ECW Recap 02.02.10

ECW Recap from Memphis, TN:

There were no fireworks to start off tonight's ECW episode. ECW Commentators Josh Matthews and Byron Saxton welcomed fans to the show just 48 hours after the exciting Royal Rumble, as we now are on the road to Wrestlemania 26. Ring announcer Savannah introduced Hall of Famer, Tony Atlas, for the Abraham Washington Show.

Washington joked he was MIA the past few weeks because NBC wanted to hire him to replace Conan O'Brien. Atlas joked they didn't want him because he isn't good enough. Abe said he turned down the job because he knew the WWE Universe would miss him way too much. Abe said thank you and you're welcome, then said they owed him $40 million in cash, checks or food stamps. Abe Washington said Mr. McMahon will be out later tonight to address the future of ECW.

Tonight's guest on The Abraham Washington Show was ECW Champion Chr came out holding the ECW title belt up proudly, coming off a win Sunday at Royal Rumble against Zeke Jackson. Abe let Christian know that he's held his title longer than any other male or female in the WWE right now. Christian said he didn't know that, but he's proud to be champ and looking forward to further challenges. Just then, Zack Ryder's music hit and he came out with a mic and Rosa Mendes. Ryder started going off about Gregory Helms getting arrested, and having his mugshot on TMZ. He said he is the true heart and soul superhero of the WWE. Christian remarked that Ryder's mad that Helms got on TMZ and is recognized, but Ryder isn't. Christian started saying everyone makes mistakes, like Tiffany for giving Abe his own talk show. Christian said Ryder's biggest mistake was when he hooked up with Tila Tequila, referring to Rosa Mendes. Zack got in Christian's face and shoved him. Christian paused then shoved Ryder onto a couch. Abe Washington said the show was over and rolled the outro music.

Josh Matthews and Byron Saxton talked about tonight's big show, which will feature the biggest news in the history of ECW. Vince McMahon will address the future of ECW.

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When ECW returned they discussed the Royal Rumble, with news coverage on WWE.com, as well as thanked Skillet for their Royal Rumble theme song "Awake". Matthews talked about how many moments have made in the Memphis TN arena, and another will be made tonight by Mr. McMahon.

Shelton Benjamin vs. Vance Archer

They showed footage from last week where Vance Archer attacked Shelton backstage during an interview, knocking the Gold Standard down to cut his own promo about dreams and reality.

Early on in the match, Benjamin did a suicide dive out onto Archer on the outside, before tossing him back in. Archer kicked Shelton in the gut as he got in, to regain control. Archer tried a headlock sleeper hold, but Benjamin tossed him to the mat, then knocked him back out of the ring again. Unfortunately, Benjamin missed on a move outside the ring causing him to hit head first into the crowd barrier. ECW headed to break.

Archer was in control out of the commercial break. He followed a snap suplex with an arm submission hold. Benjamin got to his feet and fought his way out though. Archer had several near falls, then went back to the arm hold on the mat. Benjamin managed to avoid Archer charging at him in the corner, then clipped his leg. Benjamin used several running take downs, then went to work on the left leg. Benjamin tried a move on Archer in the corner, only to get elbowed in the jaw. Shelton landed out of an attempted suplex by Archer on his feet and turned it into a neckbreaker. The two had a near fall situation in the corner with Archer using the ropes. The ref noticed it and stopped counting the pin. Moments later, Archer used a pinfall on Benjamin near the corner, using his legs on the ropes without the ref seeing.

Winner: Vance Archer wins via pinfall over Shelton Benjamin.

Josh Matthews introduced highlights from the Raw Rebound, where Bret Hart returned to Raw to call out Mr. McMahon. Bret addressed Vince's actions in Montreal, on the Raw a month ago that Bret hosted, and his comments about Bret being a piece of chewing gum with no more flavor. Vince said he doesn't understand what any of the fans see in Bret, because Vince thinks he's pathetic. Vince said he had decided against nominating Stu Hart for the 2010 WWE Hall of Fame, because he doesn't deserve it. This enraged Bret more. Things ended sourly again as Bret began to attack Vince. The Animal Batista rushed to the ring and attacked then restrained Bret, allowing Vince to berate The Hitman, and then spit in his face.

