DETROIT - Before a capacity crowd in the Joe Louis Arena, the undefeated ECW Champion Jack Swagger solidified his reign by successfully defending his title against former champion Matt Hardy.

The match proved to be an intense battle from the beginning, with Hardy showing tremendous intestinal fortitude as he fought through a painful left arm injury inflicted by the ECW Champion in the onset. However, Swagger eventually scored a decisive victory, countering Hardy’s Side Effect before hurling his challenger into the unforgiving steel ringpost, allowing him to hit the gutwrench powerbomb for the victory. Following the match, Hardy loomed outside the ring, with a look of absolute disappointment consuming his face.

Since his emergence four months ago as part of ECW General Manager Theodore Long’s New Superstar Initiative, "The All-American American" has quickly established himself as the new face of the Land of the Extreme. Like him or hate him, he commands the attention of the WWE Universe with a smug smile and unending confidence that is only outdone only by his uncanny ability to deliver. He quickly fought his way to the top – earning convincing victories over top-caliber Extreme Superstar contenders from ECW Original Tommy Dreamer to Finlay – before finally earning an opportunity at the gold.

From the moment Matt Hardy won the Extreme championship, he heroically pledged to be a fighting champion, taking on all comers. And he lived up to that credo until the end, battling Swagger bravely before losing the title less than two weeks ago on ECW on Sci Fi. Although Hardy looked to stand a great chance at reclaiming the gold, defeating Swagger with a Twist of Fate in tag team action on SmackDown just over a week ago, Swagger refused to be denied at the Royal Rumble.

This second victory over Hardy clearly shows that Jack Swagger has carved his place in the annals of Extreme glory. But, who will emerge Tuesday night on Sci Fi to try and take the smile off the new face of ECW?