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ECW TV Reax #1: "I think Abraham Washington has some charisma, but dear Lord, that was the most pointless segment in pro wrestling history" Jul 1, 2009 - 12:18:35 AM
Brian Jaffe of Iowa City, Iowa (6.0): Best Match: Main Event Tag. Worst Match: Yoshi Tatsu vs. Shelton Benjamin (by default). It's hard to judge the new ECW by just one week, but I must say I'm kinda excited. Shelton Benjamin's promo and pre-match antics put him over as a huge dick, while giving Yoshi Tatsu a chance to impress everybody with a one kick knockout win. I think Abraham Washington has some charisma, but dear lord, that was the most pointless segment in professional wrestling history. If this guy is a wrestler, PLEASE put him in the ring and let him cut promos. Or make him a manager or something, no more of this talk show bull. Sheamus looks like a normal man who's been dipped in milk, but I think he showed a lot of potential in his squash. I'm also glad Vladimir Kozlov is finally showing some personality; it's adding to his character. Just by his commentary, you could tell that Matt Striker absolutely idolizes William Regal. Main Event match established a stable foundation for the new ECW's main event picture, as the New Talent Initiative guys will filter in and out until we get a solid roster going for ECW again.
Benjamin Tucker of Lexington, Ky. (2.5) Best: Kozlov & Regal vs. Dreamer and Christian. Worst: that Abraham Washington skit. Remember the days when we had humor from guys like the Rock, who electrified the audience? That was great. Unfortunately, The Rock, or shall I say, Dwayne Johnson, has turned his back on the company. But, my eyes brightened eight minutes into ECW when I saw The Rock heading to the ring! Wait, who is this guy? Oh, okay, Abraham Washington? Well, he looks like a Rock clone, so maybe he'll do something good. He's got the swagger, the look... but he can't talk. The audience nor I could decide if he was a face or a heel. He says the same three words over and over again. He has no charisma whatsoever, and if I have to see another one of those ten minute segments where he pretends to be interested with what the Bellas say, I'll go insane. Maybe it was a one night travesty, but he really needs to step up his act from now on. As James Caldwell said, it was blow your brains out terrible. Shelton got a rude awakening as to where he's going in ECW. Sheamus debuted in a squash match, and the only thing I noticed was how pale he is. I'm surprised he's visible on the TV screen. Even so, I can see a bright future for Sheamus. He's got what Vince wants in a wrestler - he's big. And he's got some moves, but you really can't see what potential he has by watching him in a squash match. ECW was gutted, and I think that after tonight, I'll start calling it Florida Extreme Championship Wrestling. There's WAY too many new guys here. You can't take any of them seriously. After seeing Yoshi squash Shelton, I watched the no-talent Washington stink up the show with his awfullness, followed by Sheamus (who has the most potential) and then this other guy is fighting Ryder on Superstars, which Ryder is on more than on ECW. There's not even enough time in the show for all of these new guys! Four new guys is way too much at once. You need to have at MOST two new guys working on one brand before it just gets unnecessary. The Raw Rebound was actually refreshing (I know), and the tag match was my favorite match by default, even though Kozlov spent most of the time just lumbering around like an idiot in his high school wrestling tights. Wait! He smiled! Well, that made my night! Best part of the show. Well, Raw, mission accomplished. I'm not sure if you've gotten any better, but with an ECW (or shall I say FECW), you've moved up to be the third best show of the week by default (Superstars is still beating you).
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