"ECW" 9-23-08 Talkback (Spoilers)

[The Penguin]

A couple of SmackDown Divas will stop by on tonight's ECW. Tune in tonight at 10 ET and starting next week, ECW moves up an hour to 9 ET/8 CT.

The Extreme road to No Mercy
September 23, 2008

WWE Universe: Don’t forget, ECW on Sci Fi will begin airing at 9/8 CT on Sept. 30!

ECW on Sci Fi viewers will be treated to seeing Divas Champion Michelle McCool in action as the golden girl takes on Maryse in an Unforgiven rematch. Though the title will not be at stake, pride most certainly will, and a win from Maryse could earn her consideration for another championship opportunity down the road.

With the ECW Title Match at No Mercy just weeks away, both ECW Champion Matt Hardy and his challenger, Mark Henry, have been gaining the positive momentum they need for victory.

On ECW last week, a vengeful Henry defeated Finlay with a World’s Strongest Slam after the Belfast Brawler hit him with the shillelagh for the second week in a row. The World’s Strongest Man – who was never pinned, but still lost the ECW Title in the ECW Championship Scramble Match at Unforgiven – has clearly been sending a message, week after week, to his No Mercy opponent, Hardy. Will anyone attempt to get in the path of Henry on his quest for ECW’s top prize at No Mercy? Can any Superstar stop The World’s Strongest Man? Will Henry be able to take back the ECW Championship from Hardy at No Mercy?

ECW Champ Hardy pinned Mike Knox for the second week in a row on ECW. With each Twist of Fate, Hardy proves again and again why he holds Extreme gold. But will Hardy – who has said he wants to be ECW’s greatest champion – be able to retain the title at No Mercy when he faces Henry? What challenges will the strong-willed Superstar face on his way to defending the ECW Championship?

“The All-American American” Jack Swagger, who joined ECW as part of General Manager Theodore Long’s New Superstar Initiative, has bumped his record to 2-0 after a victory over Chase Stevens. How does this cocky, young athlete plan make his mark in the Land of the Extreme? Will another ECW Superstar be able to snap Swagger’s winning streak?

Finally, Ricky Ortiz stood in Evan Bourne’s corner this week, as the young, high-flier faced off with The Miz, accompanied by John Morrison. Bourne, who recently sparked a rivalry with the “Dirt Sheet” hosts, gained the upper hand on ECW. Morrison’s interference in the match backfired as he was attacked by Ortiz, leading The Miz to be distracted long enough for Bourne to roll up the self-proclaimed “Chick Magnet” for the win. Will the former WWE Tag Team Champions continue to battle Bourne? Will they also attempt to face other members of ECW’s New Superstar Initiative? With the undefeated Ortiz on his side, is “Air” Bourne unstoppable?

Find out the answers to these questions and more on ECW on Sci Fi Tuesday night at 10/9 CT. Don’t forget, in two weeks, ECW on Sci Fi will begin airing at 9/8 CT on Sept. 30.

[Runaway]

ECW's been going downhill lately. I hate to say it, but the "Superstar Initiative" is really beginning to get stale.

[hobbyfan]

Ok, so they're fast-tracking Jack Swagger up the ladder. Next week, he gets Tommy Dreamer.

JR & Striker had great chemistry, and both loaded up on the name-checks and odd references. Good stuff.

Should anyone be surprised that Miz vs. Morrison had a non-finish this time? Morrison won an earlier meeting (on Smackdown), but it seems Miz reached his job quota for the month last week. Bourne & Ortiz vs. Team Tough Enough next week, and Miz had better do the J-O-B this time.

Maryse gets back in the title hunt with a clean pin on Michelle McCool, but she needs to cut back on the preening between moves. It never works, unless your name is Rob. Van. Dam.

No Matt Hardy this week. That's a switch, but Mark Henry's promo lacked a little truth. Matt did pin him a couple of weeks back in a tag match.

[Jin Kazama]

Was Maryse/McCool really good enough to warrant a now fourth match? I was tired of it after their PPV match, and I didn't even watch the PPV.

[The Penguin]

Miz & Morrison need to be more careful how they talk to authority. Teddy is a good GM, but he does enjoy messing with people who think they will get ahead by disrespecting him.

Backstage the whole scene with Teddy, Tiffany and Ricky Ortiz was awkward and weird. I hope they aren't putting these two together, although maybe they would eventually fire both of them, so it might not be so bad.

I continue to be disappointed at what a crutch the shillelagh has become to Finlay, there are days where it's just not funny anymore. Twenty years ago, I think Jack Tunney would have banned it by now.

I wasn't a bad thing to see women's wrestling on ECW, but I too am baffled by the amount of times Michelle & Maryse have fought each other in the recent times. I didn't think they really even had an intense feud, I thought the first one was just a match.

Mark Henry talks, Tony Atlas stands there. Sounds good to me.

Poor Chase Stevens get beat on by Knox and Jack Swagger (I just can't take that name!). I guess Tommy gets served up next week.

Miz and Morrison knocking heads and both being counted down was not something I expected to see happen. I also did not expect to see Ricky Ortiz come down and attack both of them.