Rick Stevenson of Sierra Vista, Ariz. (7.5): Best Match: C.M. Punk vs. The Miz. Worst Match: None. I actually enjoyed ECW for the first time in ages. Granted, it's the first time I've sat down to watch it in ages, but nonetheless I found myself sitting through the entire show without the urge to change the channel. Three good matches in an hour will do that, I guess. Punk and Miz made for a great opener. I just really enjoyed the pace and the two showing a lot of varied offense. I really like Kofi Kingston. His character needs to be expanded, because the constant smiling is going to end up turning off fans, a la Rocky Maivia. However, his leaping kicks and elbows were slick. I just wish the cameramen had been in better positions to catch some of it. It's good to see Dreamer win a match. It's also good to see a credible champion on the brand. Kane is, I think, perfect as ECW Champion. Tough, strong, and willing to gouge your eyes out to win. I was stoked to see him take the belt at WrestleMania and I'm hoping he keeps it for a good long time. Next week should be good with the Undertaker making an appearance. I guess I'll have to tune in again.
Adam Crawley of Christiansburg, Va. (7.0): Best match: The Miz vs. C.M. Punk. Worst match: Ads for Barack vs. Hillary. This was an all-around entertaining show, and it started off with an athletic contest. I'm a big fan of the most athletic wrestlers, and Miz and Punk got a good opportunity to showcase their athletic ability in a long match. I'm guessing that they got the time that was supposed to be for Mike Knox. Chavo's frog splash through the table was a good-looking spot. As I said, I'm a mark for the athletes, so even Kofi Kingston's squash match was fun for me. He can do some things in the ring that nobody else can, and he has great energy. Colin Delaney vs. Tommy Dreamer was a fun wrinkle in Delaney's ongoing storyline. As much as you want to root for him, it's like Tazz said, it's fun watching him get beat up every week. The only downside to this show was the ads for Barack vs. Hillary. That has the potential to be as good as Trump vs. Rosie.
Terrie Neilson of Las Vegas, Nev. (6.0): Best: Miz vs. Punk; no irrelevant replays. Worst: changing stips and no followup After another Raw meltdown, I was hoping for a respite with ECW. For the most part I got that, but was almost lulled to sleep. Miz vs. Punk was a decent match to open the show, but the energy lagged after that. Looks like Burke might finally be on an upswing as he got a win tonight (for a change). I was also glad he didn't finish off Nunzio with the Elijah Express; his knees are probably thanking him for that. Kofi gets another win and for once I don't really have anything bad to say about Domino, though there was no reason why he was at least without Deuce. The Kane-Chavo contract signing is a "been there done that" deal, and I'm really not interested in the outsider who showed up since he took away something from someone on the roster, like Stevie Richards. The three-diva promo was not bad, but there was no followup to whatever it was that Eve needed to say. And the Colin Delaney story took a wrong turn tonight. Pitting him against Dreamer did give a match story to play, but when the stip seemed to change from "go easy and you're fired" to "lose and you're fired" the whole thing went out the door. The storyline isn't a lost cause, but it's losing its way. Poor Colin.
We welcome your 1-10 score and comments on this show for a "ECW Reax" feature in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com. Just to add a twist to this feature, include not just your hometown, but also your occupation (mechanic, lawyer, stay-at-home-dad, college student, etc.) so readers get a flavor for what everyone does as "day jobs." To contribute your thoughts on ECW, click here.
LATEST PRO WRESTLING TORCH NEWSLETTER #1037 (16 PAGES)
This issue begins with a cover story on the annoucement on Raw that Mike Adamle is the new Raw G.M... Wade Keller's BBL features a number of other shocking G.M. possibilities for WWE to consider... Page 2 Buzz with Jason Powell features his exclusive insider news galore... Pat McNeill continues his series of articles reviewing the history of Summerslam... Bruce Mitchell continues his series of Ric Flair DVD Liner Notes with a focus on "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers htis week... Part four of the "Torch Talk" with Doug Basham... Sean Radican reviews in detail the ROH PPV before it's offered nationally on PPV... Plus the Torch Newswire, Top Five Stories, reports on Raw, Smackdown, and Impact, and more......
