WWE - ECW on SyFy TV Report
August 25, 2009 - Year 4, Week 12 (Week 168 overall)
Taped in Phoenix, Ariz.
By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

The WWE show started with a seven-second pose from Summerslam for the Christian vs. William Regal "match." They showed Christian being laid out by Regal, Kozlov, and Ezekiel Jackson. Group seems to be called unofficially the Ruthless Roundtable. No, it's not a Torch VIP audio show. Cue up the ECW intro.

In-ring: William Regal's music hit. Thought I heard a kid crying near an arena mic. Regal, in a suit, led the red-clad Kozlov and Ezekiel Jackson to the ring. All three stood center ring shoulder-length apart, then Regal began his promo. He said Kozlov and Jackson were playing a game of one-upmanship for weeks that the people thought was leading them to a collision course. Regal said it doesn't surprise him because people lack the imagination and creativity and the influence that he possesses to shock the entire world by aligning with these physical specimens. Seemed like the writers cutting a promo on ECW TV reviewers.

Regal addressed Christian. He said the countdown clock on his title reign is about to hit zero. Cue up Christian's music to interrupt. The ECW champ came out on stage looking sharp with the title belt slung over his shoulder. Christian reminded Regal that he's already beaten him in a title match. Actually, it was a Summerslam record-breaking eight second match. Official time was 7.87 seconds on my watch. Christian repeated the time. Regal claimed he wasn't ready. "No, no, no, no, no, no, no" vs. "eight seconds, eight seconds, eight seconds." Regal told sunshine to give him the rightful re-match or they can make him regret the day he ever won the title.

"Look, Bill." Regal told him not to call him Bill. Oh here we go with a "Bill" chant. Regal said he is not a commoner, so call him William. Regal's eyes bugged out of his head. Christian said he really just wants to move on to seeing other people. Suddenly, ECW GM Tiffany's music hit. Tiffany came out on stage and said enough talking. She said Christian did take advantage at Regal. Um...the bell sounded and Regal wasn't ready. That's Christian's fault? Tiffany booked Regal in a match where he either gets the title shot or he doesn't. That match is up later. Tiffany gives opportunities, not contracts.

Video package: They aired a nice hype video for the Sheamus vs. Goldust feud. Looked like a nice NFL on CBS hype video for an important mid-season match-up. They closed with a "face-to-face" graphic looking at Goldust vs. Sheamus. Well done.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: They returned with Sheamus's music playing. Sheamus bobbed to the ring with his hair moving and shaking. He talked trash to the hard camera before Goldust came out for the next round of their series.

[Q2]

1 -- GOLDUST vs. SHEAMUS

Quick collar-and-elbow tie-up to start things off. Sheamus then grounded Goldust on the mat and worked him over with a headlock. Announcers talked up Sheamus as a seasoned veteran when he's really a Rookie of the Year. Striker with the line of the night referencing Henry Rowengartner from the aforementioned baseball classic of our youth. Nicely done. Goldust made a comeback at 3:00, then Sheamus bailed to the floor. Goldust walked into a trap and ate the ring padding on the floor. Sheamus landed right hand blows, then Goldust countered with right hands. Ref's mic was turned up on the ten count, so that's coming into play. Goldust and Sheamus kept brawling ringside. Goldust then smashed Sheamus into the ring steps. Referee reached a ten count and Goldust was upset with the outcome of a double count-out. Sheamus bailed up the entrance ramp as Goldust entered Dustin Rhodes mode. "Come on, Sheamus," he growled.

WINNER: Double count-out at 4:00. I like the progressions of this feud. Really nice and slow making viewers want to see more of these two. The double count-out wasn't a bad thing despite being unsatisfying this week, as it actually built anticipation for what's next. (*)

Main event tonight: Christian vs. William Regal non-title. If Regal wins, he gets another title shot.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage: Shelton Benjamin was hanging out with the Bella Twins. Apparently he's babyface tonight. I give up on figuring that out. They wanted him to sing Louie Armstrong, so he did. Zack Ryder then interrupted and talked trash. Things were about to escalate, then Tiffany walked in and told Ryder to cool off. She booked Ryder in a tag match against Tyler Reks and Yoshi Tatsu. "Who's my partner?" Ryder wanted to know. Tiffany looked to her right and said it's Shelton. She wished them good luck. Shelton was non-reactional. Ryder was like "what gives man?" Shelton looked Ryder up and down before snapping in his face.

Announcers: Josh Mathews and Matt Striker recapped The Hurricane returning to ECW and defeating Paul Burchill on last week's show. Announcers then announced Hurricane vs. Burchill in a re-match on Superstars this week.

