WWE ECW 06 - 7/18/2006
WWE Network Link: http://network.wwe.com/video/v1522296183?contextType=wwe-show&contextId=wwe_ecw&contentId=237828884&watchlistAltButtonContext=series
Kelly Kelly's Expose gets quite possibly the loudest pop in the history of Corpus Christi before she is pulled off stage, once again, by Mike Knox. Joey Styles makes a great point as they make their way to the ring: why is Mike Knox dating an exhibitionist if he doesn't like exhibitionists in the first place? You are a man of wisdom Joey and I thank you for your service to the ECW faithful.
Match #1: Mike Knox vs. The Sandman
The Sandman busted himself open good with his beer can, and it's announced that this is the Extreme Rules match of the evening. This match was only three minutes, but it was actually pretty fun all in all. The match is mostly dominated by Mike Knox but The Sandman begins to make a comeback, which abruptly halts when Mike Knox pulls Kelly Kelly into the way of a kendo stick to the head. She sells it pretty well, Sandman actually seemed to take a bit off of the shot. The match ends with Mike Knox kneeing Sandman in the balls a bunch of times and then pinning him. Sandman's only weakness are his manly parts. Got it. As I said earlier, I didn't hate this match. Some good action, some blood (although Sandman did it to himself), Kelly Kelly taking a kendo to the noggin, and Mike Knox choking out Sandman with a camera cord all resulted in a packed three minutes. In fact, I think the match should have gone a bit longer. Maybe they will go at it longer at a PPV or on another show, but I liked what I saw. Decent stuff to start.
Winner: Mike Knox
Match Rating: Too Short
Weapons Used: Camera Cord (1), Kendo Stick (1)
They announce Big Show vs.The Undertaker for the ECW Championship as the main event. Whoa! I'm pumped, but also upset because I'd love for the match to be Extreme Rules.
Shannon Moore promo. His gimmick screams "I'm weird".
We also get a Heyman promo that I skipped through until Tommy Dreamer came out, who cuts a great promo on Heyman saying he doesn't understand why the founder of ECW treated RVD like he did. Heyman then... kisses Tommy Dreamer?
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Match #2: Tommy Dreamer vs. Test
Test comes from behind after Heyman's smooch and murders Tommy Dreamer. He leaves Tommy Dreamer on the ground withering in pain. I know this isn't a match, and I've been doing this for a few segments, but any action I will at least count as a "match" to talk about. Sorry about not making that clear. But back to the kiss... What? Why? What exactly is the point of that? I... Whatever. I'm done with it.
Winner: No contest, but really Test
Match Rating: Beatdown
Weapons Used: The Power of Love None
Balls Mahoney promo. His life is tough because his name is Balls. Can't disagree with him.
Balls Mahoney promo. His life is tough because his name is Balls. Can't disagree with him.
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Match #3: Sabu vs. Stevie Richards
First time we see Stevie Richards since the Battle Royal in Episode 01. They do mention that the two wrestled on Saturday Night's Main Event. (Note: I am going to review that (and more) in a separate post that chronicle some of the ECW-related match on WWE programming and on WWE PPVs)
Sabu always does that thing where he dives at the feet of his opponent. I'd like to see it work once. By the way, did you know Stevie Richards is a 21-time Hardcore Champion? My goodness! Anyway, back to the match. The whole story of the match is that Stevie Richards thinks he can outwrestle Sabu in a traditional wrestling match. The match is okay. It's pretty much back and forth, with Sabu winning with the Camel Clutch. After he wins, he gets mad at the ref and chases him around with the ice pick. I want to see Sabu use that icepick so badly. Why does he carry it in his shoe, exactly? If he used it, it's more than likely that he is put in jail for attempted murder. That is a sharp object that can do incredible damage. Just so strange. I get Sabu's whole gimmick is he's crazy as fuck, though, so I'll allow it, and welcome it, in fact.
