The ECW X-Press: 11/11/08

11/11/2008

Pre-show run-through:
World Wrestling Entertainment has come to terms on the release of Elijah Burke as of Nov. 10, 2008. WWE wishes him the best in all future endeavors.

Yup, you had to know this was coming from me. A week after I moaned how Burke would have been an automatic upgrade over Bam Neely, Ricky Ortiz, and Mark Henry, here I am mourning the future endeavoring of the Black Pope. Well, as far as ranting goes, there’s not that much to say…there are really only about four people on ECW who I feel are better overall performers than Elijah Burke (Miz, Morrison, Bourne, and Finlay for the record). Note I didn’t include Matt Hardy on that list. I don’t hate Hardy but his title run has been largely uninteresting and in terms of my esteem, he’d probably be on a level plane with Burke if both were given equal opportunities. Meanwhile, list off the rest of the talent (Henry, Swagger, Dreamer, Ortiz, Boogeyman, Spears, Estrada, and even Chavo, who I have some degree of respect for) and I really think that all of them deserved to be sent packing more than Elijah Burke. I’ll stop now, though I could go on…but on the good side, this allows me to unveil a new feature…

Hell yes.

We start off with a quick package of thanks for the troops. I’m a big fan of WWE’s constant armed forces support. We then get a hype package for Hardy vs. Finlay tonight.

(opening video)

We begin the show the greatest way possible, that is to say, Morrison’s entrance. ‘This team is more cocky than a rooster farm!” – Grish while Swagger is entering the ring.

John Morrison, The Miz, & Jack Swagger vs. Cryme Tyme and Tommy Dreamer
Dreamer wants Swagger, but gets Miz instead. Miz does the Miz Clubbering, but Dreamer hits a rolling elbow smash and tags in JTG, who hits a leapfrog legdrop bulldog and a flipping shoulder tackle. Swagger gets in to lay some punches into JTG, but gets dropkicked twice. Swagger asks for Dreamer to tag in, but Shad does instead and goes crazy with punches and a body block. Swagger gets a big scoop slam but Shad throws him to the outside. Miz n’ Morrison in, and Shad sends them out too, and gorilla presses JTG onto Swagger. Dreamer with a somersault senton from the apron (!) onto Miz and Morrison. Let me repeat that. Dreamer with a somersault senton from the apron!! I mean…my god. Tommy is clearly better than you.

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Morrison hits a neckbreaker to JTG. He works a neck wrench, drop toe hold, Miz is in. Double gutbuster, and a front leg sweep. Swagger nails a suplex, and some clubs to the back. Morrison drops some elbows and mounted punches. Backslide for JTG. Off the ropes, JTG gets the sick sliding uppercut to set up a tag to Dreamer. ~MORRISON FLIP CLOTHESLINE! Down goes Swagger, Miz is in, Morrison to the corner, Miz whipped into him, bulldog to Miz! Pump handle suplex to Morrison! STO to Miz from Shad! Swagger clubs Shad from the ring, sweet Doctor Bomb to JTG. Dreamer DDT to Swagger! AHHHH! Morrison whiffs on a springboard enziguiri, Dreamer DDT is then countered into a ~MOONLIGHT DRIVE for the duke!
Winner: Morrison & Co by Moonlight Drive @ 6:56

This match worked in all the right ways. First off, the Dreamer-Swagger interaction was class. They made you WANT to see them face off in the Extreme Rules match that’s inevitably coming. That’s fantastic. Now, considering the guys involved, it was hard to go wrong unless Dreamer was having one of his ‘old and fat’ days. He clearly was NOT, tag team matches are an ideal situation for him because he can let someone else do the selling, then run wild, and it worked…Dreamer looked like he should be opening Wrestlemania tonight. Morrison was fab as ever, Miz was a bit off but on the other hand didn’t get much ring time. Very impressed with JTG, but then I always have been. The finisher fest was epic and well executed, the best wrestler in the match picked up the win, simply enough, this match is a WINNER.
Match Rating: 7.3/10

Matt Hardy is backstage with a magical camera that lets him talk to Grish. He says that he expects a brutal match with the man who loves to dance…err…fight. He hopes Finlay pulls out all the stops, because he’ll need all the luck the Irish could muster on his side.

We get video game footage of Finlay vs. Hardy.

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Cena video package. I’m really looking forward to his return (yes, I am an unabashed Cena tolerator), though if he beats Jericho before we know he’s healthy I riot.

Big Drippy vs. British Jobber #3
Henry nails an elbow, kick, club, choke, kick, knee, kick, corner clubbing. He misses a corner splash, hits a clothesline, World’s Wettest and that’s it.
Winner: Big Drippy by World's Wettest Slam @ 1:27

Okay, it was fine for what it was. But the innate problem with Henry is that he doesn’t tend to feud with people well…outside of his ECW title run, for the last five years he’s been completely a ‘squash jobbers until we need him to lose to a bigger star’ guy, and I’m afraid he’s right back to square one.
Match Rating: 3.3/10

Grish asks Drippy who will win the title match tonight. Henry breathes for several minutes and then leaves. Great segment!

