I disagree wholeheartedly about The Miz. I think he's improved so much in the ring over the last 12 months that I can't even relate him to the annoying guy that use to interrupt my enjoyment of Smackdown by coming out and shouting Hoo-rah! I thought his match with Bourne was crisp and very well done, and I have no problem with a guy who's been on the roster less than 3 months not getting a PPV title shot yet. The Miz was the right choice. I don't think anyone would buy Bourne as ECW Champion yet, although you could probably say the same thing about The Brian Kendrick being in the Smackdown Scramble match.

I also like Finlay being in the Scramble. And as long as it's the ECW Championship we're talking about, I would be thrilled if he won the belt. He's one of the best workers in the company now, regardless of age.

On the other hand, I could not agree with you more on Morrison. I'm not quite sure when it happened, but John Morrison has slowly morphed into my favorite wrestler in the WWE today (top 3 at least) and I can't believe he has to take a back seat to Chavo Guerrero at this PPV. I used to like Chavo a lot in WCW and he's had his moments in WWE with Eddie and within the Cruiserweight division. But I can't remember the last time I was excited to see him show up on my TV screen. Morrison needs to be on PPV. The match with Hardy was fantastic and when Morrison went for the pin with his foot on the ropes I thought he might actually pull off the surprise victory.

Kev, I agree with you that it's a shame that Hardy didn't face someone other then Morrison so they both could have been in the scramble, but like you, how the heck does the Miz win (and cleanly)? I hope he is the last guy in the match because I can take him with Morrison or JO MO, as Striker calls him, but alone, he is awful.

I am upset about Knox not getting in because like you said, nothing against Finlay, but no way should he have won at this stage in his career. My only guess is since it wasn't a clean victory that Knox will take Finlay out of the equation at some point in the scramble.

Kev, is Morrison in some sort of hot water with the powers that be? He has everything it takes to be a superstar, but seems to just be stuck in neutral.

I think having three matches for belts all with the same concept is overkill at one pay per view - especially since its never been done and we don't know if it is actually a good concept. In theory it is, but i think 20 minutes is too short - but maybe not now that
they have three of them.

Now that Cena is off Raw for a while, I hope they move Matt Hardy there to replace him. (Not that I think Hardy is a replacement - he's much better than Cena) He doesn't need to win the ECW belt. He can get over fine without it and he'd be a great addition to Raw. Then they should actually push him to main event status - and actually win!! I think he and Batista could work a great program. Batista's matches are improving a lot and he needs to be kept in the ring with great workers like Hardy so that he can keep improving. On that note, Batista and Morrison would be a great feud too. What do you think, Kevin?

The upside of 3 scrambles is that it puts a lot of the guys on the card, as opposed to leaving most of the roster out. I hope they decide to go back to the old formula and have Raw only and Smackdown only PPVs. It is MUCH better for building stories and gives the less established guys some real time and a chance to prove themselves.

As good as the Hardy/morrison match was, it is a shame it results in John Morrison being left out. He's a great worker, great on the mic and he's just great all round. He could be a real top start one day if they give him the chance. I'm with you in thinking, I can't believe that they put the Miz in that match over morrison.

On a Raw note, as much as I'm NOT in the Cena fan club, I can't believe it was cheered when his injury was announced. His matches are definetly improving, but when he comes back I just hope they have repackaged him into something other than what he is now and anything but that stupid rapper. I hope he learns a few more moves as part of his rehab and I wish him a strong recovery.

I only had 3 problems

1) There was no point in getting Tommy Dreamer involved if he was going to job again. They could have put Burke &/or Ortiz in a qualifying match instead.

2) Long had problems with La Familia so why couldn't he put Chavo against Bam in one of these matches?

And Finally...

3) Finley vs. Knox left me with a "WT_ Moment". As the main event the ending was very Anti-Climatic. If Finley was going to win this shouldn't have been the last match. Knox cheating & winning would have been more amazing close for the show.

...

But as I saw Finley, Hornswoggle, & 3 kids run around & dance at the end the phrase "THIS, IS EXTREME!" came to me... followed by... Are you sure?...

Answer... no... This is corny.

The Miz isn't as bad as he was by a long shot, but Morrison is the real talent. I think the guy needs a proper singles program now, as well as a face turn. With the injury to Kennedy I think Morrison would be ideal in the US title shake up on Smackdown. Although its great to see four young guys in the SD sctamble match, it seems slightly pointless having Edge and The Big Show (or even Khali) sitting it out as the lack of a true main eventer in the mix means that HHH will almost certainly retain, unless we see a lame steal by Kendrick courtesy of an assist by Ezekiel.
Also, can we please have Batista out of the main event mix for two seconds, he is starting to bore me now more than ever.

I agree with you Kevin Eck and I strongly prohibit those people who are like Miz.

