205 Live
Date: February 26, 2021
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

Another week, another 205 Live and I’m not sure how excited I can be about that. Hopefully this week winds up being a little better than usual because there isn’t much else to say about the whole thing. You never know what you might get out of this week’s show, but there is always a potential upside to the whole thing. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Mansoor/Curt Stallion vs. Ever-Rise

Stallion and Martel start things off with Parker taking him up against the ropes and then getting in a shove. That earns Martel a headlock takeover and then a shoulder gives Stallion one. It’s off to Mansoor vs. Parker as we continue the back to back first gears. Parker grabs a headlock but Mansoor reverses into one of his own. Stallion comes back in to keep up the headlocking and an elbow to the face gets two. It’s already back to Mansoor for two off a suplex, followed by a double armdrag to put both of them down at once.

Hold on though as here are the Bollywood Boyz to give Ever-Rise a pep talk, despite Ever-Rise not seeming interesting. Back in and a blind tag lets Martel come back in to powerbomb Mansoor and another blind tag lets Martel break up a sunset flip. Parker misses a step up elbow drop though and Stallion comes back in to start cleaning house. Stallion’s top rope splash hits raised knees as everything breaks down. Sweet Taste drops Mansoor and there’s a big boot to Stallion. Not that it matters though as the Boyz accidentally distract Parker and Mansoor grabs a rollup for the pin at 9:33.

Rating: C. This was fine again but the big question now is where we go with the Boyz vs. Ever-Rise. They have been doing these things for months now but with nothing in the way of a big show, it can be hard to figure out where this kind of thing is going to end. I’m sure the blowoff match is going to work well, though I’m not sure where it is actually going to take place.

We look back at Ariya Daivari and Tony Nese attacking August Grey and then beating him in last week’s main event.

Tony Nese vs. August Grey

Ariya Daivari and Jake Atlas are here too. Nese takes him down by the leg to start but gets reversed into an armbar. That’s broken up for a standoff and it’s Grey grabbing a slam but having to go after Daivari. Nese’s baseball slide doesn’t work but he gets in a cheap shot to the throat to take over. Back in and the Lionsault gets two so Grey is right back up with the spinning high crossbody for two of his own.

Nese grabs the gutwrench powerslam to take over again and we hit the bodyscissors. That doesn’t work either as Grey fights up with a jawbreaker into a neckbreaker. Nese catches him on the top but misses the 450. That’s enough to get Daivari on the apron so Grey can be tossed outside, meaning Daivari knocks Atlas silly. There’s the suicide dive from Grey to take out Nese and it’s So Much Prettier to finish Nese at 7:13.

Rating: C. Another completely watchable match which isn’t exactly something I would want to see again, or that I’m going to remember in the next five minutes or so. That is the problem with most of the matches on this show and that was the problem again here. I’m sure that is going to set up another tag match or something, because that’s how these shows always work on this show.

Overall Rating: C-. This was one of those shows that wasn’t exactly thrilling and didn’t make me want to keep watching in the future. That’s a common problem on this show and it keeps happening time after time. What on here is supposed to make me come back? The low level tag teams fighting each other? Another old vs. new tag match? I’d hope they can come up with something better, but I’ve been waiting for that one way too long now.

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ECW on Sci Fi
Date: September 26, 2006
Location: Convention Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Commentators: Tazz, Joey Styles

Things are starting to round into form around here, but the question is whether or not that is a good thing. There are some parts of the show that work well enough, but there are so many that don’t and it is showing badly. As usual, this is likely going to depend on the guest star so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Here’s Jim Ross as the special guest. JR is glad to be here and talks about how he got his start in this very building. He says ECW reminds him of Mid-South and here’s Matt Striker to interrupt. Striker is out here on Paul Heyman’s behalf because he knows JR is uneducated. JR is wearing a blue shirt because he is blue collar and probably enjoys drinking ALCOHOL! Just like Sandman! Striker criticizes the cowboy hat (fair) so here’s Sandman to clean house, with JR getting a cane shot to Striker’s back. JR toasts Sandman, who is getting a title shot against Big Show tonight.

Hardcore Holly is ready to show Rob Van Dam what extreme is.

Hardcore Holly vs. Rob Van Dam

Extreme Rules. Van Dam throws him hard into the corner for a running elbow and a superkick puts Holly on the floor. That lets Rob hit the spinning kick to the back over the barricade and it’s table time. As usual, that takes too long and Holly jumps him from behind and stomps away in the corner. We hit the reverse chinlock, with some EXTREME closeups of Van Dam’s face.

Van Dam makes it to the ropes so Holly runs him over again. Holly goes out to the apron to suplex him through the table and we take a break. Back with Holly’s back sliced to shreds with a HORRIBLE looking gash near his side. The fans even chant for him as he drops Van Dam’s throat across an open chair. A middle rope legdrop onto a chair onto Van Dam’s face has Holly writhing in pain as there is so much blood on Holly’s back. Van Dam is back with a suplex onto the chair, making the blood flow even harder.

There’s a monkey flip out of the corner as Holly is probably ready to kill Van Dam for every one of these moves. The chair is skateboarded into Holly’s face but he counters another monkey flip into a powerbomb onto the chair for two. Van Dam kicks him down again and tries the Five Star, only to get the chair thrown into his face. The Alabama Slam is broken up so Holly punches him in the face but staggers a bit. Back up and the Van Daminator sets up the Five Star for a delayed pin, allowing Holly to head off for a transfusion.

Rating: B. Holly deserves all the credit in the world for this one as no one would have held it against him for stopping the match. That was one of the more gruesome injuries I have seen in a very long time and it was hard to watch this more than once. Heck of an effort, but it probably should have been stopped for his own good.

Medics are IMMEDIATELY in the ring to cover the wound and Holly gets a big and well deserved standing ovation.

CM Punk explains straightedge and wants tougher competition. Kelly Kelly comes in and mentions EXTREME Strip Poker in two weeks. She swoons over his tattoos and mentions being 19 but here’s Mike Knox to take her away. Threats are made and Punk says he’s ready whenever.

John Cena has a wife in the Marine.

Ariel vs. Francine

Extreme Catfight. Before the match, Ariel talks about how horrible Francine’s life is and how much she’ll wish to be with Kevin Thorn. The fight is on with Ariel losing some clothes until Thorn comes in to pull Francine off. Balls Mahoney come sin for the save and we’re done in about a minute.

Video on Sandman.

Paul Heyman and Big Show talk about the Singapore cane being legal in the main event.

Rene Dupree gets out of the show in an extreme manner.

ECW World Title: Big Show vs. Sandman

Sandman is challenging and the Singapore cane is legal. Joined in progress with Sandman caning away as we hear about Holly needing 24 stitches to sew up the gash (which went down to the fatty tissue). Show, bleeding, gets up from the cane shots and knocks Sandman around. A headbutt and heavy clothesline take Sandman down but he throws the left hands. Sandman counters the chokeslam into a DDT and more cane shots give Sandman two. Cue Matt Striker to take the cane away though and the cobra clutch backbreaker has Sandman mostly done. The big leg retains the title.

