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ECW on SciFi for July 8th opened with them plugging tonight's main event of ECW Champion Mark Henry vs. Tommy Dreamer.
WWE Tag Team Champions John Morrison & The Miz came to the ring, and cut a promo about being A-listers and how they don't do "hurricane charity" work. Did I mention they are in Louisiana? They complained about a lack of competition, and out came Finlay. Finlay said no one wants to see them "run their mouth", and suggested that he would "shut their mouths". Morrison made fun of Hornswoggle, and Finlay headed to the ring. Hornswoggle popped out from under the ring and blasted Miz and Morrison with a water gun. Morrison and Miz chased him, and Finlay blasted Morrison in the gut with the shillelagh. Miz dodged a shillelagh shot, and the champions retreated up the aisle as they went to break.
Back from break, we had Finlay and Miz in the ring, as we found out that ECW General Manager Theodore R. Long had ordered a singles match during the break.
Finlay vs. The Miz
Finlay worked over Miz in the ring with a headlock, then tossed Miz to the floor and rammed him back first into the ring apron. Miz got back into the ring, and Finlay tripped him and stomped his lower abdominal area. Finlay put Miz in a chinlock, and Miz fought out of it, but Finlay kicked away a backdrop attempt, hit a reverse atomic drop, then hit an elbow drop for a two count. Miz ran Finlay into a corner and out of the ring, but when he went for a baseball slide, Finlay trapped him in the ring apron and pounded him. As Finlay got back in the ring, Morrison distracted him, allowing Miz to clip him. Miz ran Finlay's arm into the ring apron, then pushed him back in the ring and applied an armbar. Finlay fought up, but Miz caught him with a cross armbreaker, then went back to the armbar. Finlay got out, but Miz hit a uranage and then stomped Finlay. Miz wrapped Finlay's arm around the bottom rope and yanked at it. Miz applied an overhead wristlock, took Finlay down, but missed a legdrop. Miz grabbed the armbar again, Finlay got out with a jawbreaker, but Miz grabbed the arm bar again. Finlay rammed Miz into the corner to break free, then hit a backdrop, two clotheslines, a reverse atomic drop and another clothesline (this one hurting himself, as he used the bad arm). Miz dodged a charging Finlay, sending him into the corner, and rolling him up for two. Miz hit Finlay with the jumping between the ropes clothesline. Finlay reached for the shillelagh on the apron, but Morrison grabbed it away. Hornswoggle got on the apron and gave Morrison a running kick to the head. Miz yanked Hornswoggle into the ring, but Hornswoggle got out of his grip, and the distraction allowed Finlay to grab the Celtic Cross for the pin at the nine minute mark.
Winner: Finlay.
Backstage, Theodore R. Long was chatting with Tiffany about the match, when Armando Estrada entered. Estrada said he wanted his job back, and said he wanted an opportunity to get a contract. In walked the wrestler formerly known as Chris Harris. Long said Estrada could have his chance tonight, against the newest ECW star. Harris said "Knock, knock". Armando said "Who's there?" Harris said "Braden Walker, and I'm going to knock your brains out". Armando and Walker stared each other down as they went to break.
The Raw Rebound was shown.
Armando Estrada vs. Braden Walker.
Braden took Estrada down with a fireman's carry at the bell, then hit a hiptoss as they went to lock up again. Estrada kicked Walker in the gut, then pounded him in a corner, yelling "Take that, you stupid punk". Walker returned fire, but ran into an Estrada elbow. Armando hit a clothesline for two, then dropped his weight on Walker's back and applied a chinlock. Walker elbowed out of it and hit a sunset flip for a two count. Walker ran into another Estrada elbow, then kicked him in the back. Estrada dropped a double axhandle to the back, then pounded Walker with punches while trash talking him. Estrada applied a waistlock, then kicked at his back before reapplying the hold. Estrada switched to a front facelock, then went for a suplex, but Walker blocked it and hit one of his own. Tazz and Adamle were discussing the fact that Armando's pants pockets were inside out. Estrada put Walker in a corner and went for a clothesline, but Walker dodged it. Walker mounted his comeback, hitting a flying clothesline, a reverse atomic drop, another clothesline and a full nelson slam for a two count. Estrada grabbed Walker by the tights and yanked him into a corner to stop his momentum. Estrada ran into a boot by Walker, and Walker went to the top rope and hit a horrible flying bodypress (I thought he was going to break Estrada's neck the way he landed on him) for the pin at the five minute mark.
