As announced this past weekend, WWE released SmackDown star Ricky Ortiz. Not much else is known about the release yet but his age, 34, was working against him and WWE didn't have confidence that he would develop into a top guy.

WWE also released developmental talent Vic Adams this past week. Adams had the look that WWE liked but there's no solid word on why he was let go yet.

Labels: Ricky Ortiz

Posted by Matt Loede at 8:34 AM | Permalink | Comments

So the WWE brass has given a basic no-name in Jack Swagger the ECW Title, beating an established star in Matt Hardy. And I wonder why I don't watch ECW with much hope. Yes, the company thinks they are creating stars by giving them belts, but let's be real here, does Swagger even deserve a belt at this point in his young career?

You probably did like I did when Swagger got the three-count vs Hardy on Tuesday night - said to yourself "wow" and then simply went back to doing whatever it was you were doing. Fans don't care about wrestlers like Jack Swagger. They don't have near the charsima that main event stars do, yet they get pushed down our throats each and every week.

I'd almost rather watch Tiffany make out with Ricky Ortiz. Just kidding.

Labels: ecw, jack swagger, matt hardy, Ricky Ortiz, tiffany

Posted by Matt Loede at 12:38 AM | Permalink | Comments

According to house show reports over the weekend, ECW Superstar Ricky Ortiz tried out working as a heel on two shows. He wrestled fan favorite Tommy Dreamer on two shows (in State College and Johnstown, PA), but lost both times via the Dreamer DDT. At the show in State College, Ortiz got on the mic and complained about being left off the Survivor Series pay-per-view. He said he was undefeated and did everything ECW General Manager Theodore Long wanted him to do, yet he was left off the card. Ortiz then insulted the fans as well as the other wrestlers in the back before Dreamer came out to a big pop.

During the match, Ortiz heeled it up by blowing his nose on his white "rally towel" and then spinning it over his head like a sprinkler to spread snot onto the fans at ringside. On Tuesday's edition of ECW (taped on Monday at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C.), Ortiz was back to being a face as he made fun of Jack Swagger and his noticeable lisp. Theodore Long and Tiffany made a match between the two undefeated ECW stars (in singles competition on television), but Swagger came out on top, thus putting an end to Ortiz's five-month long undefeated streak.

Labels: Ricky Ortiz, tommy dreamer

Posted by Matt Loede at 6:56 PM | Permalink | Comments

The Land of the Extreme has seen its share of firsts, but when John Morrison & The Miz present their first-ever live edition of WWE.com's "The Dirt Sheet" with guests ECW Champion Mark Henry and Matt Hardy, it's possible that the Land of the Extreme could be lifted at its hardcore roots.

With SummerSlam mere weeks away, Henry is on a mission to prove his Extreme strength and dominance will not falter. But No. 1 contender Hardy is not fazed by Henry’s prowess, and the former United States Champion is ready to fight for the ECW gold at the Biggest Blockbuster of the Summer. How will this collision course intersect with the sophomoric yet scathingly comedic antics of Miz & Morrison? What will the Shaman of Sexy and self-proclaimed "chick magnet" have to say on live television? (Watch episodes of WWE.com's "Dirt Sheet" now)

Moreover, who will be ECW’s true dominant force – the World’s Strongest Champion, Henry, or his determined challenger, Hardy? Will the Land of the Extreme crown a new king at SummerSlam or will Henry retain his Extreme gold? And, will anyone stand in the way of Henry and Hardy on the road to SummerSlam?

Former ECW General Manager Armando Estrada hasn't exactly had an ideal post-GM career in the ring. He's looking for one more chance at an ECW contract and current GM Theodore Long has agreed to give it to him in a match against ECW Original Tommy Dreamer, as seen in an AT&T Mobile exclusive video. Will Estrada defeat Dreamer and officially become an ECW Superstar? Or does he need to start looking for a new career?

Ricky Ortiz is quickly making a name for himself on ECW. As part of General Manager Theodore Long’s New Superstar Initiative, Ortiz is undefeated with a 2-0 record, recently defeating Chavo Guerrero by disqualification. Although after his win, Guerrero hit Ortiz with frog splash. The self-proclaimed “Mexican Warrior’s” gloating ran short, though, when Evan Bourne ran into the ring to attack Guerrero.

Will Ortiz’s winning streak continue? Will high-flying Bourne continue to torment Guerrero? How will Bam Neely continue to perform as Guerrero’s bodyguard?

Find out the answers to these questions and more by tuning into ECW on Sci Fi, Tuesday at 10/9 CT, and SummerSlam, live, and only on pay-per-view, Aug. 17 at 8/7 CT.

Labels: mark henry, matt hardy, Ricky Ortiz, The Miz and John Morrison

Posted by Matt Loede at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments