I agree with you about not being shocked to see Edge being the one to lose his belt to CM Punk. I actually think a better storyline could've been made with Triple H losing (maybe due to Edge's interference) and having Triple H try to chase Edge for the belt and deal with La Familia. Having Edge as the corner-cutting champion is a better role for him than the pursuer. I just hope it doesn't turn into Triple H easily dispatching LaFamilia the way he did The Spirit Squad a few years back.

Kev - Don't you think Punk cashing in MITB against Edge made more sense seeing how he used MITB to win titles from Cena and 'Taker?

Although I do think the Edge/HHH feud would be more interesting with the title on Edge.

I liked Atlas Ortiz, although I thought he needed to tone it down just a little bit. His entrance came off a goofy to me.

RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: You could look at Punk cashing in his contract in the same manner as Edge as it being poetic justice. But it was a very babyface-like thong to do. When RVD cashed in, he challened John Cena to a one-on-one match. Punk could have challenged Edge to a match and said something like, "Unlike you, I have too much respect for the title to win it like you did twice."

Ortiz was a little over-the-top, but I think that's the persona he is going for.-

Edge is one of the greatest performers ever. His heel character rivals any major heel push you can remember in years. I just know that at the end of that first segment, I was jumping around the room, not because I am a CM Punk fan, but because I felt what I had just seen was one of the defining moments of Edge's career. Edge is known for three things, and you got them all during that first segment.

Cut Amazing Promos - CHECK
Get Audience Response - CHECK
Sell your Opponant - CHECK & CHECK

There are so many comparisons between Edge and Ric Flair years ago. Just like Flair before him, you remember vividly the nights Edge doesn't leave the ring as the champion. Its the mark of his greatness.

will someone please explain to me why Estrada had to give up the GM role on ECW when he became an active member of the roster, however, this insignificant fact was overlooked when it came to Regal and Raw. I guess the answer might be, oh, it's wrestling!

Isn't Edge supposed to get a re-match, with being a dethroned champ? I guess everyone is supposed to forget about that, and Edge will just go back to Smackdown and start a feud with Helmsley. That, or they'll find a convoluted way to rationalize Edge using his title re-match shot against Preparation H instead of against Punk.

Every year the draft would take place, I would wonder why Preparation H wouldn't be the ultimate company man and go to the other brand. Even the one year that he got drafted, they had a trade the same week. Now that he's switched, I almost which he had stayed on Raw. I just hope he doesn't hold done or squash wrestlers on Smackdown to make sure he's "the man" on that show.

HBK hasn't held a singles belt since 2002, and basically only wrestles in a title match about once a year. However, his matches/storylines are still usually the most compelling. Conversely, pretty much outside of when he's with D-X, Preparation H always has to be on the title hunt, or have the title to make himself noteworthy. In the immortal words of HBK years ago, Preparation H "is a mid-carder, at best". He might be slightly better than a mid-carder, but I'll never view him as one of the greats of his time, no matter how many times he holds the belt.

I'm done with my Preparation H rant now. :-)

That Atlas Ortiz guy was slow as hell. Hacksaw Jim Duggan was like Brian Kendrick compared to him.

What was up with the horrible red pants?

I don't understand why a horrible performer like him gets pushed on ECW, yet Elijah Burke hasn't had a televised match in like two months. Somethings not irght there.

Good assessment on Mark Henry! Since his return at the beginning of 2006, I have thought he is the most intimidating wrestler on all three brands. I hope he has a great run with the ECW championship.

I am happy CM Punk cashed in this way. Edge doesn't need the belt imo to get over. He already is an outstanding heel, but I do concede makes an excellent champion, able to make the challenger look like the victory is their's only to snatch victory himself from the jaws of defeat. As for Punk, I think they need to keep him strong but I cannot believe they have the belief in him to headline Summerslam as Champion. But who knows?

As to Undertaker returning? WHo knows when, I would like to think he will return in time. It seems Edge vs Triple H seems the obvious choice, with Undertaker's return perhaps in that match to screw Edge.

Do you think given that ECW had a bad draft, that developmental talent will go there ahead of the other brands? For me it would make sense, but WWE hasn't made much sense of late, though I have to say, the last month has been much more entertaining. It just keeps you guessing, and wondering what is going to happen next. That is the mark of any good TV show....

RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Teddy Long talked about a new talent initiative on ECW last night, so I do think there will be more developmental talent coming in At this point, it's the best way to use ECW.

I honestly felt that the match between Atlas and Armando was the worst match to appear on TV on any of the three brands this year. I don't know if it was one of them that is terrible, or both, but it was horrible.

I thought it made sense for Punk to cash in his privilege against Edge because the two of them had been in a quasi-feud up to that point. They had matches and verbal encounters on ECW, Smackdown, and RAW. Edge's interference cost Punk the ECW title, and Punk threatened to cash in at Edge's wedding. By contrast, Punk and HHH have had little interaction.

Though I don't really follow ECW , I also think it's kind of cool that Mark Henry is champ too . He's not flashy and probably won't hold the title long but he has long paid his dues .
I've always followed the careers of former powerlifters that have crossed to pro wrestling since I did alittle myself . Marks "strongman" act is not just another gimmick . He was successful in both "olympic" style lifting and powerlifting .
Others that tried their hand at wrestling were Ted Arcidi , who proved that a 700 pound bench press didn't translate into a wrestling career .Ken Patera ,who was a noted olympic lifter that actually had a relatively good run . And finally Bill Kazmaier , probably more well known for his "Worlds Strongest Man " competitions but more respected in the powerlifting field , had a brief run in the early 90's in WCW even tagging with Rick Steiner . For him wrestling proved not to be his forte'as well , but a genuinely nice guy .Thanks for the chance to mention them Kevin .

I hope they give the same unexpected break to Shelton Benjamin and John Morrison as they did to CM Punk. They would do well to have a few more fresh faces with a few big victories. John Morrison needs to move away from the Miz.... not that I can believe that they ever threw them together anyway. John Morrison has all the tools to be a second shawn micheals.

I also hope they find some way to make fun of Bret Hart's thing.... I doubt Shawn Micheals would agree to do anything with it, but someone else definetly could. Perhaps Edge...

That match between Ortiz and Estrada was AWFUL. I hope his green appearance in the ring was a work. ECW and WWE in general could use some fresh faces, and talents.

I agree with Paul on the subject, though. This guy gets a feature-length match in the middle of the show, in which, the only notable thing that happens is a DROPKICK, but Elijah Burke and Kevin Thorn, who have been cutting their teeth on the show almost since it's inception, and are as good as a CM Punk as far as I'm concerned, are stuck in the farm system. That stinks.

I would take either of them over Mark Henry, or Big Show as my ECW champion. They've certainly worked for it. Morrison, also.

On a positive note, I'm glad CM Punk is the new Heavyweight champion, and that the HW title is now on RAW. All of RAW's champions are now younger talent, which makes the show ten times more interesting to watch. Now, if only they'd follow suit with ECW and Smackdown...

When Orton comes back, I hope it's to Smackdown for a Rated RKO reunion. It would make sense, considering where his career left off, and plus, I'm just itching to see he and Edge rule Smackdown together.

I would totally get behind a good singles push for John Morrison. He's a great heel and is incredibly talented, both in-ring and on the mic. His recent turns as a special guest commentator have been fantastic.

I'm not sure I agree about Shelton Benjamin, though. Yeah, he's great to watch while he's in the ring, but his charisma and mic skills are not up to par. He needs to figure out how to make that connection with the fans.

On Punk, I was ecstatic to see him not only get the title via cash-in, but keep it against JBL. Now, they need to let him have a few great title defenses at PPVs and on Raw. Build him up so that he's not just a credible champion, but a great one. He deserves it.

Gee , how did I not see the reference to Superstar Billy Graham .
" A reflection of perfection " ," too sweet to be sour " , " the man of the hour , the man with the power "..... or is that what they say about Kevin ???

"will someone please explain to me why Estrada had to give up the GM role on ECW when he became an active member of the roster, however, this insignificant fact was overlooked when it came to Regal and Raw. I guess the answer might be, oh, it's wrestling!"

Actually, that was never specified as the reason why Estrada was replaced. It just kind of happened.

If I understood Teddy Long, the "board of directors" or whatever did not appreciate Estrada's signing himself to such a lucrative wrestler's contract, so that was the reason why Estrada was removed from the gm job ... I think.

I just watched the worst episode of ECW that I have seen yet. I regret taping over CM Punk's world title victory with this show. ECW has put on some good episodes recently, but this was a huge step backwards.

I am not excited about Atlas Ortiz.