ECW News (Page 11)

• The Wrestling Observer is reporting that the 12/26 edition of ECW on Sci Fi, which was a "Best of 2006" show hosted by Joey Styles and Tazz, drew a final 1.4 cable rating. Considering the holiday break, this was considered to be a stronger number than most expected.

The following report is courtesy of wrestleview.com ...

- Bobby Lashley hits the ring and gets on the mic. Lashley thanks the fans for the support since he came to ECW. He talked about Big Show being the biggest and toughest opponent he has ever had and that if he ever wanted another title shot, he could have it.

Lashley mentions that the fans can pick his next opponent for the ECW World Title in two weeks by voting on ECW.com with the choices being Rob Van Dam, Sabu or Test. He also mentions going over to Iraq recently for the Tribute to the Troops show when Rene Dupree's music hits. He calls Lashley a corporate puppet and that he is only being run by the man, just like the troops overseas. Dupree said the show for the troops was necessary because they are getting their asses kicked overseas.

- ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley defeated Rene Dupree. Very quick match that saw Dupree get in little offense. The finish saw Lashley hit Dupree with a Spear in the corner followed by a Dominator for the win.

- Brad Armstrong is at the announcers table with Joey Styles and Tazz for the next match. Clips are shown from last week when Matt Striker low blowed Balls Mahoney.

- Matt Striker defeated Balls Mahoney. Striker hit a big running boot to the face on Mahoney in the corner early on. Mahoney came back later on with his right hands as the fans chanted "BALLS" with all of them and dodged a kick from Striker. The finish saw Mahoney miss a leg drop after going up to the top rope and Striker finished him with the Golden Rule to get the pinfall.

- Test cuts a promo backstage. He says everyone has failed when they have tried to beat him in ECW. Test told the fans to vote for him because he deserved a title shot on January 2.

- RVD cut a promo backstage as well. He said the fans should vote for him because he is the biggest reason why anyone watches ECW.

- Hardcore Holly was in the ring with a mic in hand. They show footage from last week when he was DQ'ed in a match against CM Punk. Holly said there was a bad rumor floating around that he tapped out last week. He said the referee saved Punk's life by stepping in and that Punk should send the referee a Christmas card. Holly called out Punk and added, "Just remember, I'm a weapon and I'll always be a weapon." Zero reaction from the fans on that line.

Punk comes out and gets a good reaction from the crowd. Tazz for some reason couldn't believe Punk was actually coming out to accept Holly's challenge. When Punk got in the ring, Holly added that he had three minutes to make him tap out.

- Hardcore Holly vs. CM Punk ended in a No Contest when Punk couldn't submit Holly in three minutes. Right off the start, Punk took Holly down and attempted the Anaconda Vice, but Holly fought out of it. They had a timer in the left corner counting down from three minutes. After some back and forth action, we were down to 10 seconds left. Punk got Holly down and was about to apply the Anaconda Vice again when time expired. After the match, Punk complained to the referee and Holly attacked him from behind. Holly then gave Punk the Alabama Slam.

- Backstage, Shannon Moore was on his cell phone when Daivari bumped into him. Daivari told him to watch out because when he messes with him, he is also messing with The Great Khali. Khali is shown standing behind Daivari. Daivari told Moore he was going to teach him a lesson in the ring tonight.

- The Great Khali vs. Shannon Moore ended in a No Contest. Before the match, it looked like it would be Daivari facing Moore, but Daivari left the ring and Khali stayed as the bell rang. The match looked to have finished when Khali hit Moore with this two handed slam when Tommy Dreamer ran out. Dreamer took out Daivari with a steel chair as the bell rang numerous times. Khali then came out and took out Dreamer with a big boot into the chair. Khali knocked off the top of the ring steps and gave Dreamer the two hand slam on top of it. Medical officials came out to check on Dreamer, while Khali threw Daivari up on his shoulder and left.

- A video package on Sabu aired.

- We then see a shot of medics putting Tommy Dreamer on a stretcher and being taken away.

