ECW On Sci Fi
Date: September 4, 2007
Location: US Bank Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio
Commentators: Joey Styles, Tazz

It’s time for a big showdown as CM Punk is getting his latest title shot against John Morrison for the ECW World Title. This almost has to be the title change, because there is no reason for Punk to lose again. Throw in the fact that there really isn’t anyone else for Morrison to defend against and they almost have to pull the trigger here. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a look at CM Punk becoming #1 contender last week.

Opening sequence.

Boogeyman vs. Matt Striker

Big Daddy V is here with Striker, who describes him as omnipotent. Boogeyman is foaming at the mouth to start so V gets on the apron for a quick distraction. Striker bails to the floor, comes back, and gets knocked right back to the floor. Back in and Boogeyman hits a corner splash before giving chase on the floor….where V clotheslines Boogeyman for the fast DQ.

Post match V crushes Boogeyman to leave him laying.

Armando Estrada tells CM Punk that this is his last chance for the ECW World Title. Estrada says good luck, but Punk says that’s for losers.

We see a clip of Balls Mahoney on Who Wants To Be A Superhero. Of course this is missing from the Peacock version.

Balls Mahoney vs. Miz

Extreme Expose is here with Miz but Kelly Kelly doesn’t seem thrilled with everything. Mahoney starts fast with the left hands in the corner but Miz takes him down, earning some applause from Extreme Expose (Kelly again isn’t impressed). Miz grabs the cravate but Mahoney is right back up with the snap jabs (Kelly approves). Not that it matters as Miz hits the Reality Check for the fast pin.

Post match Miz declares Mahoney the loser of the match so Kelly checks on him. That earns her a stern lecture and she leaves with Miz and the girls.

John Morrison is sick of CM Punk because he is a loser. Punk picks his tattoos out of a coloring books and looks like a Blink 182 groupie who cried himself to sleep when he couldn’t sneak backstage.

Long video on the McMahon Family drama this week on Raw. Next week, Vince’s illegitimate son is revealed.

Kevin Thorn/Elijah Burke vs. Stevie Richards/Tommy Dreamer

Thorn pounds Richards into the corner to start but Richards kicks his way to freedom. It’s off to Dreamer, who gets slammed down to put him in trouble for a change. Burke comes in and, after a cheap shot from Thorn, hits an STO to put Dreamer down again. Thorn pulls Dreamer into a chinlock which doesn’t last very long as Dreamer sends him into a turnbuckle. The hot tag brings in Richards to take over on Burke as the pace picks up. Burke sends him shoulder first into the corner though, leaving Thorn and Dreamer to fight to the floor. The Elijah Express finishes for Burke.

Rating: C-. It was nice to have a flashback to the New Breed vs. ECW Originals feud here and right now, that might not be the worst way to go. At the end of the day, there isn’t much going on with the rest of the roster so this is about as good of an idea as they have with these people. Not a good match, but it was passable enough that it could have worked with a few more minutes.

Video on CM Punk vs. John Morrison.

ECW World Title: CM Punk vs. John Morrison

Punk is challenging in his final shot. They go technical to start with an exchange of front facelocks and rollups for two each. Punk gets a delayed one off a hip toss of all things but Morrison takes him down and stomps away as we hear a bit about the history of the ECW World Title.

A springboard dropkick gets two on Morrison and Punk starts kicking him in the chest. Morrison sends him throat first into the ropes though and Punk is sent to the apron. That means the powerbomb to the floor has to be blocked, leaving Punk to dive onto Morrison as we take a break.

Back with Morrison slamming Punk off the top for two and then blasting him with a kick to the face. We hit the chinlock for a few seconds before Morrison goes with a running knee to the face for two. Now it’s a reverse chinlock (with Punk looking like he is tapping, likely by accident) before Morrison goes up top. You don’t do that in a match this big, as Punk is right there with a superplex to bring him back down.

Punk’s leg lariat gets two and the running knee in the corner/bulldog gets the same. Back up and Morrison catches him with a Pele kick in the corner but has to elbow his way out of the GTS. A rollup with trunks and rope gets caught (thank goodness) so Punk rolls him up for two of his own. Morrison misses the springboard kick to the face though and it’s the GTS to give Punk the pin and the title.

Rating: B. They had built this up so hard that it had to be the title change and they did just that. Punk kept getting closer and closer to the win and FINALLY pulled it off, which is all you could ask for. They even had some hot near falls near the end, but this was either Punk wins the title or goes into another feud that they don’t have here at the moment. Good match and the only decision they could have made.

Punk celebrates to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Not a great show here but the main event is the only thing that matters. While that is kind of a microcosm of all of ECW at the moment, I’ll take what I can get with the title change though, as that is all that it needed to be here. ECW needs some fresh stars, but at least they have Punk to fight some of their current roster for a few weeks/months now. Good main event and the rest was passable enough, even if it isn’t that inspiring.

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ECW on Sci Fi
Date: August 28, 2007
Location: Times Union Center, Albany, New York
Commentators: Joey Styles, Tazz

Summerslam has come and gone and since ECW doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of WWE, there is only one match of note. In this case, that would be John Morrison retaining his ECW World Title over CM Punk (again). That means Morrison needs a new challenger and we’re getting another #1 contenders match. Let’s get to it.

Here is Summerslam if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Here is John Morrison (in slow motion) to brag about retaining the ECW World Title. At Summerslam, he united the people and created CM Punk’s new reality when he beat Punk again. Since there is a four way tonight to crown a new #1 contender, let’s look at the four men who want to join the Palace of Wisdom. There is the Boogeyman, who is coming to get him, but Morrison is beyond good and evil and it takes more than worms to scare him.

Then we have the Miz, who says he is a chick magnet, but actions speak louder than words. Hoorah. Third is Big Daddy V, and let’s hope he doesn’t win for the sake of humanity. Finally there is CM Punk, and come on already. Let’s take a look at his straightedge lifestyle. Punk doesn’t do anything, which seems to include winning titles. Oh but he does get tattoos. Imagine if he got a tattoo for every time Morrison beat him! None of the four are going to beat Morrison anyway so it doesn’t matter.

