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Thorn v. Balls was just okay. Thorn seems at least a little improved since the Mordecai days, but I wasn't wowed by the match. But, "oh my Gaaaaaaad!" was Francine looking incredible. I haven't seen her in awhile, and I wasn't all that enamored by her in the original ECW, but she was insane tonight. She was the highlight for me this week.
Even CM Punk's bout wasn't what I expected from him. His offense was far less stiff looking than it has been. He pretty much whiffed on the backhand slap. But, he sure is getting over.
The Main Event was "eh" for me. Booker's catapult on RVD into the chair was nice. Again, it had its moments, but overall I didn't get my "Extreme Rules" fix for the week.
Which reminds me: Jim Ross is way off base about limiting the extreme. I enjoy that aspect of the show and to cut back would really make ECW just like the other shows. I could write so much more about my thoughts on "Extreme Rules" but I digress for now.
Anyway, for this week ECW gets a C+. I'm still glad I watched, but I wasn't as into the show as I have been.
Dan
Atlanta
**********
I actually didn't think Heat was that bad tonight.
(wink, wink)
**********
Well, my original thought was to watch ECW tonight but then season 2.5 of Battlestar Galactica on DVD was released today and I erred on the side of caution and got caught up on SciFi's best TV show.
At the same time, I had no interest in seeing another installment of the Test/Mike Knox Show. To get me to watch again, they should have Test turn on Knox and then fill 45 minutes with a main event "Steroid Stampede" match. If you are not familiar with this match, it's where the two combatants compete for 45 minutes to see who can pop the most zits on the other's back.
For those of you who may find this type of match disturbing, revolting, worthless, inane, tacky, stupid, incredible, tasteless, disgusting, moronic, or amoral; I apologize. I am trying out for the WWE creative team and I figured my program would be right at home.
Heath Jacobs
**********
This week's episode of ECW was another solid show. It wasn't as good as some of the past weeks, but it was still a decent episode.
I usually am not a fan of the cross-over matches, but King Booker's appearance actually worked for me. The backstage vignettes were entertaining, the main event was a good match. RVD and Booker worked well together and put on an entertaining match. The ending actually made sense because it allowed Booker to look strong, and Holly's interference kept the feud with RVD going.
The six man tag match was decent, but with all the extreme matches Sandman has been through, it's hard to believe that getting slammed into the security railing would take him out of action. I liked the way Sabu used Dreamer as a prop to get around the fact that the match wasn't contested under extreme rules. The ending was pretty weak, but I guess it just allowed Sandman to come out and save the day.
Kevin Thorn vs. Balls Mahoney was a short match, but it featured Francine's official debut on ECW on SciFi. I think it is smart booking to include Francine in this feud so she can counteract Ariel's interference in the match. I am still not sure about Thorn's in-ring work, but I like the character and pairing him with Arial was a very good creative move.
CM Punk looks strong in the ring, and he held his own in the backstage vignette with Booker. I think Punk needs to be given the opportunity to show more of what he can do. As far as Shannon Moore, he has been cleanly beaten by Punk for two weeks in a row. If this feud is going somewhere, it needs to happen fast. Otherwise, Punk needs to move onto the program with Mike Knox that has been teased.
This was another solid effort, and I actually think ECW is the best booked of the three WWE brands. The feuds are being built well, and the show always leaves me looking forward to the next episode.
Jamie
Kentucky
