BIG SHOW (C) VS. RIC FLAIR

 Before the match, Balls Mahoney gets a promo to remind everyone that he’s an ECW Original. Following that, Ric Flair gets promo time on ECW television. Something unthinkable until now. He says that he’s chasing his 17th World Championship tonight, and a part of me wishes he had ECW Champion on his resume. He says he’s going to wait for Big Show to make a mistake before pouncing to “eat [Big Show] alive.” We get shown a vignette for the return of Shannon Moore, and tens of people are excited. Earlier in the night, the match was made Extreme Rules, and a tale of the tape was shown although no one thought to take a screenshot of it for us.

Ric Flair makes his way out as Joey Styles tells us this challenge was handed to Flair by Paul Heyman and Big Show after the Vengeance PPV. Big Show makes his way out, I was expecting him to have Heyman with him, but he’s alone. We get in-ring introductions from Justin Roberts.

Joey Styles & Tazz are on commentary for this match.

BIG SHOW © VS. RIC FLAIR

WWECW Championship - (Extreme Rules)

WWECW on Sci-Fi (11th July 2006)

  They lock up and Big Show shoves Flair back into the corner. Back to the lock-up, the champion backs Flair into the ropes, then forces him into the corner for an overhand chop. Ric Flair rakes the eyes, Big Show no-sells it and headbutts Flair. A kick to the midsection sends Flair out to the floor as we hit commercials.

  Ric Flair is on offence as we return with a knife-edge chop and right hand, but Big Show shoves him across the ring. Ric Flair goes back to the chop and right hand, but Big Show knees him in the midsection and sends Naitch off the ropes for a military press slam. Big Show busts Ric Flair open with a trio of headbutts, less than 5 minutes in. Big Show focuses on the cut with right hands in the corner. Flair connects with chops, but Big Show knocks him back into the corner. Big Show connects with overhand chops, which gives us a Flair Flop. Big Show headbutts Flair back into the corner, connecting with knife-edge chops and throwing Ric Flair across the ring. Big Show sends Flair over the top rope to the floor with a clothesline and Flair brings a trash can of weapons out to ringside. Big Show catches Flair, he gets met with chops but throws Flair back into the ring. Big Show hits a vertical suplex. Flair asks for more and unloads right hands and chops on Big Show, but the champion shrugs it off and headbutts Flair back into the ropes.

  Big Show sends Flair off the ropes into a powerslam and Joey Styles mentioned that Big Show beat Flair for his second World title back in 1996. Ric Flair fires off another chop, but is knocked down with a headbutt. Ric Flair connects with 2 low blows as Big Show teases punching him. Big Show shoves Flair away as he tries to recover. Flair kicks Big Show in the balls, sending him to the corner for some breathing exercises. Ric Flair kicks Big Show again and after 4 low blows Big Show is down to one knee. Ric Flair brings the trash can of plunder into the ring and charges at Big Show with the baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire. Another shot to the midsection brings Big Show down to his knees, Flair grinds the baseball bat across Big Show’s forehead as the crowd chants “ECW Dub!!” Ric Flair empties the trash can and hits Big Show over the cranium twice, but he’s still on his feet, so Flair grabs a steel chair. Ric Flair hits Big Show in the midsection, then again across the back to finally put Big Show down. Ric Flair covers, and Big Show kicks out at 2.

  Ric Flair empties a bag of thumbtacks onto the canvas, he hits Big Show with a steel chair 3 times before Big Show falls on them. Now Ric Flair is facing a pissed-off and acupunctured giant. Big Show clotheslines Ric Flair down before hitting a Chokeslam and the Cobra Clutch backbreaker, keeping the clutch locked in until the referee calls for the bell.

WINNER: THE BIG SHOW (STILL WWECW Champion)

 Big Show worked as a Giant in this match, and shockingly for nobody, it worked. Ric Flair was the wiley veteran fighting from behind and trying to accommodate this match type into his wrestling style. Big Show got to put over his new Finisher against a veteran and Ric Flair’s an obvious pick, he won’t lose anything taking the loss. [**] 4/10

After the match, Big Show throws Ric Flair into the thumbtacks and celebrates with the belt.

Big Show would hold the WWECW Championship until the Extreme Elimination Chamber match at December to Dismember.

BIG SHOW (C) VS. SABU

 Before the match, King Booker is backstage with Queen Sharmell. Edge stops by and they make a wager as to who will hold their championship by the end of tonight. Booker T is the World Heavyweight Champion on Smackdown, and Edge is the WWE Champion on Raw.