We get a Tale of the Tape, which they should do more often. I had to laugh at them billing Finlay as 6’2”, though.

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Finlay (w/ Hornswoggle) vs. Matt Hardy (ECW Title Match)

Full minute of the lockup/staredown connection. Headlock for Finlay is countered into a hammerlock, then Finlay with a hammerlock of his own. Big shoulder block for Fit. Headlock takedown for Hardy. Finlay works the face, elbow smash, European uppercut, and a short arm clothesline. As they run the ropes, Matt Hardy realizes that it’s time for…

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…so he throws Finlay out of the ring. Minutes later, he nails a corner clothesline and bulldog for two. Hornswoggle distracts Hardy as he goes for the Twist, Finlay throws Matt to the post and Hornswoggle jumps off the apron and injures himself. Finlay stares at Horny for a minute, then Hardy comes outside, gets trapped in the apron and clubbed to death. Finlay brings Hardy back in only to baseball slide him back out. Lariat on the outside. He locks in a headlock. Fit nails some stiff punches, takes Hardy outside again, and looks to do something on the steel steps, but gets thrown into the barricade. Finlay keeps in control with a shot to the throat, and hits another lariat.

(more ads)

Finlay nails some shoulder thrusts, but Hardy hits a Side Effect from nowhere for two. Second Side Effect for two! Third Side Effect is blocked and Finlay with a schoolboy for two. Twist countered with a backslide for two! Seated senton by Finlay for two. ~FINLAY ROLL, which an overexcited Grish calls the Celtic Cross, gets two. Striker is all, “Silly Grish. I should just clone myself and comment ECW with the two of me.” Meanwhile, Hardy hits a piss-ant Alabama Slam for two. Scoop slam, and a moonsault for a very close two! Finlay nails a stiff body block for a nearfall, but Hardy gets a foot on the rope. As both get up, random Twist of Fate for three!
Winner: Matt Hardy by Twist of Fate @ 12:05

Fantastic match. Finlay is awesome, this is not any man’s opinion, just a fact of life. Hardy is still great against the right guys, and Finlay is at the top of the ‘right guys’ list. I didn’t think much would be able to top the opener, but this did. Mad props. It started out a little slow, but when you’ve got two middle-heavyweights who can mat wrestle decently well, a slow start to a fast finish is NOT necessarily a problem, and it wasn’t here. Good counter wrestling, great finish, and minimal leprechaun crap. Ace of a match.
Match Rating: 8.5/10

Overall Analysis:
Simply put, I’m quite willing to overlook the black hole of a Big Drippy match in light of two other fan-damn-tastic matches. What’s more, angle advancement was flawless tonight, as we moved along storylines for Miz/Morrison/Cryme Tyme as well as Dreamer/Swagger, we also introduced the “what will Drippy do next” and “who will challenge Hardy now” questions, and all was good. Personally, if I’m booking the next month of ECW, it’s going to see Hardy feuding with Miz and Morrison simultaneously, Finlay feuding with Drippy, and Dreamer and Swagger stretching out their issues.
Overall Show Grade: A

Bonus Section:

The Glide’s Top 10: Top 10 Entrance Videos That I Can’t Resist Youtubing When I’m Bored

Special Mention 1: Kurt Angle, “I Don’t Suck (Really)”. Not an entrance Kurt usually used, but it was a hilarious play on the equally hilarious You Suck chants.
Special Mention 2: JBL, “Longhorn”. Yeah, about the only reason I would ever root for JBL to win a match is so I could hear it again. MOOOO!
Special Mention 3: Stone Cold Steve Austin, “Glass Shatters”. Who doesn’t love the shattering glass?

#10: Elijah Burke, “Don’t Waste My Time”.

#9: Teddy Long, “Mack Militant”. This song has just always made me sit up and notice.
#8: Shawn Michaels, “Sexy Boy”. For entrance quality and overall showmanship, it’s near the top. It’s a little fruity to just listen to on your computer without a wrestling show being ongoing, though…
#7: Christian Cage (TNA), “Take Over”. This is a really special theme song, considering I watch TNA 2 or 3 times a year and it still makes me remember it. I’m honestly not sure if I can think of the tune of any other TNA entrance, but Christian’s always does it for me.
#6: Rob Van Dam, “One of a Kind”. You’d better believe I marked the hell out when this song hit at the RAW whatchamacallit reunion.
#5: Edge, “Metalingus”. I just dare anyone to find a level on which Edge isn’t awesome. Music isn’t one of them, as his entrance rocks with the best of them.
#4: John Morrison, “Ain’t No Make Believe.” Best entrance in wrestling today, and that makes it among the best songs.
#3: Triple H, “The Game”. Actually (hate on me as you will), I hate Triple H’s entrance with a passion because it wastes an enormous portion of air time. But there’s no denying the song is class.
#2: Rob Conway, “Just Look At Me”. Seriously, just try listening to this song multiple times without getting it stuck in your head forever. Just try!
#1: Shane McMahon, “Here Comes the Money”. This song and the accompanying dance is one of my favorite things about wrestling.

