Don Frye v. Mark Coleman?  FUCK YEAH.

If you didn't read the other thread. Big Lots is selling the old UFC PPVs on DVD for $3. Someone even found the Liddell-Couture trilogy set at that price and it includes all three ENTIRE shows from those cards and a bonus disc. Eventually that package will find me.

Meanwhile I believe the Big Lots is the greatest junk store on earth and I've yet to enter that store and leave without buying stuff I don't need at 40 cents on the dollar.

I am popping my UFC ranting cherry so here we go.

The Princess Retro Rant for UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz 2

Original broadcast was Dec. 30, 2006 from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Side Note: I remember seeing part of the Main Event as I was at The Press Box in Tampa with some girlfriends coming in from out of town and we were waiting for the fight to be over and the place to clear out. So I saw the main event but not really as we were spending most of that time cracking on the goofball at the table next to us, all wearing beanie hats and long-sleeve shirts two siZes too small despite it being about 75 degrees.

Fight card is as follows:

Christian Wellisch vs. Anthony Perosh
Yushin Okami vs. Rory Singer
Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Carmelo Marrero
Thiago Alves vs. Tony DeSouza
Michael Bisping vs. Eric Schafer
Andrei Arlovski vs. Marcio Cruz
Jason MacDonald vs. Chris Leben
Forrest Griffin vs. Keith Jardine
Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz

Not bad on star power with Okami, Gonzage and Alves getting preliminary assignments tonight.

Christian Wellisch vs. Anthony Perosh

The heavyweights kick start this party. The tale of the tape is basically even. They are both 6'3, Perosh is 236 to Wellisch's 235 but Wellisch has his Australian opponent on reach by a half inch. Herb Dean is the referee.

Perosh opens the contact with a leg kick and Wellisch answers. Perosh shoots for the leg but can't fully execute the single leg takedown. Perosh rolls over and tries the guillotine but can't execute and they stand. Wellisch starts throwing and lands a nasty 1-2 that gets Perosh reeling. He tries to stop the onslaught a sloppy takedown attempt. Wellisch stays on top but Perosh gets back to his feet. Perosh is cut at the bridge of the nose and eats three more right hands. Wellisch is killing him with 1-2s but Perosh finally gets a takedown and hits a nasty knee to the chin. They stand again and Wellisch owns him in a striking contrest. Wellisch goes for the take down and gets a side mount. Back to their feet and Wellisch hits a massive knee to the face and adds more chopping blows. Perosh is a bloody mess but somehow survives the first round. Might be a 10-8 round for Wellisch.

In the second round Perosh nails Wellisch with a big right and starts unloading with strikes. Wellisch goes to his knees and Perosh stays on him. Perosh is on Wellisch's back but he can't get the hooks in. Wellisch is also bleeding badly. Perosh goes for a suplex and takes Wellisch down again. Wellisch rolls out of a hook and gets to the fence. Perosh is trying to land punches but he's starting to tire and is probably using his dominant position to get a break. Wellisch reverse the positioning and gets a side mount, nailing Perosh with elbows in the process. Wellisch wants to stand but Perosh is staying in a ground guard until Dean stands them up with 40 seconds left. Two big right hands by Wellisch rattles Perosh as Rogan suggests that Wellisch hurt his foot based on his limited mobility. I would give that round to Perosh as a 10-9.

Both guys are in pretty bad shape going into round three. Perosh is bleeding badly and tired while Wellisch is bleeding around the eye and has an injured foot. Perosh continues to push the action and lands a couple of shots but I think Wellisch has the chin to take them. They grapple along the fence and I think Wellisch is absolutely spent as his punches are landing cleanly but are having no real effect on Perosh. Wellisch lands more shots but Perosh is walking through them now. His face, however, says a different story. With 90 seconds left both guys are trying to get the energy for one last surge but neither guy has much in the tank. Wellisch closes with several combinations that connect. Perosh is a crimson mask but trades punch for punch with Wellisch until the end.

Scorecards are 29-28, 29-27, 29-28 for Wellisch. Good decision and a good brawl.

Rory Singer vs. Yushin Okami

In this 185-pound battle Singer has the only notable advantage with a 4" reach diferrence. Steve Mazzagatti is the ref.

