The Fink’s Payload 07.13.06: ECDUBWE
Posted by Clarke-Rossi on 07.13.2006
With the ECW brand dying a horrible death, Mark & Chris step aside, and allow the IWC to sound off with all their ideas!
Greetings IWC, Mark & Chris here.
We don't want to say we told you so… but we, told you so. ECW sucks. There's no doubt about it. The brand is just a bad episode of Thunder everyweek, the wrong guys are getting pushed, the brand is just being more watered down, and Angle has already bailed (despite the idea he's taking time off for being injured – he bailed from the sinking ship, no doubt about it). So while we usually criticize and poke a few holes in people's ideas, we are going to break format this week and just allow Fink to make his own decisions. Because hey, ANYTHING is better than what they're doing right now.
Daniel writes: Honestly, i think ECW is dead, and it can't be helped any more, but just for fun's sake, I will try my best. With Big Show as champ,they should focus on the old ECW guys trying to get the title off him. Heyman should become his official manager and say that the old ECW guys turned their backs on him. Show can squash the guys like Roadkill, Mamaluke, Guido, but at least every other week needs to have a title match against Dreamer, Sandman, and build a program with Sabu as they already have history going back to the battle royal so it would be an easy program to set up. Sabu should win the title in about a month or so, ready for RVD to come back and RVD and Sabu should go into a long program with a series of matches, even taking in to the Dec PPV which should be held at the old ECW arena and RVD wins the title back.
Secondly, they should introduce a secondary title, most likely the T.V. Title. Build the division around Test, Dreamer, Credible, Mamaluke, even Sandman. And actually use the title as a stepping stone to World title programs, or at least to get into the main event scene. Other than Test, this division totally focuses on old ECW guys and it can be showcased similar to TNA's X Division, maybe with the stipulation that all the title matches are Extreme Rules.
The Kelly stripteases, although i have yet to see one myself, aren't popular and should go. They could use Jazz and let her beat the crap out of her, Knox makes the save and beats up Jazz. Then Jazz introduces her new man - Kurt Angle. Knox and Angle go into a program, where the winner must leave ECW. Angle wins, Knox leaves with Kelly. Simple. I dunno if Trinity can actually wrestle, but they can start to build up a Women's division too. Bring Victoria over to ECW because she is wasting away on RAW at the moment.
Until ECW get more tag teams, they can't and don't need a tag division. If they decide to carry on after the 13 weeks on the Sci-Fi network, perhaps get another hour, then they should use Roadkill & Dorring, FBI and bring in some new guys.
CM Punk should go after the TV Title before going straight into the main event, and should probably have a long run with it, 6-8 months, before joining the main event title hunt, and what would be an awesome program with either Angle or RVD.
Until ECW gets more time, i don't think there is too much more they can do in the long run until they fix some of the problems they have now. One final point - get Enter Sandman - even if it's the Motorhead cover. Personally, i dont care because i never saw the old ECW so his entrance doesnt bother me, but it's all i hear people moaning about!
Brian writes: So, I wasn't really sure who to e-mail this question to, as it's more of an opinion question and I figure if it makes you think, at least you have a forum to see if it makes anyone else think. The bottom line is that I've never watched professional wrestling and been made irrate, unless you go back to one of those InVasion angle RAWs. Namely the Steve Austin Appreciation Night.
However, this ECW sludge has GOT to stop. It is SERIOUSLY sucking all the fun that's left out of pro-wrestling. I mean, MIKE KNOX? This guy has as much personality as Kelly (or Kelly Kelly? WTF?) has rhythm. Then, I realize RVD has to serve a suspension, but they've gone through the trouble of making the Big Show seem like a monster again. So why, tell me WHY, did his ECW title win have to involve a Heyman heel turn/screwjob? I realize they probably want RVD to have a legit gripe for a rematch when he returns. Ummm, how bout the champ ALWAYS gets a rematch? How about having Big Show beat him CLEAN and having RVD sell an injury at his hands, so when he comes back the fans are even MORE behind him and make them wonder if he can actually defeat this beheamoth?
So, not even a month or so in, and whatever prestige the ECW title had is gone due to a "sports entertainment" finish. And now who do we get behind? Sabu won't be around. Neither will Angle. Every original ECW "star" has been destroyed by former languishing WWE low to mid-carders. And I'm suppose to buy them being a threat to John Cena when they appear on RAW? Please.
