ECW Recap 03.17.09

ECW recap from San Antonio, TX:

Hornswoggle and Finlay were shown walking backstage as they came up to ECW GM Theodore Long dressed up as a goofy leprechaun in green, with a big green "Luck of the Irish" hat on. Teddy asked Finlay to stick around even though today's his big holiday. Finlay said he only does two things on St. Patrick's Day, fight and celebrate. He said Hornswoggle had been celebrating all day long. Just then they noticed Hornswoggle was missing. Teddy asked where he went and Finlay said "uh oh we're in trouble".

As the show opened, Todd Grisham welcome fans to San Antonio and mentioned tonight there will be a live episode of "The Dirt Sheet" by Miz & Morrison. Christian made his way down to the ring to start off the show. Highlights were shown of Christian earning his spot in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match last week by winning a tri-branded battle royal.

Christian & MVP vs. Shelton Benjamin & Mark Henry

This coming Friday on the 500th episode of Smackdown, Shelton Benjamin will defend his US title against MVP. Early on Mark Henry took advantage of MVP being hung in the ropes while the ref attended to Shelton. Henry delivered a huge headbutt to knock MVP to the mat, allowing Shelton to stay in control as ECW went to commercials.

When ECW returned, MVP was stuck in a massive bear hug by Mark Henry. Henry rammed MVP into the corner and tagged Shelton back in. The two men continued their doubleteam effort on MVP, keeping him from tagging Christian. MVP dodged Shelton on his attempt at Paydirt, then did an overhead belly-to-belly throw to toss Shelton. MVP lunged over to finally tag in Christian, who began to take it to Shelton Benjamin. Christian with momentum managed to score a DDT on Shelton out of the corner. When Christian tried for the pin, Henry got into the ring to disrupt things. MVP came in to attack Henry, and then he and Christian went to the outside, grabbing Henry's legs and pulling him out of the ring.

Christian was still legal and re-entered the ring with Shelton down. Tony Atlas got on the side apron but Christian ran over to punch him off. This allowed Shelton enough of a distraction though and he quickly grabbed Christian to hit Paydirt for the win. Shelton held up his US title and stared out at MVP, while Tony Atlas helped a hurting Mark Henry up the ramp.

Winners: Shelton Benjamin and Mark Henry win via pinfall over MVP and Christian.

A preview of "12 Rounds" was shown which featured John Cena's girlfriend Molly Porter. In the movie, Molly is taken hostage by a past enemy of John Cena's detective character. Cena's character has to go 12 rounds and attempt to find Molly.

Finlay was shown backstage looking for Hornswoggle. He came up to DJ Gabriel and Alicia Fox who both had on headphones and were grooving to loud music. Finlay yelled at them several times asking where Hornswoggle was until they removed their earphones. They said they hadn't seen the little guy then went back to their music as Finlay left.

ECW Extreme Rewind showed highlights of Evan Bourne's high flying moves in various matches.

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Various highlights from Wrestlemania XX at Madison Square Garden were shown. John Cena made his Wrestlemania debut as he captured the United States Championship. Eddie Guerrero defeated Kurt Angle and Stone Cold Steve Austin officiated a matchup between Brock Lesnar and Goldberg which ended with Austin hitting a Stone Cold Stunner on both wrestlers.

Evan Bourne vs. Jamie Noble

Bourne returned from his torn deltoid ligament injury to face Noble. Striker said it took Bourne 5 months to rehab and comeback. Backstage, Natalya and Tyson Kidd were shown watching. Noble took control early as he tripped Bourne down causing him to hit the corner face first. Noble started hammering away on Evan then put him into a headlock on the mat.

Bourne escaped the hold and began using his high flying attacks, eventually connecting on a standing Moonsault on Noble. Bourne went at Noble in the corner with Noble kicking Bourne as he came at him. Bourne responded with a high kick to knock Noble down, then went to the corner turnbuckle. Bourne connected on his trademark Shooting Starpress from the top turnbuckle then celebrated near the fans.

Winner: Evan Bourne wins via pinfall over Jamie Noble.

