ECW Recap 12.22.09

ECW Recap from Orlando, FL:

The show opened with a video package which highlighted the "ECW Homecoming" tournament set up by Tiffany. Tonight, former ECW star Jack Swagger stops by to take on new star, Yoshi Tatsu.

Josh Matthews welcomed fans to the show right before the ring announcer, Savannah, introduced former ECW Champion Jack Swagger. Swagger came out all smiles despite the crowd heavily booing him. Swagger tonight ECW's show is finally worth watching again. He said even though ECW looks new, some things haven't changed, like Christian, who's still a chump, and Tommy Dreamer's still fat. Swagger had them roll a montage his own highlights from ECW and Raw. He proclaimed himself the former and future ECW champion. Just then, Zack Ryder's music hit and he came strutting out from backstage with his arm around Rosa Mendes. Swagger gave them a look before heading backstage.

Tommy Dreamer vs. Zack Ryder

They showed a clip from 2 weeks ago where Ryder told Dreamer he used to idolize him, but now wants to end him.

Rosa was ringside trying to encourage Ryder, as Dreamer was able to superplex him from the corner. Back on their feet, Dreamer gained an advantage as he hit a backdrop and then several takedowns on Ryder. He had a near fall with Ryder escaping to get up. Dreamer whipped him to a corner, but Ryder hit Dreamer as he charged at him. Ryder tried a move off the corner, but Dreamer caught him and ended up hanging Ryder upside down in the corner. He did his running dropkick, then tore off his shirt preparing for his finishing DDT. Ryder escaped out under the bottom rope to the apron, then yanked Dreamer down against the top rope. From there, he ended Dreamer with the Zack Attack.

Winner: Zack Ryder wins via pinfall over Tommy Dreamer.

Matthews and Saxton announced that later on tonight we'll see two ECW Homecoming qualifying matches: Goldust takes on Vance Archer, while in the main event its Jack Swagger returning to take on Yoshi Tatsu.

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ECW returned with a WWE "Did you know?" fact from Nielson Research. Savannah introduced WWE Hall of Famer Tony Atlas, so he could introduce Abraham Washington for his show. Abe said he isn't going to come out and rip Tiger Woods a new one, instead he supports him, because pimps have to look after one another. Abe said Tiger is one of the biggest fans of the Abraham Washington show he knows, because he used to call him all the time about it before his wife took a phone and hit him upside his head. Washington kept making Tiger Woods jokes before introducing his guests for the night, the new tag team Trent Barreta and Caylen Croft. They jumped over onto the couch, so Abe chastised them over it.

Croft and Barreta talked about Miz/Morrison and Hart Dynasty, saying they're going to take things to the next level as part of the ECW initiative. Croft & Barreta said they'll be WWE tag team champions by next year. Tony Atlas chimed in that he and Rocky Johnson were tag champs, but Croft/Barreta said "you're old and nobody cares". Abe started to defend Tony telling the tag team they don't talk to a hall of famer and his sidekick that way. Atlas said he never knew Abe cared, and Abe said he didn't, then told Atlas to take them out of there.

Backstage, ECW GM Tiffany was texting when Jack Swagger entered the office. Swagger said Tiffany brought him back to win the ECW Homecoming and come back to ECW as the champion. Tiffany laughed his suggestion off. Just then, Hurricane came flying into the office. Swagger asked him what his superpowers are supposed to be, and Hurricane said his powers are as limitless as the imagination. Hurricane said he can do almost anything, except fix Swagger's speech impediment. Hurricane flew off, and Swagger said "whatever" as Tiffany laughed at it all.

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Goldust vs. Vance Archer
ECW Homecoming Qualifying match

In the latter stages of this match, Goldust gained momentum as he was able to get a bulldog coming from off the ropes. He tried to suplex Archer but couldn't lift him, so Archer rammed him into the corner, then brought him back for his finisher, the reverse DDT style move, to pin Goldust.

ECW Champion Christian was shown backstage watching the match on a monitor.

Winner: Vance Archer wins via pinfall over Goldust.

So far Vance Archer, Kane and Ezekiel Jackson are in the ECW Homecoming Finale which happens in 3 weeks to determine Christian's opponent. There's five more spots to be determined. Still to come tonight, Jack Swagger makes his return to ECW to face Yoshi Tatsu in a qualifying match.

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Tonight, ECW showed the Smackdown Rebound which higlighted last Friday's #1 Contender match for a shot at Undertaker's World Heavyweight title. Rey Mysterio faced Batista in the main event, and Batista had several nearfalls. Mysterio eventually managed to pull off the surprise victory to earn a shot at Taker on Christmas.

Josh Matthews and Byron Saxton discussed the breakdown of the Ruthless Roundtable. Last week, William Regal assisted Ezekiel Jackson in defeating Vladimir Kozlov. After the match, Jackson and Regal beat up Kozlov. Jackson and Kozlov will meet again this Thursday on WWE Superstars.

Backstage, Christian was prepping Yoshi Tatsu, giving him pointers on Swagger. Swagger walked into the locker room and joked that Yoshi was the karate kid, so Christian must be Mr. Miagi. Christian told Swagger he hasn't changed much since going to Raw, and he's still the same old dork. Yoshi said something in Japanese. Swagger told Christian to tell Yoshi he's steamrolling him tonight. Swagger said at the Royal Rumble, Christian's his.

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ECW was back to roll the movie trailer for Ted Dibiase in "The Marine 2" coming out December 29th on DVD & Blu-ray.

Jack Swagger was introduced first for the main event. Next week, Matt Hardy and Evan Bourne will compete in Homecoming qualifying matches on ECW.

Yoshi Tatsu vs. Jack Swagger

Both superstars exchanged near falls throughout the latter stages of the match. Yoshi did a running knee on Swagger then took him down for an attempted kick. Swagger ducked it, so Yoshi sat on him for a pin. Things progressed to the corner of the ring, where Yoshi went for a high risk move. Swagger went up to try to fight him but got hit down to the mat. Yoshi did a spinning kick from the corner to take Swagger down but it wasn't enough to win the match.

Swagger hit a powerslam in the late part of the match, then did his running splash move from the corner. Yoshi again got out of the pin as he grabbed the bottom rope. Swagger lazily picked up Yoshi by his hair from the mat. Yoshi took advantage of the mistake by delivering his roundhouse kick on Swagger for a pinfall win.

Winner: Yoshi Tatsu wins via pinfall over Jack Swagger to qualify for the ECW Homecoming Finale in 3 weeks.

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