They CAN'T be this bad on purpose, so ...
Here's where Smackdown comes in, as no more than a few weeks ago I remember a lot of folks not being very thrilled with the WWE's B show. Since ECW has been emitting it's odor all over Sci-Fi, now I don't hear about the Smackdown product at all. Seems to me that it's just on television and people watch it.
My question to you is this: Do you think it's possible that McMahon is PURPOSELY tanking ECW to distract fans from the stink and errors of Smackdown?
David writes: How to Save ECW from Death.
(I'm going to book up to Summerslam and going to assume that ECW will have at least 2 matches on the card since it is a company wide PPV.)
ECW on Sci-Fi 7/11
Paul E comes out with your new ECW Champion the Big Show, fans booooo, even if it's mostly Smackdown fans, everyone hates Paul when he's being a dick. Goes on and on how he felt the pressure form Vince to do something about RVD's rollin problem (pop form audience). Goes on about how he's led Show to championships before and it's an honor to do it again and blah blah blah. Big Show grabs the mic and goes on and on about how RVD was the beginning and how his genie buddy Sabu is next. After that Paul announces that tonight will start a tournament to crown the new ECW TV Champion. (Before Paul finishes Sabu music hits and comes out.)
Sabu and Show Brawl all the way back to the entrance while Paul cheers him on form the ring. Then the unthinkable happens. Sandman's music hits (and its Enter Sandman since Vince has extra money from RVD not being paid for a month.) Paul looks at him confused and then WHAM. 50 million cane shots to an ocean of cheers. Segment ends with Sandman standing over Paul E.
Aftermath: From this point on next week we'd have Heyman come out and complain that these drugie drunks are ruining ECW's second chance and that he's found the perfect new face for ECW. The straight edged CM Punk. Punk comes out and talks shit about Sandman and sets up our other big rivalry. Sandman VS CM Punk (who I'd have as the two finalist in the TV title tournament at Summerslam.)
Tag titles:
The TV title tournament would stop a couple weeks before summerlslam to build the sandman cm punk feud, so I'd use this time for a 3 team TLC match for the new tag titles (yes I'd give this away on TV to help bring back some of the more hardcore audience). I'd have Little Guido/Mamaluke vs Doring/Roadkill vs Test/CW Anderson (yes odd pairing but could be billed as a hard ass tag team). I'd give the FBI the win thanks to heavy interference form Trinity and Big Guido. I think heel champs are the best way to get people to care about belts.
Summerslam:
This is the pay off. Hopefully people really want to see Sandman kill Punk and of course nobody want's big show as champ. I'd have CM Punk go over sandman to help establish punk as a star and to give some legs to the feud with sandman. However I would have Sabu beat Big Show. This would lead Paul to send man after man at sabu to get the title back (I'd use everyone that the hardcore fans hate like Knox (if he improved) Test, Big Show and eventually Angle or RVD (heel or face they would both do it for the gold)
All this gets them up till summerslam, gives us two feuds that people can learn to care about. Makes paul look like vince's lacky which will add heat to show and punk and makes everyone else look more like rebels. This would bring back all the titles and help push more stories. All this without Angle or RVD. Chris writes: Hey, I read your topic for next week, and it got the ol' juices flowing. What ECW needs is a big angle, a HUGE angle that can get people interested--one they can run apart from Monday Night Raw. Here's what I propose:
The biggest issue with ECW right now is that Big Show, the ECW champion, isn't seen as hardcore. We need to play that up a bit, while subtly changing the perception. Have Paul Heyman come out and talk about how RVD was putting his baby, ECW in favor with his "hardcore lifestyle", including having worn himself out as champion, and even giving ECW egg on its face by getting nailed with drug charges. So Paul E. went and got Big Show, a guy he can really build a brand around. 7'4, 500 lbs, he's instantly recognizable, larger than life, and above all--dominant. So what if he isn't hardcore? Hardcore let Paul Heyman down. Hardcore lost the WWE championship. Hell, long before that, hardcore killed ECW! He'll put his money on the guy who doesn't NEED a million weapons to take a guy out--he'll put his money on a guy who is a living, breathing, walking weapon!