Rating: D. This was much more of a match than I would have expected but you’re only going to get so much out of Sandman throwing punches and cane shots. Sandman was working harder than usual here and while he was trying, there is a pretty firm limit to what he can do. For a one off though, it was a nice way to give Show someone else to beat up.

Overall Rating: C. That opener carried everything about the show and there wasn’t much else they could have done on the show. Above all else, Holly vs. Van Dam felt extreme rather than just violent. We’re long past the point of this show being like ECW, but it is nice to pay some lip service to that occasionally, even if it is just by mistake in one match. Not a very good show, but that wound on Holly has stayed in my head since I saw this show when it first aired for a reason.

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205 Live
Date: February 19, 2021
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

It’s another week and I still have no idea what to say about this show. Odds are it’s going to be Tony Nese and Ariya Daivari dealing with some other young whippersnappers because that’s all they have done for months. Oh and some Ever Rise/Bollywood Boyz stuff because that’s still going. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Curt Stallion/Jake Atlas/Ashante Adonis/Mansoor vs. Bollywood Boyz/Ever-Rise

Well it’s different enough. Mansoor and Martel get things going but it’s off to Parker in a hurry for a double shoulder. Samir comes in and gets caught in an armbar so Ashante comes in, only to get elbowed down by the Boyz. That doesn’t last long so it’s off to Martel vs. Atlas, the latter of whom helps Stallion shoulder Martel down for two. Parker comes in and gets caught in Stallion’s headlock as the rapid fire tagging continues.

Adonis comes back in and gets distracted by Martel, allowing the Boyz to take him down. We finally slow down a bit with Adonis getting beaten up by the rotating villains. Sunil grabs a chinlock for all of ten seconds before Adonis is sent back into the corner for more stomping. A drop toehold into an elbow to the back gets two and a top rope back elbow is good for the same.

Martel can’t slam Samir onto Adonis though and it’s off to Atlas to clean house. Everything breaks down again and Adonis dropkicks Parker for two. Mansoor’s Death Valley Driver gets the same but he gets taken down into the Power and the Glory (Did I miss Power and Glory becoming the most influential team ever???) for another two. A bit of miscommunication lets Mansoor grab a Falcon Arrow for two as everything breaks down again. Stallion comes in off the blind tag and headbutts Sunil for the pin at 9:59.

Rating: C+. It might not have been good, but it was absolutely energetic and that’s a lot better than the usual around here. I’m still not interested in the Ever Rise/Bollywood Boyz deal, but some kind of continuing story is better than none. Just find something for all eight of these people to do and this show might be able to get somewhere, because the talent is there.

Earlier today, Ariya Daivari and Tony Nese jumped August Grey for stealing his chains.

We look at Santos Escobar backing out of his match with Karrion Kross on NXT. The match happens next week or Escobar loses the title.

Karrion Kross is ready to end Escobar.

Ariya Daivari vs. August Grey

Tony Nese is on commentary. Grey goes at Daivari to start but gets hit in the ribs. An early attempt to go after Grey’s leg lets him kick Daivari to the floor, setting up a high crossbody back inside. A belly to back suplex gives Grey two but Daivari is right back with a DDT for the same. We hit the neck crank on Grey but he slips out and grabs a sunset flip for two.

There’s a neckbreaker to drop Daivari, who pops right back up with a sleeper. The Rock Bottom plants Grey for two more but Grey ducks the hammerlock lariat. A superkick connects to Daivari and they’re both down again. Grey sends him out to the apron and then clotheslines him to the floor but stops to glare at Nese. Daivari is sent inside but Nese holds up Daivari’s chains to distract Grey (they are rather shiny). The distraction lets Daivari get in a dropkick and the hammerlock lariat is good for the pin at 6:57.

Rating: C-. I’m not sure how many times this match has taken place, but the problem is that it feels like one we have seen a dozen or so times. As usual, that is one of the major problems around here: there is nothing to fight over and it becomes rather tiring in a hurry. The match was fine, but how interesting is Daivari vs. Grey really going to be able to be?

Overall Rating: C. And so ends another rather uninspiring edition of 205 Live. The opener was fun but that’s a pretty rare situation around here. The show has a lot of problems, but the biggest is the lack of anything to fight over. Daivari won the main event this week. Is that going to change anything? Is Daivari ever going to be moved up to another level? Of course not, as the Cruiserweight Champions (yeah remember there are two of them) are never here, so what is the point of this show? Other than giving the wrestlers a short show to say they’re still active, I’m missing the point, but when has that ever stopped them?

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Main Event
Date: February 18, 2021
Location: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Samoa Joe

It’s the go home show for Elimination Chamber and that isn’t going to make the biggest difference around here. Every week I hope that we’re going to get something a little different on Main Event but there is no reason to believe that is going to be the case most of the time. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

T-Bar vs. Drew Gulak

Gulak slips out of a fireman’s carry to start and manages to drive T-Bar into the corner. A sunset flip doesn’t work for Gulak so T-Bar blasts him with a clothesline for two. T-Bar hits a backbreaker into a middle rope splash for two more, followed by Eyes Wide Shut for the pin on Gulak at 3:56.

Rating: D+. This was a lot more squashish than most around here and that’s kind of nice to see. I enjoy a lot of things about Gulak but he is the kind of person who should be getting squashed by T-Bar. Or by Donovan Dijak if WWE hadn’t insisted on the stupid names for the members of the team.

From Smackdown.

Here are Roman Reigns, Jey Uso and Paul Heyman for a chat with Adam Pearce, who is already in the ring. Reigns tells Pearce that he isn’t waiting on him so let’s get on with this. Pearce doesn’t call any shots around here and Reigns isn’t waiting on Pearce or Edge. Reigns knows that Edge hasn’t announced his Wrestlemania match because he knows Reigns will beat him all the way onto a Legends contract.

No one is taking the title from him so Edge is holding out hope that someone pulls a miracle before Wrestlemania. Speaking of contracts, Pearce has one in his hand and that is for Reigns’ title defense inside the Elimination Chamber. Reigns hands Heyman the mic, who says Reigns’ contract says he has to defend the title AT Elimination Chamber rather than INSIDE the Elimination Chamber. Instead, the winner can receive a title shot on the against Reigns, who won’t be in the Chamber itself.

Pearce seems to laugh it off but Heyman asks what he’s going to do about it. Fire Reigns this close to Wrestlemania? Last year’s show didn’t have Reigns and it was the lowest attended Wrestlemania of all time. Pearce says it’s time to start the qualifying process, and there are going to be two names who don’t need qualifying matches. Those would be Jey Uso and Kevin Owens, the latter of whom has Reigns outside the ring and in Pearce’s face. Reigns doesn’t think Pearce gets this but Heyman says it’s going to be on Reigns’ time.

