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The ECW title is vacant, but after Vengeance that won't
be the case. Tonight, four men will battle to determine
who moves on to the title match at Sunday's PPV. It starts
with our first bout......
Elijah Burke vs. Chris Benoit. Good opening
match that deserved a little more time than it got, but
as they're rehashing the Mr. McMahon angle and replaying
footage from Raw through this show, let's be thankful that
we have this match. Burke went for a near-fall early with
an STO, got only 2. Benoit went for the crossface too early
in the match, and Burke was able to counter. Benoit hit
2 Northern Lights suplexes and the rolling Germans, but
Burke blocked the Air Canada with a double knee thrust to
the head. Unfortunately for Burke, it wasn't enough to weaken
the Rabid Wolverine. Burke went for the Elijah Express,
but his knees got nothing but turnbuckle. Benoit hit the
Sharpshooter, and Burke tapped. Winner: Chris Benoit.
Stephanie's speech from Raw is replayed. First time ever
the Princess has been on an ECW broadcast.
Boogeyman vs. Sean Alexander. Squash! If
you blinked, you missed the whole match. Boogey with the
chokebomb in under a minute. Winner: Boogeyman..
Kevin Thorn vs. Tommy Dreamer. Tazz &
Joey acted like these two hadn't met before. Hello? Continuity?
Fairly even match early on. Thorn hit a uranage bomb for
2. Dreamer with a spinebuster-bomb for 2. Dreamer goes up
top, but Thorn takes a leg out, and Tommy tumbles down.
Thorn quickly hooks a leg and gets the three. Dreamer looks
like he may have legit hurt his ankle. Winner: Kevin Thorn.
Johnny Nitro vs. Nunzio. Disturbing to
see the former IC champ out without Melina, but playing
the same music. Nitro hit a springboard enziguri for 2,
then the Thomas Flare legdrop. Nitro's developed a new finisher,
a somersault neckbreaker from a standing position. Nunzio
made him look like a champ. Winner: Johnny Nitro.
Backstage, Marcus Cor Van makes a promise to Burke that
he will beat CM Punk, and then win the title. Ah, but the
best laid plans of mice & men have a way of going astray.......
Video
package for The Miz, who apparently will debut on ECW next
week at the earliest. Extreme Expose are watching backstage.
Brooke's a fan and thinks Miz is hot. Layla seems to agree,
but then she questions Kelly about meeting Miz. Kelly tells
her it's none of her business and stalks off. Apparently
our favorite dancers may be splitting up, all because of
Miz.
Marcus
Cor Van vs. CM Punk. Speaking of teams possibly
breaking up, that brings us to the New Breed. No sign of
Matt Striker this week, and Burke didn't even bother getting
involved in this match. The last time Cor Van & Punk
met in singles, Burke's interference helped the Alpha Male
earn the fall. Not this time. Another even matchup. Turning
point came when Cor Van missed a corner charge and walked
right into the Go To Sleep. Punk survives this battle, earning
a date with Benoit on Sunday.
Winner: CM Punk. Benoit came back out after the match. Staredown
and a handshake. So far, mutual respect rules.
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