ECW
Episode 5- "Going Home"
Following the theme song, ECW on SciFi came on the air promising to be big. And considering this was the last show before the promotion went home to their roots in the place formely known as the ECW Arena, now known as the New Alhambra Arena in Philadelphia. Next week, ECW would be back in Philly in what hardcore fans had been promised would be their best show yet since the rebirth. For now, Joey Styles and Tazz welcomed the tv audience properly and all was set for action. The first match would be Tommy Dreamer and Joey Matthews, formerly known in WWE as Joey Mercury, going one on one.
Dreamer was already in the ring, stretching against the ropes, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Matthews so this fight could get underway. Not a minute later, out came Joey Matthews along with Stevie Richards and Mike Knox. Apparently, a new little stable had been formed courtesy of their collective attack on Dreamer last week. Nonetheless, Matthews got in the ring, smiling proudly as he was heavily booed by the ECW crowd. A chant was put in effect just to get under his skin.
"WE WANT MELINA! WE WANT MELINA!"
The bell sounded and the match began. It started with Joey sneaking a boot into Tommy's abdomen then swinging him into the ropes and going for a dropkick but Tommy held onto the ropes then tackled Joey when he was down. A flurry of rights and lefts were put in. Tommy continued by picking Joey up and planting him with a fine ddt! Stevie Richards got on the ring apron to protest but he was decked by Tommy and hit the floor hard. Dreamer then turned and started unloading heavy rights onto Joey, then preparing for an irish-whip which Joey reversed and Tommy's foot was grabbed by Mike Knox. Knox then dragged Tommy out of the ring and nailed him with a spinebuster down onto the floor and rolled him back in like a bag of trash.
"How the hell is Tommy supposed to even stand a chance against these three men?" Styles asked sarcastically.
Joey picked up the limp Tommy Dreamer and scoop slammed him down, then hit an elbow drop and went for the pin but Dreamer kicked out. Matthews was then handed a chair by Knox. He set the chair up in the middle of the ring and then swung Tommy into the ropes and executed a drop-toehold right down onto the chair! Joey stood straight up and teased everyone with a crucifix pose while Tommy rolled on the canvas, holding his face like it would fall apart if he didn't. Joey went for another pin but Tommy managed to kick out again.
Angrily, Matthews picked up the chair and was preparing to hit Tommy over the head when Dreamer ducked the attack and the Joey ended up hitting himself when the chair bounced off of the top rope. From there, Dreamer hit a fine belly to belly suplex and went for a pin of his own but to no avail. On the outside, Richards and Knox both pounded their hands against the apron to try and rally Joey on.
Dreamer then swung Joey but the move was reversed with Tommy going into the ropes. On the comeback, Joey was looking for a backbody-drop but Tommy stopped in his tracks, lifted Joey into a front suplex and draped him over the top rope on his belly. From there, Dreamer picked up the chair, hit Joey directly in the back knocking him off the rope, then turned and hit both Stevie and Knox off of the ring apron with it. At that point, with the crowd going beserk from the excitement, Dreamer picked up Matthews and nailed a picture perfect Spicoli-driver!
"ECDUB! ECDUB! ECDUB!"
It was academic. Dreamer got the pinfall with an easy 123. But during the celebration, Stevie had grabbed a microphone. "Next week, Dreamer! Next week... me and you in a First Blood match!" . Tommy simply smiled and agreed by nodding his head while Joey Matthews was rolled out of the ring.
"Damn Styles, what a moment!" Tazz exclaimed.
"Yeah, and now next week in Philadelphia, it's gonna be Tommy Dreamer versus Stevie Richards in a First Blood match? Does Stevie have a death wish or what?" Styles brought up. "Nevertheless, fans, we've gotten word from Al Snow that both Kurt Angle and CW Anderson are in attendance and CW has a match tonight against Super Crazy. Also, our main event. RVD makes his return to ECW TV by matching up against one half of the ECW tag team champions... Danny Doring."
"As i've said before people, don't go nowhere because you never know what's gonna happen next in ECW and that's the truth."
At that moment, ECW on ScFi broke to commercial.
Next segment...
ECW came back on in a huge way. Out from the back, Big Show and Sandman were brawling their way to the ring as the fans chanted. There were rights and lefts, kendo stick hits a plenty, they made it to ringside and bounced each other's heads off of the commentator's table a few times. Big Show had a small cut on his forehead from the kendo stick shots. Over the next minute, they went back and forth until they both seemed too tired to continue. Sandman snuck in a swift uppercut then started to clear the table. He smiled and then tried to lift Show up bit it was useless.
"Ok, I know I ask this alot, but is the Sandman drunk?"
Big Show then hoisted Sandman up with one hand and choke-slammed him through the table to a round of boos. Show flipped the crowd a few fingers then stumbled his way to the back, checking his face every so often to see if there was anymore bleeding. Ringside, Sandman layed lifeless.
