Is the stage set for an ECW return?

Creature of the Night

Not true...

ECW died because it wasn't allowed to be what it was without heavy censorship from TNN, and then because the big two raped it of its talent, no other reason. ECW had a successful formula that had violence (although not heavy violence) on its TV tapings and then it went over and above that on PPV where it was allowed to do what it wanted. Thats an in-built reason to buy a PPV right there.

Heyman continually came up with fresh, original ideas that the big two either stole (WWFs attitude era, Luche Libre cruiserweight division) or sat back in awe and wished that they could have on their show with their talent roster. They introduced northern america to lucha libre wrestling, hell without ECW WCWs cruiser division would probably never have got started...

If the PPV buyrate is anywhere near what conservative estimates have projected it at, thats a huge selling point for an ECW style show. Its what wrestling fans are crying out for, something that blurs the lines between reality and fiction, something that isn't afraid to tell people what exactly it is and be f**king great at doing it.

Imagine if ECW had Benoit, Guererro, Tajiri, Awesome, Tanaka, Super Crazy, Psicosis, Rey Mysterio, RVD, Jerry Lynn, Taz (in a wrestling capacity, although this probably wouldn't happen), Credible as an over wrestler, The Dudleys, hell everyone thats ever passed through the gates of ECW and gone on to work for the big two. If they had retained them, then they would have a huge roster to work with. Product has the potential to be fantastic.

With news that Joey Styles has apparently signed a WWE contract (on his official website), the truth might be stranger than fiction in this case. I'd love to see it. ECW was fantastic, the only thing they lacked was cold hard cash.

The Problem Solver

[quote] Its what wrestling fans are crying out for, something that blurs the lines between reality and fiction, something that isn't afraid to tell people what exactly it is and be f**king great at doing it.

[quote]


Couldnt agree more .... ECW has more passion in its little finger than WWE. Who can really say they enjoy the same thing over and over again on a daily basis!

The ECW ONS has highlighted the need for change in the WWE. I remember when RAW was a must see show .... you didnt know what was going to happen. Now I know whats going to happen 2 weeks in advance same old predictable shit ..... Wrestler A dominates Wrestler B then wins on PPV.

I must admit things are looking up with the draft some very unpredictable stuff.

Smackdown with a large ECW faction and an ECW title belt of some sort would inject some life back into the brand.

Dr. Giganto

I think other people have suggested this before, but if what if, rather than bring ECW enterely back, they just had a faction of guys (say, Benoit, RVD and the Dudleyz) whose mission is to keep the ECW legacy alive? I think that could be fairly effective

Abel M

Yeah if they do it right.

Bottom line: there is a market for it... a bigger market than what was once believed. There is potential for Vince to take advantage of that market and it would behoove him to act on it. If he does act on it he could run with it of he could do a half hearted job. The only thing at stake it the well-being and financtial stabality of his company, which is everything. We as fans can only sit back and wait; we have already spoken: "E C DUB, E C DUB, E C DUB!!!" now Vince must respond. Your move, Vince.

Starscream

[quote=Creature of the Night]Not true...

ECW died because it wasn't allowed to be what it was without heavy censorship from TNN, and then because the big two raped it of its talent, no other reason. ECW had a successful formula that had violence (although not heavy violence) on its TV tapings and then it went over and above that on PPV where it was allowed to do what it wanted. Thats an in-built reason to buy a PPV right there.

[quote]

This is exacttly my point. No TV network will allow the violence that comes with ECW, even the toned down TV tapings of old. I agree that it was a good product and that people want to see it. It just wont happen though.


And the second factor against ECW reforming is this, ECW will be owned by Vince McMahon and there is no way he will simply give Heyman total control and a ton of cash to do it. Vince is a control freak, plain and simple. He always has to have his input and his say. If ECW happened it would not possess the integrity, the passion, or the inginuity that Paul Heyman had originally conjurred up. Heyman was so innovative b/c he had to be. It was the only way for his product to have a chance at surviving. If he is simply given everything, he wont have the same drive. Instead he will have Vince watching over his shoulder constantly and throwing in his 2cents.

AudioSavior

I can't help to think that it wouldn't work too well in a WWE setting. I would think it would get boring fast and then end up hurting the ECW name and legacy.

Zar

Well front page says Sabu is meeting with Vince on Monday...