"ECW" 11-17-09 Talkback (Spoilers)

[The Penguin]

It is green week on Syfy and the other channels of NBC Universal. Will ECW go green in the form of a victory for The Hurricane?

ECW Champion Christian defeated William Regal in England last week, but the two are not done yet as they will be on opposite Survivor Series teams this Sunday.

ECW #180
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 10 p.m. ET/9 CT on Syfy

STORM WARNING
On the last ECW, The Hurricane emerged, distracting Paul Burchill and allowing Goldust to get a win over The Ripper. But tonight, the two will settle their rivalry in a match that will see The Hurricane unmasked or Paul Burchill bidding "farewell" to the Land of the Extreme.

[hobbyfan]

If CM Punk thought he was going to be hailed as a conquering hero upon his 1-night-only return to ECW, he was sadly mistaken. Granted, he won his match, building some momentum toward Survivor Series, but there's been a lot of changes since he was drafted away to Raw a year and a half ago.

Too, William Regal's assist on the finish suggests he's not quite done with Christian, even though last week was supposed to be his "last chance". Sunday should be the blow-off between him & Christian (I see Regal jobbing to the champ one more time), putting Zack Ryder in position as the next challenger to get a renewed push.

However, the pairing of Ryder with leggy Rosa Mendes (+1000 credits for the fishnet stockings) is doomed. Rosa is too easily wrapped up in herself, constantly talking about past shopping trips, and really won't be much help to Zack unless he can get her to focus on what he needs from her.

What creative fails to see is the charisma that Ryder brings to the table, as evidenced by the followers he has online. By all rights, they could've turned him face after the blow-up with Regal, but decided against it. Ryder hasn't needed ringside help since coming over from Smackdown, so why start now?

What will be the result? Ryder finally gets his face turn sometime in 2010, after finishing business with both Shel Benjamin and Christian.

You wonder now what will become of Paul Burchill & Katie Lea, now that they've been banished from ECW. Do they go back to Raw, from whence they were moved earlier this year? Or is it Smackdown, where Paul started 4 years ago? In all probability, they'll be sent down to FCW for gimmick changes, as this hasn't worked out the way creative wanted. I've said all along creative should've put Paul & Katie with Regal/Kozlov/Jackson if they were really serious about Regal being the top heel. They've only gone halfway with that, IMPO, which is par for the course.

Next for Hurricane? Maybe Vance Archer. I don't see 'Cane sticking around too far into 2010, though. Drafted back to Smackdown, methinks, come Spring.

Speaking of Archer, these rent-a-jobber squashes are doing exactly nothing.

[Azrayel]

Good ECW last night. Punk cut a good promo/segment in the begininng and later in the show.

Burchill losing to Hurricane was no suprise I hope where ever both Burchill's go (smackdown) that they are used decently.

Zack Ryder and Shelton Benjamin feud again? I'm not digging this. Atleast the first time it sounded intresting, this time its pretty lame with Zack in love thing with Rosa Mendez and now Benjamin is getting into the mix?
the only thing Ryder should be focusing on is some ECW gold/oppertunity.

Archer's match was whatever for me, its just nice to see him devolping his character.

Christian and R-Truth vs William Regal and CM Punk was ok, but when I saw Chrisitan and Punk in the ring and there backstage interview it made me wish Punk was still on ECW to have a feud with Christian because I can predict this to be a very good match for a title match. Another thing Knee Trembler followed by GTS was a nice combo by Regal and Punk.

Speaking of Archer, these rent-a-jobber squashes are doing exactly nothing.

Actually if you think about it, it is actually doing something. Its getting Archer a name for himself and having people get familiar with his work, but I'm sure in no time he'll start a feud with a ECW superstar. Perhaps Goldust or Tommy Dreamer?

[Blueprint]

I hope paul Burchill goes to Smackdown! and become a face.I know WWE won't put him on Raw,Even if they did he's not gonna get nowhere if he's not John Cena,Triple H,Shawn Micheals,Randy Orton,Kingston,Hornswoggle(yes i said hem too).

