8/26 ECW - Live from Wilkes-Barre, PA

As was the case for last night's Monday Night Raw, the Wachovia Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania is the site for tonight's episode of Extreme Championship Wrestling. The opening theme plays, followed by a large pyro, as the crowd goes crazy in anticipation for tonight's episode of ECW.

Right to the action, Chavo Guerrero's music hits, and the former ECW Champion and his bodyguard Bam Neely make their way to the ring. The cheers that were heard in the crowd have turned to boos, and they continue once Mike Knox's music hits, and Knox makes his way to the ring. The crowd is uplifted, however, as Finlay's music hits, and he and his son Hornswoggle make their way to the ring, handing out blow-up hammers to kids in the crowd. Ricky Ortiz's music plays next, and the undefeated newcomer makes his way to the ring swinging his "rally towel". Following him is Evan Bourne, another newcomer, who has quickly gotten on the good side of the ECW crowd with his high-flying antics. Bourne and Chavo start the match, with Bourne looking for revenge on Chavo and Bam after the beat down they gave him last week. Evan gets the better of Chavo early, and tags in his partner Finlay to inflict further damage to Chavo. However, the heels in the match start to distract the referee and take cheap shots, and they are able to isolate Finlay to their side of the ring. ECW heads to commercial as Finlay struggles to make a tag.

*** COMMERCIAL BREAK ***

Back to the action, and Chavo, Bam, and Knox are still in control of the match and Finlay. Knox, who has been involved in a rivalry with Finlay over the past couple weeks, goes to work on 'The Fighting Irishmen' with Ortiz and Bourne trying to rally Finlay to make a tag. Finlay is eventually able to break free, and comes close to making a tag, but Knox is able to pull him back to his team's side of the ring. After struggling more, Finlay is finally able to tag in Ortiz, who comes into the match for the first time. Ortiz gets the better of Knox, but Knox is able to roll out of the way of Ortiz's finishing splash, "The Big O". Both men make tags, and Evan Bourne and Bam Neely come into the match. The two go back and forth, and Neely tries to clothesline Bourne but misses and hits the referee! All hell breaks lose in the ring, but Finlay is able to come in and deliver finishing blows to all three men with his shillelagh. Finlay then revives the referee, and almost simultaneously, Evan Bourne hits "The Shooting Star Press" to pick up the win for his team. The three victors celebrate in the ring, while Chavo, Bam, and Knox make their way up the entrance ramp, holding their chests after the blows they took from Finlay's shillelagh.

ECW then heads backstage, where John Morrison and The Miz are seen chatting backstage. Tiffany, ECW General Manager Theodore Long's personal assistant, then walks up to the former WWE Tag Tag Team Champions and tells them that Long wants to see them in his office immediately. The two look confused, and head to Long's office as ECW heads to commercial.

*** COMMERCIAL BREAK ***

ECW returns from commercial break, and a "Raw Rebound" package plays. The video package highlights last night's Main Event contest of John Cena and Batista versus Chris Jericho and John "Bradshaw" Layfield, and the events that happened before the match even began. Cena and Batista are shown in the locker room, and both Jericho and Layfield are shown threatening to no-show the match. Highlights of the match are then shown, with Batista and Cena looking strong in their victory.

The Miz and John Morrison are now in Long's office, wondering what they could have been called for. Long asks the two why they did what they did to Tommy Dreamer last week, stating what they did was cruel and uncalled for. The Miz tells Long that neither he nor Morrison has to tell him anything. Long threatens to put the two in a match tonight, but says he can't with the ECW Championship match coming up. Long tells the duo that if he sees another brutal beat down on Tommy Dreamer similar to last week's, he'll have to take action.

"Live for the Moment" then blares through the loudspeakers, and the #1 Contender for the ECW Championship makes his way to the ring to an enormous pop from the crowd. Fans throughout the arena are holding up Hardy's "V1" hand gesture, as Hardy makes his way to the ring, ready for his second chance at the ECW Championship. ECW heads to commercial.

*** COMMERCIAL BREAK ***

ECW returns as Matt Hardy stands in the ring, looking confident. "Somebody's Gonna Get It" then plays, and the ECW Champion, Mark Henry, makes his way to the ring with his manager, Tony Atlas. Tony Chimel does the pre-match introductions, and the highly anticipated match finally gets underway. Matt takes control of the match early, not letting Henry catch his breath as Matt goes on a quick offensive. Matt looks like he is going to win almost as quickly as he did at SummerSlam, but he loses control after trying for a "Twist of Fate", only to be reversed to the ropes and then be on the receiving end of a monstrous clothesline. From that point forward, Mark began to dominate Matt with his size and power advantage. After hitting Matt with a back breaker, Mark used his weight to his advantage, and walked right on top of Matt, taking the wind right out of his lungs. ECW heads to commercial as Mark is in complete control of the match.