We see King Corbin and Sami Zayn beating Rey and Dominik Mysterio to qualify for the Chamber.

From Smackdown.

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Bobby Roode/Dolph Ziggler vs. Daniel Bryan/Cesaro

Non-title. Ziggler takes Bryan down for an early two but Cesaro comes in for a double slam. It’s off to Roode, who has to avoid the YES Lock, and gets sent outside. Cesaro is right there and is whipped into the steps. Sami Zayn and King Corbin come out to watch and we take a break.

Back with Bryan in trouble as Roode snaps off a suplex for two and hands it back to Ziggler. Bryan takes Ziggler down but Roode decks Cesaro, allowing Bryan to grab a rollup for two. Roode’s spinebuster gets two more on Bryan but Ziggler misses a charge in the corner, allowing the hot tag to Cesaro. Everything breaks down and Bryan hits Roode with the running knee. The Fameasser gets two on Cesaro but he’s right back up with the Swing into the Sharpshooter to make Ziggler tap at 11:04.

Rating: C+. Another good match between talented teams, even if the Tag Team Titles get their annual smack in the face for the sake of some qualifying matches. In this case I’m not sure who else could have taken the loss, but I would have preferred it not to be the champs. Bryan and Cesaro winning was mostly but not entirely obvious and that’s a nice feeling.

Post match Jey Uso, Sami Zayn and King Corbin all come in for the brawl. Everyone goes at it until Kevin Owens runs in for the Stunnerfest. Roman Reigns watches from the back as Owens sits down, saying that he’s coming for Reigns to end the show.

From Raw.

Kofi Kingston vs. Miz

If Kofi wins, he’s in the Chamber but if Miz wins, John Morrison is in (and yes they have a graphic for it, because that’s not the kind of thing you can remember without one). Miz shoulders him down to start but it’s way too early for either to hit a finisher. Kofi gets in a shot to the ribs and goes up top for a chop to the head. That’s enough to send Miz outside and Kofi hits a kick to the face from the apron.

The middle rope ax handle to the floor connects as well and a middle rope dropkick gets two back inside. A regular dropkick puts Miz on the apron but this time he catches Kofi with a knee. Miz’s neckbreaker over the middle rope and another one to the floor has Kofi in trouble as we take a break. Back with Miz getting two off a DDT and throwing Kofi outside to keep up the beating. That sets up the top rope ax handle for two more and we hit the cravate.

Kofi rolls out and fights up, including the running stomp to the chest. The Boom Drop gets two but Trouble in Paradise misses, allowing Miz to get his own two. SOS gives Kofi two more but Miz gets smart and takes out the knee. The Figure Four goes on, with Kofi getting over to the rope without much trouble. The Skull Crushing Finale is countered into a rollup for two and now Trouble in Paradise connects to give Kofi the pin and the spot at 14:11.

Rating: B-. These two have always worked well together and that’s what they did here. I was a bit surprised by Kingston winning as it would have made a bit more sense for Morrison to go forward. At the same time though, I can go with more of Kofi inside the Chamber, if nothing else for some history. Getting rid of Miz and Morrison makes me happier than anything else at the moment so I’ll take what I can get.

Elimination Chamber rundown.

Humberto Carrillo vs. Jaxson Ryker

Elias is here with Ryker, who is now in trunks for a change. Ryker cranks on the arm to start but gets caught in a headlock for his efforts. A crossbody gives Carrillo two before running the corner for the big armdrag. That means a big dive to the floor to take Ryker down and we take a break.

Back with Ryker hitting a spinebuster for two, followed by the side slam for the same. The chinlock goes on and, after a slingshot suplex, goes on again. Carrillo fights up and low bridges him to the floor, setting up the springboard elbow to the face. Ryker has had it with this though and hits Carrillo in the face, setting up a swinging Boss Man Slam for the pin at 9:10.

Rating: C. Just a standard power vs. speed match here though it’s kind of interesting that Ryker and Elias have already been relegated to Main Event. I’m glad they got rid of the tension between them after about two weeks of being together, but at the same time, they aren’t exactly the most interesting pair in the world. Hence the whole being on Main Event aspect.

From Raw.

Gauntlet Match

Non-title and the winner enters the Chamber last. AJ Styles is in at #1 and….we’ll find out who is joining him after he talks about being sick of hearing about Kofimania II. His attorney (Joseph A. Parks of course) and Omos have gone over the odds and he can’t lose on Sunday. Kofi Kingston is in at #2 and they have almost an hour for this. AJ whips Kofi into the corner to start but misses a charge, allowing Kofi to hammer away. A belly to back suplex puts Kofi down for a few seconds but he low bridges AJ out to the floor there’s the Trust Fall to the floor.

With AJ down, Xavier Woods needs to give us a trombone concert on the announcers’ table. That earns him a rather high one armed chokeslam from Omos (with the camera shooting from the ground for a great visual) over the barricade. That’s enough for Omos to be ejected but AJ uses the distraction to take out Kofi’s knee again.

We take a break and come back with AJ putting the bad knee in a half crab. Kofi gets out so AJ puts him on top, only to have Kofi shove him down and hit the middle rope splash to the back. The bad knee means it can only be a two count so AJ grabs a DDT on the leg. The Phenomenal Forearm finishes Kofi at 11:03 and it’s Drew McIntyre in at #3.

A quick belly to belly suplex sends AJ flying and Drew drops him ribs first across the top rope. Drew gets in a big boot to leave AJ on the apron and we take a break. Back with AJ being whipped hard into the corner and then into the steps. Drew hits a Michinoku Driver for two but AJ goes to the throat for a breather. AJ gets caught in the reverse Alabama Slam out of the corner but the Claymore is cut off with a kick to the face. That sends Drew to the floor and AJ nails the slingshot forearm.

A knee to the face drops Drew again and a running forearm sends Drew into the post as we take a break. Back again with Drew tossing AJ again but diving off the top and right into an enziguri. The Styles Clash is countered with a backdrop but AJ takes out the knee and puts on the Calf Crusher. Drew headbutts his way to freedom though and sends AJ throat first into the middle rope. The Claymore gives Drew the pin at 29:49 total.

Jeff Hardy is in at #4 and, after an inset promo of Hardy talking about needing to get back to Wrestlemania, he forearms Drew down to start. Drew gets knocked to the floor and a dive off the apron takes him down as we go to a break. Back with Drew making another comeback and snapping off an overhead belly to bell, followed by an overhead belly to belly for good measure. A neckbreaker lets McIntyre nip up again and, after countering a quick Twist of Fate attempt, the Futureshock gets two.

Hardy falls out to the floor so McIntyre suplexes him out there as well, leaving them both down. Back in and Drew puts him on top for a top rope superplex and another near fall. The Claymore misses though and Jeff grabs the Twist of Fate. The Swanton hits knees though and the Claymore gets rid of Hardy at 42:59 total. Randy Orton is in at #5 and McIntyre realizes he’s in some trouble.

