ECW Recap 09.16.08

ECW Recap from Nashville, TN:

ECW opened with the announcement of the main event: Finlay will take on Mark Henry following last week's tag match incident. Matt Hardy made his way down to the ring to start the show off.

Mike Knox vs. Matt Hardy

Highlights were shown of the ECW Championship Scramble at Unforgiven which Matt won. Matt survived by breaking up several pinfall attempts by Chavo, Finlay and Mark Henry at the end. Now Matt and Mark Henry will face off again at No Mercy with the ECW title on the line.

In a lengthy opening bout, Knox used his brute force to try to wear down the champ. At one point, Knox splashed Matt in the corner, then went for another attempt. Matt avoided the attempt, then was able to hit a Side Effect. Knox escaped the pin attempt, but Matt continued with the momentum. Matt got onto the corner ropes and as Knox came at him, Matt was able to jump off and DDT Knox to the mat. As Knox stood up still stunned, Matt hit his finisher, the Twist of Fate to win.

Winner: Matt Hardy wins via pinfall over Mike Knox.

Backstage Tony Atlas and Mark Henry were in a locker room watching the Matt Hardy match on a TV. Atlas commented that Matt was looking good tonight in his match. Henry snapped back that the only reason he's champ is because he pinned someone else, not Mark Henry. Henry said the only reason Matt won last week was due to Finlay's use of a shilaleigh as a weapon. Henry said tonight Finlay's Luck of the Irish has run out.

The Miz and John Morrison were shown arriving from a backstage elevator and walking en route to the ring.

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A special ad was shown regarding the American Red Cross and its efforts to aid in the relief of the areas damaged by the recent storms. Fans can call 1-800-REDCROSS or visit WWE.com or Redcross.org for more info about making donations.

Evan Bourne vs. The Miz

John Morrison accompanied Miz to the ring for the matchup. Highlights were shown of last week's victory by Morrison over Bourne thanks to the Miz causing a distraction from the apron.

Bourne came out to the ramp then motioned backstage. Ricky Ortiz came out and helped rev up the crowd, coming down to the ring as backup support for Bourne. During the match, Miz took control and delivered a solid boot which caused Bourne to fall out through the ropes. Miz went to the outside where he dropped Bourne onto the crowd barricade, rammed him into the apron and tossed him back into the ring.

Miz continued to wear down Bourne by wrenching his right arm back in a submission hold. Bourne finally got to his feet and the two started trading kicks, with Bourne kicking Miz' head to knock him down. Bourne started to gain momentum as he connected on a headscissors and then a backflip to splash onto Miz. Bourne went to the corner to finish off Miz, but Miz got up, ran over and threw Bourne off. Bourne escaped a pin after a Miz legdrop. Bourne managed to escape a charging Miz in the corner. Morrison came over to interfere as he tripped Bourne from the side of the ring, but Ricky Ortiz ran over then flew over to crash into Morrison. Miz was distracted by the outside altercation allowing Bourne to roll him up for a pinfall.

Winner: Evan Bourne wins via pinfall over The Miz.

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Highlights were shown from Raw where Chris Jericho successfully defended the World Heavyweight title in a Steel Cage match against CM Punk. After the win, GM Mike Adamle congratulated Jericho and told him to start thinking about No Mercy's title match. Jericho told Adamle he's been through enough and needed to be treated better as the top star on Raw. Later in the night, GM Mike Adamle came out to the ramp to tell fans and Jericho who the #1 contender will be for his title at No Mercy. Shawn Michaels showed up to spoil Jericho's night, and informed Jericho they'll be fighting for the title in a Ladder Match at No Mercy.

Chase Stevens vs. Jack Swagger

Always smiling newcomer Jack Swagger showed up for his second straight ECW contest after a successful debut. Swagger used dominance in this bout against Stevens, as he slammed him to the mat several times after ramming Stevens into the corner. Swagger finished the match promptly using the Red, White and Blue Thunderbomb to slam Stevens on his back and take a pinfall.

Winner: Jack Swagger wins via pinfall over Chase Stevens.

Backstage, Hornswoggle was shown playing around in some WWE equipment as Finlay was walking on his way out for the main event.

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Finlay vs. Mark Henry

Hornswoggle and Tony Atlas were at ringside to support their respective wrestlers. Despite Henry using his size early on, Finlay managed to stage a brief comeback as he punched away at Henry. Finlay tried to come off the ropes and Henry leveled him with a huge clothesline. Henry began standing on top of Finlay near the ropes, then knocked him to the outside as ECW went to commercial break.

ECW returned with Henry clamping down on Finlay's shoulder in the ring. Henry continued to pound away at Finlay's face and tried to pin, but Finlay escaped. Henry continued the punishment as he kicked Finlay and stomped him around the ring. At one point, Henry locked in a vicious Bear Hug on Finlay to squeeze the life out of him. Henry repeatedly slammed Finlay down to the mat, and the ref had to check on Finlay in the ring corner. As Finlay said he was ok, he went to stand and Henry charged at him. Finlay avoided the running Henry, and tried to regain some momentum.

After a missed elbow drop by Henry, Finlay rolled out of the ring then used the side apron cover to pull over Henry's head. As Finlay beat on Henry, Tony Atlas ran over and pushed Hornswoggle. Atlas ran into the ring and Finlay followed. Meanwhile, outside Henry went over and put his hands on Hornswoggle. Finlay saw it while the ref was getting Atlas out of the ring. Finlay ran over with a shilaleigh and cracked down on Henry's arm. Back in the ring, Finlay gave all he had to Henry including a DDT, but couldn't capture a pin.

Finlay tried to grab Henry's left arm for a submission hold, but Henry used it to swat Finlay into the ring corner. As Finlay staggered back to his feet, Henry splashed him in another ring corner then delivered the World's Strongest Slam to finish off Finlay. Henry seemed to be favoring his arm/hand as he he and Atlas left up the ramp.

Winner: Mark Henry wins via pinfall over Finlay.

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