WWE SmackDown/ECW Live Event Results – Hammond, Indiana
January 23rd, 2010 – Report by Greg Davis, PWInsider
The show was originally scheduled to start at 7:30, but was moved up to 6:00. Dragon Gate USA was running a half-hour away in Chicago, which my gut tells me is the reason for the change… The promotional posters said this was just a SmackDown event, with zero mention of ECW… Many of the stars signed autographs before the show, despite the freezing temperatures, so kudos to them… Maria was actually driven to the show by her parents… Jamie Noble was a backstage producer… The venue, which I believe holds around 4,000 was a complete sell out.
Match 1: R-Truth defeated Dolph Ziggler. Both got some mic work in before the match, which was decent, if unspectacular.
Match 2: The Hart Dynasty (w/ Natalya) defeated Jimmy Wang Yang and Slam Master J. All three of the Dynasty are simply awesome in their respective roles, and Jimmy and Jesse played their roles well, which made for an entertaining match. I believe their double team Hart Attack was the finish.
Guest Hostess Savannah, who was looking fine, came out to find a guest timekeeper for the next match, who ended up being a young boy at ringside.
Match 3: Tyler Reks defeated Goldust. Tyler ripped on the crowd before the match. Match was nothing to write home about.
Match 4: Mickie James and Maria defeated Beth Phoenix and Layla. Mickie was great in this match, as she was furious and aggressive at the two, considering what happened on Friday. Beth was good to, and Layla was decent, although when Maria was in, things began moving in slow motion. Mickie hit a a wicked kick on Layla for the win. Afterward, Layla was carried out back by Beth.
Match 5: Matt Hardy defeated Finlay. The two had a basic match until Finlay spent five minutes faking a knee injury. As he was about to be helped out of the ring, Finlay hit a boot to Matt, igniting the crowd. He continued to beat down Matt until he hit a sudden Twist of Fate for the win.
CM Punk and Luke Gallows came out to bring another fan into the Straight Edge Society. In person, this was quite long and boring. However, Punk kept comparing the situation to the Chicago White Sox and their ballpark, as he was going to tear down old Comisky, and build a new “empty” US Cellular Field. Hammond is considered part of the south side of Chicagoland, so it’s technically in White Sox country. He found a “fan” named Ben. I don’t know if he was always there at ringside, and I don’t recall him arriving with the other wrestlers that day. He said be loved to binge drink. It was just like what we see on SmackDown every week, as the fan had his head shaved.
Savannah came back out to promote the merchandise stand and toss out T-shirts.
Intermission
Match 6: Christian defeated Ezekiel Jackson to retain the ECW Championship. A decent match, and I feel their bout next week has the potential to be pretty good. Christian with the Killswitch to win.
Match 7: Drew McIntire defeated John Morrison to retain the IC Championship. I think my hopes were too high, as this match was just all right. Drew put his feet on the ropes to win.
Match 8: Rey Mysterio and Kane defeated Chris Jericho and CM Punk (w/ Luke Gallows). Punk and Jericho complimented each other prior to the match. Then Mysterio suggested that Jericho shave his head to show his “love” for Punk. Jericho said he would if they could beat them. This was a fun main event. At one point, Mysterio was on Kane’s shoulders and hit a splash on one. Near the end, when Kane made the hot tag in, Punk tagged in as well, and he tripped over the ropes as he jumped over them. Jericho had to cover up his laugher. In the end, the faces won with a double 619 and a stereo splash and chokeslam. Kane corned Jericho who was trying to escape, and eventually he just went under the ring and out the other to escape.