  Joey Styles and Tazz are excited for ECW and the ECW Championship to be represented at Summerslam. It’s still early in the WWECW experiment. Sabu beat Rob Van Dam in a Ladder match the previous Tuesday (15th August ECW on Sci-Fi) and we see the finish to that match.

  Sabu makes his way out first, carrying a chair with him. Joey says Sabu is happy to destroy himself to injure his opponent before Big Show makes his way out.

Joey Styles and Tazz are on commentary for this match, Justin Roberts is our ring announcer.

BIG SHOW © VS. SABU (WWECW Championship - Extreme Rules)

WWE Summerslam 2006 (August 2006)

  Sabu throws the chair at Big Show to start the match, followed by a chair shot to the midsection and the back of Big Show. Sabu hits a standing Arabian Facebuster across the back of Big Show’s neck and covers, but Big Show throws Sabu in the air.

  The Big Show trips Sabu before he can hit the triple jump Moonsault and puts his boot through the steel chair before dumping it from the ring. Big Show headbutts Sabu and leans him against the ropes for an overhand chop. The Big Show sends Sabu across the ring with another headbutt and slams him before talking to some fans in the front row. Big Show puts Sabu in a bearhug just to screech the match to a halt. Sabu bites Big Show’s nose and connects with right hands. Big Show catches the springboard attempt, which Joey Styles compares to springboarding into the side of a bus. A bus ride is about as exciting as this match. Big Show throws Sabu across the ring with a Fallaway Slam, Sabu decides the floor might be a safe place for him for a while.

  The Big Show tries to bring Sabu back into the ring, but Sabu pokes him in the eyes and snaps Big Show’s neck off the top rope. Sabu gets a chair from under the ring, throwing it at Big Show through the ropes before Sabu gets back into the ring. Sabu throws the chair at Big Show again before dropping it on his way to the top rope. The Big Show still waits for the chair-assisted side kick. Sabu covers but only keeps Big Show down for 1. Sabu brings a table into the ring and leans it in the corner. Sabu walks into a Goozle but pokes Big Show in the eyes, which is enough for an “Extreme Rules!” reminder from Styles. The Big Show charges at Sabu in the corner, but hits the turnbuckles as Sabu goes to the apron. Sabu drops onto Big Show from the top turnbuckle, sending his face into the mat.

  The Big Show is dazed, Sabu sets up the chair and sends Big Show through the table with a bulldog! We see some replays and return as Sabu is climbing back to the top rope, Big Show catches him in an electric chair, dropping Sabu down to the mat. Big Show is busted open on his forehead slightly, he drags Sabu over to the corner for a 507lbs Vader Bomb, Sabu rolls out to the floor again. The Big Show brings the ring steps into the ring as Sabu slides in the opposite side of the ring. The Big Show brings another table into the ring. The Big Show bridges the table across the steps, Sabu tries to fluidly get a springboard DDT, but the table drops from one of the steps. Sabu has to settle for a jumping DDT as Styles and Tazz act like it’s a Flaming Table spot. Sabu brings a third table and stands it in the ring but gets sent through it with a Chokeslam. The Big Show covers for the win.

WINNER: THE BIG SHOW (STILL WWECW Champion)

This match went less than 9 minutes, but it had 3 table spots and 2 botches. Cut the time and cut two of the table spots out and they could have had a fun sprint, As it was the WWECW experiment was already showing to be better on fantasy booking forums than in reality with the Television Deal. I will say that the finish to the match was good, and the passion from Joey Styles and Tazz on commentary helped the match not feel like 12-15 minutes. [*1/4] Rating 2/10

After the match, we see a clip of Layla winning the 2006 Divas’ Search, only so we can get a backstage segment of Maria, Candice Michelle, Kelly Kelly, Torrie Wilson, Jillian Hall, and last year’s winner, Ashley Mossaro doing the Mean Girls Act with Layla. They “initiate her by pushing her in the shower and turning the water on. Yeah, this used PPV time.