They dance for the first minute when Okami barely misses a head kick but connects 90 seconds later. In between that nothing happened. Neither guy is landing but Okami is a little busier. Okami is doing just enough to win this round and Singer is doing considerably less except chasing Okami around. Crowd boos loudly. Rogan says it's Rory's round, I say Okami. Technically everyone loses.

Rogan: That was a very boring round.

Okami is a little more active at the start of the second with a couple of blows and a shoot takedown. Okami tries to get side control but slips into Singer's guard. Singer actually gets the better of the exchanges while on his back in a high guard. Okami decides to stand and hits a solid body kick. Singer goes for a weak takedown and backs Okami up to the fence. Okami gets another takedown and Singer goes right into a butterfly guard. Singer goes for the leg while fighting off a guillotine. Okami gets side control and almost gets a full mount. Singer hits a series of kicks from the ground hitting catching Okami with an upkick. The kicks are so strong that Okami can't capitalize on Singer's ground position. Definitely Singer's round but the crowd isn't as impressed as I was.

Both guys try to pick up the action in the third round but they aren't connecting with anything. Okami gets the takedown and goes to side control and they fight over that for a couple of minutes. Boy neither one of these guys did much to warm up the crowd. Okami gets the full mount but doesn't take full advantage of it until Singer's lull in hip movement allows Okami gets a strong mount and goes to town until Singer taps with 57 seconds left. Nothing good but a Okami finished it when he had the opportunity.

Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Carmelo Merraro

Gonzaga has a two-inch height advantage and 24-pound weight advantage but Merraro has a longer reach. Hmmm. Herb Dean is your ref.

20 seconds in Gonzaga crushes Merraro with a left hook and takes him down quickly and gets a full mount. Gonzaga snaps on the triangle but Merraro is fighting in and eventually Gonzaga lets go and takes the strong mount again. Gonzaga goes for the arm but can't get it so it's back to side control and then a strong mount. Gonzaga gets an americana and transitions it into a beautiful armbar. That was smooth. Merraro has no choice but to tap immediately at 3:22. Gonzaga gave the young man a clinic in BJJ and his best moment as a pro came a few months later when he knocked out Mirko Cro Cop with a kick to the head. That win gave him a shot at Randy Couture and he loss by TKO. Looking at his current situation I wouldn't be surprised if he's an option for an interim Heavyweight title match after his UFC 108 match assuming he wins and Brock Lesnar is off the grid for at least another 12 months.

Thiago Alves vs. Tony DeSouza

Alves is four inches shorter but has a seven-inch reach advantage? Yikes. Big John McCarthy is our ref.

DeSouza goes straight for the shoot but Alves brushes him off. They dance for a minute before DeSouza tries it again and Alves sprawls away easily. Third try sees DeSouza grab a leg but Alves escapes. Crowd is restless. Alves buckles DeSouza with a right and hits him with a 1-2 on the ground but DeSouza gets him in a full guard on the ground. Alves pushes off and we're standing again. Alves barely misses a high kick. Another shoot by DeSouza but Alves is escaping each time a little more easier than the time before. WICKED takedown by DeSouza drops Alves on his head but Alves ends up on top and DeSouza in a full guard. Fully pissed, Alves escapes the guard and goes APESHIT on DeSouza with a ground and pound in the final minute but Big John mercifully lets Tony survive the round albeit with a bloody nose. Alves wins the round.

DeSouza gets for another shoot and gets brushed off and then tossed across the octagon like a child. Seriously. DeSouza runs in again and gets obliterated by a high knee and a couple of punches is all Big John needs to see at 1:10 of the second round. Very impressive performance here.

Michael Bisping vs. Eric Schafer

Fairly even tale of the tape, Schafer is an inch taller and has two inches on the reach. Mario Yamasaki is your referee.

Bisping catches Schafer is a right to start but Schafer gets a takedown on a counter of a lazy kick. Bisping does a good sprawl and gets back to his feet and we stand. Another big right by Bisping but he gets taken down again. Schafer goes for the side mount but Bisping gets a half guard. Schafer actually gets an arm triangle but Bisping escapes. Schafer is really aggressively going after Bisping with his ju jitsu, but he's escaping danger well enough to get back his feet. We stand and Bisping lands a huge kick to the head that opens Schafer's nose up good. Big 1-2 by Bisping and Schafer gets another takedown. Bisping counter and wails on Schafer while he's on the ground. Schafer almost gets an arm but Bisping escapes and lands several more kill shots to cause the stoppage at 4:24. Really fun fight with Schafer being very aggressive and Bisping battling and eventually imposing his will.

