ECW on The SciFi Network
Taped in Nashville, TN

[Q1] The opening video aired and fireworks lit up the stage. Todd Grisham and Matt Striker welcomed us to the show. They plugged the Finlay vs. Mark Henry match for later in the night...

1. Matt Hardy defeated Mike Knox in a non-title match in 12:38. During Hardy's entrance, footage was shown of how he became the ECW Champion at Unforgiven. That was followed by the announcement that Hardy will defend the ECW Championship at No Mercy vs. Mark Henry. Knox has a gross laceration on his face that Hardy gave to him. It looked like he had herpes on his cheek.

After some back and forth action, Knox gained the advantage. Striker called the ECW title belt "Seventeen pounds of pure platinum." Knox was impressive on offense as Hardy continued to attempt coming back. In a very cool spot, Hardy tried the Twist of Fate but could not turn Knox over. So, he hit a DDT for a two count. Knox broke the count by putting his foot on the rope. Both men hit simultaneous closelines on the floor... [C]

Knox had Hardy grounded with a reverse chinlock coming back from commercial. Hardy broke loose by Knox hit a surprising dropkick. Nicely done. Knox scored multiple nearfalls after hitting a succession of various suplexes. Hardy knocked Knox from the ropes and tried a moonsault, hitting his face on Knox's back as he rolled away. Knox scored another two count.

[Q2] Hardy hit the Side Effect for a two count before hitting a second rope tornado DDT. He followed that up with the Twist of Fate for the clean victory...

Twill's Two Cents: Very good match. Knox is impressive with his power offense and even his uncharacteristic moves. Hardy sold like a champ (no pun intended) and also looked great when he had the advantage. This was a nice example of making a champion and his opponent look strong.

Backstage, Tony Atlas and Mark Henry were watching on a monitor. Atlas said Hardy looked good out there. Henry said Hardy only looked good because he was not in the ring with the world's strongest champion. Henry said Finlay saved Hardy from being carried out last week and he had the luck of the Irish on his side...

Miz and Morrison walked out of what looked like a New York apartment building elevator... [C]

Shawn Michaels narrated the piece for the American Red Cross in their effort to raise money for the Hurricane Ike Relief Fund. For more information, go to WWE.com...

2. Evan Bourne (with Ricky Ortiz) defeated The Miz (with John Morrison) in 5:27. Miz and Bourne exchanged hard left hands early. Miz kicked Bourne to the floor. Morrison and Ortiz approached Bourne. Morrison told Ortiz to give Carlito his hair back. Funny. Miz turned Bourne inside out with a lariat and continued to work on the back and ribs area.

[Q3] Bourne hit a standing kick to Miz's face. He followed that up with a standing moonsault for a nearfall. He went to the top rope but Miz threw him to the mat. Miz hit a springboard dropkick for a nearfall. Morrison grabbed Bourne's leg and was ambushed by Ortiz. Miz was distracted and Bourne scored the pinfall with that unique rollup that he does...

Twill's Two Cents: That was a short but very good match. Bourne vs. Miz or Morrison would be a great match every single week.

Finlay vs. Mark Henry was plugged... [C]

The Raw Rebound showcased last night's World Heavyweight Championship steel cage match between C.M. Punk and Chris Jericho. The footage progressed into Mike Adamle announcing the two top Raw matches at No Mercy...

3. Jack Swagger defeated Chase Stevens in 1:46. Swagger still looks like a smaller Brock Lesnar who smiles a lot. Swagger hit a nice gutwrench suplex that Striker loved. Swagger hit his finisher (side suplex into a powerbomb) for the win...

Twill's Two Cents: Swagger looked great. Striker sounds hilarious saying his name. Ricky Ortiz should watch Swagger to figure out how to be interesting.

[Q4] Finlay and Hornswoggle made their way through the back... [C]

4. Mark Henry (with Tony Atlas) defeated Finlay (with Hornswoggle) in 14:07. Henry looked pissed. Finlay became serious when the bell rang. Grisham said Henry can hammer nails with his hands and straighten horseshows. Striker said Finlay's name meant "the fair haired warrior."

Henry was very cerebral and plodding in between each impressive, powerful move. With Finlay on the apron, Atlas took a shot at him too. Finlay remained down on the floor as the show went into its final commercial of the night...

Henry had a nerve hold applied across the clavicle of Finlay coming back from commercial. Henry scored a couple of nearfalls and continued to punish Finlay with powerful slams and boots.

[Overrun] Striker remembered The Undertaker pinning Hulk Hogan at Judgment Day for the Undisputed Championship in 2002 in Nashville. Nice. Finlay put Henry's head in the ring apron and pounded on him. Atlas came around and pushed Hornswoggle. Finlay went after Atlas. Henry grabbed Horny and Finlay snuck up and hit him in the arm with the shillegleh.

Finlay applied a Fujiwara armbar but Henry broke out of it. Finlay scored a two count after hitting a DDT while Henry was on his knees. With both men struggling, Henry hit the World's Strongest Slam out of nowhere for the win. Henry sold his arm after the match...

Twill's Two Cents: That was an old school Henry match but I liked it. Henry has never been Mr. Workrate and he does not have to be. Finlay sold for him here and although Finlay was not on offense for long, he still looked fine in defeat as Henry looks strong for his title shot.

Another hour of ECW, another very solid show. ECW is what the brand extension set out to be years ago; elevating new stars and giving them a chance to excel when they otherwise would not have received the opportunity. What did you think? As always, feel free to let me know by sending an email to dotnetrich@gmail.com.

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