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

-Jason Powell, Torch assistant editor

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Torch Newsletter Archive
By Wade Keller, Torch editor
May 23, 1998 - ECW syndicated TV
Originally published: Pro Wrestling Torch Weekly newsletter #496
Cover dated: May 30, 1998

(Taped May 14 in Queens, N.Y.)... [Q1]... Joey Styles introduced the show from mid-ring from the Elks Lodge in Queens, N.Y. The on-screen graphic said the event took place Thursday, May 14. Normally ECW doesn't date their programs, but since fans were chanting, "Seinfeld Sucks Sh--" during ring intros (the night of the final Seinfeld), they wanted to put the chants into perspective. Taz's music began to play right away and he came out, although not before a one minute highlight clip aired of Taz which is a nice production touch by ECW, especially with highlights of Taz beating up Chris Jericho and Jerry Lawler. Taz revealed his FTW (F--- the World) heavyweight title and declared himself the world champion. Bam Bam Bigelow came out. Styles spazzed. Bigelow told Taz he is no champion.

Fans chanted, "You tapped out" at Bigelow. Bigelow said the only way Taz will get to Shane Douglas is through him. Taz laid the belt in mid-ring at which point several referees ran in. Bigelow threw Pee Wee Moore over the top rope and into the crowd which looked pretty cool. Security ran in and pulled the two apart... The ECW opening montage began with the messages: "Free Mark Madden. Silence Vince and Eric, enough is enough. It's time to get extreme"... Styles plugged that the entire Queens event, including footage that would never make it to broadcast TV, was available for purchase. The tape is called "ECW: It Ain't Seinfeld"...

[Q2]... (1) Jerry Lynn pinned Justin Credible (w/Jason, Chastity) at 10:09. As Lynn came to the ring, Styles said that Lynn was underutilized by WCW, the WWF, and even ECW. Really good match. They tried a lot and everything was well executed and well-paced. Justin took a great bump over the railing into the front row of fans after a Lynn slidekick. Despite Jason's interference near the end of the match, Lynn reversed Justin's "That's Incredible" and gave Justin a tombstone. Lynn showed good fire when he won and the crowd popped big for him...

On the ECW 900 line commercial, Paul Heyman said three international stars were about to make a huge impact on ECW. Heyman said he issued a challenge to Bischoff regarding Ric Flair. He also made reference to fans being table to "take a nude Nitro girl home with them," a reference to Kimberly Page's magazine photos... Styles again plugged the 900 poll where fans can vote for either Sabu or Rob Van Dam as the winner of the PPV draw...

[Q3]... (2) Sabu (w/Bill Alfonso) beat Danny Doring (w/Jason) at 3:55. Sabu dominated offense and hit several of his signature table spots... Styles complimented Shane Douglas for putting on a "remarkable performance at WrestlePalooza despite a myriad of injuries." Douglas, who was standing by "via satellite" from his home in Pittsburgh, said he can't believe Taz is claiming to be World Heavyweight Champion without having earned it. Douglas then ripped on the NWO 4-Life motto, saying in the Triple Threat, you're only in there as long as you uphold your end of the bargain. Douglas said he is going to get on a plane even if it explodes his sinuses and he'll be at ECW Arena and prove to his critics why he still belongs in the Triple Threat. Good promo...

(3) Chris Candido (w/Francine) beat Jamie Dundee at 5:20 after a top rope headbutt. The match was joined in progress. Styles made a lot of references to Seinfeld, comparing Dundee's comedy karate to Kramer in karate class and comparing Candido's fiance Sunny to Elaine...

[Q4]... (4) Rob Van Dam (w/Bill Alfonso) fought Mikey Whipwreck to a no contest so Van Dam retained the ECW TV Title. Van Dam is amazing to watch in terms of the inventive acrobatic highspots he uses. Mikey was a good bump machine for the bulk of the match. At 10:00 Sabu came to ringside and grabbed Van Dam's leg as he set up a chair to launch off of onto Mikey on a table at ringside. Sabu instead entered the ring and executed the move. Van Dam kicked Sabu from behind and then dove onto him at ringside.

They exchanged punches until Chris Candido ran out and began beating on Van Dam. Lance Storm eventually came out to save Van Dam. Styles plugged that the dream partners tag match with Storm & Van Dam vs. Candido & Sabu would be the TV main event next week. A throng of wrestlers ran into the ring to separate the brawling wrestlers. The ring eventually cleared of everyone but Van Dam and Sabu. Alfonso tried to make peace, but they went at it again leading to another pullapart as the show went off the air. Hot ending to a good show...

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