Andrei Arlovski vs. Marcio Cruz

The tale of the tape is a wash so your ref is Herb Dean.

This is Arlovski's first fight since the loss to Slyvia. Cruz shoots right away, Arlovski sprawls but has to go to the ground anyway for a bit. Arlovski fights for the stand but Cruz isn't giving up his battle nor the death grip on Arlovski's leg despite taking several punches. Cruz goes for a heel hock and Arlovski actually tries for the ankle lock. He can't execute so Cruz grabs him leg. Arlovski get admonish for a kick to the face and the minute Herb stops speaking Arlovski CRUSHES an unassuming Cruz with a right hand and a few extra shots to end the fight at 3:15. Not super fun but that was a nasty right hand.

Chris Leben vs. Jason MacDonald

Tale of the tape sees MacDonald with a 4-inch height advantage and a 4.5-inch reach advantage. Leben is a pound over the 185 weight. Steve Mazzagatti is the referee.

Leben catches a leg kick and punches MacDonald but that's cool because MacDonald wants the fight on the ground so Leben stands again and connects with a wild left hand. MacDonald pushes Leben up against the fence and tries to connect on some foot stomps before Leben escapes. More wild punches by Leben but nothing is connecting. Back to the fence as Leben is working hard for a takedown. Mazzagatti separates them. Leben hits two uppercuts but they were glancing blow. Two big knees by Leben and MacDonald answers with a counterstrike and takes the fight back to the fence. Two more lefts from Leben as time ends. Hard to say who got that round but Eddie Bravo likes Leben.

Leben catches another kick, hits MacDonald with a punch and does the takedown. Leben eats an upkick but gains side control. MacDonald rolls over and gets back to his feet where he can take the fight back to the fence. Mazzagatti separates them. Leben with a big left and a nice knee but MacDonald finally gets the takedown. Leben assumes a half guard, but MacDonald appears to have control of the positioning. Leben tightens the half guard but MacDonald gets a guillotine, rolls it over and puts Leben to sleep at 4:03. Nice little fight.

Forrest Griffin vs. Keith Jardine

For the most part the UFC DVDs go from match to match but with the top undercard fight and the main event they keep the short little preview in the disc. Neither Griffin nor Jardine say much as they are pretty respectful with each other.

They also add in the introductions but are forced to dub over much of the original entrance music with stuff from crappy metal bands they can get the license to.

Naturally both guys are going to stand and the crowd is solidly behind Forrest. Griffin gets the first significant punch, a left hook but Jardine answers with a short forearm. Griffin is controlling the stand up action as his hands are considerably faster. Jardine hits a bullish combination and a nice leg kick. Forrest answers with a straight jab and a another hook. Big counter shot from Jardine and Griffin comes back with a right and as straight left. Nice body kick from Jardine. Beautiful 1-2 combo by Griffin but Jardine is certainly adept with the counter punches. And as I type that a counter left from Jardine staggers Griffin. Jardine knocks Forrest to the ground where Griffin tries to get a full guard but Jardine OVERPOWERS him with multiple crushing right hands until Big John stops it at 4:41. Terrific effort from Jardine to finish quickly and decisively. The replay actually makes me wonder why McCarthy waited so long to stop it.

MAIN EVENT TIME!

This preview is terrific as both Tito and Liddell bring the respect initially but they are in total shit talking mode otherwise.

Only difference in the tale of the tape is a six-year age difference and Liddell's 2.5-inch reach advantage. Mario Yamasaki is the referee.

The gameplan is simple. Liddell wants to stand and stalk while Tito wants to take this to the ground. Liddell lands a left hook and Ortiz shoots but Liddell moves and misses a countershot. Ortiz looks fairly comfortable countering but you can tell he knows he can't hurt Liddell with fists. Ortiz catches Liddell over the top with a right and Liddell goes to the leg kicks. Neither guy is connecting much but it's not from lack of trying. Liddell lands a right and opens a gash above Ortiz's eye. Liddell misses an uppercut and goes over the top with a right. Nice combination by Liddell and he ROCKS Ortiz with a left hook to the templethat sends the bad boy to the ground. Liddell goes to town and hit Ortiz repeatedly but Yamasaki lets it continue. Ortiz bleeding really badly now but he's amazingly he's going to survive the onslaught and the round. Easy 10-9 round for Liddell, maybe 10-8.

