Genuine ECW Review - June 9, 2009

I really do love ECW. People can whine about how WWE is crapping on the original ECW's legacy or whatever, but I love the WWEs version of ECW. Id rather they create their own legacy with their own version of ECW rather than try to live up to a legacy of the original, a legacy that would only be good to bring the original ECW fans in (they wouldnt watch even if WWE did keep true to the old ECW). It is such a simplistic show: simple storytelling, simple show layout, simple storylines. It is a PERFECT one hour show and brand.

Tommy Dreamer is the NEW ECW Champion. My thoughts? On one hand, congrats to the guy. Im sure he does deserve it for all he has done. But on a personal level, I cant say Im really all that hyped about it. I dont think Ill hate his reign; Im sure itll even surprise me, but at the moment I'm just not like a lot of others who are marking out over it. ECW GM Tiffany welcomes the new champ for his new contract now. Now, I only just recently began watching ECW every week, but I dont see any problems with her. She may not be the best, but her role is simple: just act as a figurehead when ECW needs one. She doesn't need to be like the Vince McMahon of the 90's being on screen all the time or anything. Plus, shes quite easy on the eyes. Back to Dreamer now. His little victory speech was nice and short, to the point. Simple, effective. And here we have Christian coming out. Note: I LOVE his new version of 'Just Close Your Eyes', but HATE people just taking the original Waterproof Blonde version and changing the tempo/pitch and claiming it as his new one. Christians little nonchalant insults ("Thanks Swagger, you dork!") are loveable.

What isn't loveable is a Jack Swagger promo. No, I jest. I actually dont mind Swaggers mic work. His lisp really doesnt bother me, especially when Dusty Rhodes had a lisp as well and people dont seem to be bothered by it. I must say, though... Mister Swagger? What exactly is a "High Defininin Image?" Swagger gets the crowd to hate on him rather quickly, though. The entire opening segment was well done I thought. Swagger wanting the belt stripped off Dreamer, Christian upset he didnt get pinned, and both seemingly upset that the match was a triple threat. See? Simple storytelling. Christian putting Dreamer through the table... Heel turn? No. Dreamer attacked Christian before their title match, so I see it as the same thing here. Then again, maybe Christian WILL be a heel from now on. We will find out next week. As Striker said, "Opportunity knocks," and Josh Matthews said, "They're even."

Guy in green? Please let The Hurricane return. Honestly, I was much more interested in Helms as The Hurricane than I was as him playing generic arrogant heel Gregory Helms.

Woah. Christian powerbombs Dreamer, his partner for tonights main event, through a table, and now Dreamer is unable to compete. Christians new partner? Jack Swagger. I just have to reiterate just how well ECWs booking is due to the simplicity.

Tony Atlas vs Evan Bourne: Atlas looks ripped. In such great shape. You can smell an Atlas/Henry feud coming somewhere. Ill be surprised if the WWE doesnt go that route. I would rather enjoy a couple matches from them, just because Atlas was Henrys manager so he knows him and how he works; plus he looks like he could split Henrys wig. Bourne continues to be a great presence in the ring. Oh yeah. Bourne getting tossed to the outside, Atlas distracting the ref, and Henry not attacking Bourne? Definite feud between Henry and Atlas, who showed off some good power during this match. Bourne has such a BEAUTIFUL Shooting Star Press. Henry attacking Bourne after the match... Maybe to throw it in Atlas' face? The match wasn't bad. Id rate it as average or so. Nothing special, but nothing bad on the eyes either.

Woah woah woah. Kozlov... SMILING?! No! I want army outfit wearing Kozlov! The one that talks about... stuff... on the mic! Damn. For a handicapped squash match... Kozlov threw in some nice moves during it. I already liked Kozlov as it was since I have the softspot for the bigger guys in wrestling. Face turn for the guy? Could be interesting.

Oooooooh Yeee-ah! Macho Madness DVD! Dig it! And buy it!

So we get John Cena, Triple H, Randy Orton, and Big Show involved in next Monday Nights WWE Championship Three for All match and Tommy Dreamer taking on Christian as well.

Christian and Jack Swagger vs The Hart Dynasty: I love love love The Hart Dynasty's theme remix of Bret Harts theme, and they look like a great trio of wrestlers. Natalya working the mic for them is good. It gets her involved instead of just being eye candy. Already at the beginning of the match we get a bit of miscommunication on the side of Christian and Swagger. It is great that these matches in ECW arent just squashes; Tyson and Smith given time to get offense in and made to look like threats just builds them up very well with small steps. Swagger shoving Christian both off the apron to tag him in and then shoving him from on the apron, sending Christian into a dropkick from Kidd is just more simple story progression that ECW is superb at.

All in all, this match was rather nice. I would give the match One Thumb Up for being entertaining, two thumbs up for progressing the Swagger/Christian/Dreamer rivalry and for helping put The Hart Dynasty over throughout the match. Make sense? No? Eh. It's the style I'm going to be using. Natalya works great as the manager for Kidd and Smith. She gets involved during the matches not by physical means, but you can hear her from the outside going, "harder David, harder!" The ending of the match began getting a bit more fast paced and exciting, and Swagger costing himself the match just to screw Christian over like that was good. Plus, its always a welcome to see The Hart Dynasty hit the Hart Attack for the win. Dreamer coming out to save Christian from the three on one beatdown is typical face procedure, showing that even though Christian attacked him earlier he still wants Christian to be healthy enough for their rematch next week on RAW. d

The show I would rate as good. Only three matches, but I enjoyed all three, each for their own reasons. I do wish ECW gets more new stars to build up. Oh, and no Ryder? Sad panda it makes me.