ECW Recap 09.23.08

ECW Recap from Columbus, OH:

Jim Ross and Matt Striker were commentators as ECW opened. Miz and Morrison came strutting down the ramp purposefully to the ring. The duo grabbed a few mics to address an issue with Evan Bourne. Miz claimed he was athletically superior to Evan Bourne last week, but Ricky Ortiz helped Bourne get the win. Footage was shown where Morrison yanked Bourne's foot from ringside. Ricky Ortiz came over to crash into Morrison, allowing Bourne to pickup a pinfall victory. Miz and Morrison complained about having to compete against the new Superstar initiative. They called out ECW GM Theodore Long for scheduling them in these matches lately.

Teddy Long made his entrance from backstage, mic in hand. From the ramp, Teddy said the new superstar initiative has brought in some great new talent. Morrison brought up Braden Walker being released after just 2 matches. Teddy said ECW will continue to supply the young superstars for WWE. Teddy said if Miz and Morrison don't like competition they can leave now. Miz and Morrison demanded a match against Ricky Ortiz and Evan Bourne tonight. Teddy told them they knew Evan Bourne wasn't present tonight. Miz and Morrison kept talking trash until Ricky Ortiz came out. Ortiz challenged, asking which superstar wants to face him. Miz and Morrison both claimed they could beat anyone. Teddy took them up on their offer, saying the could face each other, then the winner gets Ortiz right after.

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ECW returned with Jim Ross revisiting highlights from last night's Raw where Kane decimated Evan Bourne in a singles match. Rey Mysterio tried to come down to aid his friend, but Kane knocked Rey to the mat and brutally attacked him as well. Rey and Kane will meet one on one at No Mercy.

Backstage, ECW GM Teddy Long told Ricky Ortiz that he's got his toughest match so far tonight. Ortiz thanked him for the opportunity saying he's got something in his pocket for tonight. Just then Teddy's assistant Tiffany came up to them, saying she likes Ricky's chances. Ricky said he has the Ricky O Rally towel in his pocket, then Tiffany took it and put it around her neck saying it feels good.

Finlay vs. Bam Neely

Neely arrived to the ring without Chavo Guerrero after last Friday's incident where Chavo was grabbed by Undertaker backstage on Smackdown.

In tonight's match, Bam was able to gain the upperhand and put Finlay into a Boston Crab submission hold. Hornswoggle came into the corner of the ring with a shilaleigh and Bam saw him from the corner of his eye. Bam got up and grabbed Hornswoggle then tossed him across the ring. As the ref was distracted, Finlay grabbed the shilaleigh and clocked Bam Neely over the skull with it, then took a pinfall.

Winner: Finlay wins via pinfall over Bam Neely.

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WWE 24/7 Classics on Demand showed March 23, 1992 tag team fight with Sid Justice & Ric Flair taking on Roddy Pipper and Hulk Hogan. The classic match occurred just before Wrestlemania VIII with Hogan and Piper picking up the victory.

Jim Ross reminded fans that ECW moves to 9PM EST on Sci-Fi starting next Tuesday.

Maryse vs. Michelle McCool

According to JR, Michelle granted Maryse this non-title rematch on ECW. McCool tackled Maryse as the bell sounded and the two divas rolled on each other punching away to start the match. At one point, Maryse went to the outside and Michelle tried for a slide dropkick. Maryse moved away then ran and clotheslined Michelle down to gain the advantage. Maryse used a Camel Clutch submission to wear down Michelle in the ring.

Michelle regained control of things and went to the corner for a move. Maryse got up and came over to slam Michelle down to the mat. Maryse then cockily picked up Michelle by the hair, then used her finisher DDT to win the match.

Winner: Maryse wins via pinfall over Michelle McCool.

Jim Ross and Matt Striker ran down the lineup for No Mercy including Jeff Hardy vs Triple H, Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho Ladder match, and Mark Henry taking on Matt Hardy for the ECW title.

Mark Henry and Tony Atlas came out to the top of the ramp. Henry vowed he will leave Matt Hardy a mess in the ring when he takes back his title at No Mercy. Henry said he'll prove that Matt Hardy isn't a champion, but Mark Henry is the World's Strongest Champion.

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"All Nightmare Long" by Metallica will be the official theme song for the No Mercy 2008 Pay-Per-View.

Chase Stevens vs. Mike Knox

Knox started off taking Stevens to the corner where he attacked until the ref stopped things. Knoz continued to dominate from here, whipping Stevens to the other corner then rushing into him. Knox slammed Stevens to the mat then delivered a solid knee drop into him. Knox delivered a hard righthand, then a serious clothesline. Finally, Knox used his finisher to twist slam Stevens to the mat.

Winner: Mike Knox wins via pinfall over Chase Stevens.

As Knox was heading backstage, Jack Swagger came out from backstage and walked down the ramp to the ring. Swagger kept smiling and got into the ring to slam down Stevens again. Tommy Dreamer charged down to the ring to chase off Jack Swagger. As Dreamer checked on Stevens, Mike Knox had come down and got onto the apron. Dreamer stood up to face him, but Swagger got back in the ring to attack Dreamer. Swagger hit his finisher on Dreamer, and left the ring all smiles with Dreamer and Stevens down on the mat.

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Smackdown Rebound had coverage of Vladimir Kozlov's rampage against the roster as he searched for new competition. Kozlov attacked both Jeff Hardy and Triple H in the same night, leaving both men down.

The Miz vs. John Morrison
Winner Faces Ricky Ortiz

The former tag team champs faced one another for the chance to take on Ricky Ortiz afterwards. Both men displayed effective attacks against one another. At one point, the two went to the top corner to battle. Miz was about to hit the suplex but Morrison hit him in the leg and both men crashed to the mat. Morrison was holding his neck/head and Miz was holding his knee as the ref counted both men down on the mat.

Winner: No winner as neither man answered the referee's count.

After the bell sounded, Ricky Ortiz charged down to the ring to face both the Miz and Morrison since neither officially won the match. Ortiz took advantage of the fact both Miz and Morrison crashed down to the mat and hurt themselves in their contest. Ortiz hit the huge O splash on Miz, just as Morrison got to his feet. Ortiz then came off the ropes to hit a shoulder block on Morrison. Ortiz hit the O splash on Morrison then rolled out of the ring. As he headed back up the ramp, Ortiz found a blonde female fan who gave him a kiss.

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