JACK SWAGGER (C) VS. CHRISTIAN

The opening video shows highlights from WrestleMania. As soon as the curtain closed that night, the Backlash began. That’s a lot better line in the video. It shows some of tonight’s WrestleMania continuations including the 6-man main event where only 2 of them are fighting for the Championship and Edge’s obsession with the World Heavyweight Championship continuing in a Last Man Standing match. Not to mention the brother vs. brother rematch (Here)

 

But we’re looking at none of that, Jim Ross welcomes us to Backlash as Christian makes his way out to the ring. Jack Swagger and the terrible silver belt are out next, Jack Swagger has been WWECW Champion since January, but Christian recently got a pinfall victory over Swagger.

 

Michael Cole, Jim Ross & Jerry “The King” Lawler are on commentary for this match.

 

JACK SWAGGER © VS. CHRISTIAN

(WWECW Championship)

WWE Backlash 2009 (26^th April 2009)

  Jack Swagger takes Christian down, and an alligator roll takes them back and forth before Swagger brings them back vertical.

  Christian breaks on the ropes, Swagger shoves Christian but is slapped in the mouth. Swagger reverses an irish whip, sending Christian into the ropes, but Christian slides under Swagger and connects with a spinning heel kick and a spinning back elbow. Christian covers but only gets 2. Christian works a headlock but is sent off the ropes and knocked down with shoulder tackles from Swagger. Jack Swagger lifts Christian overhead, throwing him out to the floor and following to choke Christian before bringing it back to the ring. Lawler says he would have waited out the count there. JR calls it a rookie mistake as Swagger covers for 2. Jack Swagger sends Christian into the ropes and follows, driving his knee into Christian's ribs. Jack Swagger puts Christian in a reverse bearhug and slams him to the mat, rolling him into a pin for 2.

  Jack Swagger brings Christian back to his feet for another slam for a nearfall. Christian elbows out of the hold, Swagger sends Christian into the corner and blocks the pendulum kick, Christian is stomped to the mat and Jack Swagger covers for 2. Jack Swagger shoves Christan off the ropes into a bearhug, Christian’s shoulders hit the mat for 2, he tries to fight from underneath but Swagger lifts him back into the bearhug, wrenching the hold. Christian fights out again, Swagger kicks Christian in the midsection cutting off the attempt at momentum. Jack Swagger hits a rib breaker on Christian for 2. Jack Swagger returns to the waitlock on the mat but Christian fights out. Christian is sent into the corner, Swagger follows but hits the top turnbuckle. This time the pendulum kick finds it’s mark but Christian runs into a knee in the midsection. Swagger’s running Vader Bomb hits knees and Christian is able to get back to his feet.

  Christian connects with right hands, Swagger reverses an irish whip sending Christian into the turnbuckles but runs into a back elbow. Swagger blocks the tornado DDT but can’t avoid the sunset flip. 1, 2, no! Jack Swagger scoops Christian up and slams him down, Christian blocks the Gutwrench Powerbomb, Swagger clubs at his back and carries Christian over to the corner seating him on the top turnbuckle. Christian fights out of the corner and hits the Tornado DDT. Christian covers but only gets 2. Back to their feet, Swagger hits a belly-to-belly suplex, Christian attempts a crucifix and Swagger slumps out of the ring. Christian goes out to the apron and he’s caught with a right hand.

  Christian holds on to the top rope to avoid a german suplex from the apron. Christian fights out of the waistlock and sends Swagger back to the ring. Christian climbs the corner from the apron but Swagger meets him with a backdrop. Jack Swagger hits the Vader Bomb from the top and it only gets him 2. Christian slaps Swagger but the Unprettier is countered, Jack Swagger lifts Christian on his shoulder and drives him into the corner. Christian slips out the back and rolls Swagger up for 2. Jack Swagger gets over the surprise and goes back to the turnbuckles with a running powerslam before planting Christian on the mat. 1, 2, no! Jack Swagger removes a turnbuckle pad but has the referee over with him. Christian has removed the pad across the ring and waits for Swagger.

  The referee replaces the turnbuckle cover as Swagger runs into the exposed turnbuckle and staggers into a Killswitch. Christian covers for the win.

WINNER: CHRISTIAN (NEW WWECW Champion)

 . This match seemed to have two conflicting stories. Christian was the underdog to the larger, more powerful champion. Yet at the same time he was the smart veteran that took advantage of rookie mistakes from Jack Swagger. The match made Swagger look strong in defeat and it was a step in the right direction for Christian’s return, I just couldn’t find a reason to care. [**] 4/10

MATT HARDY (C) VS. MARK HENRY

  

The opening video shows a perfect 1950’s family, they have no worries, we have No Mercy. Well, it’s a tag line. It runs through the big matches tonight.

