ECW Recap 01.15.08

The Cutting Edge

Cutting Edge debuted on ECW tonight with Smackdown's Edge arriving to the ring, title on his shoulder. Edge talked about how he will defend the title against Rey at the Rumble, then showed footage from Smackdown. On the show, Rey defeated Chavo in a contest but then Edge, Hawkins and Ryder attacked Mysterio in the ring. Edge laughed about the footage then told the fans that's what happens when someone messes with him. Edge said Rey won't be champion again. Edge introduced his guest for the show, ECW champ, CM Punk.

Edge told Punk he reminds him of himself from years ago. Edge asked Punk who he's really beaten though. Edge asked if Punk faced Chavo a third time what would happen. Punk said the difference between himself and Edge is that he respects his opponents, and he can beat Chavo again. Punk then said he could beat Edge too. Edge told Punk he was like that once too, young and stupid. Edge got into Punk's face, but just then Chavo Guerrero came to the ring.

Chavo entered the ring with mic in hand, and told Punk if he beats him he will get an ECW title shot. Punk told Chavo they keep having the same conversation over and over and he'll beat him for a third time. Just then Chavo pushed Punk into Edge, causing Edge to attack Punk from behind. Chavo and Edge continued to beat up Punk, throwing him into the corner ringpost shoulder first. Joey Styles said Punk will face Chavo later in tonight's main event.

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Styles and Tazz discussed what just went down, then cut to backstage footage of Edge leaving the arena.

The Highlanders vs. The Miz & John Morrison

Styles said Highlanders are making their ECW debut tonight. Early on Rory took it to Morrison, but the ref got distracted and Miz was able to knock him out of the ring. Morrison retrieved Rory and tossed him back into the ring. Miz delivered a clothesline to Rory in the corner after Morrison held him there. Miz tried to hold Rory down on the mat but Rory was able to kick him away, then made the tag to Robbie. Robbie cleaned house by dropkicking Morrison off the side apron then powerslammed Miz. Robbie tried for the pin, but Morrison came in to break it up.

Morrison and Rory got into it and ended up outside the ring. Miz was able to pull Robbie by the tights and caused him to hit face first into the corner. Miz followed up with a finisher and the pin.

Winners: Miz and Morrison win via pinfall over The Highlanders.

Promo shown for Jamaican wrestler, Kofi Kingston. Kingston intervened in a beach fight between a bully and a smaller man then said "even in paradise, sometimes you need to take out the trash". The ad concluded saying Kofi Kingston debuts on ECW next week.

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Highlights shown of last week's "Diva Dance-Off" between Layla and Kelly Kelly. Lena Yada, the newest diva was hosting it, but then entered herself and pronounced herself as the winner.

WWE Diva Kelly Kelly came to the ring wearing a black robe and boots. Kelly said next week the divas will look even better next week in High Definition. Kelly said it will be crystal clear which diva has the best body, then removed her robe to reveal a bikini. Joey Styles said next week will have a "Best Body Contest" featuring WWE Divas Kelly Kelly vs. Lena vs. Layla.

Tazz entered the ring with a beat up Colin Delaney, the amateur wrestler who's lost all 3 matches of his career so far. Footage was shown of Colin being beat up by Shelton Bejamin, Big Daddy V and Mark Henry in his 3 matches. Colin was taped up on the ribs and arms, and Tazz asked how he's doing. Colin said he was there, but barely. Tazz told him it takes a tough guy to be in wrestling. Tazz said Colin gets to go 1 on 1 with a former WWE champ tonight. Just then an explosion occurred at the top of the ramp and Kane made his way to the ring.

Colin Delaney vs. Kane

Colin put up his fists and Kane gave him a boot to the face. Kane followed up by ramming Colin into the corner then using a sideslam. Kane used the chokeslam next, picking up Colin from the mat and slamming him down for the pin. WWE officials checked on the fallen Colin Delaney in the ring after the match.

Winner: Kane wins via pinfall over Colin Delaney.

Backstage a medic was icing up Punk after his attack earlier. ECW GM Armando Estrada came in to ask if Punk can compete tonight. Punk said he'd be there. Joey Styles had footage of last night's Jeff Hardy Swanton onto Randy Orton. Styles said they'll have an update on Orton and Hardy.

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Raw Rebound showed highlights from last night's main event between Orton and Hardy. Orton disqualified himself immediately in the IC title match then began to attack Hardy. Hardy fought back and the two fought all the way to the top of the ramp. Orton had Hardy down and was about to kick him. Orton ran at Hardy who flipped Orton off the stage. Hardy then climbed a nearby scaffold and did the Swanton off it onto the fallen Orton. Medical staff rolled both men out on stretchers as Raw ended.

Joey Styles said Orton was released from a medical facility with back and neck injuries. Styles said Hardy staggered out of the same facility that same night. Tazz said the two will face off at the Rumble in less than 2 weeks. Styles and Tazz ran down the list of matches for the Rumble, then Shelton made his way out from backstage.

Nunzio vs Shelton Benjamin

Styles said Benjamin is the latest entrant into the Royal Rumble in two weeks. To start the match off Shelton tossed Nunzio up in the air then punched away at him near the ropes. Shelton whipped Nunzio to the ropes and Nunzio flipped over him trying to pull him into a pin. Shelton reached down and picked up Nunzio by the neck, then was able to slam him off the ropes. Shelton continued to stomp on Nunzio while he was down. Nunzio tried to mount some offense by running off the ropes, but Shelton put a boot in his face. Shelton started punching away at Nunzio in the corner of the ring then sat him up on the corner ropes for more.

Shelton eventually picked up Nunzio and tossed him into the corner ropes. Shelton followed with an inverted bulldog to pin Nunzio. After the win Shelton brought a mic into the ring and picked up Nunzio. Shelton yelled "Ain't No Stoppin Me Now!" then did his finisher again on Nunzio.

Winner: Shelton Benjamin wins via pinfall over Nunzio.

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Chavo Guerrero vs CM Punk

If Chavo can defeat Punk in this match he'd earn the ECW title shot. Punk arrived to the ring holding his hurt shoulder but ready to compete. After Chavo arrived, Edge came down to watch the match next.

Early on Chavo took Punk to the mat with a hold on his arm. Chavo targeted the hurt shoulder of Punk early on. Chavo went at Punk near the ropes at one point, with Punk flipping him up and over the ropes. ECW headed to a commercial with Chavo down.

ECW returned with Punk down on the mat and Chavo working on his shoulder even more. During the match, Styles asked Edge about the attack on Punk earlier. Edge said he was provoked by Punk hitting into him. Chavo continued to dominate Punk in the ring. Chavo continued to lock a hold in on Punk's injured arm. Edge said Chavo methodically attacks body parts of his opponents. Punk finally got to his feet and fought back a bit, but Chavo knocked him back to the mat.

Chavo tried to hold Punk down to the mat with his arm stretched out. Punk was able to get up and started to fight back, despite favoring the shoulder. Punk delivered a knee to Chavo's jaw in the corner of the ring, then was able to climb the ropes. Chavo got up and yanked on Punk's arm causing him to fall down out of the ring. Punk got up to get back into the ring, but just then Edge stood up and put his headset down. Edge took his World Heavyweight belt and clocked Punk over the back of the head. The ref was distracted then turned to count Punk out. Chavo becomes the new #1 contender for the ECW title. Edge backed away up the ramp cautiously as ECW left the air.

Winner: Chavo Guerrero wins due to countout of CM Punk.

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