Tulsa, Oklahoma
July 1st 2008
Commentators: Tazz & Mike Adamle
Reported by: David Stephens of Wrestleview.com
ECW kicks off with a video recap of the three “ECW” title defenses that occurred at Night of Champions (Tag, US, and ECW). I spent my entire day at jury duty so I am thrilled to hear “Don’t Question My Heart” blare through my speakers. Sweet new opening video which includes Hardy, Henry, and Evan Bourne’s Shooting Star Press. Let’s get it on.
Justin Roberts is in the ring and introduces our NEW ECW Champion: Mark Henry. Who on the roster is possibly going to be able to beat him for this title? Mark Henry is on the mic and hails himself as the “savior of ECW”. Henry made sure that he kept the ECW title off RAW and where it belongs, right here on ECW. Henry lets us know that he is the epitome of what a champion is and nobody –
Tommy Dreamer accompanied by Colin Delaney decides to take this opportunity to interrupt our champion. Tommy lets him know that he wants the first shot at the title. Henry tells him that Dreamer was champion in 1998 and this is 2008. Mark Henry is the future. When Henry tells Dreamer and his “little friend” to leave, Dreamer decides to take the opportunity to put Colin over. No idea why. Dreamer then proceeds to go over the history of the ECW title. He highlights Tazz at ringside and asks Henry if he understands the blood and sacrifices made for that title. Henry tells Dreamer that he doesn’t deserve a title shot and that he has to earn it. Henry then backtracks and says alright you get a chance. Dreamer starts to say thank you and Henry says no, Colin gets the shot. If Colin wins, Dreamer gets a title shot. Delaney accepts and a solid squash fest should be occurring later on in the show. Mark Henry apparently can talk well on the mic.
Backstage we see Matt Hardy, Finlay, and Hornswoggle walking in the hallway and Hornswoggle shoots them with a water gun. This is the kind of thing that will become classic ECWoggle, I am so excited.
Up Next: Matt Hardy, Finlay & Hornswoggle v. Chavo Guerrero, Miz & Morrison
****Commercial****
We come back to ECW on Sci-Fi and the 6 men are making their respective entrances for the upcoming bout. This is the first time in a while I can remember ECW taking nearly 20 minutes to have its first match.
Matt Hardy, Finlay & Hornswoggle v. Chavo Guerrero, Miz & Morrison
Matt Hardy and Miz start things off in the ring. The fans quickly get behind Hardy as both men put on various hand holds and attempt to feel each other out. Hardy hits two consecutive shoulder blocks followed up with an arm drag which results in Miz locked up in an armbar. Miz manages to get Hardy in the corner and hits a couple hard punches but Hardy is able to whip him to the other corner and hit a splash followed by a quick bulldog. Miz kicks out of the quick pin attempt. Finlay tags in and after a swift uppercut Miz manages to work his way over to the corner and Morrison gets the tag in. John is probably regretting this because he is met be some vicious uppercuts as well as a neck breaker and butt flop. I haven’t come up for a better name for that move. Chavo tags in and throws Finlay to the outside. When Chavo goes for the baseball slide Finlay pulls up the apron and traps him within. Morrison and Miz try to come over for the save but Finlay chucks his son at them. No really, that’s exactly what happened. The ‘swoggle flew.
****Commercial****
As we come back, Chavo has Hardy held up in a headlock. Chavo pushes him into the corner and Miz gets in the tag. Quick snap suplex and a pin attempt but not even a one count. Miz wheelbarrows Hardy up, Morrison hits an elbow from the apron then tags in and hits another elbow over the rope onto Hardy. They should come up with a name for that so that I don’t have to type it out every week. Not that it matters, Tazz wouldn’t call it by name anyway. Hardy is held up in a Headlock and tries to break free but Miz gets in the tag and also applies a side headlock. Hardy finally manages to get out and hits a sunset flip for a pin attempt but no good. Miz hits a vicious clothesline but Hardy kicks out. Morrison gets the tag and Hardy is once again stranded in the middle of the ring with a headlock applied. Hardy is thrown into the corner and Morrison attempts a splash, but Hardy counters it into a side-effect!
