ECW Recap 02.19.08

ECW Recap from San Diego, CA:

ECW started off with Tazz congratulating Ric Flair in the ring on the announcement he will be inducted into WWE's Hall of Fame. Flair spoke about how honored he is to be inducted and to be out in front of the fans at ECW. As Flair continued speaking all of a sudden Elijah Burke came out to interrupt. Burke said he wanted to be first to welcome Flair to his house, the land of extreme, ECW. Just then, Shelton Benjamin came down to the ring.

Shelton said he also wanted to congratulate Flair as the gold standard of pro wrestling. Shelton announced he is now the "new gold standard" and Flair's time is over. Flair told both men their accomplishments will never match his 16 championships worn. As Flair let out a "Wooooo!", Benjamin attacked Flair. Flair tried to fight back, but Burke hit him from behind and the two men started to doubleteam Flair. CM Punk came charging to the ring for the save to help drive off Burke and Benjamin. Punk and Flair yelled out at the two foes as ECW went to commercial.

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Backstage Burke and Benjamin were angrily discussing the attack by Punk after they tried to congratulate Flair. ECW GM Armando Estrada came up to them and said to calm down because he booked them to face Flair and Punk later tonight.

Jason Riggs vs. Kofi Kingston

Kingston fought in yet another match with an amateur opponent on ECW. Jason Riggs tried to keep Kingston down in a headlock but Kofi got to his feet fighting back. Kingston used a barrage of moves including a flying punch off the ropes and a Russian leg sweep. Kingston finished off Riggs by leapfrogging over him then delivering a Jamaican Buzzsaw kick to his head.

Joey Styles asked Kingston after the match how his ECW experience is going. Kingston said ECW is like paradise and if there's trouble in paradise he'll be there.

Winner: Kofi Kingston wins via pinfall over Jason Riggs.

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Promo ad shown with highlights saying Wrestlemania 24 is just 40 days away. Joey Styles and Tazz reviewed last night's cage match between Vince and Hornswoggle on Raw. JBL intervened early by beating up Finlay and cuffing him to the bottom rope of the ring. JBL then beat up Hornswoggle despite Finlay's screaming protests. Vince McMahon watched it go down from outside the cage, then asked for medical staff to come down and help.

Joey Styles said Hornswoggle has been in and out of consciousness but there may be bleeding in his brain area. For more information on Hornswoggle's condition see WWE.com

Colin Delaney vs. The Miz

Joey Style said fans can view the tag team champs' "Dirt Sheet" at WWE.com. Colin came down to the ring with Tommy Dreamer and Miz was with tag partner, John Morrison.

Miz taunted Colin early and pushed him to the mat to start beating him up. Miz connected on a sold running clothesline with Colin in the corner. Miz continued to dominate by beating Colin around the ring, punching at him, choking him on the ropes and more. Colin started to punch back but Morrison grabbed his leg from outside the ring to trip him. The ref ejected Morrison sending him backstage. Colin tried to roll up Miz for a pin but Miz escaped it. Miz recovered and was able to get the Reality Check and then a pinfall for the win.

After the match, Dreamer was in the ring checking on Delaney. Miz shoved Dreamer and the two got into it. Morrison ran back into the ring and Dreamer tackled him. Miz attacked Dreamer from behind amd eventually Morrison was able to do his finisher to knock Dreamer down. Miz grabbed Delaney and did a finisher on him again leaving both Delaney and Dreamer on the mat.

Winner: The Miz wins via pinfall over Colin Delaney.

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Light it Up by Revolution Theory will be the official theme song for Wrestlemania 24.

Joey Styles and Tazz reviewed last night's Maria vs. Beth Phoenix match where Maria got the surprise win and will now pose for Playboy. Next week on Raw there will be a sneak peek of Maria's Playboy photo shoot.

James Curtis vs. Stevie Richards

Before the match a replay of the Styles interview with Richards was shown, where Richards said he's had 9 surgeries on his neck. Richards says he wants to show everyone he can still compete in ECW at a high level.

Curtis got the upperhand on Richards early by knocking him down then punching Richards in his neck. Richards finally got to his feet and dropped Curtis down, then started delivering kicks before a neckbreaker. Richards did a running clothesline on Curtis in the corner before hitting the "Stevie-T" for the win.

Winner: Stevie Richards wins via pinfall over James Curtis.

Raw Rebound focused on Big Show coming to Raw to apologize to boxer Floyd Mayweather for what happened at No Way Out. Show made a public apology in the ring and extended his hand for Mayweather. The two shook on it and Mayweather started up the ramp with his entourage. Show called out Mayweather saying he could beat him down in the ring. After Show made the challenge, Mayweather ran back down into the ring and yelled "I accept!"

CM Punk and Ric Flair shown walking backstage on their way to the ring with both men letting out "Wooooo's!"

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Ric Flair & CM Punk vs. Shelton Benjamin & Elijah Burke

Styles pointed out as the match started that Flair's career is not on the line because this is a tag match. Early on, Burke faced off with Punk and the two traded momentum. Punk got a scoop slam on Burke, then tagged in Flair who started to chop and punch Burke. Burke gave a finger to Flair's eye then tried to climb the corner ropes. Flair came over and slammed down Burke. Flair went to the corner ropes as Benjamin came in to interfere. Flair poked Benjamin away then jumped off the corner to clothesline both Shelton and Elijah down.

ECW returned from a commercial break with Shelton whipping Flair to the corner. Flair came back and Shelton flipped him over his back. Shelton began to work on the left knee of Flair down on the mat. Flair started using his free leg to beat Shelton with. Flair escaped to the corner then eluded a charging Shelton. Flair managed to hobble over and fall down as he tagged Punk in. Punk came in and had momentum until Shelton shoved him off a bulldog attempt. Burke tagged in and started to pummel away at Punk.

Punk escaped Burke and tried to splash him off the ropes but Burke put both knees up to catch Punk's midsection. Benjamin tagged in again and ran with Punk in a Powerbomb to dump him over the corner ropes. Flair helped Punk get back i nthe ring. Shelton went for another Powerbomb to throw Punk to the corner, but Punk jumped off then connected on a kick to Shelton's head. Both men were able to tag their partners. Flair came in to start chopping Burke down then did the same to Benjamin. Punk ran at Benjamin near the ropes and the two men went flying over the ropes. Burke was left alone with Flair who dragged him to the center of the ring for a figure four leglock. Burke couldn't take anymore and tapped out fast.

Winners: CM Punk & Ric Flair win by submission over Elijah Burke & Shelton Benjamin.

Catch all the action of tonight's ECW matches on WWE.com Wednesday at 4PM EST.

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