By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

WWE - ECW on SyFy TV Report
July 21, 2009 - Year 4, Week 7 (Week 163 overall)
Taped in Richmond, Va.

After ECW announcers Josh Mathews and Matt Striker introduced the show, Yoshi Tatsu came to the ring for the opening match. William Regal then came out and said he despises foreigners. Okay... let's have a match.

1 -- YOSHI TATSU vs. WILLIAM REGAL

Regal needed a breather after Yoshi fired up on him early on. Regal, the crafty heel, then lured Yoshi into a false sense of bravado and went to work on his back and head. "Regal Sucks" was the chant from the crowd. Regal continued to methodically wear down Yoshi, who struggled for breath in a neck trap. Yoshi then fired up with a roundhouse kick and suggested he was going to make an impact with a top rope move. Regal cut him off, though, to screams from the kids seeing Yoshi in peril. (Great sign that Yoshi is catching on.) Regal then wanted the big knee lift of doom, but Yoshi ducked and caught Regal with a kick behind the ear. Regal sold it like he was shot in the head and Yoshi pinned him for the win. Cue up a lengthy post-match celebration for Yoshi.

WINNER: Yoshi in 6:00. Fans are buying into Yoshi big time right now. Solid outing for Yoshi, who was given an important win over Regal. Well done. WWE obviously sees what the fans see - an exciting babyface with a big upside. (*1/4)

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Ezekiel Jackson came to the ring looking very mad. Mike Williams was in the ring to enhance. Wait a second, wasn't there a Mike Williams jobber a few weeks ago?

2 -- EZEKIEL JACKSON vs. MIKE WILLIAMS

Zeke simply stared a hole through Mike and approached him for a giant clothesline. Zeke then stood over Mike's fallen body and nailed a chokeslam. Quick pin for the win.

Post-match: Kozlov's music hit as Ezekiel stood over Mike's body. Kozlov had an equally menacing scowl on his face. Zeke was puzzled but stayed firm. Kozlov stood over Mike Williams's body, then turned on a machine-like facial expression and gave him the Iron Curtain. Apparently Kozlov saw a potential tackling dummy and took advantage. He then turned around and marched right out of the ring.

WINNER: Ezekiel in 0:30. Well, you would think Kozlov would be plugged into the ECW Title match at the PPV since WWE basically booked Tommy Dreamer and Christian to look as weak as Randy Orton last week, but that doesn't appear to be the case, so they fed left-overs to Kozlov. (n/a)

Announcers: Mathews and Striker sent it to a new segment called "Ask the Divas." Eve said she looks for a smaller man, but athletic. Maria said we need to worry about being ourselves. Brie and Nikki said if you need space in a relationship, then maybe you don't need a girlfriend. What, production team didn't have another Triple H vs. Randy Orton video package cued up?

[Commercial Break]

This Thursday: Kane vs. John Morrison in a singles match.

In-ring: Goldust was on his way to the ring for a singles match. Shelton Benjamin then came out sporting another one of those "why am I wrestling you" looks on his face. Yeah, guy is booked to beat the #1 contender to the ECW Title last week and he gets Bumblebee Goldust this week. Wouldn't make sense to me either.

3 -- GOLDUST vs. SHELTON BENJAMIN

Pace quickened with Goldust making a comeback and asking the fans to stick with him. "Come on, baby, let's go!" He delivered an atomic drop, then a bulldog for a two count. Goldy certainly showing more fire in recent weeks to audition for a permanent spot on TV. Goldust went for a left-arm clothesline, but left himself open for backbreaker across his knee. Shelton then went up top for a turnaround splash of sorts, but Goldust blocked with an uppercut...after an uncomfortable pause. Goldust tried to catch his breath near the ropes, but Shelton slingshot him across the top rope. Shelton followed with the Pay Dirt facebuster for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Shelton Benjamin in 5:00. Good win for Shelton. Good energy from both men. WWE has quickly erased that bogus ECW debut against Yoshi three weeks ago, fortunately. Hopefully he's in the main event picture after the PPV next week. (*1/2)

Abraham Washington show: What happens with you mix bad joke-writing with Tommy Dreamer and Christian? Find out later.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage: Sheamus was shown standing before a camera. Sheamus said no one's going to be dancing an Irish jig when he's around because he's a Celtic warrior. Smile. Fade to the arena.