Finlay gets in the incredibly super hot tag, and throws Chavo high up into the air when he attempts to clean house. Finlay hits a rolling Samoan drop onto Chavo. Morrison makes the save, but Hardy runs in and gives him a twist of fate. Hornswoggle hits a Tadpole splash. Bam Neely tries to interfere and Finlay nails him with the shelele. Finlay hits a Celtic Cross on Chavo for the pin!
Winners via Celtic Cross: Matt Hardy, Finlay & Hornswoggle
****Commercial****
As we come back we are shown a video recap of last night’s RAW. At this point you can just insert hands being thrown up into the air and shouts of joy to simulate my reaction. This now officially makes the 3rd moment in RAW history in which I have stood up and celebrated out of surprise (alongside Matt Hardy’s music being played at Edge’s wedding and Jericho’s return)
Backstage we see Tommy Dreamer telling Colin that he didn’t need to do this. Colin agrees but says that he knows how important the title is. Colin says that maybe he’s right, maybe there is no chance, but no one thought he would be in ECW and here he is.
We now cut to Teddy Long’s office in which a humongous fro is talking to him. There also appears to be a jacked wrestler under the hair, but I’m not certain. The fro thanks Teddy Long and Armando comes in to try and find out the status of his contract. Teddy eats him up a little and tells him that it is under review. He then let’s Armando know that he has started a new ECW talent initiate and introduces the fro as his first acquisition. The fro has a name: Atlas Ortiz, also a new diva escort. No name on her though. I’m pretty sure however that her name is NOT Kelly Kelly. Where has my girl gone?
****Commercial****
Armando Estrada v. Atlas Ortiz
Atlas apparently does not come down to the ring with his diva. Ortiz is very fast paced and attempts to take control but falls victim to a hammerlock. Atlas reverses this into a headlock. At this point we learn that Adamle at one time had an afro. If someone finds and e-mails me that picture I will mention you by name in the next column!
Back in the ring, Ortiz locks in another headlock and then hits a pretty solid body block onto Armando in the corner. He throws Estrada to the other corner and attempts another hit but Armando moves out of the way and slams Ortiz’s head down to the mat. Soon thereafter Armando starts working on Atlas’ arm. Armando appears to be getting a little cocky as he smashes Atlas’ hand everywhere. Ortiz gets flipped over and is locked into a wristlock. Atlas attempts to power out but Armando pulls his hair and throws Ortiz down to the mat. Once again Armando locks in a wristlock. According to Adamle it is legal now in the NFL to pull someone’s hair to pull them down if it is sticking out of their helmet. That’s legitimately interesting. Thanks Adamle!
Armando is yanking back Atlas’ arm and has him dead in the center of the ring. I’m confident this is the longest we have ever seen him wrestle. Atlas is able to get out and hits three arm drags. He manages to power up and hits a dropkick that had impressive elevation. Armando attempts a clothesline, but Atlas counters into a backslide pin for the 1..2..3.
Winner via Backslide: Atlas Ortiz
****Commercial****
Mark Henry v. Colin Delaney
Mark Henry is laughing and Colin is looking very worried. Tazz and Adamle warn us not to blink so as to not miss this match. Colin ducks the first punch attempt but finds himself backed into a corner. He somehow dodges and launches into several punches. Henry grabs his head and chucks him to the ground twice. Henry steps on Colin’s hair and lifts his arms up. That’s gotta hurt. Mark Henry has the full advantage now and after a couple punches it is pretty much all she wrote. But wait, Colin dodges and finds his mark with an elbow drop and hits a dropkick but a clothesline takes him back down to the mat. Henry head butts Colin and then picks him up and just throws him up into the air. That had to be an 8 foot drop down to the mat. Colin is an awesome ragdoll. Henry hits the World’s Strongest Slam, and that’s the end of the match.
Winner via World’s Strongest Slam: Mark Henry
After the match Tommy Dreamer came into the ring to check on Colin and stares menacingly at Mark Henry.
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