ECW Recap 07.08.08

ECW Recap from Baton Rouge, LA:

ECW kicked off with Mike Adamle announcing that Tommy Dreamer will go up against ECW champ Mark Henry later on for the main event. The WWE tag team champs, John Morrison and the Miz made their way down to the ring to address the ECW fans. In the ring, Miz and Morrison spoke about their top celebrity status and their most watched show on WWE.com, the Dirt Sheet. As the tag champs continued to brag, they were soon interrupted by Finlay. Finlay began saying the fans didn't want to see them talk, they wanted to see someone come to the ring and shut them up. Finlay began to walk down the ramp, just as Hornswoggle came out from under the ring and got behind Miz and Morrison. With a squirt gun in hand, Hornswoggle started to spray Miz and Morrison. Finlay waited outside the ring as the tag champs started to chase Hornswoggle. Hornswoggle ran to the other side of the ring and Finlay was able to smash Morrison in the midsection with his shilaleigh. Miz ducked Finlay's attempt to hit him and the tag champs escaped to the ramp.

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Finlay vs. The Miz

With Morrison and Hornswoggle cheering on their partners from ringside, the Miz and Finlay squared off. Finlay seemed to dominate the majority of the match, but Miz was able to work on Finlay's hurt left arm quite a bit. At one point, John Morrison grabbed Finlay's shilaleigh from ringside. Hornswoggle got onto the apron then ran over and kicked Morrison down. The Miz grabbed Hornswoggle and tossed him into the ring to beat him up. Hornswoggle ran at Miz then ducked his attempt to hit him. The brief distraction allowed Finlay to quickly grab Miz and hit the Celtic Cross, slamming Miz down for a pinfall.

Winner: Finlay wins by pinfall over The Miz.

Teddy Long was show backstage in his office talking to his blonde assistant, Tiffany. Tiffany was about to tell Teddy about an idea she had for a match for next week when they were interrupted by Armando Estrada. Estrada told Teddy he wants his job back on ECW and said he has to keep jumping through hoops to try to get it. Estrada asked for another chance to get his ECW job back tonight. Just then an unidentified man came into Teddy's office. Teddy Long told Estrada he can face the man, ECW's newest superstar. The man introduced himself as Braden Walker and told Estrada he was going to beat his brains in.

Armando Estrada vs. Braden Walker

In his ECW deubt, Braden Walker fought Armando Estrada who was trying to get his ECW roster spot back. Estrada seemed in control after sending Walker to the corner. Estrada charged for a running clothesline but instead got a foot in the face from Walker. Walker then climbed the corner ropes and jumped off to do a bodypress splash onto Estrada for the pin.

Winner: Braden Walker wins via pinfall over Armando Estrada.

Backstage, Teddy Long walked up to WWE Hall of Famer Tony Atlas. Atlas said he decided to drop by and say hello to everyone there. Teddy asked Atlas to be guest announcer for the main event match, in exchange for a payday. Atlas agreed to it and shook Teddy's hand. After Teddy walked off, Mark Henry came walking up and shook Atlas' hand. Henry told Atlas he'll never quite be the world's strongest man. Henry said it was good to see him, but refused to shake hands as he walked off smiling.

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Lena Yada spoke to Atlas Ortiz backstage. Atlas told Lena to call him Ricky just like his friends and family do. Lena asked Ortiz how he feels after winning his debut match. Ortiz said it makes him undefeated so far in ECW.

Mike Adamle and Tazz introduced a music video highlight package of new ECW member, Matt Hardy. The video showed Matt's rise from a tag team champ with Jeff to becoming the United States Champion.

Backstage, Tony Atlas came up and shook hands with Colin Delaney and his friend Tommy Dreamer. Atlas wished both superstars good luck for later tonight.

Evan Bourne vs. Nunzio

New ECW superstar Bourne did battle with seasoned veteran Nunzio in this matchup. Nunzio had some brief attempts to wear down Bourne, but didn't have enough. Bourne was able to use a headscissors to throw Nunzio to the mat. After a failed pinfall, Bourne was able to slam Nunzio to the mat then climbed the corner ropes. Bourne jumped off the corner and did a shooting starpress to land on Nunzio for a pin.

Winner: Evan Bourne wins via pinfall over Nunzio.

Tony Atlas was shown walking backstage prior to the main event. Mark Henry came up to him saying he heard he's the special guest ring announcer and is doing it for a payday. Henry said that's just like the old timers to do it for the money. Henry told Atlas to hang out after the show and he'd let him carry his bags. Atlas said he'd think about it and walked off.

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Tommy Dreamer vs. Mark Henry

Tony Atlas served as special guest ring announcer for the match. Dreamer came to the ring accompanied by his pal, Colin Delaney.

Mark Henry took control of the match after slamming Dreamer onto the mat. Henry went against the rope in attempt to do a splash on Dreamer, but Delaney grabbed his leg. Henry came outside the ring to confront Delaney for interfering. Just then, Tony Atlas came over and stood next to Delaney as if to prevent Henry from attacking. Then out of nowhere, Atlas grabbed Delaney and threw him onto the commentator's table. Dreamer came out of the ring and asked Atlas what he was doing. Before he knew it, Dreamer was grabbed by Mark Henry and slammed onto the floor. The bell rang soon after, then Atlas and Henry got back into the ring.

Atlas announced Henry as the winner in the ring. Delaney and Dreamer were shown laying outside the ring as ECW went off the air.

Winner: Mark Henry was announced as winner over Tommy Dreamer by special guest ring announcer Tony Atlas. There didn't appear to be a legitimate win. Henry didn't officially pin Dreamer or win by countout, but Delaney interfered by grabbing Henry's leg.