Josh Matthews said there will be exclusive footage of what happened between John Cena and Batista after Raw went off the air. A still image was shown of Batista about to Powerbomb Cena on some steel steps in the ring.

Later tonight in the main event, Christian will battle Zack Ryder after what happened earlier on.

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ECW returned with Yoshi Tatsu being introduced for the next match. Goldust accompanied him to the ring for the match.

Yoshi Tatsu vs. Trent Barreta

Caylen Croft accompanied his tag partner to the ring. Josh Matthews said Barreta prepares for matches by playing Guitar Hero and watching Steven Seagal movies.

Late in the match, Yoshi went for his roll through move with his arm around Barreta's neck. Barreta blocked and went for a move of his own but Yoshi rolled through, got to his feet and kicked a seated Barreta in the chest. He had a near fall out of that, then decided to go for the high risk move on the corner. Barreta went over and slapped him then climbed up to fight. Trent went for the superplex but was shoved off by Yoshi. Barreta exploded for a Hurricanrana though off the ropes as he ran back up. He had the near fall, and started to argue with the ref about the count. As he turned around he ate a roundhouse kick from Tatsu that knocked him out for the pin.

Winner: Yoshi Tatsu wins via pinfall over Trent Barreta.

Up next, Vince McMahon will make an announcement regarding the future of the ECW.

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Ring announcer Savannah introduced the Chairman of WWE, Mr. McMahon. He arrived out to the top of the ramp with a mic in hand to address the fans. Vince said he was there to proudly announce that in 3 weeks time, ECW will be going off the air. He thanked everyone who made ECW the success that it was. Vince said a new innovative program will be brought to SyFy in its place. Vince called it the next "evolution of WWE and television history". The Chairman thanked everyone and smiled as his theme music started back up to end the speech. Josh Matthews and Byron Saxton were befuddled by the news, trying to figure out what it meant exactly.

Gregory Helms was in the ring in a suit and said his guest is Ezekiel Jackson with William Regal. The duo walked to the ring intently for the interview. Helms started to ask Jackson how he plans to get past his loss to Christian at the Royal Rumble. Regal took over the interview and asked Helms if it's been a trying week for him. Helms paused then said it has but he's going to try to get past it. Regal told him his week was about to get worse. They began attacking Helms who responded by going after Regal. Jackson soon snatched him off and began the beatdown. It culminated with Jackson's one arm slam to the mat for Helms. Christian finally came rushing to the ring with a Kendo stick. He got one shot in to strike Jackson in the gut, but missed Regal as he escaped the ring. The heels got up on the ramp to smile about what they had just done.

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Christian vs. Zack Ryder

Zack Ryder arrived to the ring with Rosa Mendes, both looking angry. Early on Ryder knocked Christian down to the corner and gave him a "What's up bro?" taunt. When Christian retaliated, Ryder ducked out under the ropes. He came back to kick Christian in the gut and hammered him down. Ryder continued the onslaught by choking Christian against the ropes. Ryder went for a suplex move from the apron, but Christian blocked him and eventually dropkicked Ryder off. Rosa looked on in agony. Ryder managed to catch Christian from a move off the ropes, then turned it into a slingshot into the bottom rope.

Christian rallied the peeps as he got to his feet from a Ryder hold on the mat. He punched back, but Ryder hit a Rough Ryder leg lariat on Christian as he came off the ropes. After a near fall, Christian fought off Ryder from the corner and went up top. Ryder got up to fight with him and went for the Superplex, but Christian punched him down, then hit a cross body lateral press. Christian managed to hit several more moves including his patented stand on the back of Ryder using the ropes, and then hopping over the ropes to the outside to slap Ryder in the face.

In the closing moments, Ryder had a near fall as he stopped Christian's Sunset Flip attempt. Christian countered a charge from Ryder in the corner with his leg kick from the outside apron, then did a forearm off the corner. He hit the Killswitch from there, and was ready for the pin, but Ezekiel Jackson was soon in the ring to crash the party. Jackson began to hammer away on Christian outside the ring, and Regal ran at him with the Knee Trembler. Jackson threw Christian into the steel steps, and then he and Regal stood over him outside the ring as ECW ended.

Winner: Christian wins due to disqualification over Zack Ryder.

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