ECW Recap 01.06.09

ECW Recap from New Orleans, LA:

Todd Grisham and Matt Striker introduced the show including the main event of Matt Hardy vs. Mark Henry. Jack Swagger's theme music hit and Swagger made his way down to the ring.

Finlay vs. Jack Swagger

Matt Striker noted that the cocky young Swagger is undefeated and the #1 Contender for Matt Hardy's ECW title.

Early on in the match, both men used a variety of wrestling holds to try to gain the advantage. Swagger tricked Finlay on the strength test with a hand out then kicked him in the gut to gain control. Swagger locked in a headlock on Finlay down on the mat. At one point in the match, Finlay clotheslined Swagger out of the ring. Hornswoggle then got up on the apron and jumped onto Swagger landing in a pile. Swagger was back up and grabbed Hornswoggle then tossed him face first into the crowd barrier. Finlay saw what happened and came out to attack Swagger, leaving him layed out as ECW took a break.

When ECW returned, Swagger had control of the match with Finlay down in an armlock. The two got up, but Swagger pushed Finlay into the corner and continued working on Finlay's left arm. Finlay rolled out of the ring to recover, but Swagger tried to come out at him. Finlay fought back and rolled Swagger into the ring, but as Finlay got in, Swagger leveled him. After Swagger eventually missed on a leg drop, Finlay turned the tide of the match. After ramming into Swagger in the corner, Finlay hoisted Swagger up on his shoulders and rolled to slam him on the mat. Both men had several pinfall attempts with no success, as the match wore on. Finlay began to pummel Swagger when he fell into the corner, but the ref pulled Finlay away. As Swagger got up he quickly kneed Finlay in the face, then hit the Gut Wrench Powerbomb to win.

Winner: Jack Swagger wins via pinfall over Finlay.

DJ Gabriel and Alicia Fox were shown boogying backstage en route to the ring. Alicia was in wrestling gear and Grisham noted she'll be in action against Katie Lea Burchill in a WWE Divas match next.

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Backstage, Jack Swagger burst in to talk to ECW GM Theodore Long who was with his assistant Tiffany. Swagger kept interrupting Teddy as he tried to tell him something. Swagger noted he's beaten Finlay and Ricky Ortiz and is still #1 Contender so he demanded to know when he gets a title match. Teddy told him they decided next week Swagger will face Hardy for the title. Swagger was all smiles and told them next week they'd have a new champ and new face for the ECW franchise.

Alicia Fox vs. Katie Lea Burchill

Paul Burchill was at ringside for Katie Lea, while DJ Gabriel accompanied Alicia Fox to the ring doing their disco routine down the ramp.

Katie took the upperhand right off the bat as she clocked Alicia. Alicia displayed an impressive comeback though using a flip move off the ropes to toss Katie Lea across the ring. At one point Fox was on the apron and punched Katie in the face. Paul Burchill came around the side distracting Alicia, which allowed Katie to kick Alicia off the apron. Katie attacked Alicia outside the ring then brought her back in for the fight. Alicia once again gained momentum and used a kick to the back of Katie's head followed by a pin attempt. As Alicia got up and walked towards Katie, Katie yanked Alicia's tights causing her to hit her chin on the middle rope. From there, Katie Lea dropped Alicia to the mat and pinned her for the win.

Winner: Katie Lea Burchill wins via pinfall over Alicia Fox.

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Highlight footage was shown from last night's Raw where Chris Jericho and Randy Orton demanded that JBL's #1 Contender status be removed and Shawn Michaels be banned from title contention forever. The duo claimed that JBL and Michaels were working together in the Fatal Fourway instead of every man for himself. Stephanie McMahon arrived to let them know JBL will keep his #1 Contender spot and face Cena at the Rumble. Steph also scheduled Shawn Michaels to be Cena's tag team partner against Chris Jericho and Randy Orton later on, to test HBK's integrity. In the main event match, Shawn Michaels used a pair of Superkicks to level Jericho and Orton and made the pinfall. Backstage, JBL was interviewed by Todd Grisham. JBL informed him that he talked to Stephanie McMahon earlier and she scheduled Shawn Michaels to face John Cena next week. JBL added he'll be in Michaels' corner.

Brett Barnes vs. The Boogeyman

Barnes made his first appearance wrestling in WWE against The Boogeyman. Early on Boogeyman leveled the newcomer several times, then yanked him by the legs from the ropes to drop him to the mat. Boogeyman whipped Barnes hard to the corner, then leveled him with two vicious clotheslines. After leaping into Barnes with his elbow in the corner, The Boogeyman picked up Barnes and slammed him hard to the mat for the pinfall. Afterwards, Boogeyman retrieved his bag of worms, pulled out a handful and ate them, before drooling some into Barnes' mouth.

Winner: The Boogeyman wins via pinfall over Matt Barnes.

Matt Hardy and Mark Henry were shown walking backstage en route to the ring for their main event matchup.

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When ECW returned they showed behind the scenes footage from Mr. Kennedy's DVD movie release, Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia.

Mark Henry vs. Matt Hardy

Highlights were shown from last week when Hardy faced Henry but Jack Swagger came down to interfere, laying out Matt. Matt Hardy made his entrance first. Henry came to the ring next with Tony Atlas.

Hardy came out punching away at Henry as the bell sounded, but Henry shoved him down then to the corner. Hardy went for a right hand punch, but Henry countered and tossed him down. Henry began to headbutt and kick Matt around. Henry continued displaying his power and knocked Matt to the outside. When Henry went out he pressed Matt above his head, but Matt slid off and shoved Henry into the steel steps. Hardy took control in the ring, focusing on Henry's left knee. Matt went for a Side Effect, but Henry elbowed out of it then regained control of things.

After a commercial break, Henry continued to use his power while Matt tried to take out his leg. At one point, Henry rushed at Matt in the corner, but Matt avoided him and delivered the Bulldog from the corner. Henry countered Matt's Twist of Fate attempt by lifting him over his back to drop him to the mat. After Henry missed on a huge splash attempt off the ropes, Hardy hit his Twist of Fate out of nowhere to capture the victory!

Winner: Matt Hardy wins via pinfall over Mark Henry.

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