Tito is trying to take Liddell off guard with faking a shoot and taking a strike. They spend about two minutes moving around the octagon and taking wild punches. Ortiz has actually has Liddell really wary of the shoot. Liddell lands a wild body shot and the back end of a 1-2. Ortiz lands a right and a body kick at the two-minute mark and goes for the shoot but Liddell defends it well. They have stood for the first 3:30 of the ring but neither guy is landing much. Short left from Ortiz and a solid right hand might have stunned Liddell a little. Ortiz executes a nice wrap around shoot and takes Liddell down. The Iceman fights back to his feet but takes an elbow in the process as the round ends. Good job by Ortiz to recover and take that round.

Third round and it's obvious that Ortiz is starting to regain his confidence. The crowd is even rallying behind Tito. A lazy shoot attempt by Ortiz gets his caught with a few rights but Tito counters with a right and a NASTY leg kick that really slows Liddell down. Later he revealed he injured his MCL, I believe. Another good leg kick by Ortiz but Liddell answers with three great body shots and goes over the the top. Tito goes for a leg but Liddell sprawls and lands shots on the grounded Ortiz before forcing him to get up. Straight jab and a big right from the Iceman. Another clubbing jab and an uppercut but Ortiz counters with a right. Another big right from Liddell staggers Ortiz and puts him to the canvas. Liddell smothers Ortiz with rights that don't seem to fully connect but apparently did enough damage for Yamasaki to call for the stoppage at 1:03. I don't remember this fight being that good but it was HELL of a battle with Ortiz making a great account for himself but Liddell just proving to be too much in the final exchange.

Dana "Ice Ice Baby" White calls Liddell a "fucking asshole" a couple of times during the official announcement. No clue what Liddell said to him, surely it was something about money. Post-fight interview teases the Rampage Jackson fight, which I will rant about tomorrow.

The Bottom Line: It was three bucks. Get it if you can find it. Most of the matches were pretty solid.

Hey Scott,
Longtime reader. I own all your books. I started a humorous site that is sort of like the Onion but for MMA news. Hope you like it and can give it a plug. Thanks and keep up the good work!
http://elbowsandwich.blogspot.com/

Indeed, Randy Couture IS old.

I'm not ready to give up and I fully anticipate on going back to Smackdown after Sunday's PPV.

But I still want to do reviews again and after a trip to the bargain bin DVD rack I hit the motherlode of UFC fights. So I wanted to give you, the Princess supporters, the choice of which one to do and I'll pound it out sometime this evening or tomorrow morning.

We have UFC 62: Liddell vs. Ortiz 2; Griffin vs. Jardine along with Michael Bisping, Andrei Arlovsky, etc.

UFC 65: Matt Hughes vs. GSP 2; Tim Slyvia vs. Jeff Monson; Frank Mir, James Irvin, etc. etc.

UFC 71: Jackson vs. Liddell; Alexander vs. Jardine; Kalib Starns, etc. etc.

Have a great day guys!

- Taped from the same place as last week. White Plains, NY?

- Your hosts are Vince & Bobby.

Shawn Michaels v. 1-2-3 Kid

Shawn is of course still wearing the I-C title despite being stripped of it, which marked the first of many titles that he lost without dropping it in the ring. These days he just refuses to win them in the first place. Shawn slugs away in the corner and Kid fires back, and they criss-cross into a great stalemate sequence. Kid follows with a series of kicks to put Shawn on the floor, then follows with a springboard bodypress. He suplexes Shawn back in, then turns it into a bridged german suplex for two and goes to a headlock. Shawn tries a pair of suplexes to escape, but can't shake him. Finally a third one breaks the hold, but Kid entices Shawn into a chase and then tries a flying headscissors in the corner. Shawn dumps him in a nice bump, but goes after the Kid and ends up taking a bump of his own into the post. Kid follows with a dive off the apron, but Shawn powerslams him onto the floor to counter. We take a break and return with Shawn getting a backbreaker for two. Superplex is countered by Kid with a cross body attempt, but Shawn slams him on the way down and gets two. Backbreaker submission attempt follows, but Kid breaks free and gets a leg lariat for two. They collide for the double KO and Kid makes the comeback, slugging away in the corner. Leg lariat into the corner and Kid goes up with the moonsault for two. To the top again, but a senton bomb misses and we take another break. Back with Shawn hitting the superkick and then going for a Razor's Edge (complete with mocking gestures), and he actually nails it. That gets two, as Shawn picks him up, and you just know that's the cue for a run-in. Shawn hits another one and now Razor comes out, wearing the kind of shirt only worn by gay guys or big fat party animals, paired with Zubaz pants no less, and the brawl is on. Double countout at 11:00 or so. Shawn actually gives Razor a pair Razor's Edges on the floor! And people said this match was DISAPPOINTING? ***1/2 Great piece of business with a hot match and a hot angle to follow.

