Tonight's ECW emanates from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio as Joey Styles and Tazz welcome us to the show amidst the pyro.
John Morrison hits the ring to a RAUCOUS standing ovation and a slew of Morrison chants. Morrison grabs a mic and says that last night he went into the match last night as ECW Champion and a heavily doubted underdog; the smallest man in the match and the least likely to walk OUT as champion, yet here he stands; STILL ECW Champion. Morrison says last night was a proving ground and by taking out The Big Show he showed the world that regardless of his distinct size disadvantage, he runs with the giants in the Land of Extreme.
Paul Heyman emerges and congratulates Morrison on one of the most impressive ECW matches he's seen in recent memory. Heyman warns him that not only has he placed a bull's-eye on his back by successfully defending the title, but he has unknowingly launched ECW into a full-on, backstage turf war. Heyman says that tonight we're going to have a series of qualifying matches for the ECW Championship Scramble at Over The Limit. Heyman says these matches will be contested between members of ECW's new class and the ECW Originals. Heyman tells Morrison that he is slated to defend the ECW Title RIGHT NOW against this man--The lights go down and "Huka Blues" starts blaring through the speakers as SABU storms to the ring, looking for a return match from Sunday night. The bell rings and here we go.
JOHN MORRISON def. SABU to remain Champion/qualify for the Scramble
Great opening championship match with fantastic back and forth action. Finish came as Sabu attempted Air Sabu, but Morrison dodged, sending Sabu crashing into the buckle and landing on his head in the corner. Morrison hits Starship Pain and collects the three count to remain champion. John Morrison will defend the title against five other challengers at Over The Limit.
Paul Heyman is backstage, on the phone with YET another superstar who has jumped ship to ECW. Heyman tells him that it’s great to have him on board and he’ll see him in a few minutes. Muhammad Hassan interrupts the call and tells Heyman that he doesn’t appreciate being left off the ECW Turf War and out of the qualifying matches for Over The Limit tonight and says he is disgusted with having to be lent a spot just to qualify for the ECW Title Match on the pre-show Sunday night.
Hassan tells Heyman that he clearly doesn’t have his brand’s best interests at heart, otherwise he would be in the title match at Over The Limit without even having to qualify. Paul tells Hassan that if he thinks Heyman doesn’t appreciate his talents now, just wait until he finds out who he’s booked him in match against tonight. Heyman proceeds to tell Hassan that he will be going one-on-one with Ryback.
The Briscoes are backstage heading to the ring as we head to commercial.
Back from break as The Briscoes mill around the ring like drunken idiots waiting for their competition. Bombs drop as The Dudleyz charge to the ring. Utter chaos is ensured as the bell rings to start the brawl.
DUDLEY BOYZ def. BRISCOE BROTHERS
Finish comes as D’Von rolls through an attempted Redneck Boogie, lands on his feet and sets up for a flapjack. Bubba drives Jay out of the ring and plants Mark with a 3D for the duke.
We go backstage and William Regal is being presented with the position of ECW Ambassador by Heyman. Regal will now serve as Heyman’s right-hand man and direct contact between Heyman and the roster. The Big Show storms into Heyman’s office and tells both men that they should be fully aware by now that he has no problem taking either of them or anyone else to get back into the title hunt. Show demands a qualifying match tonight and Heyman says that was the plan in the first place. Regal informs Show that tonight he will have the chance to qualify for the Scramble by taking on the final ECW Champion of the promotion’s original run--The Man-Beast RHYNO in an Extreme Rules Match. Show shakes his head and walks out the door.
We get a video package of the brutal finish to the Stairway To Hell Match from Sunday’s Extreme Rules PPV.
The Sandman makes his way furiously through the crowd, prepping for another match in the ECW Turf War and looking to qualify for the main event at Over The Limit as we go to break.
Back from commercial as Sandman waits in the ring, brandishing his Singapore Cane and MATT HARDY makes his way down the ramp as the most recent superstar to jump ship to ECW as of Sunday night. The bell rings and we’re in for a fight.
MATT HARDY def. THE SANDMAN when Tommy Dreamer interfered to qualify
An extremely physical contest. Sandman established control about mid-match and had Hardy in position for a Rolling Rock Senton. As Sandman scales to the top rope, Dreamer hits the stage and causes an unintended distraction. This opens the door for Hardy to get back to his feet and crush Sandman with a Twist of Fate from the top rope for the three. After the match, Dreamer helps Sandman to his feet and offers truce. Sandman shakes his hand and buries the hatchet to a positive reaction from the crowd. Dreamer and Sandman leave the ring as a unit.
We get footage of the Lumberjack Strap Match for the Women’s Championship and the stunning manner in which LITA overcame immense odds, namely Kharma, to come away with the title.
