ECW Recap 09.22.09

ECW Recap from Tulsa, OK:

As ECW opened, Josh Matthews and Matt Striker said there was a championship atmosphere in the air, since tonight #1 Contender Zack Ryder goes after Christian and the ECW Title.

Tony Atlas introduced Abraham Washington to the top stage area for his talk show. Washington's guest on the show was the Celtic Warrior, Sheamus. Washington made comments about how Sheamus is so white and pale, putting on a pair of sunglasses. Sheamus took exception to this, then said he felt like he was on the set of "Sanford & Son". Sheamus talked about putting in all the hard work for his recent tag match, but Shelton Benjamin came in to steal the win. Sheamus said since Shelton took something from him, so he took something from Shelton. Abraham introduced Shelton Benjamin to the show to give his comments.

Shelton said he was surprised Abraham Washington wasn't canceled yet. Shelton told Sheamus there's a concept of team in America, so they both win if one wins. Sheamus told him about the Celtic code of honor, but said in America they steal and cheat. Shelton said he did some research on Sheamus' family history, then had a graphic show on the big screen of various redheaded characters like Pipi Longstocking, Ronald McDonald, and Carrot Top, indicating they were all related. Sheamus got in Shelton's face, so Shelton dared him to go for it. Shelton became distracted briefly, so Sheamus pounced on him. The two rolled over the couch punching on each other, until finally several WWE personnel came out to pull them apart.

Yoshi Tatsu was shown walking backstage on his way out for the next match.

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Yoshi Tatsu vs. Paul Burchill

Burchill came to the ring with his sister Katie Lea. Footage was shown of Burchill assaulting Hurricane last week, right after Hurricane lost a match to William Regal.

Late in the match, Burchill was in control as he smashed Tatsu face first to the turnbuckle then climbed up the corner. Yoshi got up to fight him, but Burchill punched him down. Burchill then jumped from the corner to smash his knee into Tatsu on the mat. Burchill went for the pin with Yoshi surprisingly able to kick out of it. Burchill picked up Yoshi for a slam move, with Yoshi sliding off his back. Yoshi shoved Burchill to the corner hard and as he stumbled back, Yoshi delivered his famous roundhouse kick to Burchill's head.

Winner: Yoshi Tatsu wins via pinfall over Paul Burchill.

Footage was shown from last week's 10 person Battle Royal to determine #1 Contender for the ECW Title. Zack Ryder won it after dumping Tommy Dreamer out last minute.

Backstage, Savannah interviewed Zack Ryder about being #1 Contender. Ryder said he doesn't squander opportunities and after tonight he'll be called the ECW Champion, you know it.

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Backstage, Paul Burchill was upset over his loss and looking around for Hurricane. Katie Lea tried to stop him but he went on without her. Gregory Helms came up and touched Katie on the arm to ask her some questions. Katie told him it's all his fault Paul is like this. As Helms was standing there, Burchill attacked from behind, knocking him down and punching away. He told Katie Lea to stay away from Helms and that he's not done with Helms by a longshot.

Dustin Brady & Brandon Young vs. Ezekiel Jackson & Vladimir Kozlov

Kozlov & Jackson came to the ring lead by William Regal. Early on, Young tried for an attack on Kozlov who shoved him against the ropes then hit him down with a battering ram move. Jackson came in and started to hammer away on the back of Young, before throwing him hard into the corner ringpost. His partner made a bold tag to get in, but Jackson grabbed him and tossed him over the ropes into the ring. Jackson continued to manhandle Brady, shoving him hard into the corner, then bringing in Kozlov. Jackson came back in again and delivered a vicious standing clothesline to level Brady, then used his one arm slam finisher to win it. Young got back in the ring to check on his partner, but was grabbed by Kozlov who hit his one-armed slam move on him.

Winners: Vladimir Kozlov & Ezekiel Jackson win via pinfall over Dustin Brady & Brandon Young.

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When ECW returned, Matthews and Striker discussed John Cena having to face the Gauntlet on next week's episode of Raw. They hyped up Hell in a Cell, listing the various matches including DX vs. Legacy, John Cena vs. Orton, both Hell in a Cell matches.

Backstage, Regal was walking with Kozlov and Jackson as they came up to Goldust. Regal told Goldust they have a match Thursday on WWE Superstars. Goldust said he was looking forward to it, and Regal said he wasn't because it's a joke, just like tonight's ECW Title Match, and just like Goldust. Goldust got in his face, but Jackson and Kozlov stepped up as bodyguards. Regal said on Thursday he's going to give a display as to why he should be competing for the ECW Title.

The Smackdown Rebound covered GM Teddy Long admitting what he did at Breaking Point by screwing Undertaker out of the title win. On Smackdown Long tried to send an apology out to the WWE fans and Undertaker. Long had a team of security personnel with him as he went back to get into his limo. He told the driver he was ready to go several times, and then the passenger/driver window barrier rolled down revealing his driver was the Undertaker. The backseat area filled with smoke as Teddy yelled for someone to help him, and the limo drove off.

Christian was shown backstage with his ECW Championship belt in hand walking on his way out for the main event.

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Zack Ryder vs. Christian
ECW Title Match

Ryder went for an early pinfall after knocking Christian down, but got no count. Ryder and Christian started to trade punches, until Ryder knocked Christian down again near the ropes. He tried to whip Christian to the ropes, but Christian reversed and eventually turned it into a headscissors to toss Ryder. From there Christian tossed his opponent to the outside and was about to dive out, but Ryder was up quick to avoid it. Christian got on the apron with Ryder trying to swipe his leg, but Christian hopped over him, then kicked Ryder, following up with a running baseball slide dropkick. Christian waited for Ryder to stand then did a leaping move from off the corner to crash onto Ryder outside.

Striker noted that no major singles title has ever been won in this particular arena, so Ryder will have to rewrite history. Christian attempted a pinfall with the ref counting just 1. Christian continued controlling things but as he sat on the corner, Ryder yanked his leg out to the mat. Ryder went for a pinfall but Christian barely escaped it. Ryder cockily motioned that he was close to winning, just as ECW went to break.

When ECW returned, Christian had control but as he came off the ropes Ryder tossed him in the air. Ryder with several pinfall attempts to no avail. Christian hit the Sunset Flip springboard off the corner but only scored a 2 count. Ryder crawled out to the apron and Christian came out to fight. Ryder punched him off, sending Christian into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Christian started to fight back until Ryder kneed him in the gut, then dropped him crotch first onto the top rope. Ryder went for several pinfalls but couldn't get the 3. Ryder with a legscissor to squeeze Christian's midsection. Ryder jumped off the corner at Christian, but Christian caught him and hit a flapjack.

The action became frantic in the closing minutes including Christian going for a Sunset Flip, but Ryder rolling through to hold Christian down for a near pinfall. Christian missed on a flying crossbody. Both men countered each other's moves. Ryder went for a pinfall using the ropes for leverage with Christian able to kick out. Christian managed to regain control of things as he did a slingshot of Ryder into the corner turnbuckle, then flew off the corner with a European uppercut. Christian quickly hit the Killswitch for the pinfall victory in a tough match.

Winner: Christian wins via pinfall over Zack Ryder to retain the ECW Title.

William Regal came out to interrupt Christian's victory celebration. Regal said since this farce is over with, now he'll become #1 Contender again and it won't be long until he is ECW Champion. Christian knocked the mic out of Regal's hand and started to punch away on him. Regal rolled out of the ring and began backing up the ramp. Christian held up his championship belt to close the show.

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