Todd Grisham welcomes us to No Mercy as Mark Henry makes his way out with Tony Atlas. Matt Hardy is next as Grisham reminds us that Matt Hardy isn’t as big or strong as his challenger and we get SUPERIMPORTANTINRODUCTIONS.

Todd Grisham and Jerry “The King” Lawler are on commentary for this match, King is replacing Matt Striker.

MATT HARDY © VS. MARK HENRY

WWECW Championship

WWE No Mercy 2008 (5^th October 2008)

  They lock up as King mentions he was Mark Henry’s first WWE opponent (here). Henry backs the champion into the corner.

  Mark Henry powers out of a headlock attempt, Matt Hardy goes back to it and gets sent off the ropes into a shoulder tackle. Matt Hardy is knocked down with a right hand and a clubbing blow, Henry kicks him in the chest and they go to the corner. Mark Henry connects with knees to the midsection, Matt kicks his way out of the corner but runs into a clothesline. We see a replay as Henry stays on the attack and headbutts Hardy down. Matt Hardy slides from Henry’s shoulder and goes back  to the left knee. Matt Hardy runs into another clothesline but Henry is starting to limp. Matt Hardy slips out of a military press and kicks Mark Henry down before attacking the leg with ground game. Matt cannonballs on Henry’s knee and the challenger slides to the floor, Matt follows but is shoved to the floor as Henry gets back in the ring. Matt grabs Mark Henry’s leg and sends it into the ring apron. Matt Hardy is sent into the corner, he runs into a big boot from Mark Henry, who covers for 2. Mark Henry drags Matt to the corner for a Bonzai drop and covers again for 2.

  Mark Henry works a neck crank, Matt tries to elbow his way free but Mark Henry beats down on his head. Matt Hardy tries fighting back again with elbow shots to Henry’s injured knee and a kick breaks the champion free. Matt Hardy connects with punches but gets sent into he ropes. Matt ducks a clothesline but runs into a bearhug. He tries to fight out at the beginning but Mark Henry shrugs it off. Mark lifts Matt Hardy, who goes over for a sunset flip. Mark Henry stays on his feet but eats shit on the sit down splash, giving Matt Hardy time to breathe. Matt Hardy goes on the offense, backing Mark into the corner. Mark Henry counters a bulldog sending Matt into the turnbuckles, Matt Hardy hits an elbow drop to the back of Mark Henry’s neck, and another! Matt Hardy hits the Side Effect 1, 2, NO! Mark Henry avoids a Twist of Fate, dropping Hardy to the mat and backs into the ropes. Mark Henry gets momentum for the jumping splash but he’s slow to cover and only gets 2.

  Matt Hardy goes for the Twist of Fate as they get back to their feet, Mark Henry shoves him into the ropes, Matt Hardy fights out of a World’s Strongest Slam and hits the Twist of Fate to win!

WINNER: MATT HARDY (STILL WWECW Champion)

This was a well-worked big man vs. little man match, they worked well together as veterans but there was nothing spectacular. The time breezed by and the leg work made a difference throughout the match, which is all you can hope for with WWECW at this point. [**] 4.25/10

CHRISTIAN (C) VS. WILLIAM REGAL

 Before the match, Eve Torres interviews CM Punk. He’s defending his World Heavyweight Championship against The Undertaker tonight, but instead starts talking about Jeff Hardy and man, that feud was a late edition for feud of the Decade. He says he’s not scared of Undertaker’s powers, as he has the power of Straight Edge. The lights go out and Punk shits himself before realising it was Jimmy Wang Yang playing a prank. CM Punk beats Yang before we go to our next match.

Christian enters first and Matt Striker gives him a few new nicknames, he’s popular although he screwed us out of a match last month at Summerslam. (here)William Regal comes to the ring, Vladimir Kozlov and Ezekiel Jackson are banned from ringside, which isn’t announced until they have already made it to the ring. If they don’t leave Regal must forfeit the match. Matt Striker gets the most obvious line of the night, saying this will change Regal’s strategy in the match.

Matt Striker and Josh Matthews are on commentary for this match.

 

CHRISTIAN © VS. WILLIAM REGAL

WWECW Championship

WWE Breaking Point 2009 (September 2009)

  The bell rings and they lock up, William Regal takes Christian down in the hold and forces him over to the corner. Christian backs Regal up a few paces before taking a stiff forearm. William Regal avoids an early Killswitch attempt.