Announcers: Mathews and Striker broke down the Night of Champions PPV card.

Backstage: Gregory Helms brought in Paul Burchill and Katie Lea. Burchill said it looks like Helms is back to being a mild-mannered reporter. Helms shook that off and Burchill started to talk about facing Tyler Reks tonight. Suddenly, there was a Goldust Grunt off camera. Burchill approached him and mocked him for acting like a fool. (Most personality he's shown since the pirate days.) Goldust said he's sorry, but he was electrocuted a few years ago and he still deals with it. Goldust then accidentally smacked him in the face "selling the electricity." Katie Lea had to hold Paul back from blasting him.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Tyler Reks came out before the break. Back from break, they plugged Shaq hosting Raw next week. Paul Burchill then came out and they replayed the Burchill-Goldust deal in the back before the break.

4 -- PAUL BURCHILL (w/Katie Lea) vs. TYLER REKS

Reks making his in-ring debut on ECW after a few losses on Superstars. Of note: where the heck is Zach Ryder tonight? Striker called him a "Dynamic Dude." Paging John Laurinaitis. Mathews: "Did you just call him a Dynamic Dude?" Pause. Pause. Pause. Striker muttered something under his breath. Burchill took control early on tried to ground Reks's nose into the mat throughout. Slow, methodical Burchill match. Reks then powered out of a chinlock and started throwing right elbows. He followed with a nice springboard dropkick showing good hang time (pun intended). Burchill came back with a rolling belly-to-back suplex for a two count. Pace quickening. Burchill then walked into a small package from Reks, who picked up his first TV victory. Burchill just doesn't win matches. Perhaps they'll build a losing streak program to where he ... Burchill blasted Reks post-match out of frustration. Reks fell to the floor and Burchill left standing tall at the end of the day.

WINNER: Reks in 6:00. Okay singles match. Reks had a nice, fiery comeback before picking up the win. Not sure what WWE is looking to do with Burchill, but at least he has a roster spot. (*)

Backstage: They showed Abraham Washington doing his mannerisms on the way to the ring for the AHam Show in the TV main event segment.

[Commercial Break]

Abraham Washington Show: The segment was set up on the stage by the HDtron. Washington took the mic and thanked everyone, which drew tons of boos. Washington said they're going to have two main event stars on the show tonight. He welcomed out #1 contender Christian first. Washington said he's bringing out the ECW champ again. He said he doesn't think he can afford to have him on the show anymore, though, because he ate all the food in the green room. Another fat joke. About as fresh as another Hunter vs. Cena vs. Orton main event.

Tommy Dreamer then came out sporting a very Mr. Gatsby-esque sharp cream-colored suit. Washington told them to sit down and take a load off, especially Tommy. Had a little feedback on the mic. Washington with another round of fat jokes. Christian wasn't amused himself. He said things are going to get real ugly at the PPV on Sunday. He paused and said Dreamer's butt is casting an eclipse. He said Christian has a face for radio. Christian shot back that Washington has a show made for public access and jokes for 1991. Looking at them as a tag team, Christian said he's the technician of the group, which prompted Washington to ask for free cable TV. Dreamer said he brings to the table that he's ECW champ. Christian said, "Not for long."

Dreamer and Christian stared to argue about Christian losing the ECW Title the first time. Christian blamed Jack Swagger. Dreamer said he needs to have some personal accountability. Washington said Dreamer is ready to go back to Philly for the PPV not because of his ECW roots, but because he wants to go to the DGUSA show...no no no...he wants to stuff his face full of Philly cheese steaks.

Dreamer said he's tired of Abraham's old jokes. He started an ECW promo, but Christian cut him off and asked what he's going to do? "Are you going to ...um...take me to the extreme?" Christian asked sarcastically. Dreamer said if he does, Christian won't be here next week. Ooh from the crowd. Christian wanted to know if Dreamer is going to cry about winning the match if he wins on Sunday. Dreamer stood up and said that's a real slap to the face. Christian slapped him across the face, then Dreamer slapped him. Clear the set. Washington told them to save it for Sunday. They stood apart from each other, neither man making a move for a fight. Christian pointed his finger and trash-talked. "We'll see," Dreamer said to close the show. Great intensity to conclude the PPV build-up. Begs the question of where this was last week when both men were booked to lose singles matches.

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