[The Penguin]

By the time they were both done talking, I was fully convinced that Zack Ryder and Rose Mendes are made for each other. They are hilarious as a team and hopefully it means good things for both of them. Benjamin interrupting and delivering what qualifies as a promo when it comes to him was to be expected. Shelton should be given a manager that can talk (read: not Tony Atlas) and contend for Christian's ECW Title as a heel. I like the guy, but it just seems he is never going to make it on his own.

I thought it seemed more likely that Burchill would leave than Hurricane would lose his mask. I enjoyed this feud overall and I look forward to seeing what this removal from ECW will do for Burchill. I think a SmackDown move is more likely. Perhaps he and Knox would make a good team.

I didn't much care for the way Tiffany spoke to Punk. Punk is condescending to others about his lifestyle, but should anyone really imply that doing things he doesn't do is how to "have fun"?

Johnny Andrews certainly didn't have any fun competing against Vance Archer. I just love how Archer has that "evil intentions" look on his face every time he walks to the ring.

On the flip side of Tiffany's interaction with Punk, I thought Punk and Christian backstage was great. "Are you allowed to hold hands with a girl?" was my favorite line.

I liked the main event tag match as it played in well to Survivor Series. With Christian & Regal on opposite teams you had to do better than just having them fight again so bringing over the SmackDown guys was a great call.

[LinkG07]

"Are you allowed to hold hands with a girl?"

It was indeed funny, but it still doesn't beat '-Sits down when he pees.'

[Condiment King]

Punk really made this episode of ECW for me, and I enjoyed the main event, especially seeing the Regal & Punk pairing. But let's leave it to a one-time thing. Punk is established on Smackdown and doesn't need the downgrade. I didn't think it was really necessary considering how they've been liberally breaking brand extension lately (and will again on Monday for a three-hour Raw) but whatever, Punk made this episode.

Ryder and Rosa is a good pairing, but it's just a shame that this is moving him away from the ECW title. I feel like Ryder should stay a heel for a while, considering a lot of his personality pretty much depends on it as currently represented. Rosa is okay right now, somewhat funny, but I could see her schtick getting annoying if it wears out its welcome.

Burchill loses. I don't see anything for Burchill in the future and you know why? Because Burchill wasn't even really that pushed on ECW. This was like his biggest thing ever. He still mostly lost, even on ECW. So I don't understand the comments that he could do something or move up on one of the two brands if he doesn't even win matches here. I think Burchill is fine but I'm not overly big on him. Though I'm not a fan of Hurricane's at all, and would have been fine with Burchill winning.

[The Penguin]

Burchill loses. I don't see anything for Burchill in the future and you know why? Because Burchill wasn't even really that pushed on ECW. This was like his biggest thing ever. He still mostly lost, even on ECW. So I don't understand the comments that he could do something or move up on one of the two brands if he doesn't even win matches here. I think Burchill is fine but I'm not overly big on him. Though I'm not a fan of Hurricane's at all, and would have been fine with Burchill winning.

I wouldn't say Burchill is destined for the top of the midcard if he stays on the main WWE roster or anything, but sometimes a move is all a guy needs. I don't think Paul Burchill is the level of a Dolph Ziggler, but Ziggler did just about nothing on RAW and is really flourishing on SmackDown. Some of it was his own fault since on RAW he was coming off of his wellness suspension, but still.

Anyway, back to Burchill, while I don't love the guy, for some reason I thought he always stayed pretty legit even as he kept losing. I'm not sure if it's his size or the way he carries himself, but when you compare him to other Superstars that are likely to lose such as Tommy Dreamer, Charlie Haas, Tyler Reks and Jimmy Wang Yang (among others), Burchill still seemed like he could win a lot of the time without it being basically a huge shock.

Plus, if they keep their current personalities, Katie Lea could certainly be used on the heel side of either the RAW or SmackDown women's divisions.