Welcome to the ECW report fresh off Monday Night Raw's "mini-draft" where ECW once again got raided and destroyed in the process. We lost the veterans like Mark Henry and Finlay and all the exciting performers such as Evan Bourne, Jack Swagger and the Hart Dynasty. We have gained William Regal, Goldust, Shelton Benjamin and..... The Bella Twins for some odd reason???

I am not happy with the results of the "minidraft" and have no faith that ECW will be the same show that I just a few weeks ago realized was the BEST wrestling show on TV these days. The only saving grace for me is the hope that this will create new spots for the WWE to bring in fresh faces from FCW to freshen up the wrestling scene much like Swagger, Bourne and The Hart Dynasty did this past year. So I guess I should put on my seatbelt, sit back and try to enjoy the show. Who knows... Maybe WWE will not let me down in the long run???

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Yoshi Tatsu (?) v.s. Shelton Benjamin

We get a new face on ECW post "rape" as Jason pointed out on the boards... Shelton Benjamin took him lightly and began mocking his Japanese lineage and started bowing down to him.... And as soon as he stood up Yoshi kicked him in the head with a high kick and pinned him for the win in his ECW debut match! Yoshi was incredibly happy after he got the 3 count and ran around the ring in shock.

Winner: Yoshi Tatsu!

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Next up we have another newcomer, Abraham Washington debuting his new talk show for ECW... He began by talking crap about the Miz and Cena. The whole time he spoke the crowd gave him hell by chanting "What"... He brought the Bella Twins out as his guests for some reason... He pretty much mocked them and tried to get the to fight each other. The Bella's were TERRIBLE on the mic and attempted to act as if they were jealous of each other. Abraham Washington did a alright job in his debut but nothing special. I am glad to already see some new faces on the show as I believe that will help fill the void left by Bourne, Swagger and the Harts.

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Sheamus (!!!!) v.s. Random Jobber

I am actually happy about his debut although I think he would have worked better in a tag team with Finlay, either way he gets on the mic and introduces himself from Ireland. He turns his attention to his soon to be bitch... and procedes to dominate him in short order finishing him off with a wicked spinning black hole slam into a backbreaker to pick up the easy win in his debut match on ECW.

P.S. This guy is WHITE, WHITE and more WHITE! He looks like he is cover in chalk from a chalk board....

Winner: Sheamus

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Christian and ECW Champion Tommy Dreamer v.s. Kozlov and William Regal

Not much to say here except that Tommy and Christian put aside their recent troubles to focus on the ECW newcomer Regal and his new buddy The Moscow Mauler, Kozlov. Suprisingly Regal held his own against the current ECW champ and the former champion Christian and tagged in Kozlov, who decimated Dreamer with the headbutt and Iron Curtain for the suprise victory.

Winners: William Regal and Vladimir Kozlov

Overall, it was a suprisingly good show considering ECW losing it's brightest young stars to Raw and Smackdown on Monday, however they immediately made the initiative to replenish that loss tonight with 3 new debuts in Abraham Washington, Sheamus and Yoshi Tatsu. I will be looking forward to seeing how they handle the newcomers in the coming weeks. Until then, stick around and check out this weeks RFI guest!

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This weeks guest likes to say "Fly HIGH or don't fly at all!" and he is currently working in the EWF promotion out of southern California. He can be seen holding the EWF American Championship at the present time and is a decorated champion there as well having held most of their titles already. He is only 22 years old and already a nearly 10 year veteran of the mat wars. He has been in many brutal battles with nearly everyone that has come thru the EWF doors the past decade and will continue to be a force in the future as well. Please join me in welcoming my guest... Liger Rivera!

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RDLee: Thanks for joining me today Liger, or should I say Mr. Rivera...

Liger: oh, please call me Liger. Calling me Mr. Rivera makes me feel
old. Ha Ha, thanks for having me.

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RDLee: Now you have been wrestling for the EWF promotion out of southern California for a long time now, can you share your feelings about working there?

Liger: sure, I’ve been wrestling for the EWF for nearly ten years now. WOW, I feel older every time I say that considering I’m only 22 years old. Anyways the Empire Wrestling Federation has made me what I am today. I’m very happy here and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. But I would just to prove that EWF produces the best that "So Cal" has to offer. Plus I love the fact that I’m one of the few long term veterans to the sport still here. Nobody my age can say that.

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RDLee: You have been the EWF Cruiserweight champion, One half of the EWF tag team champs with TJ Perkins (Famous for Fearless) and are currently the EWF American champion, How do you feel about being such a decorated competitor at this stage of your career?

Liger: well it feels amazing to know that after all my hard work and patience I am now the EWF American Champion. It’s been a long road and I hope it doesn’t end.

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RDLee: Hypothetical question: Let's just assume that you also win the EWF Heavyweight Title down the line, and then they introduce the EWF Women's title, are you gonna make a run at that title too just to be the only man in the EWF history to hold EVERY title?

Liger: HA HA HA, WOW! I don’t know... that’s a good question. I do know that I already have the flowing hair, but I don’t think I could be in the women’s division.