- Footage from two weeks ago when Mike Knox dumped Kelly Kelly by attacking her is shown. Backstage, Mike Knox is in a suit. Knox said he is asked every day about the "horrible" thing he did to Kelly Kelly. He brings up what if that was your girlfriend or wife constantly showing off her body to the public. Knox said it hurt him more to do what he did to Kelly than it hurt her.

- Test defeated Rob Van Dam & Sabu in a Triple Threat Match. Lots of double teaming by RVD and Sabu on Test early on. Test was then thrown from the ring and RVD and Sabu went at it. The finish saw RVD crotch Sabu on the ropes and then land a dropkick. RVD followed that up with a Five Star Frog Splash from the top rope, covered, but Test ran back and threw RVD out of the ring through the ropes. Test then covered Sabu and got the pinfall.

After the match, Tazz's music hit and he got into the ring. He asked the fans who they think should face Bobby Lashley in two weeks for the ECW Title. Sabu receives a mixed reaction, Test gets booed and RVD gets the most cheers. They then go to the graphic and reveal that RVD won the poll over on ECW.com with 45% of the vote. Test then takes out RVD with a big boot and heads to the back. Sabu helps RVD to his feet. They shake hands and RVD celebrates his win in the poll with the fans.

The following report is courtesy of lordsofpain.net ...

Tazz and Joey Styles are introduced. We start off with a video package of Lashley/Big Show from last week and here we go with the ECW on Sci-Fi intro. Tonight's main event will be Bobby Lashley vs. Heyman's Enforcers.

Rob Van Dam vs. Test
Match wasn't spectacular, but both got to hit most of their spots. RVD goes for the Five Star Frog Splash, but Test moves out of the way. Test picks up RVD for a powerbomb, but it gets countered into a sunset flip attempt. Test botches the spot and grabs the top rope in front of the ref. Test lets the rope go and the ref turns his attention to the mat while he grabs the middle rope. Test with the pinfall victory.
Winner: Test

Matt Striker comes out talking about the history of Boston and then proceeds to run the town down. Good stuff. Got some odd stares from little kids for yelling out that I agree with Striker and that Boston sucks. Fun playing a heel at these events. Striker talks about how Boston's athletes are no good with balls. This leads to him calling out Balls Mahoney who graces us with his presence. Striker makes comparisons between Balls and Boston. After Balls had enough, he starts to beat on Striker with his signature punches with the crowd chanting. Striker actually kicks him in the balls when he was winding up and hopes he's not feeling blue.

CM Punk vs. Hardcore Holly
Sadly, the reaction for Punk wasn't that great. There were chants here and there, but nothing like the crowds in other towns. This was a fairly short match with Punk hitting most of his spots. The end came when Holly kept beating down Punk in the corner going over the 5 count. Punk wins by DQ.
Winner by DQ: CM Punk

Holly argues with the referee over the decision and is about to go back to giving him a beating, but Punk comes back putting Holly on the ground locking in the Anaconda Vice.

Tommy Dreamer vs. Daivari w/The Great Khali
Very short match with Dreamer hitting a DDT after Khali hit him in the back from the outside out of no where on Daivari for the win.
Winner: Tommy Dreamer

Dreamer rolled to the outside only to be met by Khali who gives him a choke bomb on the onto the mat outside the ring.

Elijah Burke along with Sylvester Terkay cut a promo about how they're the greatest fighting duo. Looks like the team will be called the Tap Out Knock Out Connection.

Bobby Lashley vs. Paul Heyman's Special Enforcers
Pretty much what you would expect. Lashley used power moves. The end came when he hit one of the enforcers with the spear and a dominator for the win. The other enforcer tried to come back in, but also got a spear and dominator.
Winner: Bobby Lashley

• Next week’s ECW on Sci-Fi will be airing on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET in the United States. The Global TV’s website out of Canada lists ECW in its regular Friday night timeslot, meaning that for the first time since the re-launch it will air in Canada first.

• Professional race car driver Danica Patrick will be joining WWE Diva Candice Michelle in her GoDaddy.com commercials. Candice has been a regular in the company’s commercials since Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005.

