The ECW X-Press! 10/22/08

10/21/2008

 

Pre-show run-through:
Last week, there were only like…two matches.  Not bad matches, but not too great a show coming from them either.  Also, Boogeyman debuted…on RAW.  Slap to the face, anyone?  “Eh, who cares if he’s an ECW guy.  He doesn’t actually need to be on that show!”  Although that’s nothing new, recently.  So anyways, I’ve got to question why they’re still pushing Big Drippy when absolutely no one would vote for him to receive a title match?  Not that they shouldn’t make him look good, but there has still been no interaction between Hardy and the other two guys and we’re five days away.  Matt is still all about Henry.  Now yes, they just booked the choices last week, but still…

(opening video)

Speaking of ECW champion Matt Hardy, he kicks us off tonight.  I smell a Cyber Sunday promo!  This is good, if a little late.  Matt brushes off Evan and Finlay with petty compliments, and moves straight to Henry.  Oops, Matt fell off the bus on the above rant.  Matt says that Henry won’t be voted in because everyone hates his guts.  But Matt wants one more shot at proving he can beat Henry, so he whips out his cell phone…

…but Hornswoggle is out to stop the frivolous texting.  Oh wait…Finlay is with him, too.  Finlay points out that he’s been both an opponent and a partner to Matt recently, but he’s never fought him for the aluminum foil belt.  If voted in, that will change, as will the name on that belt.  Evan Bourne makes his entrance to join the powwow.  He says he won’t be overlooked.  Finlay says you have to be this tall to ride the ride, and you should outweigh the title by at least five pounds.  He’s one to talk, seeing as he’s had a tag title match with a leprechaun as his partner.  Bourne says Finlay can have the jokes, but he’d rather have the votes.  At this point, the circle is complete as Drippy steps onto the ramp.  He does his own talking, which is awesome because he’s actually a better promo than his manager.  He says they’ve all felt the wrath of the World’s Strongest Man before.  Tonight, in a triple threat, Bourne and Finlay will get dominated again.  And Matt will suffer the same fate Sunday.  Matt says that the vote is the only thing any of them will win.

(ads)

Jack Swagger vs. A Cruiserweight
Swagger takes down the jobber with a leg drag and a front chancery.  He sends him into two turnbuckles and hits a knee lift.  Sweet Doctor Bomb ends it quickly.
Winner:  Jack Swagger by Doctor Bomb @ 1:11

Well, one pointer.  There was a lot of dead space in this match, about two moves with any substance.  Just because Swagger is a heel now doesn’t mean he needs to spend half the match taunting and looking menacing.  I prefer vicious, quick, hard hitting heels unless they are good enough actors to really incorporate psychology, and I don’t know that Swagger is.  So just let him kick ass.  Not much of a match, overall.
Match Rating:  3.3/10

Todd Grisham asks Swagger what will happen when he crosses paths with the man he insulted last week, Tommy Dreamer.  Swagger responds “Tommy who?” and leaves.

Lena Yada is with The Miz and John Morrison.  Miz says that Lena should be texting her vote right now to see Miz and Morrison take on Cryme Tyme at Cyber Sunday.  Morrison says that Cryme Tyme stole a cell phone to text in their votes, but the owner cancelled the service, making Cryme Tyme completely useless.  Fortunately, Morrison’s abs alone will win them the vote.  Miz says that he should have been McCain’s running mate, because Sarah Palin wishes she appealed to women voters like he did.  Next:  Miz vs. Shad!

(ads)

One unfortunate problem with the otherwise awesome Striker is that he tends to make jokes he already used two months ago; he does so here with “why would the ups be angry?” in response to the phrase “mad ups”.  He makes up for it, however, by calling Mike Knox a “beardsman”.

Shad Gaspard vs. The Miz
Miz taunts Shad and shows off his ebonics skills.  He takes the advantage with some knee shots, but Shad nails big punches to send him reeling.  Then he completely botches a back body drop.  Miz dodges a corner charge and pounds away.  Shad reverses, back elbow, scoop slam.  Shad misses a clothesline and flies out of the ring, and Miz follows with a baseball slide.  Shad charges Miz and eats ring post.  Back inside and Miz cinches in an armbar.  Corner clothesline for Miz, and a hotshot to the arm on the ropes.  Miz with the hammerlock, but Shad heats up and deals out some clotheslines and a back elbow.  Big running shoulder block.  Morrison provides the distraction, but JTG trips up Miz in the ropes.   Shad gets one hell of a modified spinebuster for two, hits a big boot, and Morrison then hits his apron kick for a DQ.
Winner:  Shad Gaspard by DQ @ 4:53

Fair enough…I really don’t think it was necessary for one of these guys to lose here…Cryme Tyme needs momentum, but really neither of them should be beating either of MoMiz one on one.  So I think it worked fine.  The action was average…Miz was decent and Shad was a bit slow until he picked it up at the end.
Match Rating:  4.9/10

(ads)

Cena video package.  Why?  He’s never going to make an ECW appearance, like…ever.  I’ll be glad to see the big lug back, though.  We follow it up with a rundown of the voting options for Cyber Sunday.

