Post by genesis on Feb 4, 2010 14:00:36 GMT -6
Sorry for the delay, folks. But without any further ado. Here is my review for ECW on SyFy that took place this past Tuesday. I'm
changing things up a little bit as well. Since I had some problems posting my last review on RAW. Because of its length. For
whatever reason. Proboards wouldn't run the spell checker. So to save some space. I've decided to cut out the WrestleView
results and simply go with 'my version' of the results for the shows. Picking out the highs & lows of each match/segment.
Followed by what my thoughts were on each of them. Still the same ratings system. For more on that, check my RAW review. Even
though the ratings system that I use is pretty cut & dry, easy to figure out... lol.
We open up ECW on SyFy with 'The Abraham Washington Show'. Its then announced that ECW Champion Christian will be tonight's
guest host for this evening. Abe gets on the mic. and says the reason he was gone for the last several weeks is because NBC
tried to get him to take over 'The Tonight Show'. But, Abe says he couldn't because he would miss all his fans. Throughout
this segment. He & Atlas go back and forth. Poking fun at each other. Then after a couple of mins. thereafter. Christian is
introduced. Abe. congratulates Christian for his victory at the Royal Rumble. Then suddenly, Zack Ryder comes out. He gets in
Christian's face. 'Captain Charisma' fires back with a few jokes & wise cracks (which were pretty funny might I add, lol). So
then Ryder gets upset. Slaps Christian in the face. Christian retaliates by shoving Ryder down as he flips over with the
couch. Both Abe. & Tony Atlas attempt to break up the fight as we go into a commercial break.
Overall, I felt this was very good. Ryder has been a huge hit on ECW and is just the right guy to face Christian for his ECW
Championship. Whether or not Ryder will succeed in beating Christian for the title. Doing something that others have failed ?
We'll have to wait & see.
Segment Rating: ****1/2 stars
So we move on to our first match of the evening. Its Shelton Benjamin facing Vance Archer, aka formerly Lance Hoyt of TNA
Wrestling. Not a bad match, but was one of those that was hard to get into. Benjamin hit a nice outside dive near the
beginning of the match. Honestly, probably the biggest moment of the match lol. Archer picks up the win after blatantly
cheating. Archer has a ways to go I feel. Tonight, I felt that Shelton carried the match all the way through. But, that's
just one man's opinion.
Match Rating: **1/2 stars
Christian vs Zack Ryder is announced for our Main Event. Judging by the graphic. It doesn't appear to be an title match
(bummer !). But oh well, I can live with that for now.
Also, Mr. McMahon has a HUGE announcement regarding the future of ECW on SyFy. Well, this should be interesting. Alot of talk
has gone on about the ECW Brand for the last several weeks. Hopefully, will shed some light on this subject.
So then, we move onto our next match. Yoshi Tatsu vs Trent Baretta. Honestly, this is the first time I've seen Trent Baretta
in action. As I have been out of the wrestling loop here & there. Particularly over the ECW Brand. So, in a way. This is a
big 'catch up' show for me to see whats been going on.
Anyways, pretty good little match I must say. Alot more exciting then the Benjamin/Archer bout previously. Both men looked
really good tonight out there in the ring. I'm a fan of Tatsu's in-ring ability. However, not his character as I find to be
a bit too silly. But nonetheless, he & Baretta did very well tonight. Baretta wasn't too bad either. And how about the kick
at the end by Tatsu ? Pretty sick huh !? Tatsu gets the win afterwords.
Match Rating: ***1/2 stars
Mr. McMahon comes out onto the stage with the HUGE announcement. He announces the official closing of the ECW Brand. The show
will be going off the air in three weeks time (February 23rd to be exact). He thanks all the cameraman, production crew, fans,
and superstars who helped make ECW a success over the last several years. He then thanks the fans who will be responsible for
the new, innovative never before seen show on SyFy. Claiming it to be the 'next evolution' in both the WWE and television
history. (hmmm... thats interesting).
All I gotta say is.... wow ! While the major question has been answered the fate of ECW. Now we have plenty more questions
concerning this new show. More on that in my 'final thoughts' later in the review.