The Quebecers v. Bert Centano & Mike Walsh (?)

I never know these jobbers names because they talk over the intros. Jacques offers to fight the vertically-challenged Centano on his knees, but the jobber tags out instead. Johnny Polo, meanwhile, gives this match all the attention it warrants by reading a magazine at ringside while relaxing on a lawn chair. Pierre tosses Walsh around and then the short jobber comes back in and gets clobbered. Jacques backdrops Pierre onto him, then a piledriver and the cannonball finish at 4:21.

Meanwhile, Owen Hart promises that soon he'll have a surprise that will make everyone in the WWF talk about HIM.

Doink the Clown v. Tony Devito

Doink takes Devito down with an armbar and then an STF while Dink frolics in the corner. OK, clearly this isn't Matt Borne, but he's not tall enough to be Ray Licachelli yet, so it must be either Keirn or Lombardi playing the clown at this point. Doink with a backdrop suplex and an overhead belly to belly, and he goes to a side headlock. Finally he finishes with the Whoopie Cushion at 5:51 after a boring squash.

Crush v. Tony Roy

Bobby notes that this is a big weekend for Mr. Fuji, because he's celebrating the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. That's very wrong, but you have to laugh. Crush's tights attain a new level of gaudy this weekadding a stylized silver and orange graphic of his name like in the babyface days, but retaining the black and purple color scheme otherwise. Pick a damn color and stick with it! Crush pounds on Roy and chokes away on the ropes, then hangs him in the Tree of Woe for a further beating. Lots of standing around and yelling from Crush here. Crush presses him onto the top rope to finish at 3:54. OK then.

Next week: The Undertaker, Adam Bomb, The Smoking Gunns! Fatu v. Randy Savage!

But before we go, one last piece of business, as Gorilla Monsoon heads out to ringside and finally gets his ultimate revenge on Bobby Heenan, physically removing him from the broadcast position and kicking him out of the building once and for all. And so it's off to WCW for the Brain. I'm actually kind of sad watching it now, because we know that Heenan didn't really want to leave and didn't end up being particularly happy in WCW.

A memorable show with a great match, can't ask for much more than that.

Classics on demand has the nitro up where Steven Regal fought Goldberg in the infamous stiff match. Was there something so controversial about the match because it looked like a really different match than Goldberg was having up until that point. He didn’t look lost or anything but they were doing reversals and stuff that nowadays would be considered a good match but I remember that Regal got into trouble over this. Why?

Short story:  Regal made their soon-to-be top guy look like a human being, but actually got fired for worse stuff. 

Long story:  There’s actually two versions of this but I tend to believe Regal’s.  He told the whole story on an episode of Wrestling Observer Live a couple of years after the incident occurred, and it was interesting stuff.  The backstory for the match controversy was that Regal was discovered while working county fairs in England, basically doing real old school carny wrestling shows.  He was a ringer who would challenge big guys in the audience to “rasslin'” matches and offer X amount of money if they could beat him in a “real” fight.  So he’d get these tough-looking rubes and would basically carry a worked wrestling match against them, doing all the work and leading them through old-style reversals and mat wrestling without giving them any leeway to actually do anything back to him.  Then he’d either win or lose depending on what the outcome was supposed to be.  It was an elaborate con game, in other words.  So anyway, back to 1997, and they send him out there with Goldberg and tell him to give him a good match and make him look good.  Regal interprets this as “Carry him through an old style carny match” and he goes out there and leads Goldberg by the hand through this mat-based match, which was 100% different than the total squash that WCW actually wanted.  However, it’s a misconception that Regal got in trouble over that.  The actual trouble was for the drugs and pissing on stewardesses, and the match was in fact the least of the problems he got fired for.  It just happened that he got fired right after that match, so people put 2 and 2 together and assumed there was something funny going on. 

