Quick hits on ECW
• The next-to-last episode of ECW Tuesday night wasn’t anything special. The main event, in which Shelton Benjamin defeated Vance Archer was decent, but Archer isn’t over. I don’t see him getting much of a push once ECW ends, and, honestly, he hasn’t done enough to warrant one.
• With the ECW title going away after next week, it seems a little pointless to have a championship match between Christian and Ezekiel Jackson on the final episode. However, it will be interesting to see who wins, as it might indicate what kind of push Christian and Jackson will be receiving on their new shows. After watching Christian job to Sheamus on Raw Monday night, I’m not optimistic that he will get the push he deserves. Hopefully, he will end up on Smackdown, where he has an obvious program with Edge awaiting him. As for Jackson, he squashed an enhancement talent on this show and also looked good in defeat against Christian at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view last week, so WWE may have some plans for him. He has the look that Vince McMahon likes, but he still needs some work on his promos. It would be to Jackson’s benefit for his association with William Regal to continue.
• Benjamin seemed surprised when he got a nice pop as he was starting his promo. Hey, it surprised me, too.
• The Benjamin-Archer match was stopped briefly while a medic entered the ring to close a cut on Benjamin’s forehead. I understand that WWE doesn’t want excessive blood on its shows due to being family friendly, but I thought it was a little ridiculous to interrupt a no-disqualification match for a small cut. I mean, it’s not like he bladed and was dripping blood all over the place. The incident perfectly illustrated the stark contrast between the old ECW and WWE’s ECW.
• Speaking of blood, Caylen Croft bled hardway from the nose and/or mouth after being on the receiving end of a kick by Yoshi Tatsu in the tag team match in which Tatsu and Goldust beat Croft and Trent Barreta. There was a lot more blood on Croft’s face than there was on Benjamin’s head, but he did not receive any medical attention. For some reason, WWE seems to view nosebleeds differently than lacerations on the forehead. The Undertaker was bleeding a lot from his nose during his match against Rey Mysterio at the Royal Rumble, but that match wasn’t stopped either. In the case of Croft, the blood didn’t appear until shortly before the finish, so that may have had something to do with letting the match continue.
• With their victory, Tatsu and Goldust earned a title shot on next week’s show against WWE unified tag team champions The Miz and The Big Show. I don’t like Tatsu and Goldust’s chances in that one.
• I hope the end of ECW doesn’t mean the end of general manger Tiffany appearing on my television on a regular basis.
Comments
Have to disagree with you about Archer, Kevin. I like him. While you're right, he's not over yet, I think he will. He needs a good push, and with ECW caput, I don't know if he'll get it. I'd like to see him go to RAW. I think he could be a challenger for Miz's U.S. Title.
Posted by: Holden | February 10, 2010 6:27 PM
I hope after WWE conditions its viewers to knowing that bleeding will result in medical interference that it will start having matches with a "first blood" option, where you could win by pinning your opponent, forcing him to submit, or making him bleed.
Posted by: Mr. Sarcasm | February 10, 2010 6:31 PM
Oh no...you get it all wrong. Vance Archer...yeah. He'll win Money in the Bank. You'll see! ...Nah. Really?
Posted by: JETZexc | February 10, 2010 8:07 PM
I think having an ECW title match on next weeks show is totally pointless. At the best of times, the WWE's version of the ECW title wasn't even considered a 'world title' and it was usually portrayed as being pretty worthless. So now they're having a match for a worthless title on the last instalment of the show. It's just all a bit of a waste of time. If Jackson wins, he'll be champion for about a minute before the show goes off the air for the final time. They should just have a non-title match between him and Christian, then just have Christian make a speech at the end and drop the title for good so it can float off into oblivion with the cruiserweight, hardcore and european straps.
I'm actually quite glad that ECW is ending for good. Using the name ECW was pretty silly anyway, as it had absolutely nothing to do with Paul Heyman's original ECW. At least when they brought it back in 2006, a hand full of originals were there, along with Joey Styles and Tazz as the mouthpieces. They even threw in a hardcore match or two, every now and then. But over the years it just became more of a live developmental show, with WWE using it as an on-air platform for it's up and coming talent. This new NXT show certainly sounds like a better place for the youngsters to show their stuff.
I really hope Tiffany gets moved to Raw so they can do away with the guest host format.
Posted by: Paul | February 10, 2010 8:11 PM
"I don’t like Tatsu and Goldust’s chances in that one."
Can't imagine why...
Posted by: eee | February 10, 2010 8:52 PM
I understand that there is little chance of this happening, but wouldn't a mania match between Edge and Christian for the last ecw title match be sweet. Did they confirm that the belt is going away for good or is that your assumption? By the way, how's the snow?
RESPONSE FROM KE: I believe I heard Jackson say that he will win the title and be the last champion, so I assume that means it's going away. If they kept it around, what exactly would the ecw champion be champion of?
As for the snow, my house is like Matt Hardy -- buried.
Posted by: Matt | February 10, 2010 9:21 PM
Id love to strap on the tights again.....mmmm tights!!
ill challenge schmuck to a bra and panties match!!!
Posted by: wayne | February 11, 2010 12:03 AM
Sorry about the snow Kev, hopefully you don't have to go to work (oh who am I kidding you guys in the newspaper biz can't afford a day off). Your 100% right about Archer, the guy isn't over at all, and never will be. Am I the only one who found it funny that during all of Shelton Benjamin's promo the fans kept on chanting "Who Dat!"?
Posted by: Kevin | February 11, 2010 12:36 AM
Well i actually think this last match is important. That whole ' iwas the last guy to win-insert name of title here-' taunt is all ways a good but cliche accomplishment.
O well as a younger fan i never really got to know the original ECW. So here is to The new ECW *raises glass of orange juice* the beginning and end of WWE superstar careers from 2007 - 2010. May it rest in pease
Posted by: Anon | February 11, 2010 6:45 AM
Archer needs to change his ring attire. I just can't take a guy with a tramp stamp seriously.
Posted by: freezeout | February 11, 2010 2:29 PM
I wouldn't be surprised if Ezekiel Jackson wins the title and becomes the first ever NXT champion. It seems like the most logical explanation and who knows, maybe Tiffany will be the NXT GM.
REDPONSE FROM KE: If I was single, Tiffany could become my NXT girlfriend. Or not.
Posted by: paul | February 11, 2010 3:48 PM
Kev, i have a request.
I am a diehard fan of ECW (not WWE ECW, i mean E-C-W) and since it seems the show will come to an unfortunate but predictable ending due to its pitiful ratings, could you take some time to review ECW as a company? I am sure im not the only one who actually cared for the old ECW, and there were some classic moments. If you dont , i dont care but i would like to see it on this blog. Thanks
Posted by: Ace | February 12, 2010 4:06 PM
With ECW about to close its doors, I sense that the future holds many endeavors: It's been fun, Funaki; don't hurt yourself cartwheeling out the exit, Primo. Stay away from TNA, Charlie Haas, as we may call you in a year or two. Curt Hawkins? Even John L. forgot that you were still with the company. Tyler Reks? (Insert your own punchline)
Posted by: Christopher | February 14, 2010 11:04 PM