Stevie Richards vs. Kevin Thorn

Richards has had Thorn’s number as of late and Thorn is about to snap. Thorn pounds on Richards to start and stomps him down in the corner as the anger comes out. A beal sends Richards flying again and a comeback is cut off with a drop across the corner. Richards’ throat is dropped across the ropes and Thorn drives him hard into the barricade. The Razor’s Edge is countered so Thorn clotheslines him down to stay on the throat. Richards starts kicking away for two of his own and a rollup is good for the same. That’s enough for Thorn, who hits a torture rack backbreaker and the Original Sin finishes Richards off.

Rating: C-. This was little more than a squash, but it was also disappointing. Richards had gotten a small push in the last few weeks and then he just loses here. Thorn isn’t exactly an exciting option for a heel and I’m not sure how far he is going to be able to go even with this story over. Richards didn’t have the brightest future, but I was more interested in his winning streak than anything Thorn is probably doing.

Video on the Boogeyman.

Balls Mahoney runs into the Miz and Extreme Expose. Miz was shocked Mahoney won last week, but Kelly Kelly doesn’t seem thrilled. They even cut her off from saying anything, leaving Brook and Layla to call Mahoney a loser. The four of them go to leave, with Kelly wishing Mahoney luck.

John Morrison is in Armando Estrada’s office to find out who is going to be the new #1 contender. CM Punk pops in, with Morrison saying he wants another title shot handed to him. Punk says he’ll earn it, without having to put his feet on the ropes like Morrison did at Summerslam. Violence is teased, but Punk eats cantaloupe instead. Morrison: “That guy has got some serious daddy issues.”

Balls Mahoney vs. Elijah Burke

Miz and Extreme Expose are at ringside. Burke jumps Mahoney to start, earning himself some shots to the face. The comeback has Kelly Kelly up and cheering, which doesn’t sit well with everyone else. Some more shots to the face put Mahoney down for two but the fans are behind him anyway.

The headstand elbow in the corner sets up a front facelock as Kelly continues to play cheerleader. An STO plants Mahoney to cut off a comeback and the chinlock is on. That’s the trigger to a comeback (of course) and Mahoney hits the Nutcracker Suite for two. Burke catches him up top with a superplex though and the Elijah Express is good for the pin.

Rating: C-. Much like the previous match, someone who won a match to start a little something loses to the bigger star, cutting off almost any interest there might have been. It also isn’t the best sign for Miz’s chances tonight if he’s involved with Mahoney here. The Kelly deal is kind of interesting, but it would be better if she hadn’t done the same thing with CM Punk last year.

Post match Miz laughs at Mahoney’s loss but Kelly Kelly checks on him before leaving.

Miz vs. CM Punk vs. Big Daddy V vs. Boogeyman

One fall to a finish and the winner gets a future ECW World Title shot. Miz is in the ring when we come back from a break, despite going to the back before the break. Matt Striker is here with V as a bonus. Everyone goes after V to start and get knocked away without much effort. V starts splashing people in the corner, with Miz being knocked outside. Boogeyman starts the comeback but gets pulled to the floor instead. Punk is thrown to the floor but V would rather chop Miz.

There’s a chop to Punk to keep things even as the pain continues. V misses a charge and falls over the barricade, leaving Miz to knee Boogeyman down. Back in and Miz hits the running clothesline for two on Punk, who comes back with a slam. The legdrop misses though and Miz grabs a fairly illogical chinlock. Punk breaks that up without much trouble and hits a running knee. The springboard clothesline gives Punk two and the GTS finishes Miz for the title shot.

Rating: D+. What a weird match. Miz vs. Punk was perfectly fine, but this wasn’t a Miz vs. Punk match. Boogeyman and V disappeared for most of the match, which wasn’t that long in the first place. I’m not sure what happened to Boogeyman there, but at least there was a reason for V to be gone. Weird match, though at least they didn’t waste time with anything but the only real choice for a winner.

Post match V slams Boogeyman on the floor and stares at Punk, who gets out before he being crushed.

Overall Rating: C-. This wasn’t their strongest showing, as it was more about getting things back to normal, which meant cutting the legs off from some people who were making some headway. Punk vs. Morrison again might be boring, but who else is there to go after the title? This needs to be Punk’s big win though, as he can only take so many losses. Not a good show this week though, and that isn’t the greatest surprise given the show’s issues with lack of talent depth.

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ECW On Sci Fi
Date: August 21, 2007
Location: Colonial Center, Columbia, South Carolina
Commentators: Joey Styles, Tazz

It’s the go home show for Summerslam and the one ECW match is set. Granted you might not have known that based on last week’s show, as you might think that we’re coming up on Boogeyman vs. Big Daddy V as the show’s big match. The build has been a bit weird in recent weeks, but that is mainly due to the match being set up so far in advance. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence, featuring a slower version of Don’t Question My Heart.

Armando Estrada is in the ring with a bunch of weapons around him. He declares himself the Hardcore Dictator and introduces our first match.

Big Daddy V vs. Tommy Dreamer

Extreme Rules and Matt Striker is here with V. Dreamer slugs away to start and tries a slam for reasons of general stupidity. V chairs him in the back and shows Dreamer how to do a slam. There’s a whip into a shopping card in the corner but Dreamer avoids a charge. The table is loaded up but a Striker distraction lets V run Dreamer over again. Back in and Dreamer’s trashcan shots to the head have no effect, as V Samoan drops him through a table for the fast pin. Pretty much the squash it needed to be.

Video on CM Punk.

Vince McMahon and Jonathan Coachman are here as Vince continues to search for his son. Coach thinks that the son might be the result of an encounter Vince had in a bathroom stall (Vince: “HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THAT???”) so here is Balls Mahoney. Vince wants this….thing out of his sight. Arguing ensues with the punchline of Vince shouting that he has no balls. Coach: “I know you have grapefruits….” Vince: “SHUT UP!”

Elijah Burke vs. Balls Mahoney

Burke grabs a headlock to start as commentary talks about Mahoney’s interactions with Vince and Kelly Kelly because he’s quite the man about town as of late. Mahoney is back with a shoulder and chop, leaving Tazz thinking Burke needs some sanitizer. They actually go technical with some arm work as Joey talks about Mahoney being barred from amateur wrestling in New Jersey (because that is the only Balls Mahoney story ever). Tazz: “Yeah I’ve heard that one before.”