Show spends the next several weeks dominating anyone and everyone, fron Justin Credible to Tommy Dreamer, in "extreme rules" brawls. Even RVD, once he returns off his suspension and demands his rematch, gets beaten. This should serve to make Show one of the most hated heels on the roster. The one guy who's conspicuous by his absence from the list of Big Show's victims: The Sandman, who's been off doing his little "squash the comedy jobber" thing. Paul Heyman notices this, and calls The Sandman out... and the Sandman doesn't come out. Later, Tommy Dreamer confronts the Sandman about this, pointing out that Sandman was a 5-time ECW champion, and has never backed down before. Sandman replies, "That was a long time ago... I've gotten older... and besides, look at this guy!"
"What are you trying to say?' Tommy asks, incredulous.
"C'mon, Tommy, we've known each other for a long time, please don't make me say it."
"WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY?!"
"I'M AFRAID, TOMMY! ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?! I'M AFRAID OF THE BIG SHOW!"
The next week, Paul again calls out Sandman... and adds that it's no longer an option, it's a demand. If Sandman wants to continue drawing a paycheck, and supporting his family, he will face the Big Show. Sandman, reluctantly, agrees, and the match is scheduled (if ECW is going to have any PPVs, this would be a good main event for one). In the early goings of the match, Show dominates, but Sandman eventually finds his groove and starts fighting back, to the point where he actually hits the White Russian Leg Sweep on the Big Show! 1... 2... Heyman yanks the ref out of the ring. Sandman jaw-jacks with Heyman, and gets chokeslammed by Show; Heyman slides in and makes the count, 1, 2, 3.
The next night, the shoe is on the other foot, as Sandman is now demanding a rematch, since now he knows he still has it, now he knows he can win. Heyman, meanwhile, isn't having any of it. So Sandman starts stalking Heyman and Show, interfering in Show's matches, caning Show and Heyman after matches, and generally making their lives hell. Eventually, Paul gives Sandman another shot, just out of pure frustration, but with a twist--it's Show's title, against Sandman's career! In the second match, we end up with Sandman as our winner after Heyman gets taken out by Dreamer. Sandman gets on the mic, and says it feels good to be back in the swing of things after so very long, but Show did give him the fight of his life, and he does have to concede one thing--Big Show sure as hell is hardcore!
Seth writes: Save ECW? Okay, here's my best shot:
First, BUILD THE UNDERCARD. Next week on ECW, Pauly first digs up the old Tag Titles and hands them over to their actual holders - Danny Doring & Roadkill. They basically pick up where they left off, and will have their first tag title defense tonight, against Little Guido & Tony Mamaluke - the previous champs who still haven't gotten their rematch. Guido and Tony win, and over the summer proceed to knock of one tag team after another via their nefarious cheatin' ways.
Also announced is that tonight will be the first in a series of matches to determine the #1 contender to the TV title, which is of course still held by... Kid Kash. We begin an elimination tourney, featuring most of the undercard. Eventually, CM Punk wins the tourney and gets to face Kid Kash at Summerslam, and wins the belt.
The week before Summerslam The FBI are gloating about how they've beaten every tag team to come their way, how no one can defeat them (it's kind of silly since at that point, they've been tag champs for what, a month and a half?) and how they might as well retire with the belts. When they are challenged by... the returning RVD and Sabu! Crowd goes ballistic, the old tag champs clean house, etc, etc.
At Summerslam, though, there's trouble a-brewin', and due to Sabu fucking up on some ridiculous high-risk maneuver, or getting them disqualified or something, the FBI manage to retain the belts. RVD is pissed, a fight ensues, and it leads to a classic RVD vs. Sabu program, featuring the returning Bill Alfonso because Sabu needs a mouthpiece . Meanwhile, The FBI go on to feud with "Pitbulls 2.0" Kash (now free of that pesky TV Title) and Noble.
On the top end of the card... the last match of next week's show is Big Show dominating Dreamer once again. It's a running joke at this point. Show cuts a promo on how he's the first wrestler ever to hold all three championships, blah blah blah, he's the most dominant force in wrestling history, he could have kicked Andre's ass - really build up the heel heat. Pauly comes out and cuts a promo on how now he's got a champions he can be PROUD of. Not some pothead who wouldn't listen to him like RVD. Van Dam just wouldn't listen, had to stretch himself thin, defending the belt to anyone who wanted a fight - he just wouldn't take Pauly's advice, and look what happened to him. Destroyed by The Big Show. Show gets on the mic again and goes on some more about how minor league ECW is, and how there's nobody - nobody - in ECW who could even last five minutes in the ring with him.
