ECW Recap 05.19.09

ECW Recap from Cincinatti, OH:

Jack Swagger was seated in the ring with a mic in hand as ECW opened. Swagger said he wasn't leaving the ring until he gets justice for what happened at Judgment Day. Two officials came down the ramp and into the ring to try to get Swagger to leave. Swagger said Tiffany could come out and tell Swagger to leave herself. Tiffany came walking down the ramp and got into the ring, telling Swagger to leave several times. Swagger told Tiffany to make things right since Christian has the ECW title and hasn't ever really beaten him, but has cheated each time he's won. Tiffany told Swagger they could talk things over in her office. Swagger said Tiffany is just a temp. Tiffany told Swagger she'd see to it he never became ECW champ again, so Swagger finally left the ring willingly.

Tiffany apologized to the fans for what just took place then introduced Christian for the opening match. Christian came down the ramp as Swagger was heading backstage. The two stopped and gave each other a look, then Swagger shoved Christian off the ramp to the pavement. Christian was on the floor holding his leg as Swagger walked backstage and ECW went to commercial.

Christian vs. Paul Burchill

Burchill's sister Katie Lea accompanied him to the ring for the match. Burchill went after Christian's leg early, sensing the injury from Christian being pushed earlier. Christian did his best to fight him off and prevent the attack, grounding Burchill to the mat. Christian took an early advantage, tossing Burchill around the ring, and working him over. Burchill finally gained control when Christian hopped up on the ropes, and Burchill kicked him in the leg. On the outside of the ring, Burchill was able to whip Christian right into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Burchill continued working on the injured leg as Katie Lea cheered him on from the outside.

Burchill locked in a leg submission with Christian reversing it briefly. As both men got back up, Burchill started in on Christian in the corner, then went to charge at him. Christian avoided, then hit a Tornado DDT off the corner, but failed at the pin attempt. Christian hit several more big moves including a Sunset Flip off the corner for a pin, but couldn't get the 3. Christian's first Killswitch attempt was countered by Burchill, who suplexed the champ. Burchill had Christian in the corner again and ran at him, but Christian moved away then used his flip move from the ropes to kick Burchill in the face. Christian followed with a flying uppercut and then the Killswitch to finish off Burchill.

Winner: Christian wins via pinfall over Paul Burchill.

After the match, Josh Matthews interviewed Christian in the ring, asking his thoughts on what Swagger did earlier. Christian said Swagger had his rematch at Judgment Day and lost, but he also interrupted a title fight between Christian and Tommy Dreamer. Christian issued a challenge to Tommy Dreamer with the ECW title on the line, noting that Dreamer's contract expires in 3 weeks or so.

Matt Striker discussed the Hart Attack that took place last week. with David Hart Smith's arrival to attack Finlay during his match against Tyson Kidd. Smith will make his ECW debut tonight against Finlay.

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When ECW returned, Jack Swagger was in Tiffany's office in an argument with her about allowing Christian to continue to be champ. Tiffany suggested that Swagger take the night off before his mouth got him in anymore trouble.

Adam Green vs. Zach Ryder

Ryder came out wearing a purple headband, goggle-like shades and a wrestling tights that were one leg pants, one leg shorts. Early on he slapped his opponent, before taking control of things. Ryder hit an elbow drop, as well as several other punishing combos including a chinlock. While he had the advantage Ryder let out a "Woo Woo Woo" taunt towards the crowd. Ryder's finisher involved him doing a move which looked like the reverse of MVP's Playmaker.

Winner: Zach Ryder wins via pinfall over Adam Green.

Striker and Matthews introduced footage of Finlay being attacked last week by David Hart Smith, and then the formation of a new stable with Tyson Kidd, Smith and Natalya in the ring.

Back in the locker room, Kidd and Natalya walked up to Smith encouraging him for what he did to Finlay last week. Natalya told him his dad would be so proud of him, and Smith said he should be, since he's better than his dad ever was. Smith left to go out to the ring.

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WWE Rewind covered Vladimir Kozlov's dominant win over another amateur opponent on ECW last week.

Kozlov came out to the ramp dressed in Russian army gear. Kozlov once again talked about the Russian army being the greatest fighting force in the world, making him the greatest fighting force in ECW. Kozlov said there will be no retreat or surrender, then yelled out some more words in Russian.

Gregory Helms was standing by outside ECW GM Tiffany's office and said the GM officially signed Tommy Dreamer to face Christian for the ECW Title on this Thursday's WWE Superstars. Helms interviewed Dreamer, and Dreamer said it shows just the caliber of man Christian is to request this match. Dreamer said his time's running out so he plans to make the most of the opportunity and win the title Thursday.

Finlay was shown walking in a back hallway, shilaleigh in hand, as he was getting ready to head out for his main event match versus David Hart Smith.

Finlay vs. David Hart Smith

With Natalya and Tyson Kidd at ringside, Smith took control early on with vicious power moves. Finlay made a comeback with a short arm clothesline and then a submission hold down on the mat. Finlay kept using submissions to keep Smith grounded, with Smith standing up to try to escape it. On the outside of the ring, Smith tried to recover with Finlay coming out after him. Smith grabbed Finlay and did a running powerslam in the fashion of the British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith.

When ECW returned from a commercial, Smith had Finlay in a chinlock in the ring. Once Finlay was out of the hold, Smith continued stomping on Finlay's head. Finlay rolled to the outside to recover and got back on the apron where he rammed into Smith to get back in the ring. Smith knocked Finlay down again and applied a Bear Hug to squeeze him. Smith punched Finlay in the head several times before applying an abdominal stretch submission. Finlay eventually escaped but his attack was shortlived as Smith gave him a boot to knock him to the mat, then shoved him into the turnbuckle. Once again, Smith applied another submission hold to wear down Finlay.

Finlay gained momentum finally as he was able to shove Smith into one of the ring corners, then continuously clotheslined him down. Finlay landed a sit splash off the ropes, but couldn't capture the pinfall. Finlay had Smith up for a Celtic Cross, but Smith slid off due to Finlay's hurt back. Finlay kept attacking and clotheslined Smith over the top rope. Finlay went to the outside to retrieve his opponent, but after shoving him back into the ring, Natalya came over and slapped Finlay hard. Tyson Kidd tried to rush over for an attack, but Finlay grabbed him and tossed him into the crowd barrier hard. As Finlay went back in the ring, Kidd was quickly back up and tried to enter the ring. The referee became distracted, allowing Natalya to toss her boot into the ring for Smith to clock Finlay with. Smith completed his side suplex style finisher to beat Finlay. The new stable of Natalya, Smith and Kidd celebrated on the ramp with Finlay down in the ring.

Winner: David Hart Smith wins via pinfall over Finlay.

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