  Christian gets an arm wringer, Regal tries to roll out of it and takes Christian down but ends up in a hammerlock on the mat. William Regal works to his feet and breaks the hold but is caught in a sunset flip, kicking out at 1. Christian slaps Regal across the face before sending him off the ropes into a dropkick. Christian takes Regal down in a headlock, Regal can’t force the champion’s shoulders down so he works to his feet. Christian is sent off the ropes, William Regal side-steps and sends Christian through the ropes, but Christian stops the momentum before he crashes to the floor and scrambles back to the apron. William Regal is met with a shoulder to the midsection and sent into the top turnbuckle, Christian backs him off with a right hand and hits a crossbody from the top rope for 2. Christian connects with right hands and sits on the top rope, William Regal fights off a tornado DDT attempt with a forearm shot and shoves Christian down to the floor.

  William Regal takes his time before following Christian and drapes him over the apron for a European uppercut and knee strike. Regal covers in the ring and only gets 2, so he crosses Christian’s arms to use in a chinlock. Christian is able to fight to his feet and counters into the Greco-Roman knuckle lock. He tries to force Regal’s shoulders down for a series of 2 counts. Regal bridges out of one and gets a knee to the midsection. William Regal then KIPS UP! William Regal did a kip-up and before I could process it he turned the momentum with a headbutt and half-dragon suplex on Christian for a nearfall. William Regal applies a surfboard on Christian’s ankles before putting him in a Dragon Sleeper. Christian fights to loosen the challenger’s grip and fights out of the hold with back elbows. William Regal walks into a mule kick, Christian springs out of the corner with a sunset flip but Regal rolls through, running knee from Regal! He hits a knee drop and another knee strike before covering and the champion kicks out at 2. Christian fights out of a full nelson and runs into a T-Bone suplex, giving Regal a close nearfall. William Regal connects with strikes in the corner and sits Christian on the top rope.

  Christian fights off Regal and hits the tornado DDT out of the corner! 1, 2, NO! Christian gets to his feet but runs into a forearm shot from Regal, he covers for 2 and grinds his forearm into Christian’s face. Another cover gets Regal just 1, and Christian fights back as they get to a vertical base. William Regal counters a Killswitch into a Regalplex… 1,2 NO! Matt Striker talks of the damage that move does to both competitors as Regal gets up like he tripped over a lawn chair. They exchange strikes as Christian makes it to his feet and gets a few shots in a row. William Regal is knocked down with a running shot from Christian, Christian hits a spinning back elbow from the middle rope and an elbow drop. Christian slams Regal and hits the sliding forearm for 2. Christian hits a missile dropkick from the middle rope, he goes to the top but Regal is on his feet, Christian jumps over the challenger, knocking him back into the corner before returning to his place on the top rope. William Regal catches him with a left hand as Christian dives, a rolling senton gets Regal a close nearfall. Regal brings Christian to his feet in a clutch, connecting with knee strikes and forearms in the corner.

  Christian gets his knees up but the Killswitch is countered with a shove into the middle rope. Christian avoids the Knee Trembler and hits the Killswitch for the win.

WINNER: CHRISTIAN (STILL WWECW Champion)

This was a great back and forth match, much closer to what I expected the first time around. I was cheering for the wrong person the whole time because Regal’s one of my countrymen, but I was biting on the false finishes all the way through. [***] 6/10

CHRISTIAN (C) VS. WILLIAM REGAL

 William Regal comes to the ring with Vladimir Kozlov and Ezekiel Jackson, Christian has no one with him. This match was announced 12 days previous on a talk show segment, needless to say WWECW would be dead within 6 months.

Matt Striker and Josh Matthews are on commentary for this match.

 

CHRISTIAN © VS. WILLIAM REGAL

WWECW Championship

WWE Summerslam 2009 (23^rd August 2009)

The bell rings before Willam Regal can remove his ring jacket. Christian hits the Killswitch and covers for an easy title defence.

WINNER: CHRISTIAN (STILL WWECW Champion)

It’s one move, so I can’t give it a star rating, but I do remember being really pissed off at the time because I saw this match on the back of the DVD started looking forward to it. (I didn’t remember the results when I bought it and saw no point in ruining it for myself before I went home)[N/A] 0/10

Christian grabs his title belt (or did he even remove it from his waist?) and gets the fuck out of there.