Some kicks slow Mahoney down and a few uppercuts make it even worse. Burke sends him shoulder first into the post and the leg is wrapped around it too. There’s the handstand elbow in the corner (that always looks cool) and Burke grabs an armbar. The frustration starts setting in so Burke bites the arm, which can’t be very sanitary. More arm pulling sets up a slam before they both miss an elbow. An STO works a bit better for Burke but Mahoney is back up with the right hands. The sitout spinebuster gets two and Burke misses a splash in the corner, allowing Mahoney to get a sloppy rollup for the upset pin.

Rating: C-. This went on longer than it needed to as the pretty surprising mini Mahoney push continues. Burke has long since stopped being a thing around here so this isn’t some soul crushing loss, but you would think there would be a little something better for him to do. The fans like Mahoney though so this isn’t the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.

Video on John Morrison, including a lot of his weird sayings.

HHH is back at Summerslam.

Post break Balls Mahoney runs into Miz and Extreme Expose. Miz mocks Mahoney and leaves with the women, though Kelly Kelly does not seem pleased. Some winking ensues between Kelly and Mahoney.

We look back at Kevin Thorn beating Stevie Richards last week but beating him up after the bell for the reversed decision.

Thorn is in the back when Richards jumps him. Referees break it up.

Summerslam rundown.

Vince McMahon and Coach don’t think tonight has been a success, though Coach thinks he might have an idea. CM Punk comes in, and while Vince thinks he is talented, he can’t get behind the straightedge stuff. Punk says he doesn’t have dirty unprotected sex with some skank who files a paternity suit against him, making him a living breathing, national disgrace. Vince is not impressed.

CM Punk/Boogeyman vs. Miz/John Morrison

This is Miz and Morrison’s first traditional tag match together (at least on TV). Extreme Expose is here with Miz to uneven things up a bit. Punk kicks away at Miz to start and hands it off to Boogeyman, who scares the girls a lot. We take a break and come back with Morrison flipping over Punk and getting kicked in the face for his efforts. Boogeyman comes in to show Punk how to properly gyrate before pulling him out of the corner, making Morrison flip backwards.

Punk adds a kick to the head but Morrison gets in a cheap shot to knock him off the corner. Back in and Miz hammers away with the left hands, setting up Morrison’s neck crank. A backbreaker/neckbreaker combination gets two on Punk and Miz grabs the chinlock. Morrison gets two off a slingshot elbow and he rains down some right hands.

Another neckbreaker gets another two and the second chinlock doesn’t last very long. Morrison loads up a superplex but gets sunset bombed back down, allowing Punk to strike away. Punk hits a big dive to take Morrison down on the floor as Boogeyman is sent into the steps. Back in and a catapult sends Miz into the corner. There’s the GTS to Miz but Morrison makes a blind tag and hits the flipping neckbreaker for the pin.

Rating: C. I wonder if something happened to Boogeyman there as he just kind of vanished near the end and never even got a tag back in. Morrison getting the pin on Punk is a little surprising but it adds a bit of drama to Sunday’s match. Miz and Morrison do work well together though, which is the kind of thing that can go a long (or really long) way. Not a great match, but it kept Punk vs. Morrison warm for Summerslam.

Overall Rating: C. They can’t get to Summerslam fast enough as this show was out of gas by the end. It doesn’t help when one story is worthy of the pay per view and they have already fought three or four times. The show wasn’t bad, but it’s another skippable week. That has been the case more than once as of late and they really need to do something to make it better soon.

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ECW on Sci Fi
Date: August 14, 2007
Location: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut
Attendance: 5,500
Commentators: Joey Styles, Tazz

Things have changed again as we now have a bit company wide angle. Vince McMahon has an illegitimate child who is a wrestler on one of the brands, meaning the ECW roster is in contention. That could open up some doors for some interesting options, but we also have an upcoming ECW World Title match between John Morrison and CM Punk. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Vince McMahon finding out that his child is a wrestler and dreading the possibilities.

Jonathan Coachman is here to say he is still searching for the surprise McMahon. That means he is going to be busy, but he has a solution. Coach brings out the new ECW General Manager: Armando Estrada (Not to be confused with Armando Alejandro Estrada. I think they’re cousins.). After saying we can call him Commandante and hoping that McMahon made frequent trips to Cuba back in the day (if you know what he means), it is time for the contract signing for the ECW World Title match at Summerslam.

John Morrison and CM Punk come out, with Morrison saying that this is as close as Punk will ever get to the title. Morrison signs, while saying Punk couldn’t last fifteen minutes last week. Punk says that’s right, because he beat Morrison last week. They yell at each other, with Punk insulting Morrison’s clothes and signing. Estrada says he likes the fire because both of them will be in action tonight.

CM Punk vs. Big Daddy V

Matt Striker is here with V. Punk gets shoved down to start and V crushes him in the corner to make it worse. Back up and Punk hits a running knee in the corner, only to get caught with something like a powerbomb. A running charge knocks Punk off the apron and into the announcers’ table for the fast countout.

Rating: D+. Pretty lame reason for a countout to end a short match, but they didn’t have many other options to make this work. They didn’t want either of them to lose so the weak countout ending was as good as they could have done. Punk got in nothing here though and I’m not sure why they needed to do this in the first place.

Video on the Boogeyman.

Tommy Dreamer comes up to Armando Estrada in the back and says he wants the winner of the Summerslam title match. Estrada doesn’t seem to like that because Dreamer is lazy. Dreamer also has 60 seconds to make it to the ring for his match. We get a clock on the screen as Dreamer runs into various things and winds up limping into the ring. It’s about to get worse too.

Big Daddy V vs. Tommy Dreamer

V pounds away and hits a Samoan drop, followed by a splash and a big running elbow for the easy pin.

Miz, with Layla and Brooke, run into Kelly Kelly talking to Balls Mahoney. Miz laughs off the idea of Kelly and Balls getting together, with Kelly not being able to say much. Layla says they have to do something and the women all leave with Miz, as Mahoney is left sad.

Kevin Thorn vs. Stevie Richards

Thorn powers him into the corner to start but Richards fights out and hammers away. Some rights and lefts don’t have much effect though as Thorn tosses him into the corner. A knee to the back keeps Richards in trouble and we hit the chinlock. Back up and some clotheslines rock Richards again as this is mostly one sided so far. Richards fights back with some kicks and what would become known as the Codebreaker for two. That’s too much for Thorn, who hits a spinebuster for the pin.

