ECW Recap 02.03.09

ECW Recap from St. Louis, MO:

ECW on Sci-Fi opened with replay highlights from last week's episode where Jack Swagger asked Teddy Long to help him find his missing ECW title. With Teddy, Jack and Tiffany in the ring, Swagger grabbed the mic and demanded the thief show himself. Finlay emerged from backstage, came down to the ring and pulled out Hornswoggle who had the ECW title. In the ring, Finlay ordered his son to give the title back, but Swagger angrily shoved Hornswoggle down to the mat. Finlay clocked Swagger leaving him layed out to end last week's show.

As the show opened, Matt Striker and Todd Grisham welcomed in fans and announced tonight's main event of Finlay vs. Jack Swagger. Paul Burchill and Katie Lea made their way down to the ring for the opening bout.

Tommy Dreamer vs. Paul Burchill

In a back and forth matchup, Dreamer took control when Burchill charged at him in the corner and missed. Dreamer was able to get a quick slam from the air on Burchill but no pin. From there he hung Burchill upside down in the corner for the Tree of Woe and a running dropkick into Burchill's chest. Dreamer signaled for a finisher, but Burchill yanked his tights and pulled Dreamer into the turnbuckle. Burchill tried a quick rollup with Dreamer kicking out. Tommy then tried to hoist Burchill up on his shoulders, but Burchill elbowed Dreamer in the head and slid off. With Dreamer stunned by the elbow shot, Burchill hit a huge neckbreaker to win it.

Winner: Paul Burchill wins via pinfall over Tommy Dreamer.

Backstage, Raw's Jamie Noble talked to Teddy Long, telling him he came over to save the ECW show now that Matt Hardy left for Smackdown. Jamie said he'd lend his quality services to the show if Teddy was for it. Teddy gave him the go ahead and told him to keep on pushing. Striker and Grisham discussed Noble's potential in ECW just as Miz and Morrison came out from backstage. Tommy Dreamer was still trying to get up in the ring from his loss to Burchill.

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ECW returned with The Miz and Morrison in the ring with mics talking to Tommy Dreamer. Dreamer was down on one knee in the corner as Morrison insulted him for being overweight and washed up. Miz told Morrison he didn't want to make Dreamer cry again about how ECW is his life. Dreamer got up and walked up to both men, who continued to insult him and his career. Miz said the only people who want to see Dreamer left in ECW are his wife and kids. Dreamer became upset and pounced on Miz to attack, but Morrison jumped Dreamer from behind. The two began to beat up Dreamer with Miz eventually hitting The Reality Check to leave Dreamer laying on the mat. Morrison and Miz posed with their belts and Slammy trophies on the ring corners.

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Jamie Noble vs. Boogeyman

To his surprise, Noble had his ECW debut match against one of its strangest wrestlers, The Boogeyman. Noble went on the offensive to start it off, but Boogeyman was soon in control using power moves such as pressing Noble overhead to toss him into the ring. As Boogeyman tried to get in the ring, Noble took advantage and started kicking at him, then went to the corner for a elbow to Boogeyman's head. Noble put a headlock on Boogeyman, but Boogey used his strength to stand up and drop Noble. Boogeyman delivered chops, headbutts and clotheslines to Noble repeatedly. Boogeyman did a huge splash on Noble's back in the corner, then delivered his finisher to win it.

Boogeyman went to the corner to get his sack of worms. As he came towards Noble with a fistful of the worms, Noble quickly scurried out under the bottom rope. Boogeyman chomped down on the worms and smiled out at Noble who quickly backed up the ramp in fright.

Winner: The Boogeyman wins via pinfall over Jamie Noble.

Finlay and Hornswoggle were shown in the locker room doing calisthenics in preparation for the main event match.

Wrestlemania 25 promo video showed highlights from Wrestlemania 2 which was held in three different venues: Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. It featured Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper and Hulk Hogan defending the WWF Title in a Steel Cage against King Kong Bundy.

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ECW returned to show highlights of last night's Raw. Shane McMahon announced that he will be fighting Randy Orton at No Way Out in a No Holds Barred Match. Shane vowed to make sure Orton's unable to compete at Wrestlemania 25. Orton told Shane he can do whatever he wants to do without consequences when they fight, and that Shane should call for a hospital bed next to his dad. Legacy tried to ambush Shane in the ring, with Shane fighting them off with a Kendo stick. Later in the evening, Shane and Stephanie were walking in a hall backstage when Legacy jumped them. Shane was knocked into Stephanie who hit into a door and fell to the pavement. Orton was about to Punt Kick Shane, then noticed Steph was also down and turned his focus to go Punt kick her. Shane jumped in the way just in time, to receive a kick to his back, saving Steph. Later on, Steph told Kane he could be in the Elimination Chamber, since he called Undertaker to come wrestler Randy Orton next week.

Todd Grisham announced that "Hunt You Down" by Saliva is the official No Way Out theme song. Grisham and Striker ran down the card for No Way Out including Shane vs. Orton, Michaels vs. JBL and the two Elimination Chambers.

Todd Grisham interviewed Jack Swagger who was in the locker room, asking him about his motivation for tonight's match against Finlay. Swagger said he doesn't need any motivation and plans to humiliate Finlay tonight, while his Ogre son will realize he'll never get close to the ECW title again.

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Finlay vs. Jack Swagger

In a non-title match, Swagger took on Finlay after last week's ECW title-stealing incident. Finlay took control in the match, using an assortment of his brawling moves. Finlay kept Swagger down for some time in a Camel Clutch submission, then whipped him to the corner for more of an assault. Swagger managed to reverse the whip, tossing Finlay to the corner hard. Finlay seemed to be grimacing following the move and went to the outside to recover. Swagger followed him out to attack him even more and bring him back to the inside. In the ring, Swagger used several moves including a backwards slam onto the mat and then a bodyscissor to wrap his legs around Finlay's torso.

Finlay tried to take control of things but Swagger responded with a huge boot to Finlay. Hornswoggle emerged from under the ring to distract Swagger, allowing Finlay to get the best of him, tossing Swagger to the outside. As Finlay came out to attack him, Swagger turned the tide again and shoved Finlay into the ringpost. Swagger then went over and took Finlay's shilaleigh, then tossed it way up the ramp. Swagger got onto the ramp with Finlay in the ring. As Finlay tried for a suplex, Swagger countered and yanked Finlay down against the ropes, causing Finlay to fall back in the ring.

With the ref's attention turned towards Finlay in the ring, Hornswoggle snuck out from under the ring where Swagger was on the apron. Swagger got one leg in the ring, but Hornswoggle revealed he had a bigger shilaleigh. Horney struck Swagger in the ankle with the shilaleigh causing Swagger to start holding his ankle in pain. Finlay took advantage and was able to hoist Swagger up and hit The Celtic Cross to win it. Finlay gives Swagger his first official loss since joining ECW!

Winner: Finlay wins via pinfall over Jack Swagger.

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