ECW on Sy-Fy Network
Announcers: Josh Mathews & Byron Saxton
Location: Louisville, Kentucky | Date: January 5, 2010
[ REVIEWED BY SHANE ST. GERMAIN ]
IN THE RING
ECW champion Christian + C.M. Punk w/Luke Gallows: Christian entered the ring and let the fans know it was the final week of qualifying matches for the ECW homecoming, and that the winner of it all would face him at the Royal Rumble (Jan 31). Punks music cuts off Christian mid sentence and Punk enters out on stage (still hasn’t shaved, maybe he wants a beard like his former rival Mike Knox) with Luke Gallows. Punk makes a sarcastic comment about Christian having something really important to say, but that he has something much more important to say. Punk demands to know why Christian has a huge grin on his face. Christian said last night, like millions of fans, he never thought he would see Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart hug it out. He said that now on the opposite spectrum, he’s seeing something he never wanted to see, Punk back on ECW! Punk said he’s there for the title, and that it’s the first of many titles he intends to collect to prove being straight edge makes him better than you (Even though he already won it before). Punk went on his usual speech about being a hero and the straight edge way, and Christian asked if the straight edge way included not looking like he’s taken a shower in two weeks! Christian said Punk’s getting a little ahead of himself considering he’s facing Mark Henry tonight (because it’s hard to beat a talentless buffoon). He said Punk won’t drink, won’t smoke, won’t do drugs, and won’t be facing him for the ECW championship at the Rumble!
ECW HOMECOMING QUALIFYING MATCH
Shelton Benjamin defeated Chavo Guerrero: It was nice to see Chavo have a good wrestling match for a change(compared to his clinics with Hornswoggle). Chavo spent a large portion of the match working on Shelton Benjamin’s left knee. Chavo went for the Frog splash but Benjamin got out of the way, then hit Chavo with the pay dirt to win! (Looked like Chavo jumped right into it)
ON STAGE
Zach Ryder w/Rosa Mendes: After showing a video recap of Tommy Dreamer losing to Zach Ryder last week, Ryder entered and said it was a new year and to forget about the past and focus on what’s still here. He said he did something bigger than win the homecoming, and bigger than win the ECW championship, he destroyed the heart and soul of ECW (Actually WWE and Syfy did that over 3 years ago). He then left, making this segment pointless.
RAW RECAP: The events of last nights Raw involving Bret Hart Vince McMahon and Shawn Michaels were recapped.
SINGLES MATCH
Ezekiel Jackson w/William Regal defeated Vladimir Kozlov: Ezekiel spent a large portion of the match working on Vladimir’s left knee (sound familiar?). Vladimir got in some offense but ultimately lost when Regal instructed Jackson to finish him and he hit the urinagi. Regal got in the ring afterward and yelled at Vladimir a bit while Ezekiel stood there smiling (I know he’s supposed to be threatening but it looks to me like he’s smiling 24/7).
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Mark Henry + Tony Atlas:
Mark Henry was shown in the locker room “warming up” (moving around a bit looking like he just wrestled a 20 minute match). Tony Atlas came in and said he looked as strong as ever and asked if he could accompany him to the ring like old times. Mark Henry grunted “No.” in response! Tony Atlas didn’t seem to mind and said he would be backstage if he needed him and then belted out laughing for no reason.
ECW HOMECOMING QUALIFYING MATCH
C.M. Punk w/Luke Gallows defeated Mark Henry: Henry threw punk across the ring like a rag doll when Punk tried to get him from behind. Punk threw some kicks but wound up getting tossed out of the ring so they could go to the mandatory “thrown out of ring commercial break” spot. They came back and Henry was still beating on Punk. Punk managed to drag toe hold Henry face first into the steel steps outside! Punk attacked Henry’s face for a bit and hit a neckbreaker for two. Punk continued to work on Henrys face with some kicks and punches before Henry got up and started shaking like a vibrating chair(his attempt at hulking up) and hit Punk with three headbutts and a clothesline. Punk was nearly thrown into the ref at one point by Henry (blocking Punks running bulldog) and while he was distracted Gallows kicked Henry in the head and Punk nailed him with a kick to the face to win the match!