ECW Recap 09.25.07

ECW Recap from Indianapolis, IN:

ECW opened with Joey Styles saying tonight's main event will be CM Punk facing Matt Striker. Styles said the chase for the #1 contender spot at No Mercy continues tonight with the opening match, a triple threat match. Tommy Dreamer, Elijah Burke and Kevin Thorn would face off. Whichever man is pinned would be eliminated from the chase for the ECW #1 contender spot at No Mercy.

Tommy Dreamer vs. Kevin Thorn vs. Elijah Burke

Dreamer went at Burke as the bell rang, but Thorn attacked from behind, then knocked Dreamer down off the ropes. Burke ran at Thorn off the ropes and was also knocked down. Burke was able to counter a move by Thorn and used an armbar takedown while Dreamer rolled out of the ring and simply stood outside watching Thorn and Burke fight. The two noticed this, and Thorn went out after Dreamer.

Dreamer headed off Thorn and punched him down then got into the ring. Eventually Burke and Thorn were able to take Dreamer down, and Dreamer remained in the corner as Thorn started to beat up Burke. Burke flipped over Thorn onto the side apron. Dreamer tried to clothesline Thorn, who ducked causing Dreamer to punch Burke and knock him off the apron. Dreamer and Thorn fought in the ring until Burke got back in. Burke, Dreamer and Thorn all started rolling each other up for pins, with Burke and Dreamer pinning Thorn at once. Thorn kicked out and each man rolled to a ring corner as ECW went to break.

ECW returned with Burke running at Dreamer near the ropes. Dreamer ducked so Burke flew out over the ropes. Thorn came into the ring from the outside and started to attack, but was elbowed in the corner by Dreamer. Dreamer delivered a series of punches to knock Dreamer down. Dreamer stayed in control, getting on the corner to punch Thorn. Thorn pulled Dreamer's legs causing him to fall back and hit his head. Thorn continued to kick Dreamer and applied a headlock. Thorn tried a move on Dreamer as he got this feet, but Dreamer counted and slammed him backwards. Thorn rolled out of the ring, and Dreamer delivered a slide dropkick, knocking him to the barricade. Burke came over to attack Thorn, but Thorn recovered and the two went into the ring.

Thorn hoisted Burke up on his shoulders then dropped to his knees, snapping Burke. Thorn went for a clothesline on Burke who ducked and clotheslined Thorn down instead. Dreamer got back into the ring and was able to hang Burke from the corner. Dreamer ran at Burke and dropkicked him hard. Thorn came up behind Dreamer and slammed him down for a pin attempt. Burke got back to his feet and was able to take down Thorn, Burke climbed the tope rope and Dreamer went up as well. Thorn came up behind him and slammed Dreamer down to the mat. Burke tried to jump off and grab a pin on Dreamer but Dreamer eluded him.

The match finished up when Dreamer DDT'd Thorn down hard. Burke saw this and grabbed Dreamer, tossing him out of the ring, then stole the pinfall victory.

Winner: Elijah Burke pins Kevin Thorn to eliminate him from the #1 contender chase.

CM Punk shown walking backstage with his title, shaking hands with various ECW staff. Punk walked up to Striker and Big Daddy V. Striker tried to use some big words and insult Punk about going to school. Punk told Striker he enjoyed school and even ended up teaching some of the teachers. Big Daddy V started to growl at Punk as Striker said he would see Punk in "school" later tonight.

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Raw rebound showed highlights of the past few weeks where Triple H cracked jokes on Mr. McMahon about having a leprechaun for a son. Vince vowed to humiliate HHH on this past week's Raw. Vince made himself Carlito's tag team partner in the steel cage match vs. HHH on Raw, and ended up winning the match by escaping the cage. Afterwards, HHH found Vince backstage in his office and challenged him to a 1 on 1 competition for next week's Raw. Vince accepted the challenge, setting up next week's Raw main event.

Nunzio vs. Mike Knox

Nunzio tried for an early headlock, but Knox whipped him to the ropes then hit him with a shoulder, knocking him down. Nunzio continued to try for a hold from behind, but Knox was able to knock him down, and Nunzio rolled out of the ring. When Nunzio re-entered the ring, Knox began to attack the back of Nunzio, pushing him to the ropes then delivering an elbow. Knox used a hold to stretch Nunzio's back over his knee. Knox slammed Nunzio for a pin, but Nunzio kicked out.