And if the crowd isn't already chanting "Sandman" by now, there's something wrong with them.
Chunk. Chung-chuuuung. Chunk. Chung-chung-ching! (That's the best approximation I could come up with for Sandman's music, 'kay?) - Sandman comes out, brief staredown, he takes the mic - he's about to say something - then he drops it and just starts caning Show. Show tucks tail and runs, but Pauly somehow gets stuck in a corner and winds up taking the lion's share of Sandman's beatdown.
In the upcoming weeks, there's trouble back-and-forth. Show keeps ducking Sandman, but taunting him nonetheless. He costs Sandman his forst round match in the TV title tourney against someone awful - like Mike Knox. Over the weeks, Knox (or whoever - but they seem intent on pushing him, even if I think he sucks) finds a position as one of Show / Heyman's flunkies. At least it'll be better than the "I don't want my girlfriend to strip" storyline. Sandman pulls some DX/Austin-style pranks against Pauly and Show, probably involving beer in large quantities. There's the requisite tag match of Show and Knox vs. Sandman and Dreamer. Finally, they meet at Summerslam for the belt in a BRUTAL MUTHAFUCKIN' SLOBBERKNOCKER that's unfortunately overshadowed by the Flair vs. Foley "winner is the first to throw his opponent off a ladder through a net of barbed wire into a pile of thumbtacks in a pool of lemon juice" match, or whatever it is they're going to do. Anyway, Sandman loses, but puts up a helluva fight. Show is now seen as a more legit ECW champ after having a good bloody brawl with Sandman.
After Summerslam Show does his best "I destroyed your Extreme Icon" promos. Sandman is noticeably absent the first week. They do a sketch where another ridiculous "sports entertainment" character comes out - the same sketch they've been doing every week where eventually Sandman comes out and does his thing - but this time Sandman doesn't show. The crowd chants but no dice. The next week, however, during Show's weekly beatdown of Tommy Dreamer, Sandman shows up and chases Show out of the ring. He never lands a shot on Show, though, so he turns and, shrugging "what the hell?", smacks Dreamer with it. The ref calls the DQ. There's a funny segment where at first Dreamer's angry, but then realizes he now has a win over Big Show, even if it's only a DQ. Sandman lifts his arm and they celebrate.
The Sandman / Show storyline continues for a few weeks, with Dreamer getting mixed up in things. Show representing the "new ECW" with new guys like Knox on his / Pauly's side, and Sandman and Dreamer repping for the "Old ECW" with a few of the older guys. I'd say let Sandman win the belt at the next "big event" show ECW gets to be part of, a cage match or some other gimmick match, but Show wins it back the next week via some shenanigans by Pauly. At that point, Show should hold the belt until Wrestlemania - RVD shouldn't get back into the title picture until around Rumble time, (In the meantime he's had feuds with Sabu and a returning Kurt Angle) and either by winning the Rumble or some other means RVD faces Show at WM. Maybe in a three-way with Angle.
It does seem a bit odd keeping a WCW/WWE at the top of the card like that, but ratings are better when the face is in the hunt, not on top. Show can put on a good brawl, and will eventually get the respect of the ECW crowd. All this is dependant on whether Sandman has any good matches left in him - too tough to call at this point, but he seems to have lost some weight and be in pretty decent shape - better than I expected, certainly. They just need to get rid of that white hanky hanging out his back pocket, 'cause I think according to the old San Francisco code white in the right means "I swallow" or something. Or at least move it to the left, 'cause we can at least all agree that Sandman's probably a top. "James" on the other hand (two points to anyone who remembers what I'm talking about) - he might have been a little more swooshy.
John writes: The Mission Revive Extreme Championship Wrestling
The Guilty Parties: Vince McMahonmRob Van Dam,and Sabu?