Backstage, Ricky Ortiz flirts with Tiffany (as a go-go-dancer).  Hornswoggle comes in with a bag and lets them know he’s trick or treating by cutting a brilliant promo along the lines of “AH!  AH! AHHHHHHH!”  Teddy Long (w/ afro and mustache) gives him candy.  Hornswoggle wants more, or in his own words, “AHHHH!”  I hate Hornswoggle.

(ads)

Finlay vs. Evan Bourne vs. Big Drippy
Finlay and Bourne double team Henry with some kicks and clubs, and he whoops them both.  He tosses them both around for a while, rams Bourne into Finlay in the corner.  Finlay goes for a second rope crossbody, but gets caught and scoop slammed.  Finally, Bourne removes Henry from the equation by low bridging him to the outside.  Finlay hits a short arm clothesline on Bourne for one.  European uppercut and a big shoulder breaker for 2.  Fireman’s carry hotshot into a corner shoulder charge and another (stiff) European uppercut.  They work an extremely creative but shoddily executed spot where Bourne ranas Finlay into a head-to-head collision with Henry on the apron.  Bourne gets two on Finlay, then angry Drippy is back in.  Bourne charges Finlay and gets launches onto Drippy, who catches him in powerbomb position and (paying attention?) moonsault powerbombs him onto Finlay for two.  That was sublime.  Double clothesline from Henry.

(ads)

Henry returns with generic clobbering to both guys.  Bourne tries to fight back with punches, but eats a big headbutt.  Chop block and seated senton from Finlay.  Double baseball slide clears out Drippy again, and Finlay gets a massive lariat for two on Bourne, hits a backbreaker that looked suspiciously like Emerald Fusion, and scoop slams Bourne into the bottom rope.  Finlay then botches a powerbomb, but covers up well and gets two.  ~FINLAY ROLL and Drippy is back.  Finlay tries a crucifix on him, Bourne jumps on Henry’s front, and Drippy hits a World’s Wettest Slam to Bourne with Finlay on his back, damn impressive.  Henry misses a corner charge, and Finlay gets a DDT.  Henry with a back elbow and a big Irish whip into the turnbuckle, then of course there has to be midget action.  Geez.  Atlas throws Hornswoggle in, Henry sets him up for a World’s Wettest Slam, and Finlay makes the save with a chop block.  Shillelagh to Drippy.  Bourne comes out of nowhere for a double knee drop to Finlay!  SSP to Henry finishes!
Winner:  Evan Bourne by Shooting Star Press @ 10:35

I enjoyed it; one of Henry’s better outings in a while and they were pretty creative with it.  There was a bit of sloppiness throughout and Fit seemed off his game tonight, but it was still very solid.
Match Rating:  6.9/10

Overall Analysis: 
Not a half bad show, I think they sold their main point of emphasis (PPV buys) very well tonight with the main event.  It did seem like not quite enough was going on tonight, as we had several guys (Knox, Dreamer, Ortiz) that they tried to keep in the back of our minds, and that’s well and good, but those same guys have received the “back of our minds treatment” for a while now.  And for God’s sake, can we stop it with the midget stuff?   I don’t want to see a midget getting involved in a match every show unless he can do this…

 

 

 

Overall Show Grade: B-

 

And an update, the official and quickly growing Val Venis Fan Club List!

 

By the by, when I have more time on my hands I'm going to go through these names and remove the ones that aren't actually TWG wrestlers, so if you signed up under a different name let me know and I'll keep you official.  Hello ladies!

 

 

 

Discuss it on the wrestling forum

Comments

1. Comment #1

   Nice one man! Btw.. im a fan of Mr. Venis.. put me on the banner please :)

   Posted by KOD on Friday, October 24, 2008

2. Comment #2

   Great article as always Glide. But, Cena has made an appearence on ECW. It was the ECW after the Benoit death where he faced Johnny Nitro. Before the name change of course.
   And in that video, what is that quick flash f a man doing?

   Posted by The Stupifier on Friday, October 24, 2008

3. Comment #3

   i cant wait to see boogeyman come back on ECW... they need to quit holding it back and make him interfere in a match to spark a rivalry with someone which will end with a special stipulationed match after a while

   Posted by The Black Mamba on Friday, October 24, 2008

4. Comment #4

   Yo glide good article. And I'm a fan of Val Venis, so can i be in the fan club

   Posted by Lionman on Friday, October 24, 2008

5. Comment #5

   Yes, I'm aware Cena was on ECW when he was feuding with RVD. Doesn't mean he ever will be again. Thanks though.

   Posted by The Glide on Friday, October 24, 2008

6. Comment #6

   Yeah, my name's not a TWG Wrestler, it's actually Lord Satan, my satanic brother gave the wrestler to me xD I have been trying to change the name ever since :(
   
   All in all, good review glide, can't wait to see Evan Bourne vs Matt Hardy for the ECW Championship at Cyber Sunday

   Posted by Some Guy Who Fought The Big Show Once *lol* on Friday, October 24, 2008

7. Comment #7

   Oh yeah, TAKE WHITE RANGER OFFA THE CLUB! he kidnaps children. and that makes Val Venis look bad.

