it to his feet, but was kicked in the chest. Outside the ring, Kozlov missed a kick and hit the ring post. Dreamer capitalized in the ring with a knee-lift. Jackknife cover for two, then a leg-sweep. Tommy went to the top, but Kozlov crotched him. Dreamer shoved him off and booted him in the face, but Kozlov caught Dreamer jumping off the second rope with a headbutt to the chest. The Iron Curtain finisher from Kozlov ended it.

WINNER: Kozlov, at 3:58. So the ECW Champion and challenger for the title at the PPV lost cleanly tonight. Interesting booking.

Kozlov tried to continue the beat-down but Christian made the save. Kozlov ducked and Christian hit Dreamer, then was taken down by Kozlov. After a replay of the finish and the post-match happenings, Kozlov was shown, quite happy with his work. Dreamer and Christian writhed on the mat in pain as the show ended.

Greg Parks has been covering WWE Smackdown for PWTorch.com since January of 2007. You can also read his all-new blog in the VIP forum. Check out his column each week in the PDF-exclusive version of the Torch Newsletter. Comments, questions and feedback are welcome, and can be sent to g_man9784@yahoo.com.

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