Segment Rating: ***1/2 stars
So, after that nice little segment. We roll into another one with Gregory Helms. Going to do an interview with William Regal
and Ezekiel Jackson. As they enter the ring. Regal says this has been a very trying week for Helms. To which Helms replies
yes it has, but I'm going to get past it. I'm here to do my job. Regal says thats very noble of him, but unfortunately. Things
are about to get worse. From there, Ezekiel attacks Helms. Both men start stomping away as Helms until Jackson picks up Helms
and slams him down hard. Christian makes the save from there. Runs out with a Kendo Stick and chases Jackson & Regal out of
the ring as he tends to Helms.
Segment Rating: ** stars
Now we go to our Main Event. Christian vs Zack Ryder in a non-title match. I felt it was a good match, but both men weren't
given enough time to do too much. More or less, this was a tease to what the real match could be like very soon. As I feel
that we'll see a ECW Title match at Elimination Chamber between these two men. But nevertheless, it was not a bad match by
any means. But it could've gone a little bit longer. We have the run by Regal & Jackson at the end.Causing a DQ finish. So
it seems that Christian isn't out of the woods just yet from those two men.
Match Rating: **1/2 stars
Final Thoughts:
First and foremost. I have mixed emotions over the ECW closing in three weeks. I know alot of die-hard ECW fans from the old
days will be happy to see the place go. But in my point of view. I think its also an end of an era that I hope will carry
over to this next show. To me, if it wasn't for the WWE version of ECW. We wouldn't have stars like CM Punk, Evan Bourne,
Kofi Kingston, John Morrison, The Miz, list goes on & on of guys that really got there start into there WWE careers on this
show that used this as a catapult to get them to both RAW or SmackDown to become the huge stars we know of today. So in a way
on one hand. I think its best that ECW does change its name & format. On the other, it is a little sad. But I'm remaining
optimistic that this new show will carry on the same premise as the 'new' ECW did. Except maybe this time around. Make this
new 3rd brand more legit. Adding more titles and more bodies to the roster. Perhaps if things take off well with it. Extend
the new show to two hours.
On this new show. "Rumor" has it that it will be called: "WWE: NXT". With NXT standing for "Next Generation". Now when I first
heard about the name. I was against it. The letters 'NXT' didn't sound too well for me. Didn't have much a ring to it with the
WWE acroynm. But the more I thought about it, and its concept as the name is alluding to. I don't think its going to be that
bad at all. I heard another rumor that its supposed to somehow involve some type of 'aliens' to go along with the whole 'SyFy'
theme. If it does ? Then they might as well kill off the show. I think its a little too much (remember 'The Zombie' from the
1st ECW episode anyone ? Yeah... hence why we should never see anything like this ever again).
On the show itself. ECW wasn't too awful bad tonight. Had some highs & lows. The announcement of ECW closing did, I felt, take
away some steam from the other things that did happen tonight. I think the Christian/Zack Ryder feud could be a great 'send-off'
feud for ECW to have. With this brand going off the air. Given how long Christian had the ECW Championship now. I think above
anything else. He should remain the champion up to its end. To me, it would be a bit more fitting end to the chapter of WWE's
version of ECW. I think Ryder will give him a good run for his money then probably anyone else he's faced over the last few
months. I don't think Ryder will win the belt. I think on one hand. Had it not been for ECW closing. I would be more open to
the idea of Christian finally dropping the title to Ryder, and allowing Christian to move on to RAW or SmackDown afterwords.
But I think if I were the WWE. I would hold off letting Ryder get the ECW Belt, and wait for this new brand to debut. Which I
will assume will carry over the current ECW roster onto it. So that, when a new World Title is named for this brand. Ryder
could be its first (or 2nd really, if Christian has it first lol) world champion.
Match wise. I think Yoshi Tatsu vs Trent Baretta was the match of the night overall. As I said earlier. I'm not a huge fan
of Yoshi's character, per say. But I do respect and like his in-ring ability & athleticism. And that Roundhouse Kick he
delivered at the end of the match was probably one of the better kicks I've seen out of anyone in years... lol. I know that
had to hurt!
In closing, some fun stuff happened on ECW. In some ways. It was a better show then RAW was on Monday Night. A couple of nice
things worth checking out. So with this in mind. I give ECW on SyFy *** stars out of a possible *****.