Knox delivered a huge legdrop and tried another pin, but again Nunzio kicked out. Knox continued to beat up his opponent in the ring, tossing him to the corner and running at him. Nunzio escaped and was able to kick Knox down. Nunzio went for a pin to no avail, then tried to run at Knox again. This time Knox was able to gain control using his knee to catch Nunzio in the midsection. Know waited for Nunzio get back up and then ran at him to deliver a bicycle kick to his head. With Nunzio knocked out on the mat, Knox grabbed the pinfall victory.

Winner: Mike Knox wins via pinfall over Nunzio.

Extreme Expose shown walking backstage with the Miz on their way out for a match. Kelly Kelly continued to carry the white Teddy bear that Balls Mahoney had given her.

An interesting Matrix style ad was shown with various numbers flashing and blipping on the screen, possibly a promotion for a new or returning wrestler.

Sylas Young vs. The Miz

Extreme Expose escorted Miz to the ring then sat in front of the commentator's table to cheer him on. Young went at Miz early pulling his arm behind his back. Miz backed him to the corner, then elbowed him in the face. Miz picked up Young then dropped him face first on the top rope. Miz continued to beat up his opponent in the corner, kicking him hard in the shoulder, then punching away at him. Miz won the match by coming off the ropes at Young and delivering a neckbreaker for a pin.

As Extreme Expose got into the ring with Miz to celebrate, Balls Mahoney's music came on. Mahoney came out from backstage mic in hand and walked down to get into the ring. Mahoney told Miz this has nothing to do with him and he should stay back. Mahoney told Kelly Kelly that last week he asked her out but never got an answer. Mahoney asked her out again. Kelly took the mic to answer, but Miz snatched it away from her. Miz told Mahoney that Kelly would give an answer, then Miz clocked Mahoney over the head with the microphone. Kelly Kelly started to check on Mahoney down on the mat, but Brooke and Layla pulled her away and escorted her out of the ring with Miz.

Winner: The Miz wins via pinfall over Sylas Young.

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Footage shown of Stone Cold Steve Austin promoting his new "The Condemned" DVD at FYE, signing autographs for fans.

Highlights shown from the Triple threat match earlier, with Burke picking up the pin on Kevin Thorn, despite Dreamer doing the work. Joey Styles said Burke will face Dreamer next week in the finals match to determine the #1 contender for the ECW title at No Mercy.

Backstage Tommy Dreamer was in a locker room and Burke came in to discuss their match next week. Burke told Dreamer that he's younger and stronger, and next week Dreamer's chase for the ECW title will end. Dreamer told Burke he has "heart" which is something Burke lacks.

CM Punk vs. Matt Striker

Striker came down to the ring with Big Daddy V, who waited outside to watch the match. Punk arrived to the ring and posed with his belt after staring at Big Daddy V outside the ring.

Striker tossed Punk to the ropes early, but Punk came back at him and knocked him right down. Punk followed up with a kick to Striker's leg, then a slam and leg drop on him. Striker recovered and landed a punch on Punk, then whipped him to the corner. Striker ran at Punk, who was able to flip Striker up over the ropes. Striker tried to hang onto the top rope but hit his back and fell out of the ring.

Punk jumped over the ropes onto Striker. Big Daddy V continued to glare at Punk, distracting him. Striker was able to grab Punk's hand and slammed it onto the steel steps. Back in the ring, the two exchanged pinfall attempts, and Striker took control by applying a hold to Punk's hand/fingers. Punk got to his feet and tried to fight back. Striker dropkicked Punk back down, then reapplied the hold, pulling Punk's hand/arm back and keeping him down on the mat. Striker continued to attack and target the hand of Punk. Striker continued to dominate, delivering a solid knee kick to Punk's head. After a failed pin, Striker reapplied a hold to target Punk's hurt hand.

Punk finally escaped the hold by Striker, kicking him from the mat. Punk then gained momentum, knocking Striker down several times. Punk used a backbreaker and a bulldog on Striker, followed by a springboard off the ropes. Punk finally finished off Striker with the GTS to pick up the pinfall victory. Just as Punk got up, Big Daddy V had entered the ring and clotheslined him right down. V then hoisted Punk onto his shoulders and slammed him down backwards, leaving Punk laying on the mat. V posed standing over Punk as ECW left the air.

Winner: CM Punk wins via pinfall over Matt Striker.