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Stone Cold in ring return?
Fresh after the news that John Bradshaw Layfield has expressed interest in a return to in ring action, it can be revealed that Stone Cold Steve Austin has recently met with WWE officials about a full time return to wrestling. Austin, whose last match was at Wrestlemania XX, has been cleared by doctors for a run of between two and three years if he so desired. While his injuries will restrict his movement and drastically influence the style he works - there is no great medical risk to him in returning to the ring. Vince McMahon is said to be enthusiastic about 'one last run' for Stone Cold.
Hirings and Firings
Expect to see a rash of hirings and firings in the coming months, with Vince McMahon desperate to ammend the recent lacklustre ratings. With Chris Jericho's return failing to spark the revival in the ratings, Vince has recently been in contact with a number of big name previous WWE talents. Although we have no confirmation of these names, we have heard the likes of Bill Goldberg, Christian Cage, Scott Steiner, and Scott Hall have been spoken to.
On the firing front, expect some 'dead weight' to be cut in the coming months to make room for any big name signings. Workers such as Jim Duggan, Mike Knox, The Boogeyman, and Stevie Richards may be unemployed as early as next week.
OVW Promotions and Hirings
There's plenty happening at Ohio Valley Wrestling. You can expect to see the likes of Colt Cabana, Nick Nemeth, Mike Mondo, Ace Steel, Johnny Jeter, Matt Cappotelli, and Mike Knox returning or debuting on the full roster in the not to distant future.
In hiring news, OVW has recently recruited a great deal of independent talent including: Adam Windsor, Kafu, Ariel, Chris Hero, Chuck Taylor, El Generico, David Heath (Gangrel), Human Tornado, The Briscoe Brothers, Jimmy Jacobs, Lacey, Kamala, Quicksilver, Rain, Sylvester Terkay, Teddy Hart, Sean Casey, and Steve Blackman.
Styles: Hello and welcome to ECW on Sci-Fi! I'm Joey Styles!
Tazz: And I'm Tazz, and we've got one hell of a show here for you tonight!
Styles: Two weeks ago after a match against Smackdown's Montel Vontavious Porter, CM Punk was brutally attacked by a returning Chavo Guerrero. What will the ECW Champion have to say about Chavo's actions?
Tazz: Well, I've gotta say, I like Chavo Guerrero's thinking, Styles. He's come back and he's gone gunning for the top dog - and that's smart. He's got Punk's attention now.
Styles: There are avenues and channels for these things, Tazz. If everybody gunning for the ECW Title just attacked who they wanted there would be anarchy!
Tazz: I guess we'll see if it paid off tonight!
A shift of power
But it's not the ECW Champion or Chavo Guerrero coming out to start things, but ECW General Manager, Armando Estrada. The fans boo as the cocky Cuban swaggers down to the ring with a trademark cigar pressed between his lips.
Estrada: Ladies and gentlemen, aha, I am out here this evening with an important announcement for ECW's future. You see, the powers that be have bigger and better plans for me - and so they have humbly requested that I step down as general manager of ECW, aha.
The fans cheer at this.
Estrada: Mr. McMahon, he is a very smart man, and he has motives that even I do not understand, aha. So, let us not get tangled up in goodbyes. Allow me to introduce the new ECW General Manager... Paul Heyman!
Styles: Oh my God! It's the father of ECW!
Heyman's music hits and the father of extreme, Paul Heyman, comes out to a near standing ovation from the big crowd on hand. Estrada, ever the simpering sychopant, bows low before making a discreet exit from the ring - allowing Heyman to bask in the chants of 'Paulie' and 'E-C-W'.
This continues for a minute or two before Heyman lifts the microphone to his lips. A hush falls over the crowd.
Heyman: So... this is ECW? This is what's become of my baby?
The fans cheer, sharing Heyman's distaste for the company's current state.
Heyman: I've been sitting at home these past few months and I've been thinking. I've been watching ECW on Sci-Fi and I've been thinking... what a disaster! What a freakin' disaster! This is not what guys like The Sandman and Sabu and Bam Bam Bigelow and Mike Awesome fought to create! This is not what Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio helped to pioneer! This is a bastard child! This is a perverse mockery of all that we dreamed of.
The fans cheer their agreement
Heyman: SHUTUP!
The fans cheering falters. Did he really just tell them to shut up?
Heyman: You cheer along with me like the mindless consumer whores you are! Do you think I blame Vince McMahon for this? Do you think he is to blame because he had the brains to see the value in ECW and the money to make it happen? Do you think I blame the writers? No! I blame each and every one of you!
The fans, realising the shift in tone, begin to boo.