The shock of Paul Heyman turning on Rob Van Dam sends shockwaves through the industry. Here it was, Rob Van Dam, was supposed to be the poster boy for the new
revolution. Instead...Paul Heyman says he has seen what ECW has denegrated itself into a second rate of the Extreme. So it is up, Paul Heyman and The Big Show
to END Extreme Championship Wrestling once and for all.
Paul Heyman says you have a choice you can hang with scumbags like Tommy Dreamer, Sabu, or even a pitiful, miserable drunk like The Sandman..OR YOU CAN JOIN MY ARMY and CARRY OUT VINCE KENNEDY MCMAHON's ORDERS TO
ME ANDBE TAKEN TO THE PROMISE LAND, THE WWE! BOOM the stage is set you've got ECW vs. a new faction.
Paul Heyman's character will be like the Raven character controlling a group similar to Raven's Flock. On the other side you'll have your Dreamer, The Sandman, and Sabu initially. CM Punk is a natural fued for The Sandman and would fit in well with Paul Heyman.
The Big Show is there to emphasize the point of WWE. Test would be a likely fit with Paul Heyman's group because they are more WWE'ized. I would also like to bring up some talent with this fued and make it a 5 on 5. But here's the deal
Next Tuesday's show.
You have Tommy Dreamer come out and say that Paul Heyman sold out RVD but more than that he sold out ECW. Paul Heyman comes out and says he agrees with Tommy but he's always liked Tommy and is giving him a chance to sign a bright new WWE contract, tonight, and leave Extreme Championship Wrestling for good so Tommy doesn't DIE. Tommy's like fuck you, Paul. We rode together, we financed a company together, I was your right hand man.
Paul says that's all well and good and he would never believe that a good deed not go unpunished so IN THAT VERY RING
It will be TOMMY DREAMER VS. THE BIG SHOW in a match that put HARDCORE WRESTLING on the map Tommy Dreamer - "Please let it be the TACKS."
Paul Heyman - "A DUMPSTER MATCH!"
Main Event Of The Show:
Tommy Dreamer vs. The Big Show (Dumpster Match)
Paul Heyman promises us a big surprise tonight Now In A Perfect World the finish would be The Big Show tossing the referee out of the ring.Tommy Dreamer
is about to get the pin and who pops out of the dumpster? Duke DREOSE!okay so... the fans shit on it and Tommy basically cleans his clock...Tommy Dreamer now has got a cinder block from under the ring and is about to put it on The Big Show when Paul Heyman runs down and starts yelling at Tommy - "I'm sorry, I was wrong.." -
Tommy is pissed and the camera pans and Tommy gets spun around, kick to the stomach, evenflow ddt from a guy dressed in a leather jacket/ripped jeans and riot
mask.The guy? Stevie Richards - the only way to escape the shadow is to become the shadow.
So you've got individual fueds:
Steven Richards vs. Tommy Dreamer
CM Punk vs. The Sandman
Sabu vs. The Big Show
Test vs. Taz's New Protoge???????????
So the stage is set for
"AND IN THE 5 ON % "The Shadow" Steven Richards,The Big Show, Test,CM
PUNK and maybe Mike Knox(depending on how highly the WWE feels about him)
vs. Sandman Sabu Tommy Dreamer (needs to get taken out)
Tazz's new protege ? (need a new superstar to emphazie the NEW Breed getting over) and a returning RVD August 15th in DC
And the payoff to this entire fued is A 5 ON 5 MATCH
*WAR GAMES: THE MATCH BEYOND*
ECW's group is down one man as Tommy Dreamer was taken out on the way to the ring and taken to the back.
There's Tommy Dreamer w/ a man dressed in the leather, the riot gear, and is imitating Raven.
He comes in there with a spike of some sort and gets Test or someone to write in pain.
Winner: ECW CREW
and here's the payoff....
The man is taking handcuffs out of his pockets..
The Big Show is strung up.
Test is strung up... .
Stevie Richards is strung up
CM Punk is strung up
Mike Knox is strung up
Test is made to sign a WWE contract in blood CM Punk is made to drink a beer by The Sandman ala the ROH Raven Storyline
Not sure what to do with The Big Show
Mike Knox - Maybe have Kelly Finally Strip! (one can
hope) and then...
Stevie Richards is in the corner and he unhooks Stevie
Richards and hits an evenflow ddt...
takes off his riot mask....