In his book, Goldberg offhandedly mentions that Regal “made him look bad”, but doesn’t seem to harbor much grudge otherwise. 

November 17, 2009

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

-  Well, we could have the makings of a huge mega-feud brewing if all the stars are aligned tonight.  CM Punk downgrading?  It would be a step in the right way forECW.  Plus, I'll try to be a good boy and curse less tonight, but there will be swearing.  Onto the show!!!

-We open with CM Punk.  Says this is where it all began for him.  Him being champion was ECW's finest moment.  He anticipates a huge standing ovation tonight.  Easy there, cowboy!

-Pyro presented in High Definition.  Josh Matthews and Byron Saxton are your hosts.  Christian and R-Truth take on Punk and Regal tonight. 

-Out comes Zack Ryder and Rosa Mendes.  Zack Ryder is out to officially introduce everyone to Rosa Mendes.  Ryder is smitten.  Mendes takes this opportunity to talk about shopping for boots.  Seriously?  My head already hurts 6 minutes into the broadcast.  Ryder wants her to be in his corner when he challenges him to another match.  Shelton Benjamin comes out to save this segment.   Shelton says he wants Ryder to sit in the corner so he can wrestle Rosa.  Gross.  Shelton calls Ryder a power tool.  Good enough.  Ryder backs out of the match and attacks Shelton.  You know it. 

-We get a very good video package hyping tonight's Career vs. Mask match between Paul Burchill and the Hurricane.  Maybe the first ever video package hyping a Paul Burchill or Hurricane match, but nonetheless.  That match is next.

MASK VS CAREER (Hurricane unmasks if he loses.  Both Paul and Katie Lea Burchill must leave ECW if he loses.)

1.  Paul Burchill (With Katie Lea) vs. The Hurricane

-  I would have let this match go on last.  Once again though, wrestlers from other brands get the Main Event, because ECW is dry.  Bell rings and Burchill starts with a go behind.  A touch of chain wrestling to start, but that doesn't last long as Hurricane decks Burchill.  Side headlock by Hurricane and Burchill struggles to reverse and they back to the corner.  Burchill takes a powder.  Nice slow start.  Lockup again and Burchill takes a single leg and gets a cover for 1.  Burchill with an Irish Whip and Hurricane bounces the ropes and hits a Hurricane-rana and sends Burchill to the outside.  HURRICANE WILL FLY!!!!  Back in quickly and Hurricane grabs a chinlock.  Burchill slips out and throws Hurricane to the ropes and Katie Lea grabs the leg and Burchill clocks the Hurricane with a sick suplex.  WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK!!!

- Welcome back to ECW at the 6:17 mark.  Hurricane is held down in chinlock.  Hurricane tries to bail and eats a short clothesline and Burchill gets 2.  Burchill holding him down again and Hurricane fights back and Burchill lays in with a lariat.  Only 2.  Burchill sends a series of knees to Hurricane's chest.  Burchill pounds away in the corner and the crowd is DEAD!  Burchill with a  cross corner whip and misses the blind charge,  Hurricane fights back and hits a Thesz press.  No cover.  Hurricane hits a sit down clothesline and gets 2.  Hurricane attempts the Eye of the Hurricane and Burchill connects with a DOUBLE PELE for 2.  Eye of the Hurricane attempted again and Burchill reverses into a nice Northern Lights Bridge for 2.  Hurricane comes back and hits a 2nd Hurricane-rana and gets 2.  Hurricane gets distracted by Katie Lea and eats a Jackhammer.  Only 2.  Burchill attempts the Brain Buster and Hurricane slips out and EYE of THE HURRICANE!  2.9!!!  Hurricane up top and Burchill crotches him on the top rope.  Burchill climbs up top and the fight on the side of the 2nd rope.  HURRICANE HITS A SWINGING NECKBREAKER FROM THE TOP and that will do it @ 12:57.  Paul and Katie Lea Burchill will now leave ECW.  Pirate gimmicks, anyone?  Burchills are upset these days.  (B-.  They really did good telling a story here and the high spot at the end was good too.  Was it me or were you waiting for the Burchills to start making out in the ring? I know I wasn't the only one.)