   Posted by Some Guy Who Fought The Big Show Once *lol* on Friday, October 24, 2008

8. Comment #8

   Nice article
   
   I love the big VV, add me to the club please

   Posted by The Master of Puppets on Friday, October 24, 2008

9. Comment #9

   No one beats The Big Valbowski! Sign me up! My name is "Namakubi"

   Posted by Namakubi on Friday, October 24, 2008

10. Comment #10

    Can you add me to the Val Venis club????? I am a fan

    Posted by "Freestyle" Chris Michaels on Friday, October 24, 2008

11. Comment #11

    put me in the val fan club

    Posted by Judas Desomas on Friday, October 24, 2008

12. Comment #12

    nice article, can you add me to the Val Venis fan club?

    Posted by Fulton on Friday, October 24, 2008

13. Comment #13

    what the hell sign me up in the club, after all he was fun in the 90's

    Posted by manuel taker on Friday, October 24, 2008

14. Comment #14

    You can add me to the fan club, Glide.
    
    *burns effigy of Hornswoggle*

    Posted by Jack Maverick on Friday, October 24, 2008

15. Comment #15

    Sign me up to the Val Venis club. Anyway about the article it was a good read. It better be Bourne vs Hardy at Cyber Sunday, and if it ain't, we all know that the voting is definetly rigged. Oh but that said Finlay might rack up some votes so..But if Mark Henry gets it well then.. :|

    Posted by The White Stallion on Friday, October 24, 2008

16. Comment #16

    sign me up to the VV club too!
    hardy and borne should have a good contest at cyber sunday, no matter how obvious it is to know who would win

    Posted by R.U.Sty on Friday, October 24, 2008

17. Comment #17

    I thought the Air-Bourne was one of the sweetest spots I've seen recently, or maybe I've just seen way too much crap that I enjoy small joys like that one. But way to go Matt Sydal! Now if only they had let others break out like that.
    
    Good report, as always, Glide. Thank God for Lena Yada. =)

    Posted by Dominic Korgath on Friday, October 24, 2008

18. Comment #18

    Air-Bourne will hopefully get his shot at Cyber Sunday :D
    
    Mr Venis' Biggest Fan
    Default Demon :)

    Posted by Default Demon on Friday, October 24, 2008

19. Comment #19

    I think hornswaggle's promo's are good (if you understand leprachorn language!)

    Posted by J Mysterio on Friday, October 24, 2008

20. Comment #20

    "by cutting a brilliant promo along the lines of “AH! AH! AHHHHHHH!”", i gatta say I lol'ed at that point, aha. Well done article, great disetion of the matches and i few comedic points, very well done sir.

    Posted by Edgehead on Friday, October 24, 2008

21. Comment #21

    I like Val Venis. Can you add me to his fan club?

    Posted by the mysterious one on Friday, October 24, 2008

22. Comment #22

    Don't add the mysterious one. He burns statues of Val Venis.

    Posted by Mr McPherson on Friday, October 24, 2008

23. Comment #23

    WOOO I'm on the banner. Thank you my good man, 1000 tacos shall be granted in your next life. Anyway, to ECW... not much to say cause there isn't much going on. They need to bring in more ENTERTAINERS (as they are now called under the WWE regime, they are EXTREAMISTS)and lengthen the show. Oh yes and bring back the EXTREAM in ECW!
    
    Oh and good luck to Evan (Matt Sydal) Bourne. Hope you are booked at Cyper Sunday

    Posted by Hobosnail on Friday, October 24, 2008

24. Comment #24

    not many matches in ecw, wheres the talent? i would never go into a val venis club, all he did was dance with a towel on him and lose so many times, i lost count, how boring.

    Posted by crazydude on Friday, October 24, 2008

25. Comment #25

    Please put me in the Val Venis Fan Club! Hitmanricks is my profile name, but on Wrestlinggame.com I am "the madman"

    Posted by hitmanricks on Saturday, October 25, 2008

26. Comment #26

    Oh wait, my name is on it! It's just mispelled!

    Posted by hitmanricks on Saturday, October 25, 2008

27. Comment #27

    Thanks for the subliminal photo in the midget GIF. [/sarcasm] Seriously, that was evil.

    Posted by Jack Power on Saturday, October 25, 2008

28. Comment #28

    Val Venis sux
    
    Randy Orton 4 life!!!!<33
    rKo<3
    

    Posted by Benny Rush on Saturday, October 25, 2008

29. Comment #29

    The standard of your reporting is absolutely subliminal. And thanks for adding me to the Val Club, looks cool to have my name on *NAKED DUDE!* there.

    Posted by Jane Ross on Sunday, October 26, 2008

30. Comment #30

    Hitmanricks > actually not misspelled, just muddled by the font size I think. I'll try to fix it.

    Posted by The Glide on Sunday, October 26, 2008

31. Comment #31

    BIG DRIPPY SUCKS

    Posted by NICK on Thursday, October 30, 2008

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