ECW Recap 12.16.08

ECW Recap from Baltimore, MD:

Todd Grisham and Matt Striker opened the show discussing the unforgettable 2008 Armageddon Pay-Per-View where Jeff Hardy became the new WWE champ. Tonight there will be a six man tag match with CM Punk, Kofi Kingston & Ricky Ortiz facing Jack Swagger, John Morrison & The Miz.

Matt Hardy came down to the ring to start off the show. Hardy spoke to the crowd about how great the past 2 days have been, now that Jeff is WWE Champion. Matt said despite embarking on solo careers, he and Jeff came back together as champions this past Sunday. As Matt started to speak about the big celebration for Smackdown this Friday, Chavo Guerrero came out to interrupt.

Chavo said his aunt Vickie Guerrero, the GM of Smackdown, asked him to come out and take care of Matt, because Jeff stole the title from Edge. Chavo said Edge will reclaim the WWE title, but later tonight Chavo will challenge Matt for his ECW title and take it. Just then, ECW GM Theodore Long came out dressed as a Christmas elf. Teddy said that he did agree to give Chavo a championship match, but not later, right now. Teddy then asked Chavo to deliver a message to Vickie to lay off the holiday cookies, since she's on a diet.

Chavo Guerrero vs. Matt Hardy
ECW Title Match

As the match opened, Chavo tried to pummel Matt in the corner, but Matt gained control and soon went for Twist of Fate. Chavo countered, sending Matt to the ropes, but as Chavo ran at him, Matt ducked down and threw Chavo out of the ring. Chavo got up on the apron and yanked Matt's left arm down hard against the rope, then slid into the ring to put Matt in an armlock, targeting the injury.

Throughout a commercial break, Chavo continued working on Hardy's arm. Matt continued to nurse the injury as he tried to fight back. Matt got to the corner where he elbowed Chavo as he rushed him. Matt climbed the corner, but Chavo went up behind him, punching away. Matt was able to land a Super Side Russian leg sweep off the second rope. With Matt in control, he tried for a Twist of Fate. Chavo countered, sent Matt to the ropes and went for the Tres Amigos suplexes. Out of nowhere, Matt was able to hit the Twist of Fate and then pinned Chavo for the win.

Winner: Matt Hardy wins via pinfall over Chavo Guerrero to retain the ECW title.

Raw Rebound showed recaps from WWE Raw. Orton was being interviewed backstage, when Batista showed up to accept his challenge. Orton slapped The Animal and took off out to the ring. Batista followed but was ambushed by Rhodes and Manu. John Cena rushed in to help Batista fend off the attackers. Later backstage, Batista thanked Cena, but they were informed they'd be in a Handicap match against Orton, Rhodes & Manu later. In the match, Batista and Cena seemed to have it won, but Orton shoved Manu into Batista's back, then hit the RKO. Cena was tossed to the outside where Manu and Rhodes beat on him, as Orton ran and delivered a punt kick to Batista in the ring. Orton, Rhodes and Manu were victorious, leaving Cena to tend to Batista in the ring.

---

The WWE Rewind showed last week's return ECW match from The Boogeyman. Boogeyman defeated an amateur opponent in a strong comeback, before eating a handful of worms and drooling them into his opponents mouth.

Gavin Spears vs. Finlay

Prior to the match, Hornswoggle jumped up on the commentators' table and splashed water in Striker's face, before stealing their Slammy Award. Highlights were shown from the Belfast Brawl at Armageddon where Finlay told Hornswoggle to stay backstage. Hornswoggle ignored Finlay and was able to supply him a shilaleigh to crack over Henry's head, allowing Finlay to win.

At one point in the match, the action went to the outside when Spears went after Hornswoggle for interfering. Finlay came out to protect his son but had to leapfrog him, then wound up getting a knee to his midsection from Spears. Spears started to punish Finlay inside the ring with a chin lock and knees to his back. Finlay finally got out of it with a jawbreaker followed by two clotheslines. Soon after, Finlay put Spears on his shoulders then slammed Spears down. Afterwards, Finlay whipped Spears to the corner, and then hoisted him on his shoulders to hit the Celtic Cross.

After the victory, Hornswoggle got in the ring to dance around with the Slammy and taunt Matt Striker.

Winner: Finlay wins via pinfall over Gavin Spears.

---

Todd Grisham and Matt Striker returned to discuss the tough situation Shawn Michaels is in now, having to become JBL's employee due to financial troubles. Backstage, DJ Gabriel and Alicia Fox were shown dancing at a holiday-decorated set near a Christmas tree. Mark Henry came in dressed as Santa Claus, with Tony Atlas wearing a Rudolph nose and antlers. Henry yelled at Alicia to move, and she and Gabriel danced their way out. Henry delivered a "Night Before Christmas" story, but he talked about Hornswoggle and giving him the World's Strongest Slam to splatter him.

Backstage, Teddy Long's assistant Tiffany thanked CM Punk and Kofi Kingston for coming. Ricky Ortiz was there and about to give a gift box to Tiffany. Punk tried to take it thinking it was for him. Tiffany opened the box and inside was the Ricky Ortiz rally towel. Punk started joking how this could be Slammy Moment of the Year. Punk then joked that Kofi Kingston really wants a rally towel too. Ortiz produced one and told Punk he had one to give him as well, as the three men left for their match.

CM Punk, Kofi Kingston & Ricky Ortiz vs. John Morrison, The Miz & Jack Swagger

Prior to the match, Striker and Grisham revisited slides of Miz & Morrison winning the World Tag titles over the weekend at a live event.

As the match went on, Punk gained the upperhand on Morrison and got him up for the GTS. Punk was too close to the ropes, and Miz helped pull Morrison down onto the apron. Punk jumped up and dropkicked both men to the outside. Just then Kingston flew off the corner down onto Jack Swagger. Ortiz got into it, rushing across the ring and clothesline Swagger out as ECW took a commercial break.

As ECW returned, Kofi Kingston tagged in to go at Morrison. Morrison managed to gain some control, until Kofi used flip moves to throw Morrison across the ring. Miz tried to get in, but Kofi kicked him down as well. As Kofi went to the corner and began punching Morrison, Jack Swagger came over and shoved him down to the outside. Morrison and The Miz started to take advantage by doubleteaming Kofi in the ring. Swagger tagged in and used a series of elbow drops as well as a headlock on Kofi to wear him down. Kofi finally escaped by grabbing Swagger with his legs and throwing him down. Ortiz made the tag in and had serious momentum rushing around the knock Swagger down, as well as Miz and Morrison off the apron.

Ortiz hit a huge missile dropkick off the corner onto Swagger. Ortiz had the pin but Miz and Morrison came in to prevent it. Kofi and Punk came in to beat Miz and Morrison up, forcing them out of the ring. As things continued outside, Ortiz got up on the corner and tried to leap across the ring at Swagger. Swagger gave him a huge boot to the midsection then the Gut Wrench Powerbomb to win the match.

Winners: The Miz, John Morrison & Jack Swagger win via pinfall over CM Punk, Kofi Kingston & Ricky Ortiz.

---