It's SHANE MCMAHON!
Giving a speech about how he's been pent up in WWE for
way too long and is ready to break the bonds. He's
ready to lead ECW as his own entity depending on what
happens on the TV deal.
The New Breed Unleashed
Brian writes: First, contrary to popular belief, I think Big Show as champ is a good idea, since the WWE pretty much has no other choice. WWE gave the fans what they want at the start making R…V…D… the first champ, but with the suspension it is only logical to give it to a heel, and with Paul Heyman helping Big Show win, the WWE provided us with something that is very rarely shown in WWE shows; Continuity (gasp!).
For ECW to be maximally effective, it must build towards their main event being at Summerslam, a 7 week build-up. So here we go.
Week 1: ECW starts with Heyman coming out and explaining why he did what he did, that RVD wasn't listening to him as well as reasoning that on his tenure with Smackdown he saw the potential in the Big Show, but yet he was never given the shot that he truly deserved.
Tommy Dreamer comes out saying that it was Heyman who betrayed ECW and
everything the letters stand for. Tommy Dreamer heads down to receive yet another Big Show. After that, Heyman says that Big Show will destroy Sabu later on tonight just as he did Dreamer.
Kelly goes for another strip show, until Mike Knox attempts to cover her up and tells the fans that they should not be encouraging this. However, then Sandman comes out and chases Knox away from ringside. He then allows Kelly to continue her show as he takes in the show.
Test v Tony Mamaluke, Test wins in little more than a squash. He goes on to say that he's glad to see someone like the Big Show to get the shot he deserves.
CM Punk, making his debut, goes up against Balls Mahoney. This absolutely must NOT be a 2 minute squash, but an actual match with Punk winning, while eating any attempt by Mahoney to use weapons in order to win the match. After he can cut a promo saying that he doesn't need to use them, I'll just straight up beat you in the ring (holding true to form)
Big Show v Sabu, after a lengthly battle, Big Show gets the win but Dreamer comes in and finally gets one up on Big Show as he lays him out
Week 2: Dreamer starts the show by challenging Big Show to a Title match, that night! However, Heyman says that there won't be a title match tonight, however, there will be a tag match, Show and the partner of his choosing versus Dreamer and the partner of his choosing. If Dreamer can win the match, next week he'll get his shot.
CM Punk v Stevie Richards, following the same formula as the week before, showcasing Punk's talent and straight edge style to go over again.
FBI v Doring/Roadkill. A rematch of their great tag team rivalry, however it ends interference by a 'mystery man', with the FBI going over. The man is later to be revealed as Gunner Scott! Afterwards he cuts a promo that the WWE didn't give him any respect on Smackdown and has decided to come to ECW to get noticed and will continue to do so until gets the respect he deserves.
Mike Knox comes out and says that what Sandman did last week was uncalled for and completely unnecessary, Sandman rebuts with a caning.
Tommy Dreamer/Sabu versus Big Show/Test (gaining him instant heel status). Extreme rules, sick spots and several broken tables later, Tommy Dreamer gets the pin on Test earning him a title shot next week.
Week 3: Start with a Heyman promo, saying Dreamer will need all the help he can get tonight if he wants to win the title. Dreamer comes out that he has all the help that he needs…
CM Punk v Justin Credible, showcasing Punk's style as he wins again without any aid of weapons or interference.
Sandman v Mike Knox, in Sandman's first true in ring appearance, he dismantles Mike Knox most of the match and destroys him before laying down the White Russian Leg Sweep. In celebration, Sandman forcefully kisses Kelly and leaves after a few beers.
Sabu v Test, put on a good back and forth match until Gunner Scott comes out and interferes, allowing Test to win the match. After the match we see Heyman meeting with Scott in the back…
Big Show v Tommy Dreamer for the ECW Title (Extreme Rules, since we need to specify that…) Dreamer takes a pounding from Show but continues to come back for more and more, the innovator of violence makes Big Show bleed and carnage continues to ensue. As it seems Big Show just cannot do enough to put him away, Test comes to ringside. Ref bump, Test gets ready to put Dreamer away when Chris Benoit comes out to clear him out of the ring (to a huge pop) and then Gunner Scott
comes out to put Benoit out as well. Test and Scott wrestle with Benoit on the outside as Big Show gives Dreamer a cobraclutch slam onto a chair, Heyman making the count and Show retains.