Rating: C-. I’m not sure what the point was in having Richards win a few matches and then lose, as it doesn’t quite make Richards look good to go 2-1 against him with the last being a loss. At the same time, beating Richards in the thirst match doesn’t make it much better. Also, an underdog Richards sounds more interesting than Thorn at the moment, but WWE going with the guy who is already beyond his expiration date makes sense.

Post match Thorn beats on him even more and that’s a referee’s decision, meaning Richards wins again.

Coach talks to Elijah Burke about his parentage.

Summerslam rundown.

We look back at CM Punk beating John Morrison last week to earn the Summerslam title shot.

John Morrison vs. Boogeyman

Non-title. They lock up to start with Morrison being sent into the corner early on. Back up and Morrison’s springboard kick to the face misses but he Peles Boogeyman off the top. Some right hands give Morrison two and a sliding lariat is good for the same. The armbar goes on before Morrison kicks him in the ribs a few times. The corkscrew moonsault misses though but so does Boogeyman’s splash in the corner. Now the springboard kick to the face connects and Morrison hammers away….for the DQ.

Rating: C. Not too bad here, but that’s the second match in a row that resulted in the referee calling off a match because of violence. The match didn’t exactly make Morrison look great, but then again you don’t want Boogeyman in there for a long match in the first place. It also doesn’t help that Boogeyman was last seen getting squashed by Big Daddy V, but I doubt WWE remembers that one.

Post match Boogeyman hits the chokebomb but Morrison bails from the worming to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. This was a weird show, as both CM Punk and John Morrison came off looking fairly weak here. That doesn’t exactly make me care about the upcoming title match but it isn’t like it means much in WWE either. There wasn’t much on the Vince side either, but at least Richards won again (eventually). Somehow, that is the story that has me the most interested, which doesn’t bode well for ECW’s immediate future.

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ECW on Sci Fi
Date: August 7, 2007
Location: Chevrolet Center, Youngstown, Ohio
Attendance: 3,700
Commentators: Joey Styles, Tazz

It’s the show with the match that sets up the match on the show, as CM Punk will be facing John Morrison in a 15 Minutes of Fame match. Should Punk win, he gets to challenge Morrison again for the ECW World Title at Summerslam. Other than that, we have…well not much here, other than Extreme Expose having a thing for the Miz. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of CM Punk winning a triple threat last week to earn the 15 Minutes of Fame tonight.

Opening sequence.

Boogeyman vs. Jesse Guilmette

Boogeyman has a large wig on, which he removes to show the new face paint from last week and a mouth full of worms (as you do). A bunch of clotheslines set up a slam and a rather lengthy top rope splash.

Post match, Guilmette gets wormed. Cue Matt Striker to literally shake a stick at Boogeyman until Big Daddy V jumps him from behind. The big beatdown is on, including a Samoan drop and a bunch of elbows. The worms are still all on the mat, which had to be embarrassing for Guilmette. So embarrassing that he changed his name to Pepper Parks and ultimately the Blade in AEW.

Elijah Burke vs. Tommy Dreamer

Dreamer kicks at the leg to start and clotheslines Burke outside. For some reason Dreamer goes to pick him up from the apron and gets snapmared to the floor in a big crash. Back in and Burke hits the running slingshot elbow but Dreamer suplexes his way out of a chinlock. The Texas Cloverleaf is countered and Burke goes to the top, where Dreamer tries a superplex. That’s countered with a neck snap across the top, setting up the Elijah Express for the fast pin.

John Morrison dubs himself the Shaman of Sexy and the Guru of Greatness and doesn’t think much of CM Punk. They don’t serve diet soda in the Palace of Wisdom and after tonight, no one will remember Punk’s name.

HHH is back at Summerslam.

Miz vs. Balls Mahoney

Miz has Extreme Expose with him. Mahoney grabs a headlock to start and shoulders him down. Back up and Miz manages to knock Mahoney outside, where Kelly Kelly looks worried. Mahoney is sent back inside where he avoids a neckbreaker but walks into the Reality Check to give Miz the win.

Post match, Kelly Kelly continues to look worried about Mahoney.

CM Punk promises John Morrison will never forget his name.

Raw Rebound.

Stevie Richards is ready to talk about his wins over Kevin Thorn, but Thorn jumps him from behind and leaves him laying.

John Morrison vs. CM Punk

Non-title but it’s a 15 Minutes of Fame match, so if Punk wins/survives, he gets the ECW World Title shot at Summerslam. Feeling out process to start as Morrison takes him into the corner to start, only to be taken down by the arm. That’s reversed into Morrison’s armbar, which turns into a fight over a top wristlock. Morrison takes him down with a snapmare and points at the clock (now at about 11:00 to go) but Punk fights up and hits a dropkick.

A hard clothesline gives Punk two and a big running version sends Morrison outside. That means a slingshot dive to the floor but Morrison pops up (a bit too fast) to kick Punk off the apron. Punk is fine enough to suplex Morrison over the top and we take a break. Back with about 4:00 to go as Morrison gets two off a leg lariat.

The middle rope moonsault misses though and Punk kicks away, setting up the springboard clothesline for two. We’re down to two minutes as Punk rolls him up for two. Morrison is back with a backbreaker into a neckbreaker for two of his own but Punk gets a rollup for another two with a minute left. The GTS is broken up and Morrison hits an enziguri for a double knockdown. Not that it matters as Punk is back up with the GTS for the pin with five seconds left.

Rating: C+. The ending wasn’t quite in doubt and they didn’t make that much better by screwing up some of the drama near the end. Since a draw was the same as a win for Punk, the ending wasn’t really in doubt with about thirty seconds left. I do like Punk getting the pin though, as he needed to show he could beat Morrison after back to back losses.

Overall Rating: C. The main event is the only thing worth seeing but it was nice to see them advancing some other stories. The biggest flaw around here has been the World Title getting almost all of the focus so maybe they are starting to learn a bit. Not a great show, but it flew by and the main event set up ECW’s contribution for Summerslam, which needed to be done.