Sabu always does that thing where he dives at the feet of his opponent. I'd like to see it work once. By the way, did you know Stevie Richards is a 21-time Hardcore Champion? My goodness! Anyway, back to the match. The whole story of the match is that Stevie Richards thinks he can outwrestle Sabu in a traditional wrestling match. The match is okay. It's pretty much back and forth, with Sabu winning with the Camel Clutch. After he wins, he gets mad at the ref and chases him around with the ice pick. I want to see Sabu use that icepick so badly. Why does he carry it in his shoe, exactly? If he used it, it's more than likely that he is put in jail for attempted murder. That is a sharp object that can do incredible damage. Just so strange. I get Sabu's whole gimmick is he's crazy as fuck, though, so I'll allow it, and welcome it, in fact.
Winner: Sabu
Match Rating: Average
Weapons Used: Almost an icepick
CM Punk promo. How many different ways can you say you're straight edge and also good at wrestling? Well, this is three times.
Kevin Thorn promo! He's not just spitting blood into the camera. Progress.
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Match #4: ECW Championship - The Big Show (C) vs. The Undertaker
This match had me pumped from the moment it was announced, and when I saw it was getting a good 15 minutes, I settled in for a show. It was a little upsetting, though, that it wasn't Extreme Rules. This match was, after all the self-created hype I had for it, a bit disappointing. Underwhelming is the better word, actually. Big Show just looked a bit... off. He wasn't very smooth and it seemed like he and Undertaker were on different pages throughout the match. Undertaker, however, looked fantastic as you'd expect. The Undertaker was in his prime at the time of this episode, and he definitely carried the match while Big Show tried his best to play his part. It just didn't come off as well as I'd hope it did. Regardless, the match was decent with some nice moments like Undertaker sitting up for a kickout, and then Great Khali interfering. After the match is called from one of the worst thrown punches in WWE history by Khali grazes Taker's face, Taker grabs a chair and makes solid contact on both guys before they team up on him and put him through the announcer's table. Khali stood victorious over him to end the show which was, well, kind of dumb. This match didn't do much that was truly impressive, but given the other matches on the card, it still takes the spot of Match of the Night.
Winner: The Undertaker (via DQ)
Match Rating: Underwhelming
Weapons Used: Chair (1), Announcer's Table (1)
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This was a decent, if not unspectacular show. The main event was not as good as I'd hope it would be, and given that I watched the rest of the show in anticipation of it, everything else seemed a bit bland. Tommy Dreamer getting into a program with Test is interesting, as is the Mike Knox and Sandman. Kelly Kelly took a kendo stick to the skull which was cool. All in all, though, this was a step back from last week. Big Show needs a break, I think, as he has been putting on some good matches with some incredible talent. There has also been a lack of Kurt Angle on the show. He was going through some injury concerns at the time and was not being used all that much on WWE programming, but he could have definitely been involved in the title picture instead of Big Show just challenging future hall of famers to come on ECW and go at it. I still like the concept of Big Show doing that, but Kurt Angle not being on the show is a detriment.
Match of the Night: The Undertaker vs. The Big Show
Wrestler of the Night: The Undertaker - Carried a lethargic Big Show
Worst of the Night: Tommy Dreamer - You got kissed by Paul Heyman
Weapon Count (Total):
Chair: 8
Kendo Stick: 6
Table: 3
Street Signs: 3
Garbage Can Top: 3
Garbage Can: 3
Baking Sheet: 1
Al Snow's Head: 1
ECW Title: 1
Steel Steps: 1
Barbwire Baseball Bat: 1
Bag of Thumbtacks: 1
Camera Cord: 1
Announcer's Table: 1
Camera Cord: 1
Announcer's Table: 1
Total (all time): 34
Six episodes in and we are averaging just under 6 weapons used a show. This isn't truly accurate to the diversion of use of these weapons by episode, as the Battle Royal in the premiere had nearly half alone (if my memory serves correctly), but still. Thanks for reading, and make sure to check back for episode seven.
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