The following report is courtesy of lordsofpain.net ...

ECW opens with a video recap of Bobby Lashley winning the ECW championship. We are then shown the video in which Paul Heyman invokes Big Show’s rematch clause. After the bodies hit the floor, Rob Van Dam makes his way to the ring for the first match

Rob Van Dam & CM Punk vs Hardcore Holly & Test
- RVD and CM Punk dedicate the match to Sabu after what happened Sunday night. Holly and RVD start the match. RVD takes down Holly with a hurricanrana. Holly whips RVD into the turnbuckle. RVD jumps to the second rope. RVD fakes a spinning kick. Holly bites on the fake and drops to the mat. RVD connects a split legged moonsault for 2. Holly reverses a whip by RVD. Test drags RVD to the corner so Test can tag in Holly. Holly gets in a couple of shots before RVD connects with a spinning heel kick. RVD tags in Punk.

Punk rolls out of a pin and connects with the rock bottom. Punk locks in the Anaconda Vice. Holly is about to tap when Heyman’s security team rushes the ring. Security beats down Punk until Sabu and RVD hit the ring. The RVD kicks security #1 out of the ring. Punk hits security #2 with the rock bottom and locks on the Anaconda Vice. Security #2 is tapping but Punk does not let go. RVD goes to the top and sets up for the 5 star frog splash. Punk barely moves out of the way in time to miss the impact of the frog splash. Sabu doesn’t want to be left out, as he hits an Arabian face buster on security #2.
Winners: Rob Van Dam & CM Punk

After a commercial break, Daivari is in the ring yelling in Farsi. Eventually, he says in English that he wants to extend another challenge to Tommy Dreamer. But first, watch the recap of Khali destroying Dreamer at the PPV. Dreamer limps his way to the ring.

Daivari vs Tommy Dreamer
- Daivari attacks Dreamer before he can make it through the ropes. Daivari focuses his attacks at the bicep and shoulder areas that were injured Sunday night. Daivari stretches Dreamer’s in a submission hold. Dreamer fights out. Dreamer mounts an offensive with a flurry of rights and lefts. Dreamer choke slams Daivari. Dreamer and Daivari counter DDTs until Dreamer finally connects for the pin. Khali makes his way to the ring. Khali clotheslines Dreamer. Daivari slides a chair into the ring. Khali choke power bombs Dreamer onto the chair. Daivari and Khali posture and pose as we fade to commercials.
Winner: Tommy Dreamer

Kelly Kelly vs Ariel
- The ref bans Kevin Thorn from ringside. Kelly Kelly wants no part of the match. Ariel jumps Kelly. Ariel chokes and slaps at Kelly. Ariel gets off of Kelly. Kelly surprises Ariel with a roll up for the win. Mike Knox interrupts Kelly’s celebration. He explains that he made the biggest mistake of his life Sunday night. Knox says that he would never leave Kelly. Knox begs for Kelly’s forgiveness. After thinking it over, Kelly takes his hand. Knox says that he is sorry, sorry for not dumping her sooner. He could never be with someone like Kelly. Knox throws the flowers he brought for Kelly in her face. Knox grabs Kelly and hits a spinning neck breaker. Tazz has had enough and gets in the ring. Knox retreats backstage as Tazz calls for the medics.
Winner: Kelly Kelly

Big Show vs Bobby Lashley for the ECW championship
- Lashley takes the early advantage, using speed against the size of the Big Show. Big Show eventually takes down Lashley with an elbow. Show lands big blows across Lashley’s back before slamming him to the mat. Lashley tries to build some offense with some rights. Lashley bounces off the ropes and into a sidewalk slam by Show. Show chokes Lashley using the ring ropes. Lashley tries for a comeback, attacking Big Shows shoulder. A head butt from show ends Lashley’s offensive.During the break, Show threw Lashley back first into the ring post. We come back to Show standing on top of Lashley.