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ECW on Sci Fi
Date: July 31, 2007
Location: US Airways Center, Phoenix, Arizona
Commentators: Joey Styles, Tazz

The CM Punk vs. John Morrison feud seems to be continuing and Punk might have a new path to get back to the title. Last week Morrison introduced the 15 Minutes Of Fame, where you can get a title shot for surviving against him in a fifteen minute match. That could go in a few different ways so let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence, with Let The Bodies Hit The Floor back as the theme song.

Here is John Morrison for an opening chat. He is our portal to the infinite and the new face of extreme. Join him in the Palace of Wisdom or continue to be slaves to society. He is a fighting champion, so tonight it is a new 15 Minutes Of Fame Challenge against one of the greatest athletes in Arizona. We hear about some Arizona athletes, none of whom were up to Morrison’s standards. Instead, we have this challenger.

John Morrison vs. Joey Blaylock

Non-title and Morrison knees him down, setting up the corkscrew neckbreaker for the pin in less than thirty seconds. As he has been in the past, Blaylock would become better known as Joey Ryan.

Post match Morrison says that wasn’t much of a challenge so he wants another opponent. Cue Tommy Dreamer, to say he has been around longer than fifteen minutes and wants a shot of his own. Cue Elijah Burke to say Dreamer is prehistoric and fifteen years past his time. Someone like him deserves the shot, but here is CM Punk to interrupt as well. If Morrison is that confident, let’s do it one more time, and if Punk loses, he’ll never challenge again. Morrison turns them all down, because that was a grueling match. Instead, do the triple threat thing, with the winner getting a 15 Minutes Of Fame challenge next week.

Stevie Richards vs. Kevin Thorn

Rematch from last week where Richards won in an upset. Thorn powers him into the corner to start and stomps away before tying Richards in the ropes. The neck crank doesn’t last long so we go with the reverse chinlock to keep Richards in trouble. There’s a torture rack to stay on the back and Thorn drops to his knees for a backbreaker and a near fall. Back up and Thorn misses a charge into the post, setting up a rollup to give Richards the fluke pin.

Rating: C-. Again, giving someone some wins is the perfect way to build them up. It really is that simple a lot of the time but for some reason it is turned into something far too complicated. Richards was a joke and suddenly looks like a little something just by winning two matches. Odds are it doesn’t lead anywhere, but at least they’re making a bit of an effort.

Video on Big Daddy V.

Video on CM Punk.

Big Daddy V vs. Jeff Michaels/Brandon Gaston/John Armstrong

Everyone goes after V at the same time so Michaels is gorilla pressed onto Armstrong. The beating is on in a hurry and it’s a triple splash in the corner. A swinging Boss Man Slam drives Gaston onto the other two for the triple pin. Almost a literal squash.

Post match the Boogeyman returns (now with new face paint) and V bails.

Extreme Expose dances, followed by Layla introducing Miz.

Miz vs. Balls Mahoney

Miz sends him to the apron to start and a drop toehold sends Mahoney face first into the middle buckle. Mahoney fights back with an uppercut and spinebuster for two with Miz putting his foot on the rope. Back up and Mahoney misses a charge into the corner, allowing Miz to hit the Reality Check for the fast pin.

Video on Tommy Dreamer.

Elijah Burke says that was a nice video but he’ll just tell you what’s about to happen because his highlight video would go on a lot longer. He’s going to win tonight.

HHH is back at Summerslam.

Tommy Dreamer vs. CM Punk vs. Elijah Burke

The winner gets a 15 Minutes of Fame match against John Morrison next week. Joined in progress after a break with Punk getting kicked to the floor, leaving Dreamer to send Burke face first into the buckle. Punk is back in so Dreamer neckbreakers him down for an early two. Burke sends Dreamer outside and pounds on Punk, setting up the chinlock. That’s broken up and Punk kicks Burke in the face for two of his own, only to get backdropped over the top (and partially onto the steps).

The fans want tables but have to settle for Burke Russian legsweeping Dreamer for two. Burke’s handstand elbow out of the corner gets the same, with Punk making the save this time. Punk sends Dreamer outside as well and hits the double suicide dive for the big crash. They all get back in with Dreamer belly to back suplexing Punk for two, with Burke making a save of his own.

Burke stomps on both of them until Dreamer pulls him into a Texas Cloverleaf. Punk breaks that up with a hard kick to the back of Dreamer’s head, setting up a butterfly backbreaker for two on Burke. Dreamer takes Burke up top but it gets turned into the Tower of Doom to put everyone down. Back up and Punk sends Dreamer outside, setting up the GTS to finish Burke.

Rating: C+. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Dreamer was a nice addition to the match as it gave you a possible second option. No one would have bought Burke having a chance one on one against Punk but there was a tiny chance that Dreamer could have pulled it off. Punk is the way to go though, and now he has a chance to earn another title shot, but it needs to be his last one.

Overall Rating: C. As has been the case for a long time, the World Title is the only thing that feels like it matters around here. They did set up Boogeyman vs. Big Daddy V, but that can’t go longer than one match. Richards is interesting to a point, though I can’t imagine he is anything more than a light meal for a bigger star. A second story would do a lot of good around here, and that is more than building someone up for a one sided feud.

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ECW on Sci Fi
Date: July 24, 2007
Location: Save Mart Center, Fresno, California
Commentators: Tazz, Joey Styles

We’re done with the Great American Bash and John Morrison is still the ECW World Champion, having beaten CM Punk again. That means he needs a new challenger and I have no idea who that is supposed to be. The roster isn’t exactly deep at the top and that could become a problem. Let’s get to it.

Here is the Great American Bash if you need a recap

Here is ECW World Champion John Morrison, billed as the reason you are here, the man who beat CM Punk in the middle of the ring, and the new face of extreme. Morrison says he is here to make us believe, which is because he is destined to do great things. That was the case at the Great American Bash, where he retained his championship. Some are born to sweet delight and some are born to endless night.

Punk does not have the glow of the ECW World Title to brighten his existence and will never get another shot. A real champion doesn’t face the same person over and over so it is time for someone to claim their Fifteen Minutes of Fame. If anyone can last fifteen minutes with him or somehow even beat him, they will get an ECW World Title shot. Morrison already has someone in mind, and they are from right here in Fresno!

John Morrison vs. ???

Non-title Fifteen Minutes Of Fame match and Morrison hits the flipping neckbreaker for the pin in about thirty seconds. Useful enough gimmick for Morrison going forward and a good way to start.