Finlay was shown backstage still searching for Hornswoggle when he heard a bunch of noise and a woman screaming. Finlay rushed over to find Hornswoggle up on a buffet table throwing food and beverages at Katie Lea Burchill. As Finlay pulled Hornswoggle down from the table he apologize to Katie Lea who was enraged.

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The ECW Champion Jack Swagger made his way to the top of the ramp to address the WWE Universe. Swagger said he isn't competing tonight but wanted to give the audience the chance to lay their eyes on a two time All-American champ. Swagger finished his short bit by holding up the ECW belt for all to see.

Teddy asked his assistant Tiffany backstage how her assignment was coming. Tiffany suggested they have an ECW Divas Night, where the program will be completely devoted to the WWE Divas, and will create buzz for the Divas Battle Royal at Wrestlemania 25. Suddenly, Paul Burchill burst into the office and started to yell at Teddy about Finlay bringing his kid to work. Teddy ordered a match for Paul Burchill against Finlay for what Hornswoggle did to Katie Lea.

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Highlights were shown from last night's episode of Raw where John Cena faced Edge in a non-title bout. Vickie Guerrero was the special guest referee and refused to allow Cena any pinfalls or submissions. Cena had the STF locked in on Edge, but Vickie began to choke Cena. Just then, Big Show came down to the ring and he and Edge doubleteamed Cena, tying him in the ropes. After an Edge Spear to Cena in the ropes, Show delivered several huge punches to Cena. Edge surprised Show with a Spear, driving Big Show to the match. Edge held his arms up triumphantly as Raw left the air.

Matt Striker announced that Edge, Cena and Big Show will all be present for Smackdown's 500th episode.

Finlay vs. Paul Burchill

Katie Lea accompanied her brother to the ring still complaining about Hornswoggle's antics from earlier. Hornswoggle came to the ring with Finlay. Finlay took control early on, but soon Hornswoggle was clowning around and jumped on the commentators table. Finlay looked out of the ring and Burchill came at him. Finlay managed to toss him over the ropes but on the outside, Burchill took control. In the ring, Paul applied headlocks to Finlay to wear him down on the mat. Finlay stood up and dropped to use a jawbreaker to break free.

Burchill was able to knock Finlay back to the outside, then tried to hop over the top ropes. Finlay pulled the apron cover out causing Burchill to land on his groin on it. Back in the ring, Burchill was still hurting and went at Finlay with no success. Finlay grabbed Burchill into the Celtic Cross and slammed him down for the win.

Hornswoggle got in the ring and ran around laughing and pointing at Katie Lea who glared back at him. Eventually Burchill rolled to the outside for Katie Lea to help out.

Winner: Finlay wins via pinfall over Paul Burchill.

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John Morrison & The Miz presented The Dirt Sheet with the Bella Twins in the ring with them. They started off by insulting the Texas crowd then introducing their girlfriends The Bella Twins. Miz asked "Twin A" why they chose Miz and Morrison. Brie began speaking but Nikki interrupted saying they like winners. Highlights were shown of Miz and Morrison defeating The Colons on Smackdown to defend their tag titles. Miz and Morrison then introduced their guests, The Colons and put on butt masks with Carlito style wigs. They broke out into a rap song, but just then Primo and Carlito emerged from backstage to interrupt.

The Colons came to the ring and had the Carlito's Cabana set brought with them. Carlito told Miz and Morrison they are their special guests tonight. Primo then announced they have a special challenge for them at Wrestlemania 25. Carlito suggested at Wrestlemania that both teams put their tag team titles on the line with the winner taking all and becoming the new unified tag team champions. Miz and Morrison gladly accepted saying they will prove why they're the greatest tag team of the 21st Century. Miz and Morrison did their "Be jealous" in The Colons' faces. Primo and Carlito tried to spit apples in Morrison's face but he ducked causing the chunks to hit Brie Bella. Her sister Nikki started laughing hysterically. Brie turned and looked at her sister then shoved her down to the mat.

As Nikki got back up she tackled Brie down and the two sisters began to fight it out. Both tag teams pulled the Bellas apart. Nikki left the ring with Miz and Morrison while Brie remained in the ring with The Colons.

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