Back from another break with McIntyre sending Orton into the barricade….but the lights go out and Alexa Bliss takes over every screen in the arena, including the fans (ok that’s creepy). Orton is counted out at 49:09, because THIS TIME WWE remembers how to count people out. That leaves Sheamus at #6 to complete the field and jumps Drew from behind. Drew is beaten up at ringside, followed by some stomping inside.

The referee asks Drew if he wants to do this and we start the match, despite there not being any bells or starts/stops between the previous falls. Sheamus sends Drew’s bad back into the corner and drops a knee for two. Despite Drew clutching his back, Sheamus grabs an armbar, allowing Drew to fight back up.

Drew tries to jump over him out of the corner but gets powerslammed down for two more. The Glasgow Kiss gets Drew out of trouble and there’s the Future Shock for a double knockdown. Drew is sent to the floor but gets in a quick shot to put Sheamus down. The Claymore misses though and the Brogue Kick finishes Drew at 58:46.

Rating: B. That was a rather long but still good match, with Drew putting on a heck of a showcase. Of course there is nothing wrong with having a World Champion lose to a former World Champion after being in the ring for the better part of forty minutes. McIntyre sold the heck out of his exhaustion at the end too and the sympathy was strong. Sheamus winning was the right call and I’m not sure who wins on Sunday so well done with the whole thing.

Post match Sheamus says that makes him the odds on favorite and he promises to win the title because Drew can’t beat him.

Overall Rating: C+. It helps when you have the gauntlet match eating up so much time (granted it was eight minutes of this show) and they had something to focus on with the two Chamber matches. As usual you could completely cut out the original stuff, but I did like that the opener was shorter than normal around here as there is no reason for T-Bar to have that much trouble in a spot like this. Better than average show, mainly because of better than average TV.

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ECW on Sci Fi
Date: September 19, 2006
Location: DCU Arena, Worcester, Massachusetts
Commentators: Joey Styles, Tazz

We’re continuing with the guest stars this week as King Booker is here. There are worse ideas than having him around, though I can’t imagine it being some big game changer. Other than that, we’ll likely get more of the ECW Originals vs. new guys, which should have some legs just for how many people are involved. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

King Booker and Queen Sharmell arrive, with Paul Heyman literally rolling out the red carpet. Heyman is going to introduce them to his locker room.

Opening sequence.

Sabu/Tommy Dreamer/Sandman vs. Mike Knox/Test/Matt Striker

This is Striker’s first match on the show. Dreamer and Knox circle each other for a bit to start before it’s off to Striker, who runs away from Sandman in a hurry. Knox comes in and gets neckbreakered by Dreamer, followed by a Cactus Clothesline. Test drives Dreamer into the post and Striker knocks Sandman into the barricade….so hard that Sandman is taken out as we go to a break.

Back with the match in handicap form and Test elbowing Dreamer in the face in the corner. The running corner clothesline lets Test stand on his back and it’s off to Striker for a quickly broken chinlock. Instead, Striker hammers away with right hands before handing it back to Test for another whip into the corner.

The bearhug lets Knox take his turn at hurting Dreamer but he misses a middle rope legdrop. A reverse DDT plants Knox and the hot tag brings in Sabu to a big reaction. House is cleaned, including the springboard spinning legdrop to Knox, plus Air Sabu. Test saves Striker from the camel clutch and then shoves the referee into the ropes to crotch Sabu on top….which is the ultra rare ECW DQ, which does not have the fans in the best mood.

Rating: D+. As usual, one of the biggest problems continues to be the lack of anything outside of basic power moves from Test and Knox. They aren’t interesting and having them as some of the higher profile heels on the show isn’t doing ECW any favors. The ECW Originals are fine as a unit with nothing else to do, but it’s not like Sandman being out of the match caused any major changes.

Post match the big beatdown is on until Sandman staggers out for the save with the Singapore cane.

Heyman introduces King Booker and Queen Sharmell to CW Anderson and Stevie Richards, but they are both disturbed by Balls Mahoney.

Kevin Thorn vs. Balls Mahoney

Ariel is here with Thorn so Mahoney brings out Francine in her debut. The women almost get in a fight before the match so Thorn knocks Mahoney outside. Back in and the beating continues until Mahoney grabs a quick kind of powerbomb for two. Ariel trips him down though, meaning the catfight is on (ok go ahead Joey). Mahoney gets distracted and a Razor’s Edge out of the corner gives Thorn the pin.

Booker and Sharmell meet the FBI and Trinity, who does not please Sharmell. Next up is CM Punk, who explains straightedge. Punk likes the idea of a World Title shot against Booker so Heyman hurries the royals out.

Shannon Moore vs. CM Punk

Yes again, though this time Kelly Kelly comes out to watch. Punk hammers away to start and hits a leg lariat, followed by the surfboard to put Moore in more trouble. That’s broken up and Moore gets in some shots of his own as Mike Knox comes out to take Kelly to the back. Punk fights out of a chinlock and kicks away but Moore counters the bulldog out of the corner. A spinwheel kick sets up a Whisper in the Wind but Punk sidesteps the flying man with the neon mohawk without much effort. The high kick sets up the Rock Bottom into the Anaconda Vice for the tap.

Rating: C-. Punk is always fun to watch and moving him up to face Knox over Kelly is certain better than having him beat up ECW Originals and Shannon Moore over and over. The match was nothing of course, but the whole point was to have Kelly out there and set up something with Knox. It’s not overly interesting, but it’s a good step for Punk, which is a good idea.

King Booker and Queen Sharmell run into Rob Van Dam. The non-title Extreme Rules match is set up for tonight.

Rene Dupree brags about beating Balls Mahoney last week.

Video on John Cena in the Marine. Again.

Rob Van Dam vs. King Booker

Non-title and Extreme Rules. Rob strikes away in the corner to start but gets shoved off the top and into the barricade to put him down early. Booker whips him hard into the steps, meaning it’s time to bring in a chair. A kick to the face misses but Booker grabs the Book End, setting up the Spinarooni (Extreme Royal version). That takes too long though so Rob knocks him into the corner, setting up the skatedboarded chair to the face. Rolling Thunder onto the chair onto Booker connects but it’s a rather delayed two.

The fans want tables but settle for Rob wedging a chair into the corner instead. Since Rob set it up though, he gets catapulted head first into the chair for a nasty crash. The spinebuster onto the chair makes it worse but the Houston Hangover only hits chair. The Five Star connects but here’s Hardcore Holly to chair Van Dam in the back. Holly hits the Alabama Slam and Booker adds the ax kick for the pin.