"That was the biggest friggin' choke slam I have ever seen in my life." Joey commented, amazed. "Fans, I apologize but we gotta take another break to sort this mess out."
The show went to commercial. After the break, the ringside area was cleared of the unconscious Sandman and it was time for the next match. Also, during the break, Kurt Angle had come down to do some guest commentating for the next match. It would be CW's return to ECW, as well as Super Crazy's too.
CW Anderson versus Super Crazy...
First, Super Crazy entered. Last but not least, it was CW's turn. Just before stepping into the squared circle though, he pointed to Angle and had a few words for the olympic hero. Without anymore hesitation though, Anderson entered to a nice round of cheers from the audience. Very soon, the match started and Super Crazy went for a head scissors takedown but CW blocked and turned it into a strong powerslam! He then got Crazy up and went for a vertical suplex but Crazy got out of it and rolled him into a victory roll. CW kicked out, sending Crazy right out onto the floor in front of the commentators and Angle. Anderson watched as Super Crazy got up, a little dazed, then CW ran and baseball slid into Crazy who then went backwards into Angle's lap and they both fell. The crowd cheered...
"ECDUB! ECDUB! ECDUB!"
Anderson was out of the ring now. He picked up Crazy by the hair and rolled him into the ring. For a few moments, CW and Angle exchanged words and it ended up with them butting heads together. Little did Kurt know, this was all part of CW's plan. Off of the top rope, Crazy was going for a plancha. CW moved and Super Crazy landed on Kurt Angle again! Anderson quickly threw Crazy back into the squared circle and the match resumed. CW hit a few chops, sending Crazy into the corner, he then executed his trademark stalling vertical suplex from the turnbuckle. He hit it to perfection and covered Super Crazy for the quick win. But, an angry Angle jumped into the ring and attacked CW with a couple suplexes, followed up with an anklelock. It took three refs coming in to physically break the hold Kurt had on Anderson's ankle.
From the stage, out came Paul Heyman with a grin. "How about this? Next week when ECW has its homecoming in Philadelphia... we break the rules? Now, I know there's a match between you two scheduled for Heatwave. But, what's stopping me from signing a match for next week too?" he asked, the crowd cheering but then chanting...
"WE WANT IT NOW! WE WANT IT NOW!"
Heyman pointed to the ring, his grin dissapearing. "Next week... Kurt Angle versus CW Anderson in a tables match!"
"Oh my god! What a huge announcement!" Styles exclaimed. "Philadelphia, here we come!"
Angle smiled and nodded, very pleased with Heyman's words. But, little did he know as he turned around, CW was back up and waiting. A huge spinebuster was placed in the middle of the ring and Angle was out like a damn light! The crowd chanted as CW Anderson stood over a lifeless Kurt Angle.
"C FUCKIN' DUB! C FUCKIN' DUB!"
Backstage Promo...
After that, a promo was being cut backstage. The scene was set nicely as the camera zoomed in on Block and Mickie James as they stood against a white wall with little light shining down. Block looked serious, yet a bit on edge... a bit... crazy. "I'm new here, maybe i'm just unaware of the rules. Hell, i've never wrestled for a big promotion before but I expected ECW to be different anyway. What I expected was to get my ass kicked a few times, have the crowd boo me out of every arena I set foot in until somehow I gained their respect. What I didn't expect was to be the target of a stable. I feel like I got a god damn target on my chest. I've been thrown into a crowd, i've been thrown through the commentator's table... and now?" he grinned sarcastically, from his pocket he had court papers so he held them up for the camera to get a good look. "Now... i'm being sued for breaking Tony's neck when I never did! Faker, you're gonna wish you never did this!" he paused, taking a deep breath. "The Full Blooded Italians are nothing but sores in my mouth, to me! You pieces of shit might mean something to ECW but you mean nothing to me! You attacked me twice, now you're serving me court papers for some fake ass injury that never truly happened! Yeah, I know, that was a very dangerous spot I put you in Tony Mamaluke but it didn't break your fucking neck in 7 places!"
Mickie stepped into the spotlight next, her women's title draped over her right shoulder. "Trinity, we go way back. Alot of people don't realize that but we do. First of all, the only association Block and I have is our hatred for the FBI. This is hatred that runs deep, so deep that i'm challenging you to a weapons match next week for my title!" . She started laughing, reminiscent of her WWE days. "This is ECW. Now, I can do whatever the hell I want. And what I want is to prove my worth to this company and beat the shit out of you."
The promo ended with both of them looking very serious.
Rob Van Dam versus Danny Doring...
ECW had gone to commercial after the promo was cut. Once it came back on the air, Danny Doring was already in the ring getting ready for this main event. Then, a small set of pyro went off, RVD's music hit and the man himself made an entrance to a roaring crowd. He was his usual confident self, smiling, clapping hands with the crowd, repeating his name and saying what he had planned for the match. Once Rob was in the ring and introductions were settled, the match was set to begin with a bell ring.