Big Show continues to target Lashley’s back with stomps and slams. Lashley gets his second win, hitting Big Show with a shoulder block. Lashley hits another shoulder block for 2. Lashley goes for another one, but gets hit with a clothesline from Show. Show again targets the back of Lashley, standing on his back and hitting him with clubbing blows. Lashley tries to suplex Show, but Show counters into a suplex of his own. Big Show puts Lashley into an abdominal stretch. Lashley breaks out with and elbow to the eye. Lashley tries to mount some offense, but runs into a brick wall called Big Show.

Big Show sets Lashley on the top turnbuckle. Big Show tries to climb the ropes, but Lashley knocks him off. Lashley hits a lariat off the top. Lashley hits a series of clotheslines that eventually take Show off his feet. Lashley goes for the spear, but runs into the paw of Big Show. Big Show choke slams Lashley, but only gets 2. Big Show goes for another choke slam, but Lashley battles out with elbows to Show’s head. Lashley slams Big Show for 2. Lashley takes Show down with another clothesline. Lashley measures Show for another slam. This slam gives Lashley the 3 count.
Winner: Bobby Lashley

** Click here for more ECW photos from this week's show

While Paul Heyman was technically the head writer for ECW, he anwered to Vince McMahon like everyone else.

This was clear the night before Heyman was fired, at December to Dismember.

McMahon made several changes late in the game, including removing entirely Sabu entirely from the Extreme Elimination chamber, as well as forcing out CM Punk and RVD so early. The reasoning behind the moves? To force fans to cheer on eventual winner, Lashley.

Especially after the lack of build-up to December to Dismember, many ECW originals are considering leaving the company.

For example, Rob Van Dam's contract is due to expire in six months. Insiders say the frustrated wrestler is counting the days until he's done with the company.

Then there's Sabu. He's earned scored backstage heat for behavioral issues and is reportedly acting in a way that gives the impression he is almost "trying to get fired."

Things look a bit better for ECW newcomer Bobby Lashley, however. He'll receive a long title run as former WWE stars continue to be treated better than ECW originals and veterans.

The following report is courtesy of wrestleview.com ...

- The show opens with a video package running highlighting the Extreme Elimination Chamber tonight for the ECW Championship with champion Big Show, Rob Van Dam, Sabu, Test, CM Punk and Bobby Lashley.

- A graphic opening then hits welcoming us to December to Dismember. A display of pyro goes off in Augusta, GA. We then see a shot of the Extreme Elimination Chamber hanging above the ring.

- The Hardy Boyz defeated MNM. Fans were really into the match - hot crowd tonight in Augusta. The Hardys took out Joey Mercury during the match with a big 180 back suplex. Melina got involved during the match, pulling on the leg of Matt Hardy. When Matt went after her, he got taken out with a big clothesline from Mercury. They did a big spot with Matt flipping over the top rope to take out Mercury on the outside, which then saw Nitro go over the top followed by Jeff that got a big reaction from the crowd. Jeff later took out Nitro and Mercury with a whisper in the wind that Matt followed up with two side effects. MNM came back with a snapshot on Jeff, but Matt made the save. The finish saw Jeff hit a swanton bomb on both Nitro and Mercury to get the pinfall. After the match, The Hardy Boyz celebrated.

- Balls Mahoney defeated Matt Striker. Striker got on the mic before the match and told the referee to enforce all rules as this match was NOT under extreme rules. Lots of back and forth action between the two. Better match than you might think. The finish saw Mahoney hit a spinebuster on Striker to get the pinfall.- Backstage, we see that Sabu has been injured and he will no longer compete in the Extreme Elimination Chamber tonight. The fans in Augusta didn't like this decision at all. And who can blame them?

- Sylvester Terkay & Elijah Burke defeated The FBI. Solid tag team match, although the crowd in Augusta is very quiet tonight after a hot opening with The Hardys and MNM. The finish saw Burke hit The Stroke on Tony Mamaluke for the win. After the match, Terkay took out Little Guido with a Muscle Buster.

- Backstage, Sabu is shown leaving in an ambulance. We see a shot of Rob Van Dam and CM Punk with a concerned look on their faces.