John

"So Bourne’s first pinfall loss (which was clean, by the way) is to The Miz"

Umm, Bourne lost clean to Knox several weeks ago. In fact, it was very much a glorified squash.

RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I think you're right. The announcers last night kept saying that he had never been pinned.

Right now it seems like the WWE doesn't seem to know what it wants to do with ECW.

It actually reminds me a lot of the NFL with its relationship to the now-defunct NFL Europe.

THere are times where I think ECW has done a great job helping out young stars (Kofi Kingston, Shelton Benjamin, recently) but times where they do inexplicable things (Colin Delaney? Did anyone think he had a viable future in the WWE?)

Last night, Morrison should have won.

Finlay should helping put over young wrestlers, but I haven't seen much of that lately.

Chavo and Dreamer really need to go somewhere and get lost.

I disagree with you about the Miz. The Miz actually has been wrestling well as of late, and I'd like to see him get over more.

It is a tradgedy that John Morrison isn't in the scramble. He's good in ring and also has decent mic skills.

Agree with you on the Miz....he has what takes....they just need to book him properly. I enjoy watching him wrestle as of late. I would like to see a move to Raw one of these days for him though. I think that a feud between Kofi Kingston and the Miz OR Miz vs. Rhodes.

I agree with Rob. Miz has improved by leaps and bounds and has steadily become an extremely solid in-ring talent. Morrison should definitely be on the PPV over Chavo (or Miz) too. He's such an exciting wrestler.

You speak the truth. Can't argue with any of your points.

Quick ECW Question - I know the WWE puts next to no emphasis on the Tag Team, IC, and US belts, but do you think the mid carders of ECW benefit from a secondary title? (I.E. - The Hardcore Title, or even bringing back either the cruiserweight, european, or ECW TV title)

RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I don't think ECW's roster is large enough for more titles.

Kevin, your obvious biases against the Miz aside, he's still one of ECW's 4 biggest stars. The problem with this match was the same problem with the match between Jericho and Punk last week, neither guy should be jobbing here. Same thing with Morrison and Hardy. But ECW's roster is paper thin, they would have been better served just picking 4 guys out of thin air like Raw did.

KEvin,

My impression is that, as somewhat of a televised minor league for WWE, WWE does not look to ECW talent to boost it's PPVs as it does Raw and Smackdown, rather the other way around. So this pay per view will be used apparently to leverage Hardy, Finaly and Henry as established stars/workers to help put over Miz and Chavo more.

I like Morison but he is sitting pretty already for a push at anytime when needed. Bourne is already pretty much over with the fans but too new to be taken seriously for the championship as pointed out and will be saved for another PPV apparently.

I'm hoping Mike Knox will see his day as well. HE has come over very well on ECW of late.

"The upside of 3 scrambles is that it puts a lot of the guys on the card, as opposed to leaving most of the roster out. I hope they decide to go back to the old formula and have Raw only and Smackdown only PPVs. It is MUCH better for building stories and gives the less established guys some real time and a chance to prove themselves."

The PPV buyrates have improved since the change to have all three rosters on every show, so I doubt it will happen.

Hi Kev I thnk u a bit harsh on the MIZ he has improved gr8ly since teamin wit morrison unfortunately it has had the opp effect on the "Tuesday night delight's" career but i agree what is WWE's plans for morrison he clearly is the real deal and seein him move 2 smackdown or raw and enter the title race wud seriously benefit the fans. Finlay wit hornswoggle doesnt suit the whole ECW image wud luv 2 c him put a few guys ova once in a while (since that was y he was drafted 2 ECW). Hardy should prob win the title as its long overdue that he was pushed 2 main event status . Chavo has seriously lost his EDGE I miss those days when he excited me with his luchador style and the "GORI BOMB" has 2 b one of my favourite finishes shud b used mre often . Bourne is one 2 watch but i agree that i wudn buy him as ECW champ . Mark henry needs 2 feed off every highflyer in the ECW mainevent inorder 2 hide his lack of wrestling skills. But morrison has 2 b in the bad books of the WWE or he mustve failed thr "wellness policy" as I feel this guy cud b the next shawn micheals if booked correctly

Maybe it won't matter who they throw at Henry at this point. Is Henry so over he won't be beat at all for the Belt in 20 minutes?

For that matter, how many times can HHH win and loose the belt to edge closer to Flair?

Also will we have a double Pin setting up other gimmick match's down the road?

Can you say , over - saturation ?

Is Elijah Burke dead?

RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: No, just his career.

Kev - I have to disagree like a few others. The Miz is a bigger star than Bourne and has been improving...Bourne's time may well come...he should not be thrusted onto the bigger stage just yet. How Morrison though is not there is beyond me though...perhaps he will give the Miz the win at the scamble.....Hmmmm.....I just don't see Knox getting over that much too and Finlay is still a big enough star and worthy of being in the scramble. Bear in mind, I still see him as a valuable worker in the ring and find him better than Knox.

