The following is a reprint of the Torch Newsletter review of ECW's syndicated television show from five years ago in December.

-Jason Powell, Torch assistant editor

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Torch Newsletter Archive
By Wade Keller, Torch editor
December 13, 1997 - ECW syndicated TV
Originally published: Pro Wrestling Torch Weekly newsletter #471
Cover dated: December 20, 1997

EXTREME CHAMPIONSHIP - 12/13

(Taped Dec. 6 at ECW Arena)... The show opened with Joey Styles in mid-ring announcing it was the largest crowd in ECW Arena history. Fans chanted, "ECW, ECW," then shifted to a "New York Sucks" chant. ECW continues to play up the Hart Foundation inspired rivalry between New York and Philly. Styles announced that the Gangstanators were attacked by the Dudleys before the match where they lost the ECW Tag Titles. Styles introduced Kronus, who came out sporting a cast on his right arm. Before Kronus could say anything, The Dudleys came out. Styles freaked, saying, "No way, this is not a match. This is bullsh--. This man is hurt."

Buh Buh Ray Dudley told Styles to leave. When Styles didn't, Buh Buh yelled, "Get the f--- out" and Styles leaped out of the ring. As Kronus was surrounded by several Dudleys, he chose a jump spin wheel kick as his defense, which needless to say didn't scare away the Dudleys. Buh Buh went to hit Kronus, but oddly decided not to when New Jack's music began to play. He threw the chair to the mat in frustration instead. New Jack then threw his garbage can of apparatus into the ring and beat up D-Von and Buh Buh Ray on his own. New Jack gave D-Von a low blow with a pool cue.

At ringside Big Dick choked Kronus. Spike Dudley ran out to help New Jack and Kronus and gave them the "Acid Drop," a face-first DDT off the second rope. The Dudleys took over eventually, beating on Spike. Six minutes of brawling later, the referee stepped into the ring and Buh Buh pinned Spike to end the match that was never proclaimed a match in the first place... The ECW opening montage then aired 12 minutes into the program...

(1) Mikey Whipwreck pinned Justin Credible (w/Jason) in 6:00. When Mikey set up the Whippersnapper, Jason ran into the ring. Mikey leapfrogged to the mat and floored Jason, then pinned Justin with the FrankenMikey. A good match, but Mikey looked beat up and hurt moving around the ring at times...

A new commercial aired for ECW Premium Wear ("What the wrestlers wear") that featured barely covered breasts of Beulah and Francine. Just as it got a bit too precious for its own good, they showed someone in a hot tub with their face covered with hair. The hair got flipped back and Blue Meanie's face was revealed...

Styles announced that Shane Douglas had major surgery on his elbow "as a result of his match against Bam Bam Bigelow" at the PPV. They showed Douglas with a full-arm cast... Styles introduced the Stevie Richards-Chris Chetti match by calling Chetti the "most talented rookie"' he's ever seen. The final minutes of the match aired, ending with a StevieKick. Styles hyped that Richards is eventually going to have to answer to Tommy Dreamer for what he did to him at the PPV...

A segment aired with Al Snow from the backseat of a car. Snow said, "I remember what it was like going to the head honchos asking how I would get to the top, how I'd get a push. They'd say, ‘Al, give us a little head.' He said he didn't understand what they meant until "you" came along. The camera then revealed the "person" he was talking to to be The Head (mannequin head). A music video aired on Snow and The Head...

(2) Chris Candido & Lance Storm beat Axl Rotten & Balls Mahoney and Phil LaFon & Doug Furnas (w/Lance Wright) in a three-way dance to capture the ECW Tag Team Titles. Wright said Furnas & LaFon would be dumping the ECW belts in the trash on Raw two nights later if they retained the belts. Candido promised to prevent that from happening. Candido told the fans not to cheer for the WWF idiots. A lot of ECW three-way dances consist of random, storyline-less violence. This match told more of a story and had good athleticism mixed with brawling...

They aired Taz confronting Brakkus. A dozen wrestlers held Brakkus back. Styles said Brakkus was sent by the WWF, but that Taz has made a career out of making big men look small. Styles concluded the show by thanking viewers for "spending an hour with ECW." The show ended with footage of Sandman, Tommy Dreamer, and Beulah coming to the ring for their main event match from ECW Arena against Sabu & Rob Van Dam. The fans sang "Enter Sandman" as they approached the ring. ECW did a good job capturing the atmosphere that makes their events special...

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