ECW: 2nd June 2009

Opening match is between Mark Henry and Evan Bourne, a rematch from last week. Sometimes I think the WWE has two sorts of feuds - those that start with an issue and lead to a singles match, and those that start with a singles match, and leads to an issue. This is the second sort, designed for TV only. Hopefully its given some time, because it could be really good. The first match had a lot of great Henry monster offence, including a swinging head kick, and a bunch of nice spots as Bourne tries to find a way into the match - his diving knee seated senton to the outside looked great, as Henry took it brilliantly, bumping hard whilst catching still safely Bourne. Bourne takes a countout win, and thus a single match leads to an issue.

This match continues the same theme, though Henry looks even more dominant after his embarrassment over losing last week. The match is a bit short to be worth much on its own, and Bourne doesn't really get a proper comeback before the disqualification finish, which is weaker than the count-out one, because it had nothing to do with Bourne. Still, my expectations are raised that some good stuff will come out of this. Bourne needs something like this - he's not been as interesting as he was last year, and it's great to see Henry not just making up the numbers at the top of the ECW card.

There's a Zack Ryder squash that I don't care about, and Tommy Dreamer vs. Paul Burchill, which is likely his last ECW TV match. The match is pretty mediocre, which somehow seems appropriate. Burchill works pretty aggressively, but he still lacks a purpose - I commented elsewhere last week that he's a larger, technically competent heel on the same show that is being built around Jack Swagger.

Main event is Christian vs. Tyson Kidd. Opening bit of matstuff was fun, and I wish they would ever be a situation where a long mat section between both guys could happen. I enjoyed this a lot - really energetic back and forth stuff, which should go at least a small way to elevating Kidd. Christian takes a nasty looking back bump into the stairs, leading to this week's episode of Christian Shows America What Selling Looks Like. The back injury doesn't get in the way of his comebacks as much as leg work does, but he still remembers it throughout. They get time for a lengthy (and hot) nearfall stretch, before the run-ins. I particularly like how, just like Matt Hardy in 2007, Christian has speeded up his finisher. This was a worthwhile show.