Heyman: It's people like you who made this 'ECW' what it is. You cheer for your cookie cutter, generic babyfaces and you boo anyone with the balls to swing a chair and take what they want! You look at somebody with talent and charisma and ambition oozing from every pore and what do you say? "He's not big enough!" All you sheep want is another giant to feed to John Cena! Another old guy clinging to his glory days and holding down somebody with something to offer! You cheer for people like The Boogeyman and have the God damn audacity to boo Chavo Guerrero or Elijah Burke? Why? Because they've got the courage to defy your petty expectations? You all make me sick!
The fans are outraged now, and Heyman doesn't look like stopping.
Styles: This is totally uncalled for! This isn't the Paul Heyman who gave birth to ECW!
Tazz: Yes, it is, Styles! You wouldn't understand. You never stepped into that ring and bled for your craft. You never fought to survive through bounced checks and foul smelling hotel rooms. Every week I sit behind this desk and I put over guys who are an insult to everything ECW stood for. Pretty boys with no talent and no heart.
Styles: I...
Back in the ring, Heyman hasn't finished.
Heyman: So, when Vince McMahon called me and gave me an opportunity to take back my baby - to fix my baby, I seized the opportunity. And I intend to do that. I am going to make this ECW something to be proud of. Something that guys like Mike Awesome and Eddie Guerrero and Bam Bam Bigelow can look down at with fondness. And it starts right now!
He gestures to the back.
Heyman: Tommy Dreamer, Nunzio, Balls Mahoney, Stevie Richards.. Get out here!
After a pause, ECW's theme hits, and the four ECW originals come out to an ovation from the fans.
Styles: These are guys who understand what it means to be ECW. Balls Mahoney! Tommy Dreamer! These guys know what it means, and they know it's not the fans' fault!
The four men enter the ring where Paul Heyman shakes their hands.
Heyman: Take a look at these four men! Take a look at these men and tell me what you see! Determination? Toughness? Heart?
He pauses.
Heyman: I see old age. I see guys past their prime that are feeding off the carcass of what ECW used to be. I see four men who have sat by and done absolutely nothing while you bastards turned ECW into what I see today. I see four men who don't deserve to be in the same ring as me!
Dreamer and the others object, with Dreamer grabbing Paul by the collar and demanding an explanation.
Heyman: Prove me wrong, Dreamer! Prove me wrong! Because next week, on a two hour ECW special, you four men are going to have matches against opponents of my choosing. If you really deserve to be here, you'll win. Because if you don't win, you're fired!
The fans are livid, but CM Punk's music hits and the cheers roll in. The ECW Champion appears at the top of the ramp with his title over his shoulder and a steely look in his eyes.
Heyman: Ah! And how could I forget you? How could I forget the 'Straight Edge Superstar'? You're the worst of the lot! ECW was never 'straight edge'. It was sex and drugs and booze and violence. Seeing that belt over your shoulder makes me physically ill!
Punk: Is that so?
Heyman: That's so!
Punk: Out of respect for what you built and what you contribued to the industry, I'm going to let that slide, Paul. But choose your next words carefully, because if you think I'm going to let you insult me and the fans, I am going to put you to sleep.
Heyman: Oooooh! That's the spirit! That's a little bit better! Maybe there's hope for you yet, Punk. And tonight, we're going to put that spirit to the test. You see, Vince McMahon had a favour to ask when he re-hired me. A stipulation, if you will. I send Elijah Burke over to Raw to do his dirty work - and I get my job back. And Elijah, for his efforts, he gets a title shot against you tonight.
Punk nods. He doesn't seem phased.
Heyman: But that's not good enough for you. I've reserved a special torture for you. I loathe you and everything you stand for, Punk, and I'm going to make it my goal to get that title out of your hands and around the waist of somebody who epitomises the ruthless, aggressive, brutal nature of this company.
Punk: What have you got, Heyman?
Heyman: What have I got? What have I got!? I've got a fatal four way tonight. I've got a fatal four way between you, Elijah Burke, Shelton Benjamin, and Chavo Guerrero. And if you lose, Punk... when you lose, I'm going to make sure you never soil the name of ECW again. Because when you lose, Punk, I'm going to fire you too.
He throws down the microphone and backs out of the ring. Dreamer, Richards, Nunzio, and Mahoney can't believe what they're hearing. Punk, however, simply grins.
88%
Styles: How can you defend this? How can you say 'This is ECW'?
Tazz: It's kill or be killed, Styles. I've got every respect for every man in that ring - but Heyman's a businessman. If they can't get the job done, they don't deserve to be here.
Styles: And CM Punk? He deserves to be fired too?
Tazz: I don't question my betters, Styles, and I think you'd better learn that fast if you want to keep your job. Paul's no stranger to commentery....