Thanks for reading my review everyone. Catch me next time for TNA Impact. If the weather holds up on my end here. I'm looking
to post that review sometime during the day on Friday.
changing things up a little bit as well. Since I had some problems posting my last review on RAW. Because of its length. For
whatever reason. Proboards wouldn't run the spell checker. So to save some space. I've decided to cut out the WrestleView
results and simply go with 'my version' of the results for the shows. Picking out the highs & lows of each match/segment.
Followed by what my thoughts were on each of them. Still the same ratings system. For more on that, check my RAW review. Even
though the ratings system that I use is pretty cut & dry, easy to figure out... lol.
We open up ECW on SyFy with 'The Abraham Washington Show'. Its then announced that ECW Champion Christian will be tonight's
guest host for this evening. Abe gets on the mic. and says the reason he was gone for the last several weeks is because NBC
tried to get him to take over 'The Tonight Show'. But, Abe says he couldn't because he would miss all his fans. Throughout
this segment. He & Atlas go back and forth. Poking fun at each other. Then after a couple of mins. thereafter. Christian is
introduced. Abe. congratulates Christian for his victory at the Royal Rumble. Then suddenly, Zack Ryder comes out. He gets in
Christian's face. 'Captain Charisma' fires back with a few jokes & wise cracks (which were pretty funny might I add, lol). So
then Ryder gets upset. Slaps Christian in the face. Christian retaliates by shoving Ryder down as he flips over with the
couch. Both Abe. & Tony Atlas attempt to break up the fight as we go into a commercial break.
Overall, I felt this was very good. Ryder has been a huge hit on ECW and is just the right guy to face Christian for his ECW
Championship. Whether or not Ryder will succeed in beating Christian for the title. Doing something that others have failed ?
We'll have to wait & see.
Segment Rating: ****1/2 stars
So we move on to our first match of the evening. Its Shelton Benjamin facing Vance Archer, aka formerly Lance Hoyt of TNA
Wrestling. Not a bad match, but was one of those that was hard to get into. Benjamin hit a nice outside dive near the
beginning of the match. Honestly, probably the biggest moment of the match lol. Archer picks up the win after blatantly
cheating. Archer has a ways to go I feel. Tonight, I felt that Shelton carried the match all the way through. But, that's
just one man's opinion.
Match Rating: **1/2 stars
Christian vs Zack Ryder is announced for our Main Event. Judging by the graphic. It doesn't appear to be an title match
(bummer !). But oh well, I can live with that for now.
Also, Mr. McMahon has a HUGE announcement regarding the future of ECW on SyFy. Well, this should be interesting. Alot of talk
has gone on about the ECW Brand for the last several weeks. Hopefully, will shed some light on this subject.
So then, we move onto our next match. Yoshi Tatsu vs Trent Baretta. Honestly, this is the first time I've seen Trent Baretta
in action. As I have been out of the wrestling loop here & there. Particularly over the ECW Brand. So, in a way. This is a
big 'catch up' show for me to see whats been going on.
Anyways, pretty good little match I must say. Alot more exciting then the Benjamin/Archer bout previously. Both men looked
really good tonight out there in the ring. I'm a fan of Tatsu's in-ring ability. However, not his character as I find to be
a bit too silly. But nonetheless, he & Baretta did very well tonight. Baretta wasn't too bad either. And how about the kick
at the end by Tatsu ? Pretty sick huh !? Tatsu gets the win afterwords.
Match Rating: ***1/2 stars
Mr. McMahon comes out onto the stage with the HUGE announcement. He announces the official closing of the ECW Brand. The show
will be going off the air in three weeks time (February 23rd to be exact). He thanks all the cameraman, production crew, fans,
and superstars who helped make ECW a success over the last several years. He then thanks the fans who will be responsible for
the new, innovative never before seen show on SyFy. Claiming it to be the 'next evolution' in both the WWE and television
history. (hmmm... thats interesting).
All I gotta say is.... wow ! While the major question has been answered the fate of ECW. Now we have plenty more questions
concerning this new show. More on that in my 'final thoughts' later in the review.
