Christian Returns to WWE, Defeats Jack Swagger on Live ECW Show

After months of speculation, Christian returned to a WWE ring for the first time in more than three years but in a much different and less impactful circumstance than anyone expected.

During the opening segment of Tuesday's live ECW broadcast, ECW Champion Jack Swagger was doing a promo when Christian came out to interrupt. After making fun of Swagger's lisp and challenging the winner of the upcoming Swagger/Finlay title match, he hit Swagger with a microphone and left, only to return later in a non-title match against Swagger.

Christian pinned Swagger after hitting the Unprettier following a shillelagh shot to Swagger's ankle by Finlay, who was outside of the ring.

Unfortunately for WWE, this marks another creative blunder as the crowd didn't pop for Christian when he came out and announcer Todd Grisham couldn't have sounded more unenthused in telling the viewing audience why they should care.

Somehow this is supposed to be better than having Christian be the mystery man that attacked Jeff Hardy. I sincerely hope there is some plan in motion, even though I highly doubt there is.

And why did they have Christian take on Swagger on his first night back? My head hurts.

Notes:

• Christian was referred to as just that and 'Cage' was not added to his name. Grisham did refer to the Captain Charisma name, and he had new music by Story of The Year (I think). His hometown was listed as Toronto, Canada.
• There was also a backstage segment where Finlay told Christian he should worry about him instead of Swagger. Hornswoggle also ran around Christian and babbled incoherently because apparently that's what all short people do. He and Finlay were on commentary for the main event which was horrific for the eardrums...and that's being kind.
• Also debuting on ECW Tuesday was Hart family member Tyson Kidd (formerly TJ Wilson) with a now-blond-with-pink-streaks Natalya by his side. He defeated jobber Bao Nguyen with a springboard elbow drop and worked as a heel. They are teasing a future match with Jamie Noble thanks to a backstage run-in.
• The return of Evan Bourne (foot injury) was also teased in a vignette.

Josh Nason - josh [at] ropesringandcage [dot com] - has published MMA, wrestling and boxing blog Ropes, Ring and Cage.com since 2007. If you are using any content or recapping from this site, please include a link to www.ropesringandcage.com. Thank you for your support!