HHH is back at Summerslam.

Kevin Thorn vs. Stevie Richards

Thorn knocks him down with a clothesline to start but Richards hits a kick to the face. That’s enough to send Thorn outside, where he sweeps the leg to knock Richards off the apron. Back in and Thorn grabs an over the shoulder backbreaker to set up a series of slams. Richards kicks his way out of the corner but gets taken right back down. The Razor’s Edge out of the corner is countered though and Richards grabs a backslide for the huge upset.

Rating: C. I certainly didn’t see that one coming so well done on the surprise. Richards has been working hard as of late and he doesn’t feel like an easy win these days, so giving him a win isn’t the craziest idea. He isn’t going to be anything more than a meal for a bigger star later, but points for laying the ground work.

We look back at Extreme Expose dancing on Miz last week.

Miz vs. Nunzio

Before the match, Miz says he feels like the women of Fresno are undressing him with his eyes. He can’t help it that he’s a chick magnet, so he invites Extreme Expose to come watch at ringside. Miz’s headlock doesn’t get him very far to start so he shoulders Nunzio down instead.

Nunzio manages to send him face first into the corner though and a top rope shoulder gets two. The running corner clothesline gives Miz two of his own and we hit the chinlock, with Extreme Expose approving. Back up and Nunzio strikes away, including some running forearms. The Sicilian Slice gets two but Miz is right back with the Reality Check for the win.

Rating: D+. The match wasn’t exactly great, but the point is to get Miz in the ring and have him annoy people by winning matches. Throw in Extreme Expose having a thing for him and it’s easy to see why this is starting to work. It always helps to have someone with Miz’s punchable face, and I’m digging the whole thing a good bit more than I probably should.

Post match, Miz invites the ladies in for more dancing.

Big Daddy V vs. Jimmy Cruz/Victor Calvio

Matt Striker is on commentary. Calvio is taken over with a headlock, followed by a gorilla press toss to Cruz. A Samoan drop and something like a spinebuster set up a double splash in the corner. Cruz gets Boss Man Slammed onto Calvio for the fast pin. As squashish as it should have been.

CM Punk/Tommy Dreamer vs. Elijah Burke/John Morrison

Burke starts with Punk, who wants Morrison instead. That’s exactly what Punk gets, plus a headlock from Morrison for a bonus. Punk gets taken into the corner for some alternating stomping but he kicks Morrison to the floor. A backdrop sends Burke outside as well and we take a break.

Back with Dreamer suplexing Burke for two and handing it back to Punk for a hilo. Dreamer and Morrison come back in, with the latter being tossed away without much trouble. A catapult sends Morrison into the buckle for two and there’s the bulldog out of the corner for the same. The Texas Cloverleaf sends Morrison over to the rope, allowing him to get up for an enziguri.

Burke comes in to kick Dreamer in the head as well and we hit the chinlock. A heck of a running kick to the back of the head rocks Dreamer again and Burke hits the Vader Bomb elbow. Morrison’s figure four necklock is countered with an electric chair but Burke comes in to slam Dreamer’s face into the mat over and over.

Morrison comes back in for a slingshot dropkick to the floor and we hit the chinlock back inside. Dreamer fights up and catches him on top though, setting up a hanging neckbreaker. That’s finally enough for the hot tag to Punk so house can be cleaned in a hurry. There’s a Shining Wizard to put Morrison on the floor and the GTS puts Burke away.

Rating: C. This was your main event style tag match, ECW edition, meaning that it served its purpose perfectly well. It seems that we’ll be getting Punk vs. Morrison again, which answers the question of “how are they getting around having no one else but Punk”. Dreamer and Burke were fine seconds here, but the match never got above just ok.

Overall Rating: C-. Not the most thrilling show here, but it does seem that they are building things up for the future. The Fifteen Minutes Of Fame deal should work well and I could see Richards giving Morrison a run for his money. Other than that, there is nothing major going on, but at least they are trying to do something with someone else. It’s not a great show, but at least they are trying to do a few things.

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ECW On Sci Fi
Date: July 10, 2007
Location: New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana
Attendance: 2,271
Commentators: Tazz, Joey Styles

We are on the way to the Great American Bash, where Johnny Nitro will defend the ECW World Title against CM Punk. That’s about all that we have going on at the moment, but there is a new detail that is going to chance everything: it’s time for the Miz’s debut, as ECW goes reality. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence, now with a new theme song.

It’s time for Striker’s Classroom, with the Boogeyman as this week’s guest. Striker is going to change tradition a bit this week, because the teacher has a gift for the student: a bowl full of worms! We see Boogeyman worming Striker two weeks ago so Striker explains that worms are hermaphrodites who have laid eggs in Boogeyman’s mouth. Worms are coldblooded, just like what Boogeyman has been doing to Striker! That ends right now though….and here is the former Viscera, now known as Big Daddy V, to slam Boogeyman onto the desk. Boogeyman gets thrown through a chalkboard to wrap it up. Nice debut.

HHH is coming back. I’m sure he’ll make time for ECW.

Elijah Burke vs. Balls Mahoney

Mahoney slugs away to start but Burke punches him down even faster. The headstand elbow out of the corner gets two on Mahoney and we hit the chinlock. Mahoney fights up but misses the New Jersey Jam, setting up the Elijah Express to give Burke the fast pin.

Rating: D+. This was a rehab match for Burke, who has been losing a lot as of late. Sometimes the best thing that you can do for a wrestler is put them in the ring for a quick win like this and let them get back on track. I don’t think Burke has much of a ceiling around here these days, but a win is better than nothing.

Video on Tommy Dreamer.

CM Punk vs. Stevie Richards

Punk strikes away to start and hits a swinging neckbreaker for an early two, followed by a kick to the head. There’s a running legdrop for two and we’re already in the chinlock on Richards. That’s broken up and Richards scores with a few kicks for a near fall of his own. Richards grabs a chinlock to even the score, only to have Punk grab a kneebar.

Richards fights up so Punk suplexes him down into a half crab. That’s broken up as well so Punk hits the running knee in the corner, setting up the bulldog for two. This time it’s Richards back up with a Downward Spiral into a Koji Clutch, but Punk is next to the rope. Back up and Richards tries the tornado DDT, only to get caught in the GTS for the pin.