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RDLee: You have had quite a rivalry with one of my recent guests, Ryan Taylor, what are your thoughts on him as a performer and a person in general? And do you have any favorite memories from your number of matches with him that stick out?

Liger: oh me and Taylor go way back. When it comes to his performance,
he’s one of the best I’ve seen and competed against. But his personality in the back is great. There is a lot more to him than people think, and he’s great to hang around. As for memories there’s bunches, but the one that’s burned into my brain is when I counter spin kicked him in the face and blacked him out for a few seconds. I swear I heard his jaw pop aside my foot.  I’m sure he remembers it too ha ha.

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RDLee: What is one of the strangest encounters you have ever had with a fan?

Liger: hmmm, ok I remember about 4 or 5 years ago EWF did shows at the
Bakersfield dome. Sometime after we stopped doing shows out there I
went to the Bakersfield mall and no b.s I was cognized by at least like 60 people asking for autographs, causing a scene and everything and for the first time I felt like a superstar. And then …..It never happened again! Ha Ha!

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RDLee: You have worked against many different opponents since joining the EWF, do you have any favorite opponents or matches that you are proud of most?

Liger: oh there’s bunches... A few of them are guys like Bino Gambino,
Alex (pincheck) Koslov, Ryan Taylor, TJ Perkins, Terex, Dan “The Man”
Kobrick. The list goes on and on. I like the variety because all of them gave me experience in different types of opponents. Wrestling’s a war and it’s always good to have the right weapon for the right target.

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RDLee: We recently lost the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, what are your thoughts on this tragic loss to the music world and do you plan on coming out at the next show to the song "Thriller" while doing a Zombie dance in the ring?

Liger: well I would but fellow EWF member Brandon Gatson beat me too it at the last show. I’m a huge Michael Jackson fan, it devastated me as well as everyone across the world. Words can’t express the sorrow I feel for his loss. R.I.P Michael you will be missed.

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RDLee: What is the origin of your name "Liger".... be honest, is it because you are secretly a huge Napoleon Dynamite mark, or is it because your skills are bred in magic?

Liger: well I am pretty magical but no it’s not because of Napoleon Dynamite. My name’s Liger because my mom was involved with the Lion/Tiger cross breeding program when it first started. she was a caretaker there after having to take her pet Lion Jerry Our family had some 31 years ago. Yes believe it or not my mom had a pet Lion that my Grandma made her get rid of. Anyways I was born around the same time the first Liger was born, and my mom and g-ma would tell me the old
stories. So I’ve always remembered and been fascinated with the species. Thus “Liger” Came to be.

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RDLee: If you could work against anyone on the TNA, ROH or WWE roster
to earn a contract with them barring an amazing match, who would you pick and why?

Liger: right off the brain i'd have to say Rey Mysterio JR. of course because not only would it be an amazing match but because i'd believe
we’d have great chemistry in the ring. He was THE reason I told myself "You Can Be a Pro Wrestler”. A guy that small with his success gives
me hope.

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RDLee: If you could be in any tag team in wrestling’s past or present in any promotion, who would you pick and which guy would you replace?

Liger: I have no idea what tag team i'd want to be in or who’d I replace. I’m not big on being in a tag team. Theres no I in team and I’m an I kind of person. Especially after my last tag partner TJ Perkins tuned on me. Where I’m from I watch my own back.

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RDLee: This is a brand new question that will become a staple of future interviews. If you could pick any Manager from wrestling's past or present to be ringside with you and take you to the "next level" so to speak, who would you pick and why?

Liger: oh by far Jimmy Hart because I’m not a very talkative person, and that’s “The Mouth”

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RDLee: You are also quite the gamer, what game is currently spinning in the machine of your choice? And why are you ducking RDLee and Red on Xbox Live? Are you scared?

Liger: Yes I am. I’ve been waiting for this question. I felt it coming RD. right at this moment I’ve been brushing up on my Call of Duty 4 & World at War skills on XBOX360 for a little tournament coming up. As for ducking you guys. Don’t even get too happy I’m FEARLESS remember I’ll take you guys on Anytime, Any game………… just after I get my internet back HA HA HA!

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RDLee: How long would you last in a match with Chuck Norris providing he promised to not kill you in record time beforehand?

Liger: Sweet! Now that’s a Question. Chuck Norris can Roundhouse Kick
Kill me any time after Chuck Norris gets Chuck Norrised by me. That way when I go through the Pearly gates I will be applauded for giving Chuck Norris the Chuck Norris! (* editors note, he calls on of his signature moves the "Chuck Norris, hence the name dropping*)

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RDLee: Do you have any shout outs or plugs that you would like to shill?

Liger: Yes I’d like to thank my Family & those Dear to me for supporting me. I’d like to thank Jesse Hernandez and Cincinnati Red. For all the training and opportunities they’ve provided me. And lastly I’d like to thank you for the great questions! Ha Ha Ha .

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RDLee: Thanks again for joining me today Liger, and I wish you nothing
but the best in all your future endeavors...

Liger: Thank you very much for having me. Remember any time any game
HA HA ha ha. Peace out RD.