COMMERCIAL
Match 1 - Big Daddy V & Mark Henry vs. The Daltons
Styles and Tazz immediately comment on what a formidable pair the two monsters make, and it's clear from the outset that this just isn't going to be The Daltons day. While Festus can at least hold his own against one of the two behemoths, Jesse finds himself being flung around the ring like a rag doll. After their promising build, and even with the support of the fans, Jesse is pinned following a big Samoan Drop from Big Daddy V.
WINNERS: Big Daddy V & Mark Henry by pinfall after 4:17
66%
The Game Graces ECW
As Styles and Tazz discuss the dominant display put on by the two giants, we cut backstage to where a limousine has pulled up. The fans go wild as Raw's Triple H steps out, surveys the arena, and enters.
86%
COMMERCIAL
We're back from the break with more tag team action, as Morrison & The Miz are set to defend their tag titles against the recently impressive pairing of Jimmy Wang Yang and Shannon Moore. They're introduced as Moore Wang as they come out, much to the amusement of the fans and the distaste of Styles.
Match 2 - Morrison & The Miz (c) vs. Moore Wang
As these two teams have shown in recent weeks, they have a great chemistry. All four workers give it their all tonight, and Styles speculates that they're doing their best to impress the new boss and ensure their futures are assured. Yang and Moore look particulalry motivated as they isolate The Miz early and make a series of quick tags to keep him on the back foot. Shannon Moore goes close to scoring a pinfall after his springboard moonsault into a reverse DDT plants him. Morrison is able to make the save.
Eventually The Miz is able to tag out to Morrison, who immediately turns things in his side's favour when he racks Moore up on the top rope and takes Yang off the apron with a cheap shot. While the referee checks on Yang's condition, Miz tosses one of the belts to Morrison and he blasts Moore across the head with it. He quickly throws the title back out of the ring and covers to the booing of the crowd.
WINNERS AND STILL WWE TAG CHAMPIONS: Morrison & The Miz by pinfall after 6:29
71%
Demands
We cut backstage to where Paul Heyman is making himself at home in his new office as ECW General Manager. The booing immediately turns to cheering as the door opens and Triple H enters.
Heyman: Ah, Triple H! It's good to see you!
Triple H: Save the pleasantries, Heyman, you and I both know why I'm here.
Heyman: Of course, Triple H. You and I go back a long way. I remember when I fought tooth and nail to bring you to Smackdown. Do you remember that?
Triple H: Maybe I wasn't being clear enough. I'm not here to talk. I'm not here to remenisce. I'm not here to pet your ego. I'm here for Elijah Burke.
Heyman: Of course. You want a match with him, I assume? I'd love to help you out, Hunter, but it's just not possible. Mr. McMahon was very clear that I give Elijah a title shot tonight...
Triple H: And I'm going to be very clear. I want Elijah Burke or I will take him, main event or not.
Heyman: I'm sorry you feel that way, Hunter, I really am. I'd be more than happy to arrange a match for next week's two hour special? After tonight, I expect he'll be ECW Champion. Imagine the headlines - ECW Champion Elijah Burke vs. 11 time World Champion, Triple H!
Triple H doesn't give an answer. He slams the door and leaves.
Styles: I bet Elijah Burke didn't expect this kind of reaction to his involvement in Ric Flair's match last night on Raw!
Tazz: The Game is taking things way too seriously. Burke was gunning for Flair, not for him. it was an accident.
Styles: Maybe HHH isn't so bothered by losing the match? Maybe he's angry that Burke tried to end his friend's career?
Tazz: Ric Flair isn't big enough to fight his own battles? Let's be serious here for a minute. Triple H is out for #1.
Styles: Maybe he is and maybe he isn't. But Elijah Burke's made himself a powerful enemy.
Tazz: You can say that again.
COMMERCIAL
An Explanation
Before our main event can get underway, Chavo Guerrero comes out to the boos of the crowd.
Chavo: Two weeks ago, I returned from injury and I attacked ECW Champion, CM Punk. And for the past two weeks, people have been asking me why.
An asshole chant scatters through the crowd.
Chavo: (Somber) As all of you know, my uncle and good friend Eddie Guerrero was one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.
The 'Eddie' chants start, predictably.
Chavo: And in my time off, I've had a lot of time to think about my legacy. About what I'm leaving behind. And I've decided I don't want to be remembered as Eddie's tag team partner or Eddie's nephew. I want to be remembered as Chavo Guerrero - one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.
His explanation gets cut off as CM Punk's music hits and the cheers erupt.
Punk: That's crap, Chavo. You want to be the greatest? That's fine. We all want to be, otherwise we wouldn't be here. What you did was cowardly. You want a match against me? You come up to me, look me in the eye, and you ask. I'm not going to back down. My addiction is competition, and I'd have gladly accepted.
