ECW Recap 09.02.08

ECW Recap from Pittsburgh, PA:

ECW opened with WWE's brief memorial to Walter "Killer" Kowalski, 1926-2008. Miz and Morrison opened the night with "The Dirt Sheet" in-ring show. Miz discussed being part of ECW Championship Scramble, and vowed to win it. Morrison discussed how it's bogus he didn't even qualify. The duo introduced the ECW champ, Mark Henry, who arrived to the ring with Tony Atlas.

Atlas said he hopes they don't have a repeat of last time they were on Dirt Sheet. Chavo was introduced next minus his original theme music. Instead, Miz and Morrison had dubbed in their own joking version to mock Chavo's theme song. Next up, they cut to footage of "Finlay's brothers" who were Miz and Morrison dressed up in a pre-taped bar segment. The real Finlay made his way to the ring along with Hornswoggle, seeming to laugh it off. Finlay said "hello brothers" then told Hornswoggle to greet his uncles. Hornswoggle ran over and kicked Miz in the leg getting a roar out of the crowd.

Miz and Morrison went to intro Matt Hardy, but pretended to get him mixed up with Jeff. Finlay reminded Morrison it's Matt Hardy, the guy who beat Morrison to qualify. Hardy proceeded to insult Miz, Chavo and was about to remark about Henry. Mark Henry suggested he watch what he say, because after Unforgiven, he'll still be ECW champ. Hardy told Atlas he'll need a good deal of sleep, because he'll be busy breaking up pinfalls all night to save the ECW title. Miz got in between Hardy and Henry, saying they wouldn't have fighting on their show again.

All of a sudden, Morrison attacked Hardy from behind, hitting him with the mic. An all out brawl broke out in the ring between everyone, with Tommy Dreamer and Evan Bourne rushing down to assist.

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ECW returned with the brawl still going on backstage with referees trying to intervene. ECW GM Teddy Long rushed into the middle of it and told everyone to stop. Teddy said they settle problems in the ring on ECW, so they'll be having an 8-Man tag team match. Finlay, Matt Hardy, Evan Bourne & Tommy Dreamer will face Miz, Morrison, Chavo and Mark Henry later on in the night.

Super Crazy vs. Gavin Spears

Spears had a promo shown prior to the match. Spears said he hasn't even begun to scratch the surface in ECW, and he's the crown jewel of the ECW superstar initiative.

Early on, Super Crazy was able to counter Spears and use an armbar take down, eventually getting him to the corner to punch away on him. Spears grabbed Super Crazy's legs and tossed him off the corner. Spears began to knee Super crazy in the head, then slammed him to the mat, stomping on his head. Spears tried to lock in a headlock but Super Crazy fought his way out near the ropes. Despite Crazy getting away, Spears tripped him down to the mat and elbowed him in the head.

At one point, Crazy charged at Spears in the corner, with Spears trying to toss him over the top rope. Crazy landed on the apron, then as Spears turned, delivered a kick to his head and shoved him to the mat. Super Crazy did a moonsault jump off the middle rope and splashed onto Spears to pick up the victory. Spears is now 0-2 in his ECW attempts.

Winner: Super Crazy wins via pinfall over Gavin Spears.

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Ricky Ortiz vs. Ryan Braddock

Grisham said he tried to get some background info on Braddock earlier, but he just walked past him. Matt Striker said he spoke to Braddock and he said he likes to win ugly.

In the matchup, the undefeated Ortiz was kicking Braddock in the corner of the ring. Braddock fell to the corner, but then yanked Ortiz by the trunks causing him to hit the corner. Braddock climbed the top rope then grabbed Ortiz' head and jumped to slam him face first into the mat. Braddock continued to dominate Ortiz, and locked a chokehold on him down on the mat.