Winner: Braden Walker.
Backstage, Theodore R. Long greeted WWE Hall Of Famer Tony Atlas. Long asked what he was doing there, and Atlas said he was in town for some things and came by to say hello. Long said he wanted to introduce him to the crowd, and asked Tony if he would be the ring announcer for the main event tonight. Atlas thought about it, and Long mentioned "it's a payday" and Atlas agreed. Theodore walked off, and Mark Henry entered. He noted he was a fan of Tony's (which is a shoot, Henry is a big Atlas fan), and said he was great in "his day". Atlas said "It's your day now". Henry asked Atlas how much he benched in his prime, and Atlas said 650. Henry said it was impressive for "Mr. USA", but he would never be "The World's Strongest Man". Atlas offered Henry a handshake, but Henry walked off without shaking it.
Backstage, Lena Yada interviewed Atlas Ortiz. Ortiz said she could call him "Ricky", like his friends and family do. Ortiz talked about winning his debut match, saying it makes him "undefeated".
Tazz and Mike Adamle talked about the new stars coming to ECW like Braden Walker and Atlas Ortiz. This segued into talking about Matt Hardy coming to ECW via the Draft. A music video on the U.S. Champion was shown.
Backstage, Tommy Dreamer introduced Colin Delaney to Tony Atlas. Dreamer mentioned how Atlas helped him out when he was a rookie, and that they used to travel together. Dreamer and Atlas shook hands before Atlas walked off.
Evan Bourne vs. Nunzio.
Bourne had a quick inset interview that he "defies the odds" because he "defies gravity". They traded some holds at the bell, with Bourne hitting some armdrags. Nunzio kicked Bourne on a drop down attempt, but Bourne came back with a reverse headscissors and a jumping kick. Bourne applied a wristlock, but Nunzio broke out. Bourne went for a Victory Roll, but Nunzio broke out of it. Nunzio hit some shoulderblocks in the corner and a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a two count. Nunzio put Bourne in a backbreaker, then worked his knee into Bourne's neck. Bourne used some knees to the head to break out of it. Bourne hit some leg kicks, then two kicks to the chest, then a jumping knee to the head. Bourne delivered a running rana and a spin kick, getting a two count. Bourne kicked Nunzio in the head. Nunzio reversed a whip, but ran into a Bourne boot to the face. Bourne hit a backflip DDT, then hit the Shooting Star Press for the pin at the three minute mark.
Winner: Evan Bourne.
Backstage, Mark Henry approached Tony Atlas. He said he heard Atlas was the guest ring announcer tonight because he needs a payday. Henry said if Atlas needs a payday, he can hang around after the show and carry his bags. Atlas said "I'll think about that" and walked off.
Tony Atlas was introduced to be the special guest ring announcer for the main event.
ECW Champion Mark Henry vs. Tommy Dreamer.
Dreamer was accompanied to the ring by Colin Delaney. Henry shoved Dreamer at the bell, and Dreamer responded with punches until Henry headbutted him. Henry hit some forearms to the back. Dreamer dodged a clothesline, but got hit with a bodyblock. Henry stood on Dreamer's back. Henry grabbed a wristlock, and yanked Dreamer to the mat by the arm. Henry dropped an elbow, then went to bounce off the ropes and Colin hooked his leg. Henry exited the ring to confront Delaney, but Atlas got between them. Atlas then grabbed Delaney and rammed him into the announce table. Dreamer got out of the ring and asked Atlas what he was doing. Henry scooped up Dreamer and powerslammed him on the floor. The bell rang, so I guess it was a double countout. Or Henry was counted out. Or something like that. Anyway, the match ended after about four minutes.
Tony Atlas got into the ring with Henry and announced "Your winner, the World's Strongest Man, Mark Henry", so I guess that is the result.
Winner: Mark Henry, because Tony Atlas said so.
Atlas raised Henry's arm in the ring and they celebrated while Dreamer and Delaney were laid out on the floor as the show ended.
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