Rating: C. This was more competitive than I would have bet on and that’s a good thing. It’s nice to have Punk break a sweat in a match like this as there is little benefit to have him in an easy win. Richards is good for a match like this if you need him out there to make someone look better. Nice surprise here.

Extreme Expose is rather pleased to meet the Miz, who they find cute.

Miz vs. Nunzio

Miz takes him to the mat and they exchange some grappling. Nunzio forearms him in the back and kicks him in the ribs, setting up a middle rope dropkick. There’s some choking on the rope and the chinlock goes on to keep Miz in trouble. Nunzio gets caught using the ropes so he switches to a headscissors, which triggers Miz’s comeback. Some running clotheslines set up a middle rope clothesline for two on Nunzio, followed by the Mizard of Oz for the pin.

Rating: C-. Miz was wrestling more like a face here and that’s a weird thing to see after everything else he has done so far. He’s another case where you need to get the fresh blood on the show and this is as good of a place as any. Let him get some reps in here and see what you can get out of him, as Miz certainly has the intangibles.

Extreme Expose.

We look back at Big Daddy V destroying Boogeyman.

Tommy Dreamer vs. Johnny Nitro

Non-title and Extreme Rules so Dreamer brings out the weapons. Nitro spends a bit too much time posing on the floor so Dreamer goes after him to start the beating. The brawl actually goes to Nitro, who gets rid of all of the weapons save for a crutch. Dreamer takes that away though and starts going after Nitro’s leg. The Cloverleaf keeps up the pain until Dreamer lets go and gets sent into the post. Nitro breaks the crutch over Dreamer’s arm and starts kicking away until a fall away slam cuts him off.

A slingshot dropkick puts Dreamer on the floor, where Nitro wraps a chair around his neck and sends it into the post. The corkscrew moonsault off the barricade gets two, because Extreme Rules now means falls count anywhere. Back in and Dreamer crotches him on top, setting up a few trashcan lid shots to the head. Dreamer goes up top but gets pulled down onto the lid, but he’s fine enough to catch Nitro on top. Nitro gets put in a trashcan for the running Tree of Woe dropkick. Dreamer is back up but Nitro drop toeholds him face first into an open chair for the fast pin.

Rating: C. This was about what you would expect, as Nitro gets some more momentum. It means a bit more to beat Dreamer in the violent match as that’s about all Dreamer is known for, so at least they’re getting the concept right. It’s still a bit hard to take Nitro seriously as the champion of the show, but they’re trying to make him seem above everyone else.

Overall Rating: C-. They are certainly trying to bring up a new generation as of late and it is only working out so well so far. Granted that’s kind of the point of an introductory period, as you have to get used to having these guys around. It was a totally watchable show, but you can tell that there is a lot less attention and effort from WWE than you would get on the major shows. Not a great show, but they’re working through a tricky period at the moment.

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ECW On Sci Fi
Date: June 5, 2007
Location: Amway Arena, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Joey Styles, Tazz

We’re done with One Night Stand and some ECW things actually took place on the show. First and foremost, Bobby Lashley got the ECW World Title back from Vince McMahon, which should wrap their feud up for good. Other than that, Rob Van Dam seems to be out of action for the time being after Randy Orton beat the living daylights out of him. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Lashley winning the handicap match to get the title back.

Opening sequence.

Here is Vince McMahon, sitting in a rocking chair on a platform, with a rather annoyed glare on his face. Bobby Lashley comes out as Vince keeps rocking back and forth without doing much of anything.

Bobby Lashley vs. Tommy Dreamer/Sandman/Balls Mahoney

Non-title hardcore match. The trio grabs their weapons and start swinging to put Lashley on the floor. Back in and they do it again, followed by a third time for good measure. For some reason Dreamer thinks a suplex is a good idea and gets suplexed down for his efforts. Sandman and Mahoney drape Lashley over the top with Sandman dropping a leg to the back of the neck. Dreamer is back in for the baseball slide to the chair in the Tree of Woe. It’s table time (because of course) but Mahoney chairs Dreamer by mistake. That’s enough for Lashley to put Sandman through the table and spear Mahoney down for the pin.

Rating: C-. You can only get so much out of something like this as Lashley isn’t going to lose to three people so low on the totem pole. I guess this is the best punishment Vince can muster at the moment and while it wasn’t awful, it was spending a few minutes waiting around for Lashley to beat them up. Just find something better for Lashley to do already.

Post match, Lashley poses in front of Vince, who doesn’t move.

Kevin Thorn vs. Stevie Richards

Richards forearms away to start and sends Thorn outside. The dive off the apron is pulled out of the air though, allowing Thorn to drive him into the apron. Back in and the chinlock goes on until Richards fights up, only to be dropped face first onto the turnbuckle instead. Richards strikes away and sends Thorn throat first into the middle rope fir a change. A spinebuster cuts Richards off though and Original Sin is good for pin.

Rating: D. This was another boring one as Thorn isn’t all that interesting once he gets in the ring. The vampire deal is a cool idea but other than the finisher, he’s just another low level power guy. Richards was trying as always, but there wasn’t much anyone could do in these circumstances.

Extreme Expose, who mix it up this week by adding some dancing on the announcers’ table.

We look at Randy Orton injuring Rob Van Dam at One Night Stand, putting Van Dam on the shelf.

Elijah Burke/Marcus Cor Von vs. Major Brothers

Cor Von charges at them to start and the beating is on in a hurry. Brett starts working on the arm though and Brian comes in with a top rope ax handle. That doesn’t work so well so it’s off to Burke, who gets double hiptossed right back down. Cor Von isn’t having this though and comes back in to run both of them over.

A slam in the corner sets up Burke’s seated abdominal stretch, followed by Cor Von’s waistlock. Cor Von knees Brett in the ribs to cut off the comeback and Burke puts on a standing abdominal stretch. For some reason he lets that go though and knees Brett in the back, sending him over to the corner for the tag to Brian. The comeback doesn’t please Cor Von so he tags himself back in to hit the Pounce for the pin.

Rating: C-. You can definitely see something in the Major Brothers, as they feel like a team who know each other well. It also helps that they have gotten some TV time now and have a bit of familiarity with the fans. The New Breed is all but done at this point, but a win over the Majors isn’t going to hurt anyone at the moment.