-Backstage CM Punk and Tiffany are talking.  Punk says he understands Tiffany likes to drink.  Tiffany says she isn't some anti-social prude.  He should try it...it might loosen up.  Hear that kids?

2.  Vance Archer vs.  Johnny Andrews

-Andrews looks like the asshole in every 80's movie.  Archer with some stiff stomps and corner post shenanigans.  Archer mounts him and beats on his skull.  Bodyslam into an inverted DDT with do it @ 1:05.  (DUD!)

-Backstage CM Punk walks into Christian.  Christian makes fun of Punk's straight edge lifestyle.  They go back in forth with Christian calling him a nerd.  CM Punk out-cools him.   Christian says Punk used to be champion, but Christian still is.  Sick burn.

-MSG video re-airs.  I like it.

MAIN EVENT

3.   CM Punk & William Regal vs. R-Truth & Christian

-Punk says "IT'S CLOBBERING TIME!".  Regal brings the party to a screeching halt as he enters the ring.  Out comes Christian and he is yelling to the crowd.  I always wondered what he is saying.  Shout out to "Peep" number 1 and 2.  Out comes R-Truth and he is singing to crowd.  Always wondered what HE was saying.  HUSSAH!  5 minutes to the top of the hour, if you are keeping score.  Punk and Christian start.  Christian claps Punk and brings Regal in.  Regal thrown into Punk and Truth and Christian head up top.  Double missile dropkick for a nice 80's spot.  :50 into the match and WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK!  (Sounds about right.)

- Welcome back to ECW @ 4:52 as R-Truth takes Regal down with a spinning head-scissors.  Christian comes in and takes out Regal on the outside with dropkick between the ropes.  R-TRUTH WILL FLY!  HUSSAH!  Regal clocks him from behind and Punk is apparently the legal man.  Punk stomps away and works the knee.  Regal back in and works the legs over some more.  Punk tags back in holds onto to a toe hold.  Regal comes back in and drops down on Truth's leg.  Punk plays to the crowd and the fans eat it up.  Punk back in and slams Truth.  Punk misses a leg drop, but catches Truth with a dropkick to the knee.  Christian gets the hot tag and is cleaning house.  Tornado DDT on Punk gets 2.8!  Christian hits the 2nd rope turning elbow.  Let's clap our hands and stomp out feet, Christian.  Punk catches him in the corner and tries for the bulldog.  Christian hits an inverted DDT.  KILLSWITCH on the way, here comes Regal with a Knee Trembler and GO TO SLEEP for Christian!  That will finish it @ 10:59.  (C-.  Working R-Truth's knee for 7 minutes is not appealing.  But the upside, we got some fresh faces working tonight.)

Final Thoughts...

Good to see Punk back on ECW.  Maybe he should come back so we can have a good feud to round out the year.   Then Regal can get lost in the shuffle and fade away, like he always does.  Where were Jackson and Kozlov tonight? 

This is an awesome overview of the “Bwahahaha” years of the Justice League, which is one of my favorite runs of any comic ever.  Really makes me wish for a Showcase Presents version of the series, or at least decently priced paperbacks. 

Hi there, hope you are well. Here is one for the blog.

As a wrestling DVD afficianado, would you say 2009 has been the best year for the classic retrospectives? Think of these WWE releases:

Best of SNME

Best of the 90s

Randy Savage Collection

Allied Powers: Tag Team Collection (people had expectations which could not be met, but there is some good stuff on there)

Rise and Fall of WCW (see above)

Summerslam and Survivor Series anthologies

World Title set (not out for a couple more weeks, but looks like it has some good stuff)

I have been collecting them for a number of years, and I can not think of a year which had more great sets released. Is this the last year of the large number of great releases? Or do we have more awesomeness to come? If not this year, which would you say was the best?

It’s been a good year for them, certainly.  I can’t say as I generally can remember what year stuff was released in, but I recall that there was also a good run of stuff one year with the Mick Foley set, the Bret Hart collection and the original Flair collection all released fairly close together.  But yeah, for history sets, this has been a pretty boffo year, and I’m all over the World title set when it comes out.