ECW Recap 01.05.10

ECW Recap from Louisville, KY:

ECW on SyFy opened with a promotional video about the ECW Homecoming tournament. Tonight, former champions Mark Henry and CM Punk will face off in the tournament to see who moves on for a chance at Christian's ECW championship.

Josh Matthews welcomed fans to the show saying there's just two spots left in the ECW Homecoming Finale. With that, ECW Champion Christian's entrance music hit and the champ arrived to the ring in street clothes. Christian hadn't even spoken for a minute when former ECW Champion CM Punk came onto the stage along with Luke Gallows to interrupt. Punk had his Slammy trophy in hand, then gave it to Gallows as he crouched down. Punk said nobody in the building had anything more important to say than he did.

Punk asked Christian what was so funny when he hadn't said anything yet. Christian said last night he saw something he thought he'd never see, Bret Hart hug it out with Shawn Michaels. Christian said now he's seeing something he never wanted to see, CM Punk back on ECW. Punk told Christian to get used to seeing him there, and he intends to defeat Christian at the Royal Rumble, after winning the ECW Homecoming. Punk declared himself better than everyone, saying he was their savior. Punk said he'll be the leader and role model for the young future stars of ECW, showing them the straightedge way. Christian asked if that means you have to look like you haven't taken a shower in 2 weeks. Christian listed off more names of competitors in the tournament, then asked Punk who he's facing tonight. Punk said Mark Henry realizing he had a tough draw tonight. Christian said Punk doesn't smoke, drink or do drugs, and he won't be facing him for the ECW title.

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Shelton Benjamin vs. Chavo Guerrero
ECW Homecoming Qualifying Match

This match was among the last two to determine the final competitors for ECW Homecoming.

Late in the match, Chavo was in control as he had a half Boston crab locked in on Shelton to work his left leg. Shelton appeared to be in agony but tried to get the bottom rope. Shelton pulled him back towards the ring with the hold locked. Shelton rolled over and then used a leg kick to knock Chavo off him. Chavo recovered with a leg scissors to toss Shelton to the mat. Chavo went to the corner for a high risk move, but Shelton got to his feet and avoided him. He rushed back over to hit Paydirt and collected the winning pin.

Winner: Shelton Benjamin wins via pinfall over Chavo Guerrero to advance to the ECW Homecoming finale.

Byron Saxton and Josh Matthews reviewed the seven wrestlers who've qualified for ECW Homecoming so far. Already qualified are Shelton Benjamin, Kane, Yoshi Tatsu, Matt Hardy, Ezekiel Jackson, Evan Bourne and Vance Archer.

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ECW returned with a look at WWE.com which is running a "Who to look for in 2010" article, with predictions for 2010. Josh Matthews introduced highlights of last week's match between Zack Ryder and Tommy Dreamer. Dreamer agreed to leave ECW if Ryder defeated him, which Ryder did. After the loss, Dreamer gave a passionate speech with his family members in the front row. He took off his ECW shirt and layed it in the center of the ring, then left with his daughters in his arms.

Zack Ryder arrived onto the ramp with girlfriend Rosa Mendes. Ryder said it's a new year and time to forget about the past. He said Dreamer is dead and gone now. Ryder said last week he stopped the heart and soul of ECW, forever changing the course of the show. Ryder said ECW is now all about one man, Zack Ryder. After his short promo, Ryder and Rosa went backstage.

Josh Matthews and Byron Saxton discussed Ryder's attitude, with Saxton saying Ryder's always been about himself, and now he's trying to become a legend. They launched into highlights from last night's historic Raw with Bret Hart as the special guest host. The show included Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart with an early in-ring confrontation. They ended up burying the hatchet and shaking hands. Later in the night, Vince McMahon went out to the ring. Hitman came out to confront Vince, and the two eventually seemed ready to move on. They shook hands and began to pose with their arms raised around the ring. Suddenly, Vince McMahon turned and kicked Bret in the groin, leaving him laying in the ring. Hitman got up before the show ended and stared at McMahon with disgust.

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Vladimir Kozlov vs. Ezekiel Jackson

William Regal accompanied Jackson to the ring. Early in the mat, Kozlov seemed to get the upperhand with several takedowns. However, Jackson managed to injury Kozlov's left leg and went at the injury as the match went on. He went to the outside and slammed Kozlov's hurt leg against the mat and then the ringpost to further damage it. William Regal watched the destruction from outside the ring.

Kozlov was able to use his right leg to kick Jackson out of the ring on an attempted submission move. Jackson got back in with Kozlov in control. After a slam, Kozlov whipped Jackson to the corner and clotheslined him hard, then rammed him several times in the opposite corner. Jackson kneed Kozlov and came back to level him with a clothesline. Jackson hit a suplex in the ring, then hit his one-armed slam for the victory.

William Regal got into the ring after the bell. They held Kozlov up with Regal trash talking him before they tossed him face down to the mat.

Winner: Ezekiel Jackson wins via pinfall over Vladimir Kozlov.

Mark Henry was in the locker room backstage getting ready. Tony Atlas came in and shook hands with him. Atlas suggested that he could walk him to the ring tonight, saying they had good times in the past. Atlas started doing his continuous laugh that he does on the Abraham Washington Show. Henry paused momentarily then said "No" to Atlas' request to escort him to the ring before leaving the locker room.

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Mark Henry vs. CM Punk
ECW Homecoming Qualifying Match

This was the final qualifying match for ECW Homecoming. In the late stages, Punk was dismantling Henry, using a hard kick to the head to cause Henry to fall to the mat. Henry began to withstand Punk's strikes and kicks and got on a knee, then to his feet. Henry began riled up and headbutted Punk several times, then leveled him with a clothesline. Henry whipped Punk to the corner for a hard splash, then went to the opposite corner for another running splash. This time Punk moved away, and then did his running knee to Henry. Punk went for a Bulldog, but Henry shoved him away. Punk went towards the ref but stopped himself short. With the ref distracted, Luke Gallows got on the side apron and clocked Henry in the face. Henry staggered towards Punk who did a roundhouse kick to KO him for a pinfall.

Winner: CM Punk wins via pinfall over Mark Henry.

The ECW Homecoming Finale match will be held next week featuring CM Punk, Evan Bourne, Matt Hardy, Vance Archer, Ezekiel Jackson, Yoshi Tatsu, Shelton Benjamin and Kane. The match will be an over-the-top rope battle royal to determine the #1 Contender for the ECW title. The winner meets Christian at the Royal Rumble in the title match. Matthews and Saxton reviewed the finish of CM Punk and Mark Henry's match. Punk was kneeling down outside the ring with Gallows congratulating him on the big win as ECW ended.

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