Lita is walking backstage, with the title around her waist and runs into Kane. The two of them share an awkward silence before Kane ultimately congratulates her on her victory. Lita wishes him luck in his qualifying match tonight before heading to the ring as we go to commercial.
Back from break and the NEW Women’s Champion is in action next against Victoria.
LITA def. VICTORIA to remain Women’s Champion
A very entertaining divas match. Finish comes as Victoria goes for Widow’s Peak, only to have Lita drop to her feet and surprise her with a falling neckbreaker. Finish comes as Lita hits a Twist of Fate and a Litasault to retain the title. After the match, KHARMA hits the ring and flattens the champion with an Implant Buster for the second time this week.
Backstage with The Unholy Alliance ruthlessly tearing through members of the locker room looking for answers. Abyss and company are demanding that ANYONE who knows where to find either Vampiro, James Mitchell or BOTH speak up as soon as possible, but it doesn’t seem their getting any closer to a solution.
We get more stills and footage from Sunday Night’s borderline catastrophic ECW Championship Match, including Kane taking a flaming kendo stick and a barbed wire Singapore Cane to the face at different points in the match.
Back to the ring and Kane sets the stage ablaze as he makes his way to the ring for his qualifying match. The Big Red Monster climbs over the top rope and torches the ringposts as we go to break.
Back from commercial as Kane awaits his opponent. Bob Artese makes the announcement that this match is now an Extreme Rules Match and a familiar face from Wrestlemania’s Past makes his way to the ring as RAVEN wheels his Shopping Cart of Horrors to ringside. Kane is met with a stop sign to the skull as the bell rings and here we go again.
KANE def. RAVEN to qualify for the Championship Scramble
Raven had The Machine on the ropes for a good portion of the match, landing a Russian Leg Sweep to the barricade, a drop-toe-hold to the steel chair and a flurry of knees, fists and boots. Finish came as Raven set up for Even Flow only to have Kane counter with a Back Body Drop that sends Raven over the top rope and crashing to the floor. The Devil’s Favorite Demon douses a table in lighter fluid and chokeslams Raven through a flaming table to pick up the next spot at Over The Limit; joining John Morrison and Matt Hardy.
We go backstage and Kharma has barged into Heyman’s office and pinned him against the wall. She demands that Lita come to RAW next week and defend her Women’s title one-on-one; no lumberjacks, no Natalya, NO HOLDS BARRED. Heyman reluctantly agrees and Kharma sets him down at his desk.
The Sandman confers with Tommy Dreamer backstage and tells him that he’s coming to the ring and his corner to make sure that his opponent tonight doesn’t try something crooked. Dreamer and the Sandman head to the ring as we go to break.
Back from commercial as Eddie Edwards apologizes to Davey Richards for not being there for him in the closing moments of Tag Team Turmoil. Richards tells him not to sweat it and before he can finish his thought, the duo realizes that they’ve been surrounded by THE NEXUS. Barrett, Ziggler, Kingston, McIntyre and the NEW WWE Tag Team Champions beat The American Wolves senseless in a gang-style beatdown that has become all too familiar in the days of Nexus. Barrett directs traffic as The Nexus migrates elsewhere in the backstage area.
Dreamer and The Sandman are in the ring awaiting their opponent and the All-American American--JACK SWAGGER emerges as Dreamer’s qualifying opponent for the evening.
JACK SWAGGER def. TOMMY DREAMER when Sandman interfered to qualify
Another physical contest as the match transitioned between the physicality of Dreamer’s hardcore background and Jack Swagger’s amateur background. Finish came with the referee down and Dreamer sets up for a Dreamer Driver. Sandman climbs up on the apron and thwacks Dreamer in the face with his Kendo Stick. This allows Swagger to escape and set up for a Gutwrench Powerbomb. Swagger runs to the cover and the ref logs the three.
After the match, Sandman steps into the ring and repeatedly drums Dreamer over the back and head with the Singapore Cane until Tommy stops moving on the canvas. Sandman grabs a mic and tells Dreamer “Truce Off. I’m not competing for the title because of you, so it’s only fair that you fail to qualify because of me.” Sandman clubs Dreamer one last time and leaves him lying in the ring as we go to commercial.
Backstage with Rhyno psyching up for his match with Big Show later on tonight. Rhyno repeatedly and forcibly headbutts a locker until he draws blood. The Man Beast and The World’s Largest Athlete in an Extreme Rules Match later on tonight as we go to commercial.
Back from break and total chaos has broken out as no less than a dozen superstars including Colt Cabana and Steven Richards run in to try and separate the Colony from a beatdown on Stinger, the Columbus Blue Jacket’s mascot. Apparently they felt he was infringing on their turf (a turf war in another sense). RON SIMMONS steps in as they’re separated and almost can’t bring himself to say it...Almost.