To prove his point, Punk races down to the ring and tackles Chavo. The bell rings and the match is underway before the other two competitors can get out!
Match 3 - CM Punk (c) vs. Elijah Burke vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Chavo Guerrero
Punk wastes no time in beating down his attacker from last week, and gives fans an early reason to cheer when he gets Chavo up onto his shoulders and signals for Go To Sleep. Chavo is able to scramble off his shoulders and hit a reverse neckbreaker to put the champion down. Elijah Burke and Shelton Benjamin hit the ring at this point and a three on one beat down ensues. Punk can barely move as the three men stamp on him.
Benjamin and Chavo drag Punk into the corner and hold him there while Elijah Burke mocks the champion, hitting his running high knee and following it up with a bulldog attempt. Punk shoves Burke away and turns to face Chavo and Benjamin - but they're on him immediately, a double team suplex putting him back on the mat.
Chavo covers, but Shelton drags him off. The two cocky stars get in one another's faces and Shelton swings! It's on! The two begin to exchange blows as Elijah Burke scurries across behind their backs and attempts to cover Punk. Punk kicks out on two!
Seeing Burke's opportunistic move, Chavo and Shelton put aside their differences and an argument breaks out. All three men are claiming they should get the win! Punk, now back to his feet, rolls up Shelton Benjamin!
1
2
KICKOUT!
Benjamin kicks out and Punk is again the focus. After Burke nearly takes his head off with a running knee, Benjamin hits a T-bone suplex that shakes the ring and lays Punk out. Chavo chimes in with the Three Amigos, much to the anger of the fans. But now the familiar dilemma emerges - with all three men wanting to be champion. Shelton rolls up Chavo, but Burke breaks it up and questions his protege. Shelton makes a show of apologising, and now Chavo attempts to roll Burke up with a backslide! Shelton breaks it up!
Styles: Heyman preaches opportunism and determination, but I bet he didn't expect them to argue like this! Punk might be able to exploit this to his advantage!
Punk is showing no signs of doing that right now - the champion still down. Benjamin and Guerrero are again brawling, and this time Burke helps out his ally - the pair putting Chavo over the ropes with a reverse double suplex before Burke delivers a vicious kick to the head. Guerrero tumbles to the floor outside, and Benjamin hits a crazy springboard splash! The fans go crazy!
With Benjamin and Guerrero down, Burke sees his opening, and ducks under the ring to grab a chair. He returns to the ring and stands ready at the plate - ready to take Punk's head off as he stumbles to his feet.
But here comes Triple H! The Game slides into the ring, spins Burke around, and Kick-Wham PEDIGREE!
He tosses Burke out of the ring and drags him up the ramp, wailing on him as he goes! Elijah Burke has been removed from the equation and now it's a three way match!
Punk's to his feet and he has the chair now. He looks from the chair to his opponents on the floor to the crowd. They cheer him on.
Styles: Is this extreme enough for you, Heyman?
Punk holds the chair to his chest, comes off the ropes, and hits a suicide dive leading with the chair! The E-C-W chants go up as he connects with Benjamin's back and puts him over the security railing (with a jump from Benjamin to aid). Chavo wasn't hurt, however, and he takes the chair from Punk and waits for him to stand. Swing and a miss! The chair hits the ring post and Punk ducks under, hauls Chavo onto his shoulders, GO TO SLEEP!
He hits Go to Sleep and rolls Chavo back into the ring. Benjamin's struggling to clear the security barrier.
1
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3!
Punk's done it! He's defended his title against the odds and kept his ECW career alive for one more week!
WINNER AND STILL ECW CHAMPION: CM Punk by pinfall after 11:28
77%
Styles: Heyman tried his hardest, but he hasn't been able to get rid of Punk just yet!
Tazz: There's more than one way to skin a cat, Styles. Punk will have hell to pay on next week's two hour special!
As if to give a taste of things to come, Benjamin enters the ring with a chair and puts Punk down with a brutal shot to the back. Big Daddy V, Mark Henry, John Morrison, The Miz, and Kevin Thorn are out to join in. The show ends with Punk being beaten from pillar to post. He takes a big Samoan Drop from Daddy V, a World's Strongest Slam from Henry, a cork-screw neck-breaker from Morrison, and finally, the Frog Splash from Chavo Guerrero.
Tazz: Punk might have won the match, but he's going to regret it!
RATING: 3.36
Biggest Pops
1. Triple H
2. CM Punk
3. Paul Heyman (initially)
4. Moore Wang
5. Tommy Dreamer
Most Heat
1. Paul Heyman
2. Chavo Guerrero
3. Elijah Burke
4. John Morrison & The Miz
5. Mark Henry & Big Daddy V
