The ECW Digest - 29th September 2009
29/09/2009
Hello and welcome the all new ECW Digest.
We’re sticking with the new look for now as we’ve had some pretty positive feedback.
We’d still love to know what you think about the changes so please feel free to get in touch via the Contact Us page, or any of the usual email addresses.
On with the show!
Quick Links
Opening Segment: Regal’s In Charge
Segment 2: The Abraham Washington show with John Morrison
Match 1: Paul Burchill Vs. Shelton Benjamin
Segment 4: Christian Rallies The Troops
Main Event: Team Regal Vs. Team Christian
The ECW Digest
Opening Segment
Regal’s In Charge
ECW begins not with the usual title music but instead with William Regal.
Regal explains that Tiffany has been involved in a terrible car accident and although she will make a full recovery, she is at home tonight resting.
He goes on to explain that he has been made Interim General Manager for the night due to his past experience, although the board are not allowing him to make any sort of match pertaining to the ECW Championship, such as #1 contendership matches.
Regal wraps up the segment by saying that he has decided to make tonight’s 1 on 1 match between Christian & Zack Ryder a little more interesting, by placing Kozlov, Jackson and himself on Ryder’s Team to make it a 4 on 1 Handicap Match.
Segment 2
The Abraham Washington Show with John Morrison
Tony Atlas (who’s popularity seems to be growing with every chuckle that escapes the Hall of Famers lips) tells the crowd tonight’s guest will be Intercontinental Champion John Morrison before introducing Abe.
After some build up work Washington brings out Morrison. Morrison emerges sporting his new T-Shirt, which he plugs (I have to admit it’s a very nice shirt) before telling Atlas that he loves his laugh.
Morrison tells Washington he likes the show and after initially reacting with shock, Washington says everyone does.
Washington and Morrison talk about how he used to host The Dirt Sheet and the I.C Champ says if this was an episode of The Dirt Sheet that would make Tony Atlas The Miz.
Atlas delivers The Miz’s ‘I’m Awesome’ catchphrase then explodes into fits of infectious laughter, then Morrison apologises for making such a comparison as Atlas is a Hall of Famer and The Miz will never make it in there.
Morrison says The Miz reminds him of Ziggler because they are both delusional enough to think they will become champions at Hell in a Cell.
As Morrison continues to claim he will keep hold of the belt, Ziggler makes his way out and takes a seat at the other end of the sofa.
Washington says they are all out of time, but Ziggler goes to talk anyway, only to be cut down by another scathing ‘Mr. Ziggles’ comment from Morrison as the segment ends.
Segment 3
Regal Takes a Call
Backstage Regal is talking on his cell phone when Zack Ryder walks into his office.
After Regal finishes his rather heated conversation Ryder tells him that he appreciates the offer of help but he’s more than capable of handling Christian on his own.
Regal says he doesn’t care what he thinks, then explains that the Board of Directors aren’t happy with him changing the match and have changed it again.
The main event will now be a 4 on 4 match with Yoshi Tatsu, Tommy Dreamer and Goldust backing up the ECW Champion.
Ryder mutters something about none of this happening if Regal hadn’t interfered, then when Regal asks him if he is questioning his G.M abilities, responds with ‘You know it’ before walking out.
Match 1
Singles Match
Paul Burchill (w/Katie-Lea)
Vs.
Shelton Benjamin
As Shelton Benjamin made his way to the ring for this bout, Sheamus jumped him from behind.
After beat the hell out of him, The Celtic Warrior slid Shelton into the ring where the match began.
Burchill came straight out of the blocks fighting and dominated the match almost completely.
Benjamin landed the odd counter here and there but never looked like claiming a victory until he landed PayDirt completely out of the blue and grabbed a 3 count.
Shelton Benjamin wins by Pinfall.
Segment 4
Christian Rallies The Troops
Backstage Christian goes down the line of his team mates tonight, building them up for the main event.
He tells Dreamer he’s the heart and soul of ECW and they are going into war tonight.
He tells Tatsu he represents the New Blood on ECW and while they are all excited about his future, they need him to step up tonight. The pair then thank each other several times.
Finally, he tells Goldust that after all these years one word comes to mind; ‘freak’. But he’s still an important part of this team and he wants him to wrap things up right now.
Everyone puts their hands in and on 3 they all erupt into one of his ticks.
Main Event Match
8-Man Tag Team Match
Christian, Tommy Dreamer, Yoshi Tatsu & Goldust
Vs.
William Regal, Zack Ryder, Ezekiel Jackson & Vladimir Kozlov
It’s been a pretty sparse night as far as wrestling is concerned on ECW, and its a little worrying that there hasn’t been a ECW Championship match made for Hell in a Cell yet.
(Especially for me as I want to get my previews and predictions articles out of the way in anticipation of my copy of Fifa 10 arriving tomorrow.)
I’ve never been a huge fan of 8-Man tag matches, unless it’s a classic Survivor Series bout. It tends to be the case that none of the guys really get long enough to show what they are capable of, and you can bet your bottom dollar (or pound in my case) that at some point it’ll break down into a mass brawl.
That’s pretty much what happened in this one too, apart from the odd exception to the rule.
Yes it broke down into a mass brawl at the end, resulting in Christian delivering a plancha onto Jackson, Kozlov, Goldust and Dreamer while Tatsu picked up a big scalp by pinning Regal after catching him with a huge Kick.
However, unlike most 8-Man tag matches a few of the guys stood out and were able to show the potential they have, none moreso than Ezekiel Jackson.
Surprisingly Kozlov didn’t do too badly either, although he was never really in the match for an extended period of time, so there’s every chance he just got lucky.
Team Christian win by Pinfall.