Week 4: Heyman comes out to say that despite the help of Benoit, Show could not be beaten. He also announces that there will be a new title added to the ECW line-up (let's call it the ECW Television Title for now). There will be a tournament over the next few weeks to determine it's champion, with the final triple threat match slated at Summerslam. There will be 6 1st round matches, 3 2nd round matches,
and the remaining 3 will face off for the title at Summerslam
Benoit comes out and says that he didn't go in the tournament as he wanted to show the Show what ECW is all about.
TV Title QF: Credible v Test, 8 minute match and Test looks like is going to win in a textbook fashion, when there's a ref bump, Credible destroys him with a chair and gets the surprise pin. Test goes to the back where Heyman is pissed at him, but has a new mission in making sure Gunner Scott wins the TV title.
TV Title QF: CM Punk v Snow, Snow tries to give Punk some head but Punk again wins in clean fashion saying that he doesn't need any help to win these matches. Tommy Dreamer comes out and says that if Punk is to survive in ECW, he's going to have learn to be hardcore.
Sandman v Mahoney, essentially turns into a match where every weapon imaginable is used with Sandman finally winning the match. In the end Kelly gives him a show but Mike Knox comes out to get her back while giving a promo saying that this is ridiculous and he'll show Sandman next week that he's for real.
Benoit/Sabu v Scott/Show (Extreme Rules). Good back and forth match with Sabu taking much of the brunt of the offence. In the end Benoit wins making Scott tap.
Week 5: Benoit calls Big Show out, and dares him to face him one on one, cause Benoit knows that straight up Show would lose his belt. Heyman comes out, accepting the challenge on behalf of the Show, but as it is in ECW, anything goes and we'll see what happens.
TV Title QF: Dreamer v Mahoney, classic hardcore match with chairs, signs, cheese graters and more, but in the end Dreamer gets the win over Mahoney with Punk looking on. Dreamer on the mic afterwards says to Punk that if he's going to win the belt, he's going to have to get extreme.
TV Title QF: Sandman v Knox. Sandman again destroys Knox, but with some help from Kelly in the end, Sandman wins. There celebration is a little more consensual as they both leave through the stands.
Test/Scott v Sabu/Credible. Back and forth match, but in the end Scott scores the pin on Credible in a not so clean fashion.
Benoit v Big Show. Hard fought match, ends with Benoit putting the Crossface on Big Show with the referee out, the Big Show taps with no one to listen, Heyman comes out and Benoit lets go and confronts him, Show cobra clutch slams him and it's game over. Heyman hands him the title, but with Big Show turned around R…V…D… comes from nowhere to toss Heyman and deliver a Van Daminator to Big Show. RVD on the mic says that at Summerslam, he's going to retrieve what's rightfully his.
Week 6: RVD opens the show saying how he was screwed out of the ECW title, the Heyman turned his back on him, ECW and all of their fans. And at Summerslam he wants what is his. Heyman comes out says that as the former champ, it's fair for him to have a rematch and will give it to him, if he earns it, starting with a match against Test tonight. And since he was fighting liked fighting WWE rules, it will be Extreme Rules for Test, but not for RVD.
TV Title QF: Scott v Doring. Good match and it looks like Doring is going to score the win when there's some Test-erference allowing Scott to apply the armbar for the submission.
TV Title QF: Sabu v Richards. A Straight forward match (for Sabu at least) with Sabu getting the win in the end. Dreamer comes out in the end saying that Sabu knew what it was to be extreme, and Punk will need to learn if he wants to stay in ECW. Punk comes out to rebuttle, then Sandman (who will be Dreamer's next match) comes out to deliver some caning.
Benoit v Al Snow. Textbook match with Benoit winning with the crossface.
RVD v Test. Big Show is at ringside. Back and forth for a while, until Test starts beating the crap out RVD with everything he can get his hands on. The ref is out and Big Show lays the beat down on RVD. Benoit comes out to clear the ring of Big Show, allowing RVD to hit a Van Daminator with the ref out, Frog Splash, game over.
Week 7: Heyman says next week is Summerslam and the Big Show will be defended the title in an Extreme Rules match against RVD. RVD does his rebuttle saying that the Big Show's run is going to go up in smoke.