Segment Rating: ***1/2 stars
So, after that nice little segment. We roll into another one with Gregory Helms. Going to do an interview with William Regal
and Ezekiel Jackson. As they enter the ring. Regal says this has been a very trying week for Helms. To which Helms replies
yes it has, but I'm going to get past it. I'm here to do my job. Regal says thats very noble of him, but unfortunately. Things
are about to get worse. From there, Ezekiel attacks Helms. Both men start stomping away as Helms until Jackson picks up Helms
and slams him down hard. Christian makes the save from there. Runs out with a Kendo Stick and chases Jackson & Regal out of
the ring as he tends to Helms.
Segment Rating: ** stars
Now we go to our Main Event. Christian vs Zack Ryder in a non-title match. I felt it was a good match, but both men weren't
given enough time to do too much. More or less, this was a tease to what the real match could be like very soon. As I feel
that we'll see a ECW Title match at Elimination Chamber between these two men. But nevertheless, it was not a bad match by
any means. But it could've gone a little bit longer. We have the run by Regal & Jackson at the end.Causing a DQ finish. So
it seems that Christian isn't out of the woods just yet from those two men.
Match Rating: **1/2 stars
Final Thoughts:
First and foremost. I have mixed emotions over the ECW closing in three weeks. I know alot of die-hard ECW fans from the old
days will be happy to see the place go. But in my point of view. I think its also an end of an era that I hope will carry
over to this next show. To me, if it wasn't for the WWE version of ECW. We wouldn't have stars like CM Punk, Evan Bourne,
Kofi Kingston, John Morrison, The Miz, list goes on & on of guys that really got there start into there WWE careers on this
show that used this as a catapult to get them to both RAW or SmackDown to become the huge stars we know of today. So in a way
on one hand. I think its best that ECW does change its name & format. On the other, it is a little sad. But I'm remaining
optimistic that this new show will carry on the same premise as the 'new' ECW did. Except maybe this time around. Make this
new 3rd brand more legit. Adding more titles and more bodies to the roster. Perhaps if things take off well with it. Extend
the new show to two hours.
On this new show. "Rumor" has it that it will be called: "WWE: NXT". With NXT standing for "Next Generation". Now when I first
heard about the name. I was against it. The letters 'NXT' didn't sound too well for me. Didn't have much a ring to it with the
WWE acroynm. But the more I thought about it, and its concept as the name is alluding to. I don't think its going to be that
bad at all. I heard another rumor that its supposed to somehow involve some type of 'aliens' to go along with the whole 'SyFy'
theme. If it does ? Then they might as well kill off the show. I think its a little too much (remember 'The Zombie' from the
1st ECW episode anyone ? Yeah... hence why we should never see anything like this ever again).
On the show itself. ECW wasn't too awful bad tonight. Had some highs & lows. The announcement of ECW closing did, I felt, take
away some steam from the other things that did happen tonight. I think the Christian/Zack Ryder feud could be a great 'send-off'
feud for ECW to have. With this brand going off the air. Given how long Christian had the ECW Championship now. I think above
anything else. He should remain the champion up to its end. To me, it would be a bit more fitting end to the chapter of WWE's
version of ECW. I think Ryder will give him a good run for his money then probably anyone else he's faced over the last few
months. I don't think Ryder will win the belt. I think on one hand. Had it not been for ECW closing. I would be more open to
the idea of Christian finally dropping the title to Ryder, and allowing Christian to move on to RAW or SmackDown afterwords.
But I think if I were the WWE. I would hold off letting Ryder get the ECW Belt, and wait for this new brand to debut. Which I
will assume will carry over the current ECW roster onto it. So that, when a new World Title is named for this brand. Ryder
could be its first (or 2nd really, if Christian has it first lol) world champion.
Match wise. I think Yoshi Tatsu vs Trent Baretta was the match of the night overall. As I said earlier. I'm not a huge fan
of Yoshi's character, per say. But I do respect and like his in-ring ability & athleticism. And that Roundhouse Kick he
delivered at the end of the match was probably one of the better kicks I've seen out of anyone in years... lol. I know that
had to hurt!
In closing, some fun stuff happened on ECW. In some ways. It was a better show then RAW was on Monday Night. A couple of nice
things worth checking out. So with this in mind. I give ECW on SyFy *** stars out of a possible *****.
Thanks for reading my review everyone. Catch me next time for TNA Impact. If the weather holds up on my end here. I'm looking
to post that review sometime during the day on Friday.