*** COMMERCIAL BREAK ***

ECW comes back from commercial, and Mark Henry is still in control of his ECW Championship match against Matt Hardy. Henry applies a bear-hug on Hardy, but Hardy is able to escape after enduring grueling pain. Mark then stomps on Matt, and then nails him with a big running splash. All appeared lost for Hardy, and all the referee had to do was count three... but Hardy kicks out! There's new life in the #1 Contender! Hardy then gets to his feet, and gives Henry one punch, followed by another, then another, but Henry is done playing around; he kicks Hardy in the gut, and sets him up for "The World's Strongest Slam". He lifts Hardy high in the air, showing why he is "The World's Strongest Man", but Hardy is able to reverse the move into a "Side Effect"! Hardy covers but can only draw a two count. Hardy, feeling he may be able to steal a victory and the championship here, waits for Henry to get up, holding up "V1" on his right hand. Henry gets up, and Hardy kicks him in the gut, trying for a "Twist of Fate". Henry pushes Hardy off, and then kicks him in the gut, trying for another "World's Strongest Slam". Hardy is able to avoid this one too, and again tries for a "Twist of Fate", and he connects! Hardy covers, but Tony Atlas breaks up the pin! The referee calls for the bell as Atlas has once again cheated Hardy out of the ECW Championship. Chants of "You Suck" can be heard from almost everyone throughout the Wachovia Arena, as Henry and Atlas make their way up the entrance ramp with Henry's ECW Championship still in his possession. ECW fades out as Hardy is shown in the ring, infuriated by the actions of Mark Henry's manager, Tony Atlas.

---------------

Quick Results:

Evan Bourne, Ricky Ortiz, and Finlay w/ Hornswoggle df. Chavo Guerrero, Bam Neely, and Mike Knox

Matt Hardy df. Mark Henry w/ Tony Atlas by disqualification (Henry retains the ECW Championship)

​

 

Very nice to start to the night with Punk vs. Regal, which would be a big time match. Really enjoyed it, maybe a little too tough of a challenge, as you want Punk to look good, but a hard fought match can only do wonders for him. Really liked this match, superb start to the show.

Big time main event for tonight. A little weird that Cena and Batista just put their differences aside, but I see them re opening their wounds tonight, and cannot see them co-existing. Although their going to have to to beat Y2J and JBL.

I'm all for seeing DiBiase and Rhodes on the show as they are your tag team champs, but Hacksaw Jim Duggan and the King as opponents, just doesn't do it for me. Their credibility has gone down over the years, and it's a kind of weak victory for the champs. Nice little match, served it's purpose though, and put the champs over a veteran tag team.

Great of Adamle to tell JBL that if he no shows, he's out of the match at Unforgiven. Punk vs. JBL would be nice though, maybe see that down the line. The 4 Way at Unforgiven is gonna be awesome, and a very in character promo here of JBL wanting the title shot and then threating to walk out.

No surprise here that Beth retained over Mickie, as she just started her reign. Gonna be interesting to see where you go with Phoenix because in other threads, she completely dominates. Who her credible contender could be will be enticing.

Wow, this has to be a the most un popular main event in a long time on RAW. No one wants to compete in it. The Texas Death Match is going to be nothing short of brutal. Interesting to see Y2J as Kane's replacement, maybe Kane shows up, and ruins the entire Main Event? That's my prediction.

Marella picking up the win over D-LO! Nice to see him back, hope it's more than a one time deal. Kofi/Marella is gonna be a nice little contest for Unforgiven, with an already loaded main event portion of the show.

Real intense promo from Jericho right there, holding the fans accountable for what he's gonna do to Michaels. Like I have mentioned, that match is going to be brutal, really hope you can make a great match out of it, as it has all the potential in the world. Main Event up next!

Decent Main Event a few weeks before Unforgiven. Interesting to see Batista win with the Spinebuster, nice to see him establish another finisher. Surprised that Jericho wasn't the one to take the fall, as he has nothing to do with the rivalry, but Jericho still stays hot going into the brutal match. Spells trouble for JBL if Cena and Batista are on the same page come Unforgiven.

Overall, I liked it. Love the big time matches for Unforgiven. Hopefully you don't go overboard, and you keep it realistic in terms of matches. Looking forward to the Texas Death Match more than anything, maybe have that as the Main Event?

 

8/29 Friday Night Smackdown Preview - A Giant Ace in the Hole

Last week on Smackdown, Edge, in control of the Main Event, pitted The Undertaker against bitter rivals, Triple H and the Great Khali in a handicap match. The two men who fought for the WWE Championship could not put their differences aside, and began to brawl during the match! Edge then came down to force a disqualification, and he and Khali managed to take out both Triple H and Undertaker. This week's Main Event will pit this new alliance against the two men they beat down last week, Triple H and The Undertaker. Will all hell break loose with all four of these men in the ring?

Last week, Jeff Hardy was given a tag team match against Shelton Benjamin and M.V.P., but the arrogant duo beat down Jeff before the match could even take place. Matt Hardy, who was supposed to be Jeff's tag partner, attempted to avenge his brother, but he was also the victim of a beat down by these two men. Jeff was able to make a save before things got out of control, but with his brother in the middle of an ECW Championship feud, who will Jeff go to for backup?

In Divas tag team action last week, Maryse and Natalya were able to defeat Maria and Divas' Champion, Michelle McCool, for the second week in a row! This week, Maria will face Maryse in singles action, and if Maryse wins, she will get a Divas' Championship match at Unforgiven! Will Maryse be able to defeat Maria and become the #1 Contender?

Plus, rumor has it that The Big Show is not happy about the way he has been used as of late. 'The World's Largest Athlete' feels he should be one of the top commodities on Smackdown, and is said to be infuriated with Smackdown General Manager Vickie Guerrero. What does Big Show want, and will Vickie Guerrero give in to his demands?

All this and more on Friday Night Smackdown!​