I think the scrambles are a good idea for this PPV...which should be highlighted by Jericho and Michaels, yet why did Raw not have qualifying matches...was a reason given....? Seems wrong to me whichever way you look at it.

ECW is actually slowly but surely getting some more respect and recognition alongside RAW and Smackdown (Draft Lottery not withstanding). If you watch the CM Punk vs John Morrison match from Summerslam 2007 and compare it to the Mark Henry vs. Matt Hardy match (all 34 seconds of it) from this year, you can actually tell that the fans are starting to give a (darn) about ECW.

I thought that was Delta Burke .

The Miz is still annoying whether he has improved or not!

I am a huge Finley fan. Although he could/should be putting over younger guys, I think the WWE may through the ECW belt around him and give him the one last good run that he deserves.

Morrison does deserve more…the question is, what the does he deserve??? I think the WWE does not know yet. You have to admit that the guy is poetry in motion.

I actually like Mark Henry as champ. I am not a big fan of Henry, but I do admit building a brand around the “strongman champ” that everyone has to topple is an old school storyline that works well for Henry. He and Atlas are actually doing a good job. It is about time the WWE sees what he could do with a major title.

He Kev, last you mentioned, you were number 4 ranked as far as visitors to this blog. You number one yet? If not, looks like you are on your way. Great work!

Like everyone else I was disappointed to see the Tuesday Night Delight not qualify for the scramble. I'm hoping that the ultimate plan is for him to win the MITB at wrestlemania next year. I know its far off, but hes ready to break through and that's exactly the thing that could boost him to the top. He definitely stood out in this years MITB. He's a superstar waiting to happen. Very Ravishing Rick Rude mixed with HBK (from his early sexy boy days).

It seems like everyone has one guy they just can't even begrudgingly give any respect to. For most of the teenaged boys in the arena, its John Cena or Batista. For Mr. Eck here, its the Miz. I have to admit that at first, the Miz came into the WWE looking like he had lost a hair vs. hair match with the Flock of Seagulls frontman. Since then, I have started to appreciate his work and his character, even if I prefer he left his Fedora on his head. I think he and Morrison both benefited greatly from their tag team title reign. I don't think Miz in the ECW scramble is a bad deal.

What I do question is why haven't the powers that be seen fit to move John Morrison to one of the premiere shows. The guy is absolutely ready. His gimmick is primo. In fact, he is like the Honky Tonk Man to me. I can't see him ever wrestling under any other name now. I had hoped that he and Miz losing the title would be the first step to a big Morrison push, but it hasn't happened yet. Surely if the guy he had such a spectacular program with is holding the World Title(CM Punk), there is room in the big time for the "Shaman of Sexy"

RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: For the record, I have written that The Miz has improved a lot, so I have never denied that. I just find his person so annoying that I don't enjoy watching him. But that's just me. If others find him entertaining, then obviously he's doing something right.

Ceaser,

I much prefered CM Punk v Morrison match honestly. It was much more entertaining.

Kevin,

Having pointed out how paper-thin ECW's roster is at this time, does the WWE have anyone in the lower organizations they have tryed out and are planning on bringing up?

Lee-
I too, far preferred the CM Punk/John Morrison bout to the Henry/Hardy snippet. However the feeling of importance was much more on the side of the Henry/Hardy matchup. The WWE definitely dropped the ball at Summerslam.

I'm not really happy with all the Miz-bashing, either. And I never thought I'd write those words, but his match Tuesday was very good and solid, possibly not benefitting from following the Morrison/Hardy match. On the other hand, Mike Knox leaves me cold. To-may-to, to-mah-to, I guess.

I enjoyed the "Miz" more on MTV's "Real World" than I have in the Ring. I'm not sure, but I think his "Real World" video application included some backyard Wrestling. He's an Actor/Wrestler wannabe that got a huge break being selcected to be on the "Real World". If he didn't build the "Miz" persona on there, I doubt we'd even know who he is.

The good part of it for me, is I watch ECW about once a Month and SmackDown even less. I don't get to see Miz a lot and IMO I have seen worse(I agree he's getting better), but it should be a long time before he's a full-timer on RAW

RobJ,

Actor/Wrestler wannabe? This isn't Jay Leno or Andy Kaufman you are talking about. That "Miz persona" that you referred to is called charisma...and its the fuel that reality shows feed on. Its also what sets guys like Ric Flair and Triple H ahead of guys like Chris Adams or Alex Wright in the pro wrestling pecking order. If you don't have a persona in wrestling, you have no future as anything other than a jobber. That said, you still have to be able to take the pounding night after night. His improvement in the ring combined with his charisma makes him a much more interesting character. I personally think he is one solid gimmick away from a serious push into one of the major shows.

"things went south in a hurry"
________________________

I am surprised that Striker didn't say so when they replayed Bourne crotching himself on the top turnbuckle.