A collar and elbow tie-up started the contest. Each competitor not wanting to give an inch but Danny ended up backing Rob into the corner. The ref broke it. RVD pointed to himself with his thumbs and everyone said the phrase with him...
"ROB... VAN... DAM!"
Van Dam smiled and shrugged, and went back to the middle of the ring. On the other side, Doring was all business and looking at this match as a big opportunity for him to climb the proverbial ECW ladder. A second tie-up was put into effect, but this one ended with a go-behind from Doring, successfully locking in an arm wrench on RVD. After a couple twists and pulls, Rob reversed the hold with a somersault and Doring ended up flipping onto his back. Thinking quick, RVD followed up with a rolling thunder before Doring had the chance to move. Rob then got Danny on his feet, layed in a couple forearm shots and swung the man into the opposing corner. RVD then charged in for a monkey-flip but Doring moved and Rob hopped onto the second turnbuckle then surprised Doring with a twisting crossbody into a pin. The fans in attendance applauded and Doring kicked out.
Rob Van Dam then swung Doring into the ropes, caught him with a kick to the gut and was going for a ddt but Danny shoved him off and hit his own double-arm ddt. There was a pin but Rob kicked out with ease. Doring then locked in a headlock from the canvas. After about 10 seconds, RVD started fighting out of it, getting up to a standing position and driving a few elbows into Doring. The hold was released and Rob ran to the ropes but was clotheslined. Doring then ran to the ropes and was looking for a leg drop but RVD moved and hit his own but this one was a twisting leg drop! He figured a pin attempt to be useless right now so he got Danny up and layed in a few more forearms for good measure then whipped him into the corner, performed a monkey-flip and lengthened the chain with his signature split-legged moonsault! He went for the cover but Doring still had some fight left. Rob then motioned to be handed a chair from the timekeeper, waited for Doring to get back up then nailed a nice Van Daminator! The superb athlete then jumped onto the turnbuckle and came down with a five-star frog splash to seal the deal! 1... 2... 3! Your winner... Rob Van Dam!
"In beautiful fashion, Rob Van Damn gets the win." Joey commented.
As the music blared, the crowd cheered and applauded, someone emerged from the stage and started walking down the aisle, giving a round of applause himself for RVD. Looking slightly confused, RVD gestured to this young man, wondering who he was. The young man stepped through the ropes and paced the canvas, the crowd creating a new chant...
"CM PUNK! CM PUNK! CM PUNK!"
Punk simply smirked, stretching his arms and gesturing to the crowd chanting his name. He looked at RVD with his own cool confident expression. "You wanna know who I am? Just listen..."
"This is CM Punk! This is the guy i've been looking forward to seeing." Tazz explained.
Joey replied. "I've heard my share of stories on him too. He definetly has a bright future in ECW if he can live up to the hype."
RVD nodded, and gestured with his hands for Punk to get to talking. Punk obliged. "For those not informed, I am... CM Punk. I'm straight-edge. I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't do drugs. My addiction is wrestling. My drug is... discipline. But, enough introduction. The reason i'm standing right here is because i'm looking to make a huge impression on ECW. Not only the brass, not only the wrestlers involved, also the fans themselves. Rob Van Dam..." he pointed to RVD "I'm out here to challenge you to a match next week in the heart of ECW. Philadelphia."
RVD smiled, slightly chuckling. A mic was given to him by an official ringside. "No offence, but this is ECW and that's Philadelphia next week and i've never even seen you wrestle. What makes you so sure a match with me won't just make you look bad?"
The crowd cheered and oh'd. Punk nodded. "Alls i'm asking for is a chance to prove myself. If I don't impress, i'll walk out of that arena and never come back to an ECW show."
Van Dam nodded. "Well, that might be a little too bold for your own good. But, hey, fine with me. Next week... me and you."
Punk eyed his opponent as they shook hands to seal the deal. ECW on SciFi went off the air at that point, the last thing being Styles commenting on the scene in front of him...
"CM Punk versus Rob Van Dam next week! Be here and make sure you're here early because it's a 2 hour show, folks! ECW will return to its home in Philadelphia and this event will be huge."
Next week on ECW...
Live 2 hour show from the New Alhambra Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
CW Anderson goes one on one with Kurt Angle in a tables match.
Mickie James defends her Women's Title against Trinity in a women's weapons match.
Four corners elimination... Sandman vs. Justin Credible vs. Big Show vs. the debuting Test.
Tommy Dreamer and Stevie Richards go for crimson when they battle in a First Blood match.
Balls Mahoney returns and looks for gold when he faces the ECW Heavyweight Champion... Sabu.
CM Punk makes his debut in a pivotal match-up against Rob Van Dam.
Alls this and a whole hell of alot more.