Back in the ring and Elijah Burke is making his way down the aisle for his qualifying match and as he waits, Paul Heyman hits the stage and introduces his opponent saying that he competed in the six-pack challenge on Sunday night, was robbed in his qualifying match last night and tonight, this man is FINALLY back at home. Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome back to the Land of Extreme---ROB VAN DAM! The Columbus crowd ERUPTS at the announcement and breaks into a spontaneous “RVD” chant as “The Whole Dam Show” makes his way to ringside. The bell rings and what is sure to be an excellent contest is under way.
ROB VAN DAM def. ELIJAH BURKE to qualify for the Championship Scramble
Arguably match of the night. Burke gained the edge late and went for an Elijah Express, but Van Dam rolled out of the way and came back with a FLAWLESS roundhouse kick. RVD leaps back into familiar territory and flattens Burke with a Five-Star Frog Splash for the three. Rob Van Dam will now join John Morrison, Kane, Jack Swagger and Matt Hardy in the Scramble with one spot left to fill.
We go backstage and Hardcore Holly is gathering superstars to place wagers on how long the next contest lasts.
Muhammad Hassan makes his way to the ring, looking like he’s walking to the gallows, but determined nonetheless. Hassan gets on the mic and threatens to walk out of ECW in protest of this blatant discriminatory booking he’s endured in weeks prior and tonight. Hassan also threatens a personal injury lawsuit should he endure irreparable damage in his match against the reckless, careless and frankly talent-starved Ryback here tonight. Ryback begins his militant march to the ring and the bell rings to get the match started.
RYBACK def. MUHAMMAD HASSAN
In a virtual playback from Sunday night, Ryback nearly takes Hassan’s head off with a Big Boot and a running lariat. Ryback hits Shell Shocked and gets the three for a quick evening. Ryback screams “FEED ME MOAR” and marches directly into the path of WMD as Big Show floors him yet again. Big Show grabs a mic and yells for Rhyno to get this over with and get his ass down to the ring RIGHT NOW. Rhyno obliges and fists immediately begin flying.
RHYNO def. THE BIG SHOW in an Extreme Rules Match to qualify for the Championship Scramble
A nightmarish brawl with an unexpected climax. Show hits a Spear and sets up for a chokeslam when HORNSWOGGLE runs down the ramp with a t-shirt gun. The distraction causes Big Show to release his hold on Rhyno and give the War Machine an opening to hit the GORE through a table set up in the corner. Rhyno crawls to the cover and picks up the three, becoming the final man to qualify for the Championship Scramble.
After the match, a SEETHING BIG SHOW returns to his feet and grabs Hornswoggle by the collar of his shirt and rockets him into the ring. The leprechaun begs off, but Show isn’t having it. Show grabs Hornswoggle by the throat and devastates him with a sky-high chokeslam. Show scrapes him off the mat and sets him on the top turnbuckle before crushing the leprechaun’s temple with WMD, sending him crashing to the arena floor. Show throws him back into the ring and drags him to the center of the canvas before CRUSHING the midget with a jumping elbow drop and another. The bloodthirsty crowd is LOVING it, chanting “One More Time”, to which Big Show responds with a running leg drop to the back of Hornswoggle’s head. Show leaves the ring and heads up the ramp as WADE BARRETT makes his way down.
Barrett drags an unconscious Hornswoggle out to the entrance ramp and drills him with Wasteland on the steel grate at the top of the stage. Ziggler watches ominously from the side of the stage and Barrett retreats to the other side as he signals to the rafters. Up on the rafters, the other four Nexus members are on standby, armed with BOLT CUTTERS. Joe Hennig uses his bolt cutters to sever the heavy anchor holding one corner of the titantron. DiBiase in the opposite corner, severs his anchor and the tron begins to swing freely out from the bottom.
On the top corner, Kofi Kingston severs another anchor and the titantron begins dangling. McIntyre severs a fourth and the big screen dangles a little more ominously. Finally, Ziggler scales the catwalks with a fifth set of bolt cutters and without remorse, severs the central anchor. The titantron PLUMMETS from the top of the arena down to the stage floor, SHATTERING upon impact and landing...on top of the prone Hornswoggle. OH. MY. GOD. Sparks fly everywhere and a minor fire breaks out as The Nexus has quite literally brought the house down tonight in the Land of Extreme. Nexus walks off from the scene as EMTs and other officials dig through the rubble in what has surely gone from a rescue mission to a recovery mission. We have almost definitely seen the end of Hornswoggle as ECW goes off the air.
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