Discuss it on the wrestling forum

Comments

Comment #1

Great article Glide. But why did you add the Swagger/Dreamer segment from last week?

And Orton's current Entrance should be at the top

Posted by The Stupifier on Thursday, November 13, 2008
Comment #2

Beautiful stuff Glide, but isn't a portion of it copied from last week?

The Jack Swagger promo, or am I in a time warp?

Posted by Vince on Thursday, November 13, 2008
Comment #3

"Just..look at me"
Shoot, Glide. Warn me better.
Great top ten, good article as always.
I feel bad about Burke too, as I was singing his praises last week as well.
-TPP

Posted by The Philadelphia Phighter on Thursday, November 13, 2008
Comment #4

Ha. I was wondering why my article was 2100 words. Errors are fun.

Can't say that I really care for Orton's entrance. It's growing on me little by little, but right now I'm somewhere between 'apathy' and 'muted tolerance'.

Posted by The Glide on Thursday, November 13, 2008
Comment #5

thanks now i don't have to spend an hour wasting my time watching it

cheers glide

Posted by schembro on Thursday, November 13, 2008
Comment #6

Well done sir! Nice bonus feature put you over teh top, short and sweet while getting your opinion across, and backing it up. grade: A

Posted by EdgeHead on Thursday, November 13, 2008
Comment #7

btw, Morrison and Edge ftw

Posted by EdgeHead on Thursday, November 13, 2008
Comment #8

DAMMIT GLIDE, I NOW HAVE THAT STUPID ROB CONWAY SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD

AHHHHHHHHHH IT HURTS

Posted by Schembro - With a Headache on Thursday, November 13, 2008
Comment #9

Loved it like usual, love your use of the Big Drippy nickname

Posted by Sam Russell on Thursday, November 13, 2008
Comment #10

Good stuff as ever, Glide. Glad to know there's still an ECW worth watching every now and then to make your job meaningful.

Posted by Dominic Korgath on Thursday, November 13, 2008
Comment #11

Dominic,, if you think this ECW is still worth watching you have had a VERY misguided youth. Bring back extream rules. Bring back the 'Extreamists'. Get rid of Big Drippy.

Posted by Hobosnail on Thursday, November 13, 2008
Comment #12

The AJ Styles original theme "I Am" gets used to get me pretty damn psyched before each of his matches.

Posted by WheelinAnDeelin on Thursday, November 13, 2008
Comment #13

Its shows like this where I would like to remember the good old days... the original ECW... and today... Tommy showed some highlights... very few, but nevertheless... today I didn't want to switch the E...C...W chant when he does tht turnbuckle dropkick to O...A...P. I want extream again.

Posted by Hobosnail on Thursday, November 13, 2008
Comment #14

FFS I time warped again, I should b behind The Glide not infront of ECW's solution (which is something it needs at the moment)

Posted by Hobosnail on Thursday, November 13, 2008
Comment #15

Awesome Article dude.
Lol, An "A" for ECW? Never seen that before...I probably should have watched it this time..anyways..good job.

I totally agree with ALL of those entrances.

Posted by KOD on Thursday, November 13, 2008
Comment #16

I know the perfect solution to fix ECW.

Besides getting rid of drippy, Bring back the best stable/faction/group or whatever you want to câ™ all them bring back EXTREME Expose

Posted by ecw's solution on Thursday, November 13, 2008
Comment #17

Good Show, Good Review, but were is the Val Venis Fan Club?

Posted by The Demon on Thursday, November 13, 2008
Comment #18

Lol, I'll TRY to bring back the Val list next week. I just haven't been arsed lately to check who wants in and update it, so I haven't posted it.

Posted by The Glide on Thursday, November 13, 2008
Comment #19

just 3 things glide:
1. good article
2. where was the Val Venis list?
3. why in the blue hell wasnt the undertaker entrance in the ranking? seriously, you have teddy long there :P

Posted by manuel taker on Saturday, November 15, 2008
Comment #20

Val list will be back soon.

A) it's my ranking of favorite videos, not necessarily entrances
B) I hate Taker's entrance, as with any entrance that wastes over two minutes of airtime

Posted by The Glide on Saturday, November 15, 2008
Comment #21

I hate "the game" song, "king of kings" is alot better (in my opinion) and good job Glide, it was good

Posted by Crazy Steve on Sunday, November 16, 2008
Comment #22

my entrace song is voices by rev theraoy

Posted by wackerr on Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Comment #23

nice job Glide.i think cm punks music shoudl be in there though.:p overall:A-. nice piece Glide.

Travis Terror

Posted by Travis Terror on Thursday, November 20, 2008
Comment #24

aww! no burke?

Posted by luke on Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Comment #25

boyaka is the best!?!?!?!
619 o hey!
rey rocks

Posted by luke on Tuesday, November 25, 2008

The ECW X-Press: 11/11/08

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