Rating: C. The match was about as paint by numbers as you can get but they are talented people having a paint by numbers match so it worked out just fine. Holly interfering is a good way to get out of things while keeping Van Dam strong and that’s about as important of a thing as they can do at the moment. The match felt like it belonged on a house show but around here, that’s all it needed to be.

Overall Rating: C-. The lack of star power continues to shine through rather hard around here with Booker being the latest name they have to bring in to help things out. There are only two main event level stars around here in Big Show and Van Dam, but how many times can they use those two? That’s why CM Punk could be the next best hope, because you can see the star power in him. Odds are that is a long way off though so for now, this was another not so great show.

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Main Event
Date: February 11, 2021
Location: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Samoa Joe

We’re on the way to the Elimination Chamber and I’m not sure what that is going to mean around here. Main Event continues to be almost always the same thing over and over again, which gets to be rather annoying around here. Hopefully we can get something a little better this week so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Dana Brooke vs. Peyton Royce

Mandy Rose is here with Dana. Peyton takes her down with a headlock, which is quickly countered into an exchange of rollups for two each. A few kicks put Brooke down and a middle rope stomp to the arm gives Royce two. Royce grabs a Fujiwara armbar but Dana sends her into the corner and hits a cartwheel moonsault for two. A suplex out of the corner puts Royce down again and there’s a bulldog into a swinging neckbreaker for the pin at 5:38.

Rating: D+. I can go with Brooke getting ring time to improve because you really can see the progress that she has made. She might not be the best worker in the world, but she is miles better than what she was before. You can see the confidence in her and that is a great sign for the work she has put in over the months and years.

We look at Edge and Bianca Belair winning the Royal Rumbles.

From Smackdown.

Here’s Edge for the big closing segment. Edge talks about how he spent the last seven months dreaming. He was dreaming every mile he logged because he wanted to get back something that was his. Then he outlasted twenty nine of the best in the world today to win the Royal Rumble. Now he isn’t sure who he should face at the Royal Rumble. He asks his family and gets one answer, then he asks his friend and gets another answer. Then he was on his way here tonight and asked someone on the corner and got another answer. Edge: “His name was John. He was a nice guy.”

Cue Roman Reigns and company to cut things off though as we get a bit more serious. Edge thinks it’s funny that Reigns already needs backup, but Reigns promises that Paul won’t make a move. Reigns sends Jey to the bus because he has this himself. Edge has one chance to acknowledge him as the main event of Wrestlemania….but here’s Kevin Owens with a Stunner to Reigns before Edge can say a word to end the show. I don’t think anyone was really expecting a decision from Edge here and they still have time to set things up in the future, but we’re really not done with Owens vs. Reigns?

From Raw.

Here are Ric Flair and Lacey Evans for a face to face meeting with Charlotte. Before Charlotte comes to the ring, Ric (whose face looks rather weird for some reason) rants about how he never takes orders from a woman, including Charlotte. He isn’t staying home though and now he needs someone to be exactly what he’s looking for. That means a woman who has the looks and athletic ability, but just needs a little guidance and wisdom.

Lacey says people don’t get what is going on between them and says she respects Flair, unlike Charlotte. Lacey would never talk to her father like that but she’s the bad one in all of this? Cue Charlotte to say if Lacey wanted to get better, she should have trained in the Performance Center. Instead though, she’s trying to use Ric and Charlotte to become a star.

Charlotte has been trying to protect Ric’s legacy for seven years because she sees him for how he really looks. She doesn’t mind Lacey being a star but they aren’t taking her down. Ric suggests they be a tag team but Charlotte says she already has a partner in Asuka. Lacey says if she beats Charlotte, she’s the new #1 contender. Charlotte says let’s do this now so Lacey knocks her to the floor. A whip into the steps has Charlotte in trouble and we take a break.

After we see Miz and John Morrison telling Angel Garza that they’ll take care of Bad Bunny, we’re ready to go.

Lacey Evans vs. Charlotte

Charlotte it sent to the apron to start and slingshots back in with a rollup for two. A dropkick puts Lacey on the apron for some coaching from Ric and she trips Charlotte down. The slingshot elbow gets two on Charlotte and it’s time to start working on the arm. Charlotte’s good arm clotheslines Lacey down but it’s way too early for the Figure Eight. More arm cranking has Charlotte in some more trouble but she nips up and gets in Lacey’s face a few times in a row.

Charlotte sends her outside though and hits the strut but Flair puts himself between them to break up a dive. Lacey gets in another trip to send Charlotte into the apron and we take a break. Back with Lacey working on the arm some more with both the cranking and a hammerlock (because she is smart enough to mix up the arm work). A big crank on the arm gets two but the double springboard moonsault hits raised knees, banging up Lacey’s knee in the process.

Charlotte chops her down and then into the corner, where they completely mistime something, with Charlotte charging at her, stopping, and then getting slapped. Charlotte kicks her to the floor but yells at flair, allowing Lacey to get in another arm twist to take over again. Back in and Charlotte hits the spear, yells at Flair, and unloads in the corner. Charlotte shoves the referee away and that’s a DQ at 10:33.

Rating: C. Lacey’s timing wasn’t great here, which probably has something to do with her not exactly wrestling all that often as of late. At the same time, of course this is all about Charlotte vs. Ric, because why would it be used to focus on anyone but them? There was nothing here to suggest that Lacey was going to get a big rub out of the whole thing and that doesn’t exactly bode well for the future.

Post match Flair breaks it up and gets in Charlotte’s face. Charlotte says this is all hers and glares at Ric before leaving.

Video on Seth Rollins.

Ricochet vs. Humberto Carrillo

They go with the grappling to start with Ricochet shouldering him down for an early one. It’s off to the mat for a bit before Ricochet snaps off a headlock takeover. That’s broken up and Carrillo snaps off a headscissors into a standoff. We take a break and come back with Ricochet getting two off a crucifix, followed with an elbow drop for two.

Back up and they both hit running headbutts for a double knockdown. They trade shots again and a double kick to the head puts both of them down. Carrillo is back up with a torture rack faceplant for two but the moonsault misses. An ax kick into a spinning brainbuster gives Ricochet two more. The Recoil finishes Carrillo at 11:22.

Rating: C+. This was fun but not quite up to some of Ricochet’s Main Event stuff. They went with a bit too much flipping and gymnastics stuff. I’m not big on having people doing the same stuff to each other at the same time and it didn’t exactly work here. Not bad by any means, but it felt rehearsed and that isn’t a good thing.

Video on Elimination Chamber.

From Raw.

Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre

Non-title. Neither can hit one of their finishers to start so Drew catches him on the apron. The hanging DDT is loaded up but here’s Sheamus for a distraction as McIntyre is sent hard into the posts. We take a break and come back with Orton stomping away in the corner and sending McIntyre outside. McIntyre gets dropped back first onto the announcers’ table, much to Sheamus’ desire. The chinlock goes on back inside but Drew powers out in a hurry.

