The ECW Evaluation 08.22.06

Alright, before I start, I’d like to thank everyone who read my Evaluation last week, and for those who sent me feedback; it was appreciated.

As for this week’s Evaluation, my laptop froze at about 8PM EST, and had some problems on it due to AIM Triton. I had to hand write the show on paper and type it up once it was fixed. So, it shouldn’t be too indepth, but hopefully it’ll be fine.

On to the show…

August 22nd, 2006
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Joey Styles and Tazz

Sabu/Big Show rematch is set for later tonight.

Extreme Bikini Contest
Torrie Wilson vs. Kelly
The Contest:Torrie goes first, followed by Kelly Kelly. As Kelly begins, Knox and Test run out to stop her. Dreamer and Sandman quickly make the save. Sandman gets on the mic and challenges Test and Knox to a match right now, and he gets his wish as a referee comes out and we begin.

Test, Mike Knox & Kelly Kelly vs. Tommy Dreamer, Sandman & Torrie Wilson

The Match: Torrie attacks Kelly Kelly Kelly Kelly Kelly from behind to start. The lights go out for absolutely no reason and we come back with Torrie Wilson giving the stink face to Kelly Kelly in the corner. Test and Dreamer tag in and trade punches. Test gains the advantage and hits two backbreakers and a side slam, and makes the cover. Sandman breaks it up after two and Knox attacks Dreamer in the ring behind the referee’s back. Knox nails a running knee to the back of the head and then three elbows. He throws Sandman out of the ring as “You can’t wrestle!” chants begin. Test throws Sandman into the steel post and slides him back in. Knox makes the cover, but Sandman kicks out. Test tags in and applies a bear hug. Dreamer fights out of it, but test lands a kick to the gut. Dreamer then reverses a Pumphandle Slam into a neck breaker, and both Knox and Sandman tag in. Sandman cleans house until Test attacks him from behind. Sandman manages to nail the white Russian Leg Sweep on Test and then a suplex to Knox. Sandman climbs the turnbuckle and HITS THE ROLLING ROCK! Take that Jeff Hardy. Sandman goes for the cover, but Test drags him out of the ring. Test attempts to throw Sandman into the post once again, but Sandman reverses him and sends Test into the post instead. Back in the ring, Knox misses a diving leg drop and Dreamer tags in. Tommy nails the Dreamer DDT on Knox and that is all.

The Review: This was good action and I basically forgot that Kelly Kelly and Torrie were even in this match. It was standard stuff, but was fun. *¾

The Aftermath: The feud’s starting to go somewhere, and you’ve got to love the effort these guys are putting out there, especially Sandman.

Heyman talks to Big Show backstage. He tells Show that he’s the most dominating champ in ECW history, but that he’s upset that he accepted Sabu’s challenge. Show tells Paul that he worries too much and we head of to commercials.

An ESPN Fantasy commercial is shown. Honestly, don’t listen to these guys. The other day on Sportscenter, one of them said to stay away from T.O. Yeah, okay. Stay away from possibly the #1 rated reciever in football this year. Good idea.

Matt Stryker debuts, while keeping his teacher gimmick. He says that ECW brings back images of violent, and that makes him want to vomit. He came to ECW for it is his responsibility to teach us. I personally love the idea of Stryker in ECW; he’s got the attitude and the ring skills to put on a show.

Extreme Rules Match
Kevin Thorne w/Ariel vs. Balls Mahoney
The Match: Balls brings a chair out with him, but Thorne attacks Balls as he’s getting into the ring. Mahoney ducks a clothesline, and nails the Balls Combo and a kick to the face. The two go outside the ring, and Balls slams Thorne’s head onto the announce table. They trade punches and the two get back inside the ring. Thorne grabs a walking stick and repeatedly hits Balls with it. Balls ducks a swing and nails the Combo once again, and hit’s a sit-out spine buster for two. Mahoney grabs the chair outside the ring, but as he attempts to slide back in, Shelly bites his leg, which allows Thorne to kick the chair right in Balls’ face. Thorne nails the Elevated Stunner and that is all.

