{3B}

Last week was average, larely due to the Show-Batista main event, which did not sit well with the Smark-y crowd at the Hammerstein. This isn't a bad thing by large, as it's time for people who remember the ECW of old to remind Vince of how much his version sucks. Hey, he seemed thrilled by the (largely) negative crowd reaction to the main event. If anything, giving people a product that they actually want to support is something that can make you a large amount of moola.

Mike Knox vs Tommy Dreamer

What an interesting way to start off ECW tonight. As I predicted, a continuation of the feud from lsat week as Dreamer hobbles to the ring. Knox starts off the offense. Dreamer's down as Knox crushes him with his legs. Dreamer to the ropes and he counters Knox with a neckbreaker. Dreamer manages to knock Knox out of the ring and they go to battle on the outside. Knox to the steel steps as Dreamer heads back into the ring. Dreamer gets in some good offense and uses the ropes to knock out his opponent. It's not long before Paul Heyman and his riot squad comes out though. Dreamer's in trouble here as they proceed to beat him down. This gets no reaction from the crowd. Knox hits his finisher as Dreamer gets screwed once again.

Sandman vs Knox/Test

Test knocks out Dreamer and more bullshit ensues. I really don't like seeing the Sandman ganged up like this. He's powerless to stop both Test and Knox. Sandman does manage some offense with a dropkick on Knox and then goes after Test. Knox stops him though and they continue the beatdown. Both men take turns with elbows and Test goes to the ropes. Sandman manages to move and Knox sees the opportunity. Sandman beats him off and canes both men. He is pissed off here as he clears the ring. Don't fuck with the Sandman! This feud has seemingly gotten a lot better and there's a measure of revenge in it for Sandman and Tommy Dreamer.

Afterwards, we get a Sabu promo! It's well done too as we see footage of Sabu knocking off the Big Show for the past two weeks. He can smell that ECW World Title like a shark smells blood. Sabu speaks? Whoa! It's going to be Sabu/Angle in a while and this should be an excellent matchup in the process.

Kevin Thorne vs Al Snow

Looks like Al Snow has made his ECW on Sci-Fi debut tonight. Fans of the original ECW are definitely familiar with Snow and Head. Thorne tries to attack and Snow counters nicely into a one count. They trade blows back and forth. Thorne knocks down Snow and gets to dominating. He's not much of a wrestler but that's Al's job to make him look good. He gets some encouragement from the palm reader and Snow attacks. Thorne stops him cold and whips him to the opposing corner. Thorne hits the stunner on the rope and it looks like Snow is out cold. Thorne goes for even more encouragement, making out with the palm reader. Yum. He continues to attack Al Snow. Thorne picks up Snow and hits a version of the Razor's Edge for the pin. Not a bad matchup as Scott Armstrong raises his hand. Yes, THAT Scott Armstrong.

Afterwards, Angle cuts a promo for his matchup with Sabu. The Wrestling Machine vs the Homicidal, Suicidal, Genocidal maniac! Coming up on E-C-W! Speaking of which, I've read reports that Heyman has gotten back some of his backstage clout. It looks like things are not going to end badly for this version of ECW after all. Judging by McMahon's reaction to last week's show, it went over O.K with him.

Afterwards, we see the Big Show come out with the ECW title around his shoulder. It looks like a replica belt. Some fans dare to flip him off, though we won't see anything like last week with this crowd. Here's a rare Show promo, folks. The big guy doesn't get on the mic often anyway. Commit suicide? Ha. Sabu doesn't fear the big nasty bastard. I wish Rob Van Dam was back already. He had a scare with his neck so that's why he's not. Show claims that no one can defeat him and I doubt this is true.

CM Punk cuts another promo instead of a match. Hmm. He is happy to be a new part of the ECW family. He's still keeping his momentum though and building up motivation for another matchup. It's Angle vs Sabu next.

Kurt Angle vs Sabu

Sabu's getting the push of his life here as it was nearly derailed by the incident with RVD. Sabu gets ready. Angle gets him in a takedown and headlock of sorts. Sabu with his feet on the ropes as Angle's forced to break the hold. They lock up again and Angle takes him down once again. Sabu in the corner as Angle beats on him, dominating this matchup. Sabu to the corner and Angle misses, hitting his head on the ringpost. Ouch. Sabu fights back with punches and kicks. He whips Angle to the ropes and Angle goes over to the outside afterwards. Angle's pissed off here as we go to break.

Back from break and Angle has Sabu in a punishing chinlock. The hold is broken as Sabu goes to the ropes.He does the sunset flip into a reverse DDT onto Angle for the two count. Sabu chokes Angle in the corner and continues to work on him. Angle doesn't like being out-wrestled by anyone. Angle hits the belly to back suplex on Sabu and chokes him with his foot. So far, a good main event that doesn't involve the Big Slow. Angle hits the fireman's carry on Sabu on the outside. Angle has Sabu in another headlock and he's making him suffer even more now. Sabu reverses for a minute and Angle goes for the headlock again.

Angle breaks the hold by force and hits Sabu with an European uppercut next. Sabu counters and hits the flip onto Angle for a two count. No such luck yet. Angle to the corner and Sabu gets in some punches. Angle counters all that and hits another european uppercut. Sabu reverses and knocks him out. He gets yet another two count. Angle hits the german suplexes and gets another two count on Sabu. Sabu's hanging in here as he hits the dropkcik on Angle. Another two count and this match refuses to end.

Sabu puts Angle in the Camel Clutch and Angle reverses that into the Angle lock. Sabu reverses and sends Angle flying to the outside. Sabu's on the outside but not for long. Both men back in the ring and Sabu hits the splash from the top rope and tries to pin Angle. Angle counters into the Angle lock again and RVD comes out to stop him, nearly botching the Van Daminator. However, he also attacks Sabu. This is confusing. I'm guessing that RVD only wants his title back but an interesting turn of events here! RVD is back and ready to take back what's rightfully his!

See you next week!