Drew gets in a few shots of his own, glares at Sheamus, and snaps off the release belly to belly. McIntyre busts out a superplex but can’t hit the Claymore. Instead it’s the Glasgow Kiss but Orton is right back with the hanging DDT. The RKO is loaded up and quickly countered into the Future Shock. The Claymore is loaded up but here’s Sheamus to try the Brogue Kick, which hits Orton by mistake for the DQ at 12:14.

Rating: C+. They weren’t trying to blow the roof off or anything here and what we got worked fine. It helps when you have two people this good doing their thing for a little while with a history behind them. This worked as a main event and the ending gives us a story not involving McIntyre as we head into the Chamber. Not too bad for a match that was done to death last year.

Post match, Drew immediately Claymores Sheamus to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. I’m never sure what to think about this show and that was the case again this week. It’s just a show that came and went and no amount of highlights and recaps from lackluster TV shows is going to make that work. The wrestling was fine and then the highlights were about the same. Nothing to see here, and that’s the case almost all of the time.

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ECW on Sci Fi
Date: September 12, 2006
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
Attendance: 17,298
Commentators: Joey Styles, Tazz

Oh yeah I’d say this is a special one. I know that this isn’t the original ECW and it is pretty much the same in name only, but it has to be an especially cool moment for these guys to make it to the World’s Most Famous Arena. We’re still setting up Hardcore Holly as Paul Heyman’s newest enforcer against the combined powers of Rob Van Dam and Sabu. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Here’s Paul Heyman, now billed as the Father Of Extreme Championship Wrestling, and with his bodyguards, to open the show. He talks about how everyone is here to witness something special because this is the center of the universe. Heyman talks about how important this building is to a kid who grew up in New York and he thanks….himself for making this happen.

Who else is he supposed to thank? Five years ago, he listened to the people and ECW went out of business. Now he is listening to Vince McMahon on how to grow ECW and it has gone from the Bingo Hall to the Garden. Cue Sabu to take out the bodyguards and get in a few shots on Heyman until the guards get up to pull him off. The guards get Heyman out so Heyman makes Sabu vs. Big Show in an Extreme Rules match for the title. Sabu dives onto the guards. You could hear how special this was to Heyman and that’s pretty cool.

Rob Van Dam vs. Hardcore Holly

It’s a brawl to start with Holly backdropping him to the floor and hitting a dive of his own. Rob kicks away but misses the spinning kick from the apron for the big crash. Back in and Holly chokes away on the ropes but a middle rope elbow….well it wasn’t supposed to connect as Van Dam raised his boot but it did connect with Van Dam’s face anyway so it was kind of a weird landing. Rob kicks him down and hits the monkey flip out of the corner, only to get crotched on top. The top rope superplex is broken up though and Van Dam loads up the Five Star but here are Test, Stevie Richards and Mike Knox for the DQ.

Rating: C-. Holly may not be much of a threat to Van Dam but he’s fine as a hard hitting villain who could make him break a sweat. That’s all he needs to be, but ECW could use an imposing or at least threatening heel wrestler outside of Big Show. Test and Knox aren’t exactly people who are going to be top level villains and that can only go so far.

Post match the big beatdown is on until Sandman and Tommy Dreamer make the save. Richards takes the beating. The Old vs. New feud may not be the most original idea but what else are they supposed to do with these guys?

Video on the Marine.

CM Punk vs. Shannon Moore

Fallout from Punk calling him a poser last week. Moore slaps him in the face to start but Punk grabs the Vice in the corner. Some knees set up the strikes to the face into the Rock Bottom. The Anaconda Vice makes Moore tap in a hurry. Thank goodness, as I don’t think I could handle Moore as someone supposed to be taken seriously.

Post break, Kelly Kelly comes up to rub CM Punk’s chest and say what a big fan she is. She would love to go to one of those wild and crazy nightclubs with Punk but she’s only 19. Mike Knox comes in to get rid of her.

Rene Dupree vs. Balls Mahoney

Kevin Thorn and Ariel are at ringside. Dupree gets sent into the corner for the snap jabs to start but Dupree hits him in the face. A middle rope elbow gets two and the French Tickler makes its return (with Tazz not wanting to sing). Back up and they slug it out with Mahoney’s sitout spinebuster getting two. A Cactus Clothesline puts both of them on the floor so it’s chair time, with the referee taking it away from Mahoney. Ariel offers a distraction and Thorn sends Mahoney off the apron and head first into the steps to give Dupree the pin.

Rating: D+. Much like Moore, am I supposed to take Dupree seriously? It wouldn’t seem to be the case, but it also doesn’t make ECW look all that important. These guys weren’t being featured on WWE TV for a reasons and they feel like people who are there because WWE has nowhere else to put them. The repackaging can only do so much, but at least they’re trying. Kind of.

Matt Striker doesn’t like the fans drinking giggle water and watching Sandman. That isn’t good, so the choice is yours: cheer Sandman or come to class and learn.

We look back at HHH vs. Vince McMahon from last night, including Big Show coming in to help the McMahons beat down DX.

ECW World Title: Big Show vs. Sabu

Show, with Paul Heyman and security, is defending and it’s Extreme Rules. Sabu whips out a table and chair and after a break, Show swats the chair out of the air. Show knocks him down and sends Sabu to the floor for the beatdown from security. Back in and some headbutts put Sabu down and a running clothesline does it again. Sabu gets smart by kicking him low and now the thrown chair works a bit better.

Show is crotched on the ropes and a jumping kick to the face puts him on the floor. The fans want tables but have to settle for Show running Sabu over again. The chokeslam through the table is countered into a DDT through the table for two instead and some more chair shots put Show through a table at ringside. Show gets posted and Sabu sets up another table but Sabu’s dive is countered into a chokeslam through said table. Back in and the cobra clutch backbreaker retains the title.

Rating: C-. The matches are fine enough for what they are but how many times can we see these two do the same thing? Sabu isn’t going to win the title and we established that a pretty long time ago. Show needs a new challenger, but other than Rob Van Dam, who is there to do that right now? I get why they needed to do a title match in MSG but they need something different to do going forward. I’m just not sure what that is.

Overall Rating: D+. While the Garden is the big point here, and it’s really cool that ECW got to do something there, it’s also not a good show or a good sign for their future. ECW really, really needs to upgrade their roster and I’m not sure how important it is for WWE to send more talent over here. The old vs. new stuff is fine enough and Show works as a champion, but he needs challengers and a lot of the card is pretty weak. I’m not expecting WWE to make that better though and that’s why ECW keeps feeling like it’s in big trouble long term.

