8/1 ECW on Sci-Fi Recap

For the first few weeks of this show, people have complained that this show did not feel like the authentic ECW. This week the show had that feeling. When one thinks back to the glory days of ECW, images of barbed wire, Singapore canes, blood, vulgar chants and most importantly, famous indy and international talent getting their first national exposure, all come to mind. This show had it all.

The main event featured The Big Show defend the ECW title against SmackDown! star Batista. Would the ECW faithful cheer for the heel ECW champ or SmackDown!’s number one star? They chose neither. I have not seen a crowd this hostile to the competitor’s of a match since the Goldberg vs Brock Lesnar match at WrestleMania XX. The fans started by chanting “You Both S**k” before starting the “Boring” chant and then they debuted a “Change the Channel” chant. There were a few other ones, but I can’t print them here. The match ended when The Big Show got disqualified for hitting Batista with the title belt. After the match, Sabu attacked The Big Show which finally gave the fans something to cheer about. For the second week in a row, Sabu attacked The Big Show after being banned from the building by Paul Heyman.

The show started with an Extreme Rules tag team match featuring The Sandman and Tommy Dreamer battle Test & Mike Knox. Before the match even started, The Sandman was bloodied by smashing his beer cans on his head and the censors had to adjust the volume of the crowd as the Hammerstein Ballroom had many of the chants ECW fans are known for. Knox and The Sandman battled to the back while Test was recuperating outside the ring. This gave Tommy the opportunity to spank Kelly in the ring. After he finished spanking her, Paul Heyman came in with his two security guards and they threw Tommy into a barbed wire board. When Test came back into the ring, he easily finished off Tommy to get the win for his team.

For years, hardcore wrestling fans have been singing the praises of CM Punk. Tonight, he made his national television debut. His opponent was former ECW champion Justin Credible. The fans were solidly behind CM Punk and he didn’t disappoint them. He got the win via submission.

In other show developments, Kurt Angle made his return to the ring tonight after taking the last month off. He easily beat the Brooklyn Brawler. In a backstage segment, Paul Heyman was shunned by Little Guido, Steve Richards, Francine, & Roadkill before he bumped into Sabu. Sabu wants a title shot and Paul Heyman let it be known again to Sabu that he would never get a title shot against The Big Show. In another backstage skit, the vampire announced that his name is Kevin Thorn. I guess that is a better name and gimmick than his previous stint in the WWE as Mordechai. While not mentioned on the show, Rob Van Dam's suspension will be over in time for him to appear on next week's show.

If you missed this show, I highly recommend that you check it out on ECW.com over the next few days on the Hardcore Hangover section of the site. I have a feeling that the main event will be edited due to the sheer amount of middle fingers being flipped by the crowd as well as one by The Big Show back to the crowd.

Match Results:

• Extreme Rules: Mike Knox & Test beat The Sandman & Tommy Dreamer
  
• CM Punk beat Justin Credible by submission
  
• Kurt Angle beat The Brooklyn Brawler
  
• ECW Title Match: Batista beat ECW Champ The Big Show by DQ

Photo of Batista Courtesy of The UPN Network where he can be seen on Friday Night SmackDown!