- Daivari defeated Tommy Dreamer. The Great Khali had been ejected early on in the match for interfering. The finish saw Dreamer go for a DDT, but Daivari countered that into a schoolboy for the pinfall. After the match, Khali came back out and slammed Dreamer on the entrance ramp. Medics came out to help Dreamer, but Dreamer got up on his own as the fans cheered and he headed to the back.

- Backstage, Hardcore Holly is talking to Paul Heyman. Heyman announces that Holly will replace Sabu in the Extreme Elimination Chamber tonight for the ECW Championship.

- Kevin Thorn & Ariel defeated Mike Knox & Kelly Kelly in a Mixed Tag Team Match. Before the match, Kelly Kelly got on the mic and wished CM Punk well tonight when he competes in the Extreme Elimination Chamber. It was all Knox and Thorn early on in the match until Kelly Kelly and Ariel got the tag. The finish saw Knox refuse to tag Kelly and he walked out on the match. Ariel then hit Kelly with a leg trip and got the pinfall.

After the match, The Sandman made his way through the crowd and drank some beer. Sandman had a singapore cane in hand and took out Thorn with it. Thorn bails from the ring and Sandman chases him down still hitting him with the cane. Sandman then pops open another beer and celebrates with the fans in Augusta.

- Michael Cole previews the upcoming WWE Armageddon PPV on December 17.

- Paul Heyman came out to the ring with his security guards. Heyman talked about the main even tonight - the Extreme Elimination Chamber. He reminded the fans that Sabu will not be competing tonight in the Chamber. Heyman then introduced the ECW Champion The Big Show and asked for the Elimination Chamber to be lowered.

- Bobby Lashley won the Extreme Elimination Chamber to become the NEW ECW World Champion. Order of entry for the Elimination Chamber: Big Show (in pod with barbed wire bat), CM Punk (in pod with steel chair), Test (in pod with crowbar) and Bobby Lashley (in pod with table). Rob Van Dam and Hardcore Holly will start the match. CM Punk was the first out of a pod with a steel chair. Punk threw his chair at RVD, but RVD caught it and threw it back at Punk. Next in was Test out of a pod with a crowbar. RVD was cut open at this point and Test went after his cut with the crowbar. RVD got a steel chair and took out Hardcore Holly, Test and then Punk in the corner. RVD then hit a Five Star Frog Splash on CM Punk and got the pinfall - CM Punk is eliminated. Test then took out Hardcore Holly with a high kick and got the pinfall - Hardcore Holly is eliminated.

Test then puts a steel chair on RVD, climbs up Big Show's pod, jumps off and connects with an elbow on RVD over the chair - Rob Van Dam is eliminated. Test then awaited the entry of the last two participants - Bobby Lashley and Big Show. Paul Heyman's security guards prevent Lashley's pod from opening. Lashley, who had a table inside the pod with it, makes a hole to free himself from the pod. Lashley then takes out Test with a Spear - Test is eliminated. We are now down to Bobby Lashley vs. Big Show with the ECW Title on the line. Big Show's pod opens and he enters with the barbed wire bat. Big Show swung the bat at Lashley, but Lashley blocked it with a steel chair. Lashley then threw Big Show into a pod, busting Big Show open. The finish saw Lashley block an attempted chokeslam from Big Show into a DDT. Lashley then connected with a Spear on Big Show to get the pinfall to become the NEW ECW World Champion.

** Click here for more December to Dismember photos

As if Sandman vs. Hardcore Holly wasn't random enough for December to Dismember this Sunday, here's the latest non-sensical match to be added to the card:

• Tommy Dreamer vs. Daivari

Can't you just smell the buy rates now, ECW fans?!?

How disorganized is the WWE when it comes to ECW? Let's see ...

There are currently only two booked matches - for an event that takes place this weekend. One of them is the Extreme Elimination Chamber. The other is the Hardy Boyz vs. MNM.

It looks as though a third has been added, between a pair of wrestlers not even feuding at the moment. Sandman will take on Hardcore Holly.

Is it really that difficult to pay attention to the ECW brand? Why bring it back, WWE, if you have no intention of building it up?