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205 Live
Date: February 5, 2021
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph

Things should be back to normal around here as we are almost all the way up to Takeover: Vengeance Day, meaning we are not going to have many more Dusty Classic matches to go around here. I’m not sure how much of an improvement that is going to be around here but we should be back to the usual cruiserweight action. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Ariya Daivari/Tony Nese vs. Sunil Singh/Matt Martel

Well it’s certainly different. This is the official burying of the hatches between Ever Rise and the Bollywood Boyz. Singh and Nese go to the mat to start until Singh armdrags him into an armbar. Nese powers up into a fireman’s carry but gets small packaged for two instead. Singh gets taken over to the corner so Daivari can come in. That doesn’t go well either as the tag brings in Martel….who hits Singh by mistake.

It’s already back to Singh, who gets taken into the corner and then suplexed down for two. Nese works on a waistlock but Singh fights up and rolls under Daivari’s clothesline. Martel gets to clean house in a hurry, including throwing some suplexes. Everything breaks down and Sunil drops a top rope elbow on Daivari with Nese making a save. Daivari drops Martel so Singh has to make a save so it’s time to bring in the chain. The referee throws that out but the distraction lets Nese hit the running Nese on Martel to give Daivari the pin at 7:51.

Rating: C-. I’m not sure how much of a difference there was in mixing the teams here but at least they did something different. If there is one major problem around here, it is having everything feeling so repetitive so just mixing it up a little bit like this can help a lot. Not a very good match, but at least it wasn’t something we have seen before.

We look at Legado del Fantasma’s success on NXT….until Karrion Kross took them out.

August Grey vs. Jake Atlas

They go to the mat to start with Grey grabbing a headlock as we hear about Jordan Devlin as the NXT UK Cruiserweight Champion. They trade armbars until Atlas drives him up against the ropes and puts on a cravate. Atlas even holds on as Grey slams him down but they get back up to fight over a backslide. With that not working, things get a little more serious with a slugout until Grey snaps off a hurricanrana.

Another right hand puts Atlas down again but he’s back with a big boot. Some kicks to the chest set up a standing moonsault but Grey is up before a count. It’s way too early for the cartwheel DDT though, meaning Atlas has to settle for a clothesline. Grey sends him outside for a suicide dive and then heads back in, with a spinning high crossbody finishing Atlas at 9:31.

Rating: C. That ending came so out of nowhere that I’m not completely sure it was the planned finish. You could see the referee talking to Atlas after it was over so maybe there was something wrong. Either way, it came at the end of a match that was ok at best, but that’s about what you would expect from the completely passable wrestlers in there.

Post match Daivari and Nese run in to beat down Atlas and Grey.

Overall Rating: C-. Yeah you could feel the lack of interest this time around and I’m thinking that is going to be the case around here going forward again. It was nice to have a few weeks with something different but now it is back to the same stuff that we have been seeing for years. This show keeps cycling through the same people and it has taken them about as far as it can. Get some fresh names in there, or at least try a bit harder.

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Main Event
Date: February 4, 2021
Location: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Samoa Joe

We’re done with the Royal Rumble and that means it’s time for all of the fallout. That could go more than a few ways, but given that it’s Main Event, I have a feeling it is going to be a few lower midcarders and a bunch of recaps. It can’t be much more annoying that Ricochet getting pinned last week, but you never can be sure around here. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Humberto Carrillo vs. Drew Gulak

They go to the mat to start with Gulak getting in a kick to the ribs for little impact as Carrillo grabs an armbar. Carrillo goes for the ankle but Gulak spins out and grabs a neck crank. The grappling on the mat continues with Carrillo pulling on the leg for a bit, followed by another standoff. An armbar sends Carrillo into the ropes for the break so Gulak takes him down for a quick leglock. Carrillo fights up but gets taken down by something like a side slam for two, followed by another armbar. That’s broken up with some kicks to the head, setting up a big kick to the head. The moonsault finishes Gulak at 5:55.

Rating: C. Gulak continues to be one of the most entertaining lower level wrestlers on the roster and I’d love to see him get even a little something on the main roster. Other than that, you have Carrillo doing the same stuff he has done for years now. He absolutely has talent, but there is something missing from him and you can see it lacking every time he is in the ring.

We look at Edge and Bianca Belair winning the Royal Rumbles.

From Raw.

Here’s Drew McIntyre to get things going. Drew talks about how we are on the road to Wrestlemania and goes over how great each match was last night. Cue Edge to interrupt him though and McIntyre praises him for everything Edge did for him over the years. Drew was here when Edge had to retire and then he was in the Rumble last year when Edge returned.

Edge says he likes Drew but what is wrong with him? Winning the Rumble last night means that Edge can challenge Drew for the title. So why isn’t Drew kicking his head off right now? Cue Sheamus to interrupt and ask Edge who he is to question Drew. Edge has been sitting at home while Drew carried this company all year. Drew may take the high road but that’s not what Sheamus is going to do.

Edge won last night, so he can make a decision or Drew can do it for him. That isn’t happening tonight, but everyone will know when he makes his decision. Either way though, Edge is walking out of Wrestlemania as champion. Edge leaves, and Sheamus Brogue Kicks McIntyre, likely setting up the Elimination Chamber title match.

From later on Raw.

A sad Drew McIntyre talks about his ten year friendship with Sheamus, including the two of them spending Christmas together in a diner because they had no one else. If Sheamus wants the match, he has it. No date given.

We look at Bad Bunny’s Royal Rumble performance.

We look at Shayna Baszler/Nia Jax winning the Women’s Tag Team Titles on the Royal Rumble Kickoff Show.

From Raw.

Damian Priest vs. The Miz

Priest wastes no time in knocking Miz to the floor for the step up flip dive to take out both Miz and Morrison. Back in and Miz fights back but Priest isn’t having that and hits the running elbow in the corner. The Broken Arrow gets two but a Morrison distraction lets Miz get in a cheap shot. Miz goes for the briefcase but Bunny takes it away. Bunny hands it to Morrison and hits him with the microphone. The Reckoning finishes Miz at 4:26.

Rating: C. This was about establishing Priest and if having Bad Bunny as his friend helps that along then so be it. I don’t know anything about Bunny but he seems to be quite the big deal in the music world at the moment. If that helps Priest along then great, because Priest is the kind of guy who could be a heck of a star on Raw. A good debut helps that and it worked out well enough here.

Ricochet vs. Angel Garza

Garza rushes straight into the corner for some forearms to the back but doesn’t get anywhere, as Ricochet slaps on a headlock instead. A dropkick puts Garza on the floor and we take a break. Back with Garza (having TAKEN OFF HIS PANTS) tying up the leg and cranking on the chin at the same time. With that not working, Garza takes him back into the corner but gets hit in the face for a breather.

Garza is knocked down so Ricochet rolls forward to pick him up for a brainbuster (that’s a new one). Another kick puts Ricochet down as well though and Garza hits a Lionsault for two of his own. Ricochet knees him in the face but Garza hits a rebound right hand for two more. An enziguri looks to set up the Recoil but Garza grabs the rope to set up a rollup with feet on the ropes to pin Ricochet at 11:10.

