Every WWE ECW Ever: ECW 25 (11/28/2006)

 

WWE ECW 25 - 11/28/2006



Welcome to another entry of Every WWE ECW Ever. We have made it to the Go Home Show to DECEMBER TO DISMEMBER, a PPV so infamous it is considered even better than Wrestlemania 3. The build is big here. We find out the items that each wrestler will (potentially) start with in their pod: 1) chair 2) table 3) crowbar 4) barbwire bat. The crowd loves the bat. We then cut to the title screen, and follow with the news that we will have three matches with the participants of the Extreme Elimination Chamber.

Big Show vs. Bobby Lashley
CM Punk vs. Test
RVD vs. Sabu

Three very fun contests. The actions kicks off right away - you can tell they are trying very hard to sell their upcoming PPV. It's just a real shame it didn't work.
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Match #1: Rob Van Dam vs. Sabu

My eyes instantly gravitated towards this match when the graphic was shown with the teams. RVD vs. Sabu is a timeless affair. There won't be many more of these, so you have to savor Original vs. Original matchups when you get them. These are the two men most associate with ECW. It's a real treat to watch this one.

The start is admittedly a little sloppy. Sabu and RVD eventually get on the same page but they initially have trouble with some timing. The brutal style of both men come to play when Sabu tries to do a sunset flip onto the floor - he misses as RVD hangs onto the ropes, and Sabu crashes hard. RVD follows it up with a dive to the outside. The match does not feature much extreme action, but this is still a great athletic display.

Sabu later gets some offense in, and as I mentioned it does feel like he is starting to gain some confidence and momentum in the ring. The two men think of some really innovative offense, with RVD doing a kick combination I don't think I have ever seen before. What I liked is throughout the contest Joey Styles and Taz emphasized on the friendship the two men shared, and you believe it. 

The math ends with Rob Van Dam getting the upper hand and finishing with a 5 Star Frog Splash. Credit to Sabu and RVD on a great opening contest. Rob Van Dam stealing the show once again?

Winner: Rob Van Dam
Match Rating: Awesome
Weapons Used: None

An announcement is made that the Hardy Boyz will have another match tonight, this time against Elijah Burke and Sylvester Terkay. 4 matches on ECW? This is a treat! Again, it's so obvious that they went all in on this go-home show, and as of the first match, I'm getting excited myself!

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Match #2: The Hardy Boyz vs. Elijah Burke & Sylvester Terkay

I love this match. First, I love the Hardyz. Second, I love Elijah Burke and Sylvester Terkay. Terkay is being advertised as being an MMA fighter, and there is a large emphasis on his martial arts background. Taz does say that "it's not boxing", but it's impressive regardless. I'm not a fan of putting down any combat sport - I love boxing and I love MMA.

Anyway, Terkay gets in some offense against the Hardyz, but the total amount that Terkay and Burke get in is substantially less than what the FBI got in - not good. Burke takes a big bump to the outside and than Terkay is methodically beat down. First he is clubbed to the ground, then a Twist of Fate and accompanying Swanton Bomb finish off the young man.

Winner: The Hardy Boyz
Match Rating: Squash
Weapons Used: None

I find it interesting that WWE is insistent on sending the Hardyz to ECW to beat up on all their tag teams who have no business facing them. There's only a few people taken seriously on the ECW roster and it's tough to invest in anyone. I like this pairing - I want them to succeed. However, this stuff make it an uphill climb.

MnM come out to attack the Hardyz post match. It's wild to see a young Joey Mercury and Johnny Nitro. Nitro hits a nice soccer kick to Jeff Hardy to put him asleep, and the three (Melina included) celebrate in front of the ECW crowd.

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Match #3: CM Punk vs. Test

An interesting matchup, surely. The interesting thing about Test being in the Extreme Elimination Chamber on Sunday is that he is in Big Show's corner, and, at least from what he's said, has no interest in winning the belt. He is there to assist the boss Heyman.

I wasn't sure how to feel about this match as Test is a big step up compared to my boy Kevin last week. Test is an Attitude Era superstar; those guys have an extra level of protection. This became evident in the match. While the contest was back and forth for the most part, it ends just as it begins to really get going. Outside the ring, Punk attacks Test and send him into the steps (the streak lives) and then into the crowd. Punk follows and beats him down mercilessly. The issue is that the ref counts them both out, resulting in a double count out. I agree with the decision - Test is a big name and while Punk will get there, let him instead make a statement. Well done by WWE/ECW.

Winner: Double Countout
Match Rating: Good Tease
Weapons Used: Steel Steps (1)

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Main Event time next. This one is being hyped up big time, and I agree. A montage of a press conference ran in Buffalo for the PPV coming up is run - funny stuff. I would love to go to a press conference for something like a WWE show, it's so random.

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Match #4: Bobby Lashley vs. Big Show

Going into this match, I am skeptical of how much of this match will actually take place. It ended up being, well, not much. Each man got in some basic moves, but it felt like neither man really ever went above first gear. They basically cruised until the cue from Heyman, where the security guards come in and assault Lashley to end the match. There is really nothing of note here.

Post match, Big Show, Test, the security guards and Heyman assault Lashley. They beat him down so badly that by the end of the show, he is not conscious. This includes a chokeslam and repeated kicks from all members of the party involved. The go-home show ends with the champion standing tall against his toughest challenge yet.

Winner: Bobby Lashley (by DQ)
Rating: Boring
Weapons: ECW Title (1), Police Baton (1)

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Match of the Night: Rob Van Dam vs. Hardcore Holly - it was the only match of substance, but it was still excellent that displayed the athleticism of both men.
Wrestler of the Night: Rob Van Dam - The One Man Show does it again. 
Worst of the Night: CM Punk - How dare you do that to my man Kevin, Phil?
Weapon Count (Total): 5 (ECW Title, Police Baton, 3 Chairs)
Chair: 49
Table: 18
Kendo Stick: 15
Police Baton: 10
Steel Steps: 7
Garbage Can: 5
Garbage Can Lid: 4
ECW Title: 3
Street Signs: 3
Ladder: 3
Camera Cord: 2
Police Helmet: 2
Cane: 2
Baking Sheet: 1
Al Snow's Head: 1
Barbwire Baseball Bat: 1
Bag of Thumbtacks: 1
Announcer's Table: 1
Belt: 1
Water Bottle: 1
Ring Bell: 1
Chalk Board: 1
Stapler: 1
Sledgehammer: 1
Steel Pipe: 1
Total (all time): 135

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We have made it! ECW December to Dismember is fast approaching. I have decided I will do a PPV roundup first, and then focus on the ECW exclusive event. There are four matches total we can do in the PPV roundup, including the Hell in the Cell match between DX and the McMahon family (plus adopted son Big Show) that are legendary affairs. Until next time - get excited!

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