Quick hits on ECW
• Tuesday’s episode of ECW definitely had an element of unpredictability. In a match between The Hurricane and The Ripper in which an ECW contract for The Ripper was on the line, Hurricane won and unmasked Paul Burchill in the process. So much for that superhero vs. super villain feud that we were all expecting. I’m not sure where this leaves Burchill and Katie Lea, but you would think they have to go to either Raw or Smackdown at this point. The other surprise occurred during the match between Ezekiel Jackson and Vladimir Kozlov. William Regal interfered on Jackson’s behalf and cost Kozlov the match. Regal and Jackson then beat-down Kozlov. That’s two times now that an apparent babyface turn for Jackson has ended up being a swerve. I’m guessing WWE goes the Great Khali route with Kozlov and tries to transform him into a lovable big oaf. Get ready for the return of the “I love Double Double E” catchphrase.
• The unpredictability did not extend to the main event, as Kane scored a decisive victory over Zack Ryder in an ECW Homecoming qualifying match. Other than the fact that former ECW wrestlers who are now on other brands could compete in the tournament, I didn’t quite follow Tiffany’s explanation of how the thing worked. Luckily, wwe.com posted the following: “Throughout the next four weeks, the ECW General Manager will invite former ECW Superstars to compete with current ECW Superstars in The ECW Homecoming. Sixteen Superstars will compete one-on-one and eight will advance to The Homecoming Finale, featuring an Over-the-Top Rope Challenge on the Jan. 12 edition of ECW on Syfy. The winner of the Challenge will receive an ECW Title Match against Christian at Royal Rumble!” I like the concept, but I hope all the current ECW wrestlers won’t be buried.
• It was a nice touch when Gregory Helms walked away after interviewing Burchill and his cape was sticking out from under his jacket.
• Tony Atlas was a riot during The Abraham Washington Show. “Mr. USA” hasn’t been this over since he pinned Hulk Hogan at Madison Square Garden in 1981.
• Trent Barreta and Caylen Croft used a new finisher this week, a cool-looking neckbreaker/powerbomb combination. They need a manager (if managers still existed) or a valet to enhance their act.
Comments
Kevin,
Who is the worse talker- Abe Washington or Tiffany?
Posted by: Elevation | December 18, 2009 12:38 AM
I just didn't get the point of a couple things here at all.
Why bring in former ECW wrestlers to compete in something that will give a title shot to someone against Christian? If a former ECW guy gets it, what does that say about the current talent there? Not much. I'd figured part of the whole point of ECW was to groom some of the younger, less experienced wrestlers to the point they'd be ready to move to Raw or Smackdown. It does no good if they lose to talent no longer under that brand, but it's still early.
The other one is the whole Ezekiel Jackson thing. Putting him over as a monster babyface seems to be what many fans want, but they go from heading in that direction to having Regal and Jackson beat down Kozlov, someone fans have never really been behind in any way, shape or form? How are fans supposed to be expected to care about him?
A very erratic, strange show.
Posted by: James | December 18, 2009 3:19 AM
"Get ready for the return of the “I love Double Double E” catchphrase."
I love that bit! That was the last thing Koslov did that I found entertaining!
Posted by: AMC | December 18, 2009 9:20 AM
Normally I'm not too bothered if I miss ECW every week, but lately I've found myself needing to watch it. One word: Tiffany. She's so good looking, it's unbelievable and she's actually a really likeable on-screen character and she's not too shabby on the mic. She's definitely my favourite "General Manager" type person in WWE at the moment, what with Teddy Long's act on Smackdown wearing thin at this point, seen as he's been at it for a few years now. And as for Vickie Guererro, I like her shtick and all that, but it was a bit random how she left earlier this year to "spend time with her kids", and now all of a sudden she's back in a seemingly pointless role on the blue brand. Teddy Long's advisor or something? Hmm.
I think if WWE ever decides to abandon the guest host format on Raw they should seriously consider appointing Tiffany as permanent GM of the "flag-ship show", which would give her a chance to interact with the company's top stars and expose her to a much bigger audience.
Also, I loved Kozlov's "Double-Double-E" stuff back when he first started so it'll be cool to see that side of him again, although you never know in WWE if a wrestler's potential character turn will actually come to something.
Posted by: Paul | December 18, 2009 1:13 PM
I think Tiffany does a decent job, but I literally LOLed when Regal said "What's wrong with your voice? You sound like a goose blowing a kazoo!" Amazing.
Sorry to see Zach Ryder lose... I feel he's lost a step since his very impressive early outings.
Congratulations to ECW for somehow keeping me interested in Zeke & Kozlov.
I don't know if I like the Abraham Washington show because it's so bad, or because it's actually funny, or what. I don't know, but I do get a kick out of it.
Could we PLEASE get some competition for Katie Lea?
Posted by: Jules B. | December 18, 2009 1:53 PM
Maybe Armando Alejandro Estrada would want to work with WWE as a manager for Trent Barreta and Caylen Croft to help cross-promote Baby's Steak & Lemonade in Glendale, AZ, before WrestleMania weekend.
Posted by: Mr. Sarcasm | December 18, 2009 4:50 PM
That "Double Double E" gimmick was absolutely TREMENDOUS. I hope you're right about it coming back.
Posted by: BOFF | December 18, 2009 5:24 PM
i got a question why was Shelton clapping about this tournament when he was asking to get a rematch & I loved maria showing that she not just some stupid dumb niave Diva for once and showed some real personality.
Posted by: frank from dundalk | December 18, 2009 7:33 PM
Just wondered who you´ll root for at next weeks ECW´s homecoming match, Swagger vs. Yoshi, as you don´t want to see all the current ECW wrestlers buried. But hasn´t Swagger been buried enough in the last couple of months? He would need some victories.
RESPONSE FROM KE: I have to root for Swagger because I think he's a potential world champ.
Posted by: XDreamItchy | December 19, 2009 12:50 AM
Bah! They changed Baretta and Croft's music.
Posted by: Christopher | December 19, 2009 4:40 PM
Hopefully, the writers can come up with a way for Kozlov to remain a heel. I still don't understand why they should be broken up as a stable. Regardless, though, they should do everything possible to keep Kozlov from being a babyface. It won't work.
Posted by: Jack Windham | December 21, 2009 3:52 AM
Vladdy Kozlov loves double double E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_Tw5l1SBzc&feature=related
Posted by: eee | December 21, 2009 8:53 PM