The ECW eXperience - 9.19.06
Posted by J.D. Dunn on 09.19.2006
Royalty is EXTREME!
The ECW eXperience by J.D. Dunn
September 19, 2006
Live from Worcester, Mass.
Your hosts are Joey Styles and Tazz.
Test, Mike Knox & Matt Striker vs. Tommy Dreamer, the Sandman & Sabu.
The ECW originals dominate to start. Striker refuses to get in there at the same time that Sandman is in there. Tommy takes Knox to the floor with a Cactus Clothesline. Striker sneak attacks Sandman, knocking him to the floor and taking him out of the match. We come back to Dreamer playing face-in-peril. Striker gets most of the offense in to showcase him in his first real action in ECW. Eventually, Dreamer fights out of a Knox bear hug and gets the hot tag to Sabu. The ECW originals get some decidedly Hardy-ish offense in before the numbers catch up with them. Then, Test, like an idiot, shoves the ref to draw a DQ at 11:18. Well, that doesn't do anyone any good. The heels give the faces a 3-on-2 beatdown until Sandman staggers back out and makes the save. **
Paul Heyman shows King Booker and Queen Sharmell around a bit. Unfortunately, they stumble across Balls Mahoney who isn't the greatest ambassador for the brand.
Kevin Thorne (w/Ariel) vs. Balls Mahoney (w/Francine)
Francine is back, and she's got Balls! Thorne tries to attack Balls before the bells, but Balls brawls his way back. He misses a clothesline, though, and Ariel trips him up. Catfight! Catfight! CAAATFIIIIIIIIIGHT! Unfortunately, Balls gets caught on the top rope and takes the Crucifix Powerbomb at 1:56. 1/2*
More fun with tour guide Heyman. Sharmell gives Trinity the stink-eye while CM Punk implies he might face King Booker one day.
CM Punk vs. Shannon Moore.
Punk gets a sizeable pop, and I'm seeing Pepsi signs in the crowd, which bodes well for him…and Pepsi. Apparently, the sun was in Shannon's eyes last week, so he wants this rematch. Kelly looks on from the entrance as Punk hits a flying heel kick. Moore goes to the eyes and pummels Punk. Mike Knox comes out and takes Kelly to the back as Punk comes back with a gutbuster and destroys Moore with a series of strikes. Moore gets a desperation spinning wheel kick but the Halo misses, and Punk is able to finish with the Anaconda Vice at 3:07. Pretty good for a squash. *1/2
Rob Van Dam finds Booker T and challenges him to a match tonight. Heyman tries to tell Booker the extreme rules are in his favor. I know that Heyman doesn't like Van Dam for reasons that don't particularly make sense, but why should he want to suck up to Booker…other than the fact that he's a king and all.
King Booker (w/Sharmell) vs. Rob Van Dam.
They stalemate until Book knocks RVD to the floor. Booker starts working him over, especially the back. Back in, Book brings in a chair, but Van Dam cuts him off with a spin kick. Booker hits him with a Book End and goes for the Scissors Kick, but RVD uses the chair to counter. RVD sandwiches the chair between the ropes but winds up hitting a split-legged moonsault for two instead. Booker catches Van Dam and catapults him into the chair headfirst! SICK! Booker gives him a spinebuster on the chair but misses a Harlem Hangover. Van Dam hits the Five-Star Frogsplash, but Hardcore Holly runs in and attacks Van Dam with the Alabama Slam, giving Booker the chance to hit the Scissors Kick for the win at 8:34. **1/2
Final Thoughts: Outside of the Punk match, there was a lot of trying to put people over without actually having anyone lose. I like that they're building new talent, but it's all that tit-for-tat stuff that makes the shows somewhat tedious. At least we got a dose of Booker who seemed right at home with Van Dam.