The Review: Balls was able to get in a decent amount of offense, but this was still a squash nonetheless. ¼*

The Analysis: I have no problem with this; it’s a good win for Thorne. They need to progress his character next week, though.

Still to come is the Summerslam rematch, which actually is not a Summerslam rematch as that match was an Extreme Rules match, and tonight’s match is not.

Commercials. RAW is on Sci-Fi next week for those who don’t know.

We’re back with another small Shannon Moore segment. Is he ever going to debut?

CM Punk vs. CW Anderson
The match: They lockup to start, and Anderson leads Punk into the corner and are broken up. CW hit’s a drop toe hold, but the two quickly get back to their feet. Anderson nails a big left hand and throws Punk into the corner. CM counters with the guillotine choke. Punk attempts a sunset flip, but Anderson counters with a cross arm breaker, and then picks him up. CW gets whipped into the corner and Punk nails the running knee/bulldog combo. Anderson comes back with a big spine buster for two. CM nails some kicks and makes CW tap to the Anaconda Vice for the pin.

The Review:This was another short match with some good action. Anderson got in a good amount of offense. *½

The Aftermath:Punk gets another win and Anderson debuts on television. Hopefully they utilize CW in more than just squash matches.

Commercials.

We return with Heyman now talking to someone backstage, and it turns out to be the return and ECW debut for Hardcore Holly. Heyman tells him that he needs to make an impact.

Rob Van Dam vs. Danny Doring

RVD hit’s a low scissors rollup early on for two. He nails a drop toe hold, followed by a spin kick, but Doring hits a spinning cradle and some elbows to the back. Van Dam fights out of a submission hold and hit’s a few kicks. Rob monkey flips Doring out of the turnbuckle, nails a diving thrust kick and then the rolling thunder, and finishes off Danny with the Five Star Frog Splash.

After the match, Holly runs out and nails both RVD and Doring with a chair, and then hit’s the Alabama Slam on Van Dam.

The Review:Just a typical squash so RVD has something to do. ¼*

The Aftermath: Good to see Holly back, though I am not a fan of his. I do think that he can be very good in ECW with his style. Poor Danny Doring; he has no real role in ECW now that Roadkill is likely heading to RAW.

Commercials.

Rene Dupree once again says he’s extreme.

ECW World Title Match
Big Show vs. Sabu
The Match: Sabu attacks early with punches, but Big Show hits two head butts. Show lands a couple of chops, and throws Sabu onto the ropes as we head to a commercial break.

We return with a table set up outside the ring. Show hit’s a scoop slam, and then a big clothesline. He applies a bear hug, but Sabu thumbs him in the eyes before he’s thrown to the mat. Big Show, unable to see, runs right into the referee. Sabu dives off the ropes with a cross body, but Show catches him and nails a fall away slam. Sabu grabs a chair and nails Show with it twice. He jumps off the top rope and hits another chair shot. Sabu lands the Triple Jump Moonsault and then the Arabian Facebuster. He goes for the cover, but of course the ref is knocked out. A new ref runs down and makes the count, but Big Show kicks out after two. Sabu grabs the ringbell and DQs himself by nailing Big Show with it. He nails Show with it again, which sends him over the ropes and through the table outside the ring. We finish with Sabu left standing in the ring and a bloody Big Show on the outside.

The Review: Wasn’t given much time, but there’s not much you can do with those two if it’s not under Extreme Rules. *

The Analysis: It was booked correctly, with Sabu left standing and Big Show down. I can’t see this feud ending any time soon with Angle likely out for a while.

Overall: This was a good, yet unspectacular show, that accomplished quite a bit. We’re still awaiting the debuts of Moore and Dupree, but in the meantime Holly and Stryker debuted. Those two should make great additions to ECW, if they are used appropriately and are given time. The Knox, Test/Dreamer, Sandman feud is starting to grow on me, and they continue to put over Thorne and Punk.

Have and questions or comments? Like or dislike my column? Feel free to e-mail me with some feedback. Until next time…