ECW Recap 06.02.09

ECW Recap from Memphis, TN:

Matt Striker and Josh Matthews welcomed fans to Memphis for the last ECW before Extreme Rules. Evan Bourne made his way out to a pop from the crowd to start the show off.

Evan Bourne vs. Mark Henry

Henry was accompanied to the ring by Tony Atlas, looking angry after last week's loss to Bourne. Henry attacked from the start of the match, using grueling moves to punish Bourne. At one point Henry tried to splash off the ropes but Bourne quickly rolled away. Bourne went for a move jumping off the ropes at Henry, but Henry caught him from the air then threw him over his back. Bourne rolled out under the bottom rope and hit the floor. As the ref cautioned Henry in the ring, Bourne went to climb the corner. Tony Atlas got on the side apron and Bourne kicked him away as the ref saw. The ref called for the DQ, and an angry Mark Henry rushed at Bourne. Bourne pulled the top rope down and Henry spilled to the outside. Outside the ring Henry yelled at Atlas saying he doesn't need him.

Winner: Evan Bourne wins due to disqualification over Mark Henry when Tony Atlas interfered.

Highlights were shown from last week's main event when Jack Swagger and the Hart Dynasty defeated Christian and Jack Swagger, then brutally assaulted them afterwards. Tonight Christian will face Tyson Kidd one-on-one.

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Dustin Carwile vs. Zack Ryder

Ryder came out wearing goggles and a half pants/half shorts wrestling get up. Ryder had a previously recorded promo saying how people spot him everywhere saying "there goes the Woo Woo Woo guy" but he's so much more than that.

Ryder attacked his amateur opponent, shoving him to the corner for a brutal beating, then threw him to the center of the ring so he could slap him around. Ryder had Carwile in a headlock and threw him to the corner, then charged at him before hitting a vicious dropkick from the corner. Ryder finished things with his finisher, which looked like a reverse style Playmaker.

Winner: Zack Ryder won via pinfall over Dustin Carwile.

Backstage, Hurricane Helms interviewed Finlay who had a black eye. Helms asked Finlay when he plans to return to action. Finlay said he's not sure exactly but he let Swagger know "a tooth for a tooth, and an eye for an eye".

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Tommy Dreamer vs. Paul Burchill

Striker noted that this could be the farewell appearance of Tommy Dreamer. As Burchill and Katie Lea came down to the ring, Katie had a mic in hand and said this will be Dreamer's final match against her brother. Dreamer had an impressive armbar takedown early on and tried to keep Burchill down with an arm hold. Burchill got up and pulled under the ropes, then yanked Dreamer face first into them.

Burchill gained the advantage as he leveled Dreamer and began to stomp and punch away on him. Burchill used a headlock to keep Dreamer down. Dreamer fought back from his knees briefly, with Burchill punching him back down. Dreamer regained control and used several moves including a bulldog but couldnt score the pin. After a scoop slam and neckbreaker Dreamer went for a pin and Burchill's leg was under the rope. Dreamer finally hit his trademark DDT to win it.

Winner: Tommy Dreamer wins via pinfall over Paul Burchill.

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When ECW returned, Dreamer was still in the ring with a mic in hand. Dreamer said he wanted the opportunity to thank all his fans and say goodbye. As Dreamer kept speaking he was interrupted by Jack Swagger who came out from backstage. Swagger started disrespecting Dreamer saying nobody cares about him anymore. Swagger said Dreamer made the stipulation to try to win the ECW title before retiring because it would make him relevant. Dreamer said he's putting his career and life on the line, and promises to be new ECW champ when he returns next week. Swagger laughed about it from the ramp before heading backstage.

Matt Striker and Josh Matthews ran down the complete list of matches for 2009 Extreme Rules.

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Christian vs. Tyson Kidd

Kidd was accompanied by Natalya and David Hart Smith of the Hart Dynasty. As the match got underway, both men grappled with Christian forcing Kidd to the corner. Christian reversed Kidd's hold on him and brought him down to the mat. Christian was able to leapfrog Kidd as he threw him against the ropes, then came back with a spin kick to knock Kidd down.

Kidd was able to take control as he brought Christian down and hyperextended his arm. From there, Kidd was able to keep using move after move on Christian including smashing Christian's face to the turnbuckles across the ring. Christian responded by slamming Kidd face first as he jumped off the ropes. Christian hit a spinning uppercut off the ropes, but as Kidd composed himself on the apron, Christian came over. From there, the two men ended up on the outside where Kidd tackled Christian into the steel steps.

As ECW returned, Kidd managed to get Christian into a single leg Boston Crab hold. Christian struggled to kick out of it, but Kidd stayed in control. Christian countered into a small package pin but Kidd kicked out. Kidd continued working to wear Christian down. Christian finally managed to escape and gain momentum as he stood on Kidd using the ropes, and went to the corner to jump down and kick Kidd down. Christian waited to put the Killswitch on Kidd as he stood up, but Kidd shoved him to the corner. Christian punched Kidd away and jumped from the corner for a sunset flip. Kidd escaped it again, and the two continued to go back and forth with pinfall after pinfall. Kidd went for a springboard off the ropes with Christian catching him and turning it into a powerslam pin combo. Kidd again kicked out. In the corner, Christian kicked Kidd with his legs through the ropes move. Christian went to the corner for a move, just as Jack Swagger came walking down the ramp.

Kidd tossed Christian from the corner and then did a vicious leg drop on him, but couldn't score the winning pinfall. Swagger walked all the way down to the ring and got on the steel steps, but Dreamer came rushing down the ramp and pushed Swagger off. Swagger went flying into David Hart Smith at ringside, then Dreamer jumped off onto both men, crashing in a pile. Kidd dropkicked Dreamer through the ropes, then slid in under Christian. Kidd seemed to have things in control but as he tried to shove Christian to the corner, Christian turned it around and threw Kidd into the ringpost shoulder first. As Kidd staggered back, Christian hit him with the Killswitch to finally win.

After the bell, Dreamer got in the ring to applaud Christian on his win. Christian showed Dreamer the ECW belt and shook his hand. Dreamer wouldn't let go of his hand and then yanked Christian towards him to kick him in the stomach and DDT Christian to the mat. Dreamer smirked and shrugged then let out his typical roaring taunt before picking up the ECW title.

Winner: Christian wins via pinfall over Tyson Kidd.

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