Quick hits on ECW
• Jack Swagger was all over Tuesday night’s episode of ECW. He cut a promo to open the show, appeared in a couple backstage segments and wrestled in the main event. In addition, WWE put together a nice video package of him. Knowing WWE’s booking tendencies, all of that could only mean one thing: Swagger was going to lose his ECW Homecoming match against Yoshi Tatsu. It became even more apparent that Swagger was going down when he dominated a good portion of the match and the announcers basically said that it was a foregone conclusion he would win. When the ECW Homecoming concept was announced, I said that I didn’t want to see the current ECW guys get buried by having to put over the former ECW wrestlers in every instance. Still, it would have been nice for Swagger to get the victory after all that buildup and having such a good showing against John Cena the night before on Raw.
• Over the past six days, Swagger has lost on WWE Superstars (to MVP), Raw (to Cena) and ECW (Tatsu). I think what Swagger meant to say a couple months ago was that he was not going to win again this year.
• The Swagger-Tatsu match started a bit slowly, but they picked up the pace the last few minutes and there were several good near falls before the finish.
• Tommy Dreamer has left WWE, and his loss to Zack Ryder was his last match in the company. There was no mention on TV of it being his swan song. I think WWE wasted an opportunity with Dreamer’s departure. Earlier this year, when Dreamer said in an emotional promo that he would retire if he didn’t win the ECW title in a triple threat match with Christian and Swagger, instead of Dreamer winning the title, I would have had Swagger beat him. It would have helped elevate Swagger, who could’ve claimed that he retired the last remaining ECW original. With Dreamer returning to the ECW mid-card after his title run, Ryder beating him does nothing for Ryder’s career. I’ve never been the biggest fan of Dreamer as a performer, but the guy obviously loves the business and always worked hard. I wish him well.
• Vance Archer continues to gradually climb the ladder, as he scored his biggest win to date over Goldust. Since the show took place in Orlando, Fla., I wonder if Archer and Goldust got nostalgic about wrestling as Lance Rock and Black Reign at the Impact Zone. Probably not.
• Abraham Washington got off a great line. When Trent Barreta and Caylen Croft complained about the mugs that were sitting on the table being empty, he said: “I can’t afford drinks on this show. This is ECW, not Monday Night Raw.”
• Some of Washington’s jokes weren’t very kid-friendly. I’m thinking about the one about Tiger Woods and 18 holes, and his comments about being a pimp. Then again, the show does air after 10 p.m., which is past what is considered the “family hour.”
• Washington introduced Barreta and Croft as “the hottest tag team in ECW.” Now that Ezekiel Jackson and Vladimir Kozlov have split, aren’t they the only tag team in ECW?
Comments
They're going to have to send Barretta and Croft over to Raw or Smackdown (more likely) soon. Being the only tag team there does nothing for them.
I remember thinking the same thing when Hawkins & Ryder first showed up in ECW.
Posted by: Jack Windham | December 23, 2009 10:58 PM
Seriously what was the point of building Swagger up the whole show?
Yoshi actualy had his first bad match; it looked like Swagger was just waiting for Yoshi to kick him in the head several times but the moment kept passing.
Goldust also looked sloppy, his timing was off and seemed sluggish moving around...and whats with the tramp stamp on Archer's lower back?
Great quote by Abe Washington about ECW's budget...I hope he gets in the ring soon he's slowly growing on me. But Baretta and Croft are really lame and not in a Christian/Edge way.
Posted by: eee | December 24, 2009 12:52 AM
Swagger is being seriously mis-used.
While I'm happy the WWE was willing to move the belt off Cena and onto Sheamus, Jack Swagger REALLY seemed like a better choice given his in ring work and mic skillz.
But I guess everyone can't be HHH's butt buddy, can they?
Also, I have that sinking feeling that Cena gets the belt back from Sheamus in a week.
I was really hoping to see a fatal 4-way between Kingston, Orton, Sheamus, and Cena for the belt that would move to the belt to Kingston.
The belt needs to be as far away from Cena as possible.
Posted by: Dave MacMickey | December 24, 2009 12:52 AM
I think Jack Swagger is being wasted at the moment. He's a great emerging talent and is far more deserving of a push than Sheamus.
At least when Brock Lesnar came to WWE and was fast-tracked to the title, he had a long winning streak and was utterly dominant, whereas Sheamus, as Kevin pointed out recently, had a loss to Goldust on his resume in the last few months.
Posted by: Simon | December 24, 2009 4:47 AM
I agree that WWE handled Tommy Dreamer's departure in the wrong way. I was surprised as anyone when he actually won the ECW Title back at Extreme Rules, as I was sure he was just going to lose and that would be his final appearance which would have been much more memorable. But I guess it was pretty cool how he got one last run with his favourite world title, even if it was a short one. I always liked Dreamer as a performer but his style just didn't suit the new ECW that Vince puts out there today. Still though, I hope he does well in whatever venture he takes up now.
Posted by: Paul | December 24, 2009 8:04 AM
It was too bad to see Dreamer in his last appearence in WWE. He's always been one that was in it for the business instead of the money. I wish him well and if he's in TNA on the 4th, TNA is on my TV lol
Swagger looked so good on ECW again, made me miss him being there. Especially sinec he's just a loser on RAW sadly
Ay Eck, it said to enter the letter "I" in the field I couldn't tell if it was a small L or a capital i haha.
Posted by: cowboysmb3dw28 | December 24, 2009 9:21 AM
Kevin I had to agree....they could have done a 'passing the torch' type match , seeing how Zach's character is essentially what Tommy Dreamer's was in ECW before he became "hardcore". Something symbolic could have been nice but then again after the omission of mentioning Umaga's death. I not surprised.
I also agree, I was also thinking that Swagger would win. The Swagger / Christian series of matches were a good rivalry this year and underappreciated.
Barreta and Croft....they force this on us yet released London and Kendrick and broke up numerous tag teams before that....sigh...
Tiffany needs to have a pic of her and Teddy at the Slammy Awards on her back wall...Just my selfish needs...
Posted by: Daryll B | December 24, 2009 3:08 PM
Good grief; Savannah is an awful ring announcer. Return her immediately to the backstage interview area - please! I now feel guilty about criticizing Lauren Mayhew.
Posted by: Christopher | December 26, 2009 12:56 PM