The fans began encouraging Ortiz with the rally towels, and Ortiz broke the hold then was able to come off the ropes and knock Braddock around. Ortiz lifted Braddock on his shoulder for a powerslam. Ortiz followed by going to the corner ropes and jumping for a shoulder block. Ortiz finished with "The Big O" splash from off the ropes.

Winner: Ricky Ortiz wins via pinfall over Ryan Braddock.

Raw Rebound showed the incidents that escalated the Shawn Michaels-Chris Jericho feud. At Summerslam HBK seemed to be announcing a decision to walk away from wrestling. Jericho told Michaels to admit he's the reason HBK is leaving WWE. HBK told Jericho to admit he'll never be Shawn Michaels. Jericho accidentally punched Michaels' wife Rebecca who came to the ring at Summerslam.

The incident incited Michaels to decide to return and beg Jericho for an unsanctioned match at Unforgiven. The two had an official contract signing last night, to absolve WWE of any liabilities. Lance Cade came to the ring to attack Michaels, but HBK fought him off and beat him down in the ring. Jericho escaped up the ramp, and the two stared each other down as Raw ended.

After the Raw Rebound, Todd Grisham informed fans that Michaels suffered a triceps injury at Raw, but has vowed he will still compete at Unforgiven.

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Footage was shown of correspondent Josh Matthews with WWE's Smackdown Your Vote in Minneapolis. Mickie James and Mr. Kennedy appeared along with Josh Matthews to discuss the efforts and encourage fans to vote this election year.

Todd Grisham and Matt Striker ran down the lineup of matches for Unforgiven, including the 3 Championship Scrambles, and the unsanctioned match between Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho.

Finlay, Evan Bourne, Tommy Dreamer & Matt Hardy vs. The Miz, John Morrison, Chavo Guerrero & Mark Henry
8 Man Tag Team Match

Matt Hardy and Morrison got things started, with Hardy taking control early and tagging in Dreamer. Outside the ring, Bam Neely, Tony Atlas and Hornswoggle looked on. Dreamer smashed Morrison face first to the ropes, then tagged in Finlay. Morrison countered and rammed Finlay all the way to the heels corner, where Chavo made the tag. As the ref became distracted, Miz and Mark Henry tried to choke Finlay. Finlay came back to clothesline down Chavo and took control.

Finlay went to the outside and Chavo tried to come at him. Finlay used the side apron cover to wrap up Chavo, pounding away at him. As Bam came over to try to help, Hornswoggle jumped on him from off the side apron. ECW headed to commercial as the action continued.

ECW returned with Chavo and Finlay in the ring. Finlay tagged in Evan Bourne who came off the ropes to dropkick Chavo. Chavo tried to counter Bourne in the corner, but Bourne avoided it. Chavo was able to grab Bourne and slam him down against his knee. Miz tagged in and went at Bourne, with Bourne gaining the advantage. Eventually Miz overcame Bourne and dragged him over to tag in Mark Henry. Henry tossed Bourne up into the air letting him fall flat onto the mat. Miz came back in to take control.

Chavo Guerreor tagged in, then Morrison, to continue beating on the new superstar, Evan Bourne. Another brawl broke out outside the ring, with the heels attacking Bourne outside the ring. Finlay, Hardy and Dreamer came over to intervene as Morrison tossed Bourne back into the ring. Bourne eventually escaped versus Chavo, by flipping him down with a headscissors then tagging in Dreamer. Dreamer went wild knocking Chavo down and opponents off the apron.

The match culminated with Mark Henry being knocked to the mat by Hardy. Hardy tagged Bourne who did the shooting starpress off the corner first onto Henry. Next, Tommy Dreamer splashed Henry off the corner, then Finlay tagged in to jump onto Henry. Finally, Matt Hardy came in, and as Henry stood up, Hardy hit the Twist of Fate to send the crowd into a frenzy.

Winners: Matt Hardy, Evan Bourne, Tommy Dreamer & Finlay win via pinfall over Chavo Guerrero, The Miz, John Morrison & Mark Henry.

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