Backstage: New backstage interviewer Courtney Taylor brought in Burchill and Katie Lea for Paul's thoughts. Paul with a serious wardrobe upgrade with a leather jacket and black shirt. Burchill told her not to insult his intelligence with the comic book name label because everyone knows it's Gregory Helms. Burchill said he underestimated Hurricane last week, but that won't be the case on Thursday. He said Hurricane won't be saving anyone any more, not even himself. Excellent excellent simple promo with an upgraded look.

Elsewhere Backstage: Regal talked strategy with Kozlov and Jackson.

[Commercial Break]

[Q3]

Inset promo: Tyler Reks and Yoshi Tatsu were shown backstage. Surfer guy Reks said they might be from opposite ends of the world, but they can agree on the same vibe. Yoshi talked in Japanese. Reks looked at him, then said he has no idea what he said, but gave the Hang Loose sign.

2 --- SHELTON BENJAMIN & ZACK RYDER vs. TYLER REKS & YOSHI TATSU

Shelton worked on Reks early on, then wanted to tag in Ryder, but Ryder sold concern over his ring gear to ignore a tag request. Reks then tried to sneak up behind Shelton for a small package, but Shelton kicked out. Ryder then tagged in now that he was "ready," and worked over Reks. Shelton back in. Reks escaped Shelton, then Yoshi tagged in and fired up the crowd before going up top. Shelton crotched him, then Ryder got in Shelton's way. Shelton yanked Ryder into the ring, which counted as a tag. Ryder and Shelton argued before Ryder shoved Shelton out of the ring. Ryder tried to catch Yoshi with the Zack Attack, but Yoshio blocked and nailed a big boot to the face for the pin and the win. Afterward, Shelton glared at Ryder and slowly entered the ring about to explode. Ryder tried to explain himself, then Shelton jumped at him and nailed Pay Dirt in center ring. Crowd not sure how to react to heel/face/heel/face Shelton.

WINNERS: Yoshi & Reks in 4:00. Okay tag match. Just advancing the mini-feud between Shelton and Ryder. Yoshi showed fire and personality, whereas we still don't know much about Reks. (3/4*)

[Commercial Break]

[Q4]

Exterior shot: They showed the Phoenix skyline as Mathews plugged WM26 in Arizona next year. Cue up a video package on Summerslam Weekend in Los Angeles.

In-ring: The 2008 King of the Ring William Regal came out with Kozlov and Jackson. Hoping for a KOTR 2009 at some point. Ziggler vs. Tyson Kidd finals - Billy Gunn (1999) vs. Bret Hart (1993). Or, has that been future endeavored? Announcers pointed out Regal quickly removed his ring jacket as Christian came to the ring for the TV main event. No eight seconds tonight.

3 -- ECW champion CHRISTIAN vs. WILLIAM REGAL (w/Kozlov and Ezekiel Jackson) -- non-title match

They had a brief opening exchange before Christian knocked Regal to the outside. Christian teased a dive to the floor, but Kozlov stood in front of Regal and stared down Christian. Christian thought better of attacking the square jaw and slipped back into the ring as they cut to break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Regal was in control. Christian fought back, but Regal shoved him to the outside and Christian sold back pain. Ref's ten count drew close to ten, which meant heightened anticipation from the audience. Christian made it back in at nine, prompting Regal to attack Christian with mat holds and strikes. Nice sequence.

[Q5 -- over-run]

Regal continue to cut off Christian's comebacks, but Christian blocked Regal's corner attack and climbed up top for a missile dropkick. Christian scored a two count, then fired up the crowd for his big comeback. He exploded off the ropes with a forearm smash, then went to the second rope for another dropkick. Christian went back to the corner and came off the top with another missile dropkick for a two count only, though. Christian then executed a Tornado DDT, but only scored a two count. Lots of two counts for Christian. Regal then shoved Christian to the floor where Christian slapped the taste out of Kozlov's mouth. Back in the ring, Jackson ran interference allowing Kozlov to retaliate with the Iron Headbutt to the gut from the ring apron. Christian then spun back into Regal's giant Knee Strike for the pin and the win. Post-match: Regal stood tall with his hired guns before pointing down at Christian. No word on when his future title match will take place. End show with Christian selling pain (familiar sight) with Regal yelling down at him.

WINNER: Regal in 14:00. There was the very good Summerslam match everyone wanted to see on Sunday. Christian's comebacks were great, Regal's offense was great, and the finish effectively set up the future title match. Should be on the all-submissions PPV with the Regal Stretch coming into play. (**3/4)

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