ECW Recap 01.19.10

ECW Recap from :

ECW opened with highlights from last week's ECW Homecoming Finale battle royal which involved the 8 men who earned spots in the match. It came down to Kane versus Ezekiel Jackson as the last two men remaining. Jackson fought his way out of a near chokeslam. Jackson avoided a Kane clothesline from off the corner, and then knocked Kane out over the top rope to win it. Regal joined Jackson in the ring to stare at ECW Champ Christian who was at ringside.

Josh Matthews welcomed fans to the show, and reminded fans the Royal Rumble is coming up in less than two weeks. On tonight's show, Christian will face William Regal, in preparation for his upcoming title defense at the Rumble.

Tony Atlas was introduced, so he could introduce the special guest host of tonight's Abraham Washington Show, Santino Marella. Marella went through some Italian words having Atlas repeat them after him, then introduced his first ever guest, Vladimir Kozlov. Marella told Kozlov to relax on the couch because he's in America now. Santino said he wanted a guest who isn't quite popular with the people. Kozlov spoke about how he was part of a biker gang in the Ukraine for 3 years, until someone ran over his face. Kozlov said people are scared of him, thinking he's the bad guy, Ivan Drago, from Rocky IV. Santino tried to get him to say some movie quotes. Santino asked Kozlov what thinks he likes in America, and he listed off chili cheese fries, Hannah Montana and 24 hour Walmarts. Santino said they have lots in common and they should be a tag team. Kozlov replied no. The fans seemed to be disinterested in the whole skit because Kozlov was tough to understand.

Yoshi Tatsu and Goldust were shown backstage walking out for the next match against Croft and Barreta.

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Yoshi Tatsu & Goldust vs. Caylen Croft & Trent Barretta

In the late stages of this one, Croft & Barreta were playing keep away with Yoshi, trying to wear him down while preventing the tag. Yoshi finally managed to escape and made the hot tag to Goldust. Goldust came in against Croft and quickly took him down with a clothesline, and eventually his drop down punch from one knee. After an atomic drop and a kick to Croft's face, Goldust went for a bulldog but Croft shoved him to the corner. Goldust came back and eventually hit a powerslam. Barretta came in to intervene, causing Yoshi to come in to try to get rid of him. Tatsu was knocked to the outside. Meanwhile, Goldust rolled up Croft. Barretta hit a clothesline on Goldust as he had the sitting pin, allowing Croft to roll up Goldust and steal the win.

Winners: Croft and Barretta win via pinfall over Goldust & Yoshi Tatsu.

Zack Ryder was walking hand in hand with girlfriend Rosa Mendes down the backstage hallway. Josh Matthews said rumor has it Ryder has a major announcement for the WWE Universe, next.

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Ryder came to the ring with Rosa Mendes. He talked about ending Tommy Dreamer's career with ECW, and becoming the new heart and soul of ECW. He said Hurricane tried to meddle in his business last week, but wound up learning his lesson for it. Ryder said he's the new heart and soul superhero of ECW. He then called up the ring announcer Savannah, and told her to announce him with his new title. She twice announced him as "Zack Ryder, the heart and soul superhero of ECW", but Ryder anr Rosa weren't satisfied with her announcing. Rosa began yelling at Savannah in espanol calling her "estupida". Eventually, The Hurricane showed up on the apron. Ryder went to attack, but ended up getting thrown head first into the ringpost and off the apron. Hurricane stayed in the ring looking out. Hurricane went to the outside of the ring and kissed Savannah on her hand, causing the ring announcer to blush and smile.

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During commercial break, an ad was shown for the "Best of WWE Raw 2009" DVD coming out next Tuesday.

When ECW returned, they talked up the 2010 Royal Rumble matches including Orton versus Sheamus for the WWE Title, Christian defending the ECW title against Ezekiel Jackson, and Rey Mysterio versus Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Title.

Matthews and Saxton talked about the developing rivalry between Shelton Benjamin and Vance Archer. A few weeks ago they had a match, and Archer was disqualified for not stopping as he beat on Shelton in the corner. The two will meet on this Thursday's WWE Superstars.

Christian vs. William Regal

The ECW champ was introduced first and arrived out to salute his peeps in the crowd. ECW took a commercial break with Christian posing from the ring corners. When ECW returned, Regal came to the ring with Ezekiel Jackson. Jackson got in the ring to stare down Christian before the match.

Christian was able to make a comeback after knocking William Regal out of the ring and into the crowd barrier. He went out and retrieved Regal to toss him back in, but as Christian got on the apron, Ezekiel Jackson walked over to distract him. Christian dropped down and went to stare down Jackson as ECW went to commercial.

The match was back and forth in the closing moments, with both men trading shots and pinfall attempts. Regal beat on Christian in the corner, until the ref pulled him away. Regal went back to do more damage, but Christian kicked him away, then got on the middle rope for a European uppercut. Christian revved up the crowd and went for Killswitch. Regal countered and went to toss Christian out of the ring. Instead, Christian countered him and tossed Regal over the ropes. Just then, Ezekiel Jackson snuck into the ring behind Christian and attacked. The ref promptly called for the bell.

After the bell, the attack continued. Jackson slammed Christian to the mat hard. Regal crawled back in the ring and did a knee trembler on Christian. Jackson did his one-armed slam move to plant Christian on the mat. Jackson's theme music blared as he signaled in the ring he'll be wearing the ECW belt soon. Jackson picked up Christian for one more of his finisher slams before ECW went off the air.

Winner: Christian wins due to disqualification over William Regal.

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