We recap the opening match, including Vince McMahon almost looking like he was in a trance.

CM Punk vs. Matt Striker

Before the match, Striker promises to teach Punk a lesson to educate these people cheering for him. Punk leg lariats him down to start and a pair of kicks gets two more. Striker comes back with some suplexes and a slam, setting up the half crab. With that broken up, Striker hits a hanging swinging neckbreaker before going right back to the same hold. Punk escapes again and starts striking away, including the running knee in the corner. The bulldog sets up the GTS to give Punk the pin.

Rating: C-. There’s only so much you can get out of Striker, who much like Thorn, is a far better character that he is a wrestler. It also doesn’t help that Punk is one of the biggest stars on this show and isn’t losing to anyone but another big star. Striker put in the effort here, but it was only going to get him so far.

Overall Rating: D+. This was quite the lame duck show as we are less than a week away from the Draft so none of this really mattered all that much. Vince still being broken was the highlight, as he is still one of the best performers in the world. Things need to be shaken up around here so the Draft is coming at the right time, but it didn’t exactly make for a good show this week.

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ECW on Sci Fi
Date: May 15, 2007
Location: 1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore, Maryland
Commentators: Joey Styles, Tazz

It’s the go home show for Judgment Day and Bobby Lashley is still chasing Vince McMahon and the ECW World Title. That has been a well done story so far and we could be in for even more of the same going forward, as the whole thing seems to have some legs, just because of how gleeful Vince seems to be as champion. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Bobby Lashley getting beaten down by Umaga and the McMahons last night on Raw.

Vince McMahon joins us from WWE headquarters and talks about how much of a fashion statement his doorag really is. He blames Bobby Lashley for needing it and Lashley must like seeing him in it. Well Vince likes what he saw happen to Lashley last night, which is why tonight it’s Lashley vs. the New Breed in another handicap match. That’s just a preview for Sunday though, where Vince will retain the title. Vince is just perfect in this role.

Opening sequence.

Rob Van Dam vs. Snitsky

Snitsky throws him down to start and stomps away, setting up some elbows for two. A suplex gets the same and Snitsky forearms away at the chest. Snitsky mixes things up a bit with a double underhook arm crank but Van Dam fights out and kicks away. The spinwheel kick and windmill kick drop Snitsky but Rolling Thunder misses. Instead Snitsky gets crotched on top off a missed boot and gets kicked outside. That’s fine with Snitsky, who blasts him with a clothesline before adding a chair shot for the DQ.

Rating: C-. Snitsky had the right look to be a monster and could do a good enough power match, so this was about as good as he was going to do. Van Dam has fallen pretty hard in the last few months and I’m not sure how much higher you can expect him to get at the moment. A win in a rematch over Snitsky might help, but I’m not sure if there is a magic formula for him around here.

Video on CM Punk.

CM Punk vs. Stevie Richards

Punk has heavily taped ribs and strikes away to start but gets slowed down by the injury. Richards is smart enough to go after the ribs and try to rip off the tape, which only earns him more kicks to the ribs. The bow and arrow stays on the ribs and Richards gets creative with a jumping double stomp. An abdominal stretch doesn’t last long but Richards misses a charge in the corner. Punk’s neckbreaker out of the corner gets two but Richards hits a running dropkick. Punk has finally had it though and reverses a tornado DDT into the GTS for the pin.

Rating: C. This was a short match but they did it about as well as they could have. Richards didn’t do anything outside of the logical path by working on Punk’s injured ribs but he mixed it up a bit tp keep things fresh. Rather nice match here all things considered and I would not have bet on that.

Elijah Burke fires up the rest of the New Breed, who don’t seem entirely convinced at his leadership.

Kevin Thorn vs. Nunzio

Ariel is here with Thorn, who powers him into the corner to start as the smoke from Thorn’s entrance has to clear out. Nunzio’s jawbreaker doesn’t get him anywhere as he hits a spinning jackknife out of the corner (that looked good) and hits some crossface forearms. Nunzio swings away to no avail as the chinlock goes on. That’s broken up but Thorn gets some boots up in the corner. The Dark Kiss finishes Nunzio in a hurry.

Rating: D+. Nothing match here, as you might have guessed, but the interesting thing here is that Nunzio was replacing Sabu. It turns out that Sabu wasn’t interested in losing to Thorn and was fired as a result. That is probably the best for everyone involved, as Sabu never fit in WWE and it isn’t like he was doing anything important at the moment.

Weekly Condemned material.

Extreme Expose.

Here’s the same video package that opened the show.

Bobby Lashley promises to end Vince McMahon on Sunday and get the ECW World Title back.

Judgment Day rundown.

Bobby Lashley vs. New Breed

Before the match, Elijah Burke praises Marcus Cor Von and says they’re getting there with Matt Striker. Burke starts going over his own resume but Striker handles the end of the introduction for him (while giving the fans an F for their lame effort). Cor Von likes Burke too and now it’s time to go. Burke starts for the team and is powered into the corner in a hurry. The delayed vertical suplex keeps Burke in trouble so it’s off to Cor Von for the power showdown.

Lashley leapfrogs Cor Von and elbows him in the face, which somehow makes Striker tag himself in. That means Striker can get a beating of his own but Cor Von sneaks in with the Pounce to send Lashley outside. The villains start taking turns on Lashley, who finally fights out of Cor Von’s chinlock. The comeback doesn’t last long as Cor Von knocks him down again, setting up the seated abdominal stretch. Lashley fights up again and starts pummeling Striker, including the spear for the pin as Burke and Cor Von watch from ringside.

Rating: C-. Another match where they didn’t have a lot of options and even the logical way to go was only so good. Lashley has been built up about as much as he can for a match like he has coming up so this was just the last thing he did rather than any major push. New Breed continues to fall apart, and that is a good thing as the team is ready to go on their separate ways.

Replays and glaring wrap up the show.

Overall Rating: C-. I wasn’t feeling this one and that isn’t a big surprise. It was pretty clear that Lashley vs. McMahon is the only real story on the show, so what else were they supposed to do for the rest of the hour? ECW does not have a lot of depth when it comes to stories. The matches themselves haven’t been much either, leaving this as a not very surprising lackluster effort.

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