TV Title 2nd Round: Credible v CM Punk. Most of the match is Credible showing what ECW is all about. However, Punk takes it all and with no added assistance defeats Credible for the first spot in the triple threat match
TV Title 2nd Round: Dreamer v Sandman. Before hand, Dreamer says that this match is going to show what ECW is really all about and they don't disappoint. After several turns, twists and an attempted Kelly-ference, Dreamer wins earning the second spot in the match.
TV Title 2nd Round: Scott v Sabu. Great back and forth match, again ending with Test interfering to ensure that Scott wins the match earning the final spot in the triple threat match. Sabu in the end challenges Test at Summerslam and he accepts.
RVD/Benoit v Big Show/Test. Everyone shows there stuff but in the end Big Show scores the pin on Benoit. With everyone laid out, Show says that at Summerslam, RVD will be as he is now, on his back.
Summerslam: Gunner Scott v CM Punk v Tommy Dreamer. Extreme Rules and Dreamer is showing why he's called the innovator of violence. Test attempts to interfere but this time backfires and knocks Scott out. All the while Punk cannot put Dreamer away leading to a direct face-to-face confrontation between the two, Dreamer giving Punk a chair but Punk throws it down. They then brawl towards the corner, the ensuing scuffle results in a Pepsi Plunge ONTO the Chair! CM Punk
crowned the first ECW TV Champ.
Test v Sabu. Several attempted spots by Sabu, Test tries to control the match, good back and forth with Test getting the win after he scores a pumphandle slam through a table.
RVD v Big Show for the ECW Title. Big Show is delivering most of the offense with RVD getting his usual spots in. Another ref bump, Big Show gets the cobra clutch slam on RVD, Heyman comes out for the pin but Benoit pulls him out before he can make the count. Benoit takes Heyman out. RVD hits the Frog Splash but with no one to cover. Benoit rips off the refs shirt, makes the count, RVD is again the ECW
Champ (as we all know, in WWE; Punishment = Push!) I actually could go either way in the result, with Big Show winning here and RVD getting his revenge down the road.
So I'll give the highlights:
Main Event:
- Continue Tommy Dreamer/Big Show rivalry, with Big Show winning, despite introduction of Chris Benoit
- Chris Benoit can't win belt off Big Show, but RVD comes back from suspension with a vengeance and wins the title at Summerslam
Mid-card:
- Creation of secondary title.
- Development of CM Punk's 'Straight Edge' character, with the help from Tommy Dreamer
- Heel pushes for Test and Gunner Scott as Heyman's henchmen
- Sandman an end to Mike Knox ridiculous character while giving a push to Kelly as a 'manager/eye candy'
- Sabu remains an important character as he gets wins and loses while giving entertaining matches helping Test and Scott become better heels.
Overall:
- There are no squash matches so that the fans can actually get into how the wrestlers wrestle and allow them to develop there in-ring personas
- Original ECW talent isn't continuously squashed, with Credible and the FBI getting wins, but will be primarily used to put over new talent such as Punk
In the end, this would develop several characters and allow the fans to start seeing the development of the show as a whole (which I have outlined as a Heyman led 'Establishment' and 'New' ECW versus those who are loyal to ECW's 'roots'). It might be quick to give a belt to Punk, but I feel the establishment of talent of the 'New' ECW must be pushed so that they can start defining this brand and giving Punk a title early would do just that. All in all this would provide several exciting storylines and allow a new ECW to create it's own vision (with WWE guidance) and progress towards the future.
Ref-Bump-O-Meter
This is a new feature this year to the Fink's Payload, here are the rules: A Ref Bump is defined by anytime a Ref has to sell a physical action in the context of a match. We only count Ref Bumps which occur on televised shows (so no house shows) which include: Raw, Smackdown!, Velocity, Heat, and any Pay-Per-View. NOW INCLUDED: ECW PRODUCT! Every week we will update the meter with new entrants, if at anytime you think we missed one, please feel free to suggest some to us.
So, the Ref-Bump-O-Meter for 2006 stands at: 44 + 0 = 44
This week:
Nothing this week that we've noticed – did we miss something?
Your homework for next week:
Let's think about Summerslam – what are your top matches?
