ECW Recap 05.05.09

ECW Recap from Pittsburgh, PA:

ECW Commentary team Matt Striker and Josh Matthews announced there would be a main event match featuring ECW Champion Christian against World's Strongest Man, Mark Henry. Evan Bourne came out for the opening matchup.

Evan Bourne vs. Tyson Kidd

With Natalya looking on from ringside, Kidd was able to take control of Bourne at one point as he locked both his arms behind his back in an excruciating submission hold. Bourne battled back as he finally got to a corner to escape. From there, Kidd tried to keep control as he went for the clothesline, but Bourne ducked it, ran onto the corner and came back to kick Kidd in the head. Bourne started to use his momentum with several high-flying moves.

Bourne went out to the apron at one point, and when the referee was distracted, Natalya yanked Bourne's leg, causing him to fall and hit the apron. Kidd came to the outside to prepare to finish off Bourne in the ring. Just then Finlay came down to ringside causing Natalya to slide into the ring. The ref ushered her out, and as he was distracted, Finlay smashed Kidd in the leg with his shilaleigh. Bourne finished off Kidd with the Shooting Starpress.

Winner: Evan Bourne wins via pinfall over Tyson Kidd.

Striker & Matthews revisited last week's ECW title match between Christian and Tommy Dreamer. Jack Swagger came down to leave both men decimated on the mat since he wanted the first shot at Christian.

Swagger was shown backstage talking to a WWE staff member, all smiles in a suit. Matthews said Swagger would be coming out to speak to the WWE Universe next.

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Josh Matthews was in the ring as ECW returned from commercial to introduce Jack Swagger to the crowd. Swagger came down the ramp in a suit and tie, smiling as usual. Matthews asked Swagger why he came out and ruined the ECW title match last week. Swagger said he wanted first crack at Christian, and he wants to fight Christian because he cheated to win the ECW title at Backlash. Swagger told the fans it's not fair what Christian did, and that Tommy Dreamer didn't deserve the first title shot. Swagger said Dreamer is the fat & cholesterol of ECW, and in 5 weeks he'll be out of ECW. Swagger continued his speech but was interrupted as Dreamer came charging down the ramp, Dreamer grabbed Swagger's leg and yanked him to the outside for a beatdown. Dreamer got into the ring calling out Swagger to fight, but Swagger angrily walked up the ramp and backstage.

ECW's interim GM Tiffany was shown in her office on a cell phone/PDA. All of a sudden, Zack Ryder came in dressed in a pair of shades and purple shirt. Tiffany welcomed him to ECW and said she can't wait to see what he brings to her show. She said on Thursday, Ryder will get a chance to show his stuff on WWE Superstars against Finlay. Ryder complained Finlay might mess up his hair, but Tiffany said she didn't think it was possible with all the slick gel and product in it.

A promo video was shown for ECW newcomer, Vladimir Kozlov. The video showed Kozlov engaging in his intense training routine, and said he'd be out to wrestle on ECW next.

Jesse Guilmette vs. Vladimir Kozlov

Guilmette went for the grapple early on with Kozlov tossing him down to the mat. Kozlov continued to display his power and strength as he tossed Guilmette over his back several times. Guilmette started to punch back off the ropes, but Kozlov quickly shoved him down. Kozlov picked the man up, holding his arms and started to batter-ram his chest. Kozlov made quick work of his amateur opponent with a one-handed slam down to the mat. Kozlov grabbed a mic after the victory to yell something in Russian before leaving up the ramp.

Winner: Vladimir Kozlov wins via pinfall over Jesse Guilmette.

The Raw Rebound showed the Handicap match with Shane McMahon facing Orton, Rhodes & Dibiase, 3 on 1. Shane gave a valiant effort, but things ended when he missed on a flying elbow onto Orton on the commentators' table. From there Orton and Legacy started to dismantle him. Eventually, in a horrifying scene, Orton smashed a steel chair down on Shane's ankle/foot on the steel steps. He further punished the injury by smashing part of the steel steps down on it. Batista rushed down for the save, but it was too late as Shane was taken out on a stretcher. Orton got on a mic to tell Batista his Judgment Day is coming.

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Gregory Helms interviewed Mark Henry backstage with Tony Atlas standing by. Helms asked if Henry sees tonight as an opportunity to restate his dominance in ECW. Henry said his dominance needs no restating and tonight Christian will be his victim.

Christian vs. Mark Henry

Henry was accompanied to the ring by Tony Atlas who remained at ringside. During the match, Henry continued to display his dominance, but Christian used his fast-paced attack to respond back. Christian tried for a flip over Henry to pull him back for a pin, but Henry wouldn't budge. Henry tried for a sitting splash, but Christian avoided it, then came off the ropes to dropkick Henry in the back. With Henry laying against the middle rope, Christian stood on his back and used the top rope to further press his feet onto Henry. All of a sudden, Jack Swagger came charging into the ring and attacked Christian. Swagger continued to pound on Christian on the mat, but Tommy Dreamer came down for the save. Dreamer knocked Swagger off Christian and made sure Henry was out of the ring. Christian got back up and he and Dreamer double clotheslined Swagger over the top rope.

Winner: Match stopped when Jack Swagger and Tommy Dreamer both interfered.

After the dust had settled, ECW GM Tiffany came out onto the ramp. Tiffany said since Jack Swagger and Tommy Dreamer both got involved, she decided to make this a tag team match.

Tommy Dreamer & Christian vs. Mark Henry & Jack Swagger

ECW returned from a commercial break with Henry dominating Dreamer. Henry stood on the ECW original near the ropes then kicked him over to Swagger for the tag. Swagger continued to keep Dreamer from tagging out and tried to wear him down, until Dreamer used his strength to thrust Swagger back, then kick him away. Christian made the hot tag and came in against Henry with momentum. Off the corner Christian hit a forearm uppercut, then was able to clip Henry in the leg. After a dropkick Henry was down on the mat, but Christian turned his attention to Swagger. Henry got up and leveled Christian, then Swagger came in to further punish the ECW Champ.

Swagger and Henry took turns to continue beating Christian down. Christian finally was able to hit a move against Swagger off the corner, but couldn't get to the tag on Dreamer because Swagger wrapped him up. Christian powered up to his feet and reversed the hold to hit a neckbreaker. Out of energy, Christian made the crawl and jumped to tag Dreamer in finally. Dreamer had momentum as he came in and began attacking. Dreamer hung Swagger upside down in the corner, but Henry came rushing at them. Dreamer moved away and Henry crashed into Swagger.

The action moved outside the ring after Christian knocked Henry to the mat then kicked him outside. Christian went for the jump over the top rope onto Henry who caught him. Dreamer decided to join the fun and jumped onto them both crashing them into a pile. Dreamer got back inside where Swagger was still recovering in the corner. Dreamer grabbed Swagger for a DDT, but he escaped it and shoved Dreamer into the corner hard, then hit his Gutwrench Powerbomb to win it.

ECW ended with Swagger cockily posing and taunting the crowd up on the ring corner, as Christian was still recovering on the outside.

Winners: Jack Swagger & Mark Henry win via pinfall over Christian and Tommy Dreamer.

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