Rating: C+. That was a heck of a match and WAY better than something on Main Event should be. Granted it shouldn’t be all that surprising as these are two of the more polished performers in WWE and I have no idea why they aren’t regularly featured on TV more often. They can do something like this but there is no place for them on Raw or Smackdown? Really?

From Raw again.

Randy Orton can’t believe Edge pulled it off last night but the bigger problem is Edge made Orton look like a liar. See, Orton had promised that Edge wouldn’t be back but here he is again. Orton beat Edge up time after time because he loves him like a brother and tried to get him out of this business. Edge isn’t going to main event Wrestlemania because tonight there will be no mercy or compassion. They meet tonight.

And one more from Raw.

Randy Orton vs. Edge

Edge goes straight at him to start and hammers away, setting up the standing choke that he used back in April. Orton breaks that up and chokes him down in the corner, followed by more choking on the rope. Edge snaps off a quick Edgecution for two but the spear is countered into a scoop powerslam. They take it outside with Orton sending him into the steps and we take a break.

Back with Edge in trouble but hitting a clothesline out of the corner. The RKO is countered into the Edge O Matic for two and Edge knocks him off the apron into the barricade. Edge follows and gets poked in the eye, allowing Orton to drop him onto the announcers’ table. Back in and Orton sends him throat first into the bottom rope, followed by the hanging DDT. And now Alex Bliss is on the top rope with black fluid spilling out of her mouth. The spear finishes Orton at 16:02.

Rating: C+. These two always work well together and that was the case again here, even with whatever Bray Wyatt’s latest idea with Bliss is, even if no one but him has any idea what is going on. Edge is going on to something bigger and better at Wrestlemania so it’s nice that he can put the Orton thing behind him rather than having some other big pay per view match between them. I wouldn’t be shocked to see that happen again, but at least they gave Edge the win here.

Overall Rating: C+. What an odd show, as they cut out Smackdown (as they should have), which is usually the best show, and it’s the best Main Event in a good while. As usual, Ricochet and Garza are some of the best parts of the show, but they also helped prime things up for the Road To Wrestlemania, as WWE starts to pick up again. It’s a nothing show, but it’s nice to get a nice original match in there for fun.

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ECW On Sci Fi
Date: September 5, 2006
Location: Civic Center, Columbus, Georgia
Commentators: Joey Styles, Tazz

It’s time for more guest stars as a ticked off DX is here to face Big Show in a handicap match. For once this is actually part of a story as DX will be facing Show and the McMahons in the Cell at Unforgiven. Hopefully this serves as a good setup for the match, but you never can tell what you are going to get around here. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of DX surviving against the McMahons and company at Summerslam.

DX arrives and confirms that this is the right place (HHH: “Bingo.”). Good thing their travel arrangements were properly made.

Opening sequence.

Sabu/Rob Van Dam vs. Test/Mike Knox

Extreme Rules and Kelly Kelly is here with the monsters. Since it’s Extreme Rules, we start with Sabu vs. Knox because WWE doesn’t understand their own rules. Sabu gets in a shot to Knox and quickly brings in Van Dam, which is probably the best idea in the “extreme” portion. The first table is loaded up at ringside and Sabu grabs a chair for a bonus. Rob manages a spinwheel kick in the corner and Rolling Thunder gets two on Test. Sabu comes in for his half of a double springboard leg lariat for two on Knox.

Everything breaks down (at least they didn’t waste time) and Van Dam has to kick Test in the face to save Sabu from a gorilla press. Everyone but Sabu fight on the apron in front of the table so Sabu uses the chair as a launchpad to drive through all through said table. We take a break and come back with Test breaking up the Triple Jump Moonsault but getting chaired into the corner.

Van Dam skateboards the chair into Test’s face but Knox chairs him down to break up the Five Star. There’s a superplex to Van Dam, only to have Sabu hit Knox with a chair for two. Another chair shot gets one with Test making the save but Air Sabu hits him in the corner. The Triple Jump Moonsault connects for a rather delayed two and it’s time for a fresh table. Rob starts throwing the chairs and it’s the guillotine legdrop/Five Star to drive Knox through the table for the pin.

Rating: C+. The dumb tagging part aside, this actually felt like something involving ECW, which is one of the only times that has been the case so far. If nothing else, it would be a lot to take to see Sabu and Van Dam lose to these two goons. At least they seem to be starting to move in a slightly better direction, but it might already be too late.

Kevin Thorn and Ariel do their tarot card thing and decide it means something sexual.

It’s time for Striker’s Classroom with Striker telling everyone that they’re stupid. These people need to stop learning about Michael Vick and read more books by Rush Limbaugh. He’s too smart to be stupid though and as a result, he won’t swim in the ocean with stingrays (it was earlier in the week). Cue Sandman through the crowd (Striker: “You’re a little bit inebriated! Come on!”) to chase Striker off and write SUX under Striker’s name on the chalkboard. Striker says that just proved his point before leaving.

Video on the Marine.

Stevie Richards vs. Balls Mahoney

Before the match, Kevin Thorn and Ariel come to the commentary booth, where Ariel climbs onto Joey for a lap dance. Richards takes Mahoney down inside as Joey is sounding a little more nervous than usual. Mahoney fights out of a chinlock in a hurry but is right back down in it a few seconds later. This time the comeback actually works with Mahoney getting a rollup for two. Thorn and Ariel get on the apron for a distraction though and Richards hits a low blow for the fast pin.

Shannon Moore says he’s bringing sexy back. CM Punk comes up to call him a poser and slaps him in the face. Punk leaves and Moore starts crying.

Big Show vs. D-Generation X

Non-title and Paul Heyman and his security are here. Before the match, Heyman says he has made a mistake and this will NOT be under Extreme Rules. There are no tags here so HHH slugs away and helps Shawn get in a DDT. Show isn’t having any of this double suplex stuff though and sends DX into various corners.

The Vader Bomb misses but it’s time for the security guards to go after HHH. That leaves Shawn alone with Show in the ring, where a gorilla press cuts off the LET’S GO DX chant. We hit the bearhug on Shawn so he gets smart by going to the eye in a hurry. HHH comes back in for the facebuster and the spinebuster but Hardcore Holly comes in for the DQ.

Rating: C. This was as glorified of a cameo as you could have had from DX but you have three main event stars in a match so it’s not like they were going to be too bad. Holly coming in for the DQ at the end was a lame way to go but it made the most sense given the circumstances. It was as good as it was going to be here and everyone carried their part well enough.

Post match the brawl is on with the security guards helping put Shawn down. HHH comes in with the sledgehammer (including swinging it down onto one of the heads of one of the helmeted guards) and the villains run to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This was one of the better ECWs so far and a lot of that is because it wasn’t the villains running roughshod over everyone. At some point you have to have the good guys give you some hope spots and that is what they did here. The show still isn’t great, but after everything they have been doing so far, the last few weeks have been a nice breath of air. Who knew Hardcore Holly might have been the secret all along?

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