ECW Recap 01.20.09

ECW Recap from Chicago, IL:

ECW opened with a highlight reel of the All-American American, Jack Swagger. The video showed Swagger's rise to fame in ECW and his eventual match against Matt Hardy for the ECW title. Swagger who was undefeated heading into the title match was able to defeat Hardy after dropping Matt face first into an exposed turnbuckle and become new ECW champ.

Todd Grisham introduced former ECW champion Matt Hardy. Matt arrived down to the ring in street clothes with the fans on their feet. Todd interviewed Matt regarding this past week's Smackdown where Jeff Hardy was hit in the face by his own pyro display at the top of the ramp. Matt informed fans that Jeff's at home in recovery and that he went into shock and has 1st Degree Burns as well. Todd asked if this was just another coincidence. Matt told him they know very well this isn't just another accident and that's all he's going to say. Grisham asked about Jack Swagger, and Matt said he's better than he originally thought he was. As Matt continued speaking, the new champ came out from backstage wearing a black suit and carrying the ECW belt.

Swagger was cocky as ever getting in the ring and hoisting up his title for the fans. Swagger on the mic told Matt that after this weekend Matt's brother won't be the only thing that went up in flames. Matt took exception and clocked Swagger in the face, then attacked him. The fight spilled outside the ring. Swagger got tackled by Matt on the ramp before security held Matt back. Swagger took the opportunity to cheap shot Matt and punched him as security was holding him.

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Adam Evans vs. Ricky Ortiz

Ortiz manhandled Evans early with powerful headbutts, slams and whipping him to the corner hard. During the match, Grisham noted that ECW assistant Tiffany has been "making eyes at Ortiz". Ortiz came off the ropes twice with huge elbow drops on Evans. After a powerful slam/toss of Evans to the mat, Ortiz got in a football stance and charged right at Evans to knock him down hard. Ortiz followed up with "The Big O" splash onto Evans for the pinfall victory.

Ortiz took the microphone after his win and thanked Chicago for its support, then told them to "rally up!".

Winner: Ricky Ortiz wins via pinfall over Adam Evans.

Todd Grisham and Matt Striker discussed the ultimatum Tommy Dreamer gave himself on last week's show. Footage was shown of Dreamer speaking to the fans that he needs to prove he can become ECW champ again by June 6, 2009, which is when his contract expires. Dreamer says if he can't become champ he will retire.

Backstage, Tommy Dreamer met with Teddy Long and Tiffany regarding his words last week. Tommy told Teddy he has to prove he still has what it takes to compete at the level he has previously competed at. Just then, Paul Burchill came barging into the office and told Tommy to excuse him because "some of us have careers worth saving". Burchill demanded a match with DJ Gabriel, but Teddy Long said it doesn't work that way. Teddy told him he'd face an opponent he chose and to head out to the ring for his match now.

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The Boogeyman vs. Paul Burchill

Paul and Katie Lea anxiously watched the ramp to see who Burchill would face, but were dismayed when it was The Boogeyman. Despite a froth coming out of Boogeyman's mouth, Paul Burchill attacked right as the bell sounded, ramming him in the corner. Boogeyman tried to attack but it was brief and Burchill was back in control. Burchill tried to use a chinlock to keep Boogeyman down, but Boogeyman powered out of it and began to attack. Boogeyman sent Burchill to the corner and then splashed onto his back. As Boogeyman set up for a quick finisher, Katie Lea slid into the ring and kicked him in the leg, causing the DQ.

Boogeyman clotheslined Burchill out of the ring then turned to go after Katie Lea. Katie Lea quickly exited the ring and tried to run up the ramp but fell. Boogeyman chased her outside and dragged her back in the ring. As Boogeyman picked up a handful of worms and went towards her, Paul Burchill saved his sister pulling her out of the ring.

Winner: The Boogeyman wins due to disqualification when Katie Lea interfered in the match.

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Highlights were shown from last night's Raw featuring the return of Mr. McMahon. Chris Jericho was allowed to state his case regarding being fired by Stephanie. Stephanie forced Jericho to publicly apologize to her and then the fans, by getting down on his knees in the ring. After Jericho was reinstated and left, Randy Orton arrived down to the ring to demand Stephanie apologize for slapping him earlier. After insulting Steph, she tried to hit Orton again, but Vince held her back. Vince sent Stephanie backstage then began to berate Orton for what he said about his daughter. Mr. McMahon demanded that Orton apologize, but Orton refused. Before Mr. McMahon could fire Orton, Orton punched him down, kicked him and then delivered a Punt Kick to his head. Vince was taken out of the ring on a stretcher with a crying Stephanie accompanying him.

Matt Striker and Todd Grisham ran down the lineup for the 2009 Royal Rumble including Cena putting the World Heavyweight Title on the line vs. JBL with Shawn Michaels in his corner, and Jeff Hardy defending the WWE Title against Edge. ECW Champ Jack Swagger also defends against former champ Matt Hardy.

Royal Rumble by the Numbers was shown. Since 1998, 598 wrestlers have entered the Rumble but lost. Stone Cold Austin has eliminated a total of 36 wrestlers throughout his Rumble appearances while Kane has eliminated the most men in a single Royal Rumble Match with 11. As for entry position, #1 and #30 have produced the same amount of winners, but #27 has produced the most winners of the Rumble, four.

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Finlay vs. The Miz vs. John Morrison vs. Mark Henry
Fatal Fourway Match

Hornswoggle accompanied his father Finlay to the ring and was full of energy. Tony Atlas was also at ringside to manage Mark Henry.

Early on, Mark Henry commanded Miz and Morrison to attack Finlay. Finlay escaped when Morrison tried to rush at him in the corner. Finlay got Morrison onto his shoulders then tossed him out of the ring. Unfortunately Finlay's fight didn't last long as he was again overpowered by the heels including Mark Henry.

When ECW returned from a commercial, Miz and Morrison were doubleteaming Mark Henry, before Morrison dropkicked Finlay out of the ring. Finlay was back in after Mark Henry was able to fight off Miz and Morrison. Finlay used his shilaleigh but the ref didn't call for the DQ. Miz and Morrison continued working together in the match, breaking up pins and dropkicking Mark Henry under the bottom rope.

Mark Henry left the match and headed up the ramp. Meanwhile in the ring Finlay countered a doubleteam from Miz and Morrison by hitting a double Bulldog. Hornswoggle climbed onto the corner for a Tadpole Frogsplash on Morrison. Morrison was briefly out of the ring allowing Finlay to hit the Celtic Cross on Miz. Before Finlay could grab the pin, Morrison was back in and kicked him off. Morrison stole the pinfall on Miz to win the match. Miz called out Morrison in the ring as ECW left the air.

Winner: John Morrison wins via pinfall over The Miz to win the Fatal Fourway.

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