ECW recruiting talent, tv deal and venues
By Mr. Mal Occhio
News about the impending return of Extreme Championship Wrestling is flying as fast and furious as a Sabu-Rob Van Dam match, with several necessary pieces falling into place for its comeback.
First, it was announced over the weekend that good ol’ Jim Ross is replacing Joey Styles as the lead voice on WWE RAW telecasts, and was scheduled to be behind the mic at Sunday’s Backlash pay-per-view. Now, it does not take a genius (like Lanny Poffo) to figure out that this paves the way for Styles to return to his more-natural turf, namely behind the mic, as the lead guy for ECW. But what about television, you ask, dear readers? Let Mr. Mal bring you up to speed.
It was announced mere days ago was Vince McMahon has decided to cancel future tapings of Velocity (relegated to internet-only viewing at the start of this year’s syndication season saw it without a broadcast deal) in favor of the reborn ECW.
For now, ECW shows are scheduled to be taped prior to Smackdown! every Tuesday evening, with it (at least initially) airing on WWE.com, until it is able to find a new home on U.S. television. McMahon and the WWE are reportedly already holding negotiations to secure a broadcast deal (most likely with the USA network).
Further, the ECW brand is looking to be re-launched within weeks after the upcoming ECW One Night Stand PPV from the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York on July 11, with an event preceding it at the old “ECW Arena� (New Alhambra Sports and Entertainment Complex) on Saturday, June 24th. From there, the WWE is looking to run ECW house show/tapings at 2,000-6,000 seat venues throughout the Northwest, including Detroit, Chicago, Buffalo, Poughkeepsie, Cleveland, Boston, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Long Island, various New Jersey locations and Pittsburgh.
The official rebirth for ECW kicks off June 7th in Dayton, OH, as part of a special WWE vs. ECW show to air on the USA Network, featuring wrestlers from all three brands.
The cancellation of Velocity is simply a numbers game, as McMahon does not wish to add to the current twice-weekly tapings schedule due to a drain on man power. If ECW is able to secure a tv deal, however, speculation is that Velocity may return, which would be good news for the likes of Orlando Jordan, Sylvan, Scotty 2 Hotty and the Gymini (who work nearly-exclusively for the brand).
Talent already said to have been contacted (or even offered contracts similar to Sabu’s – according to reports) included Rhino (pictured, at right) who is said to be interested if the price is right, especially given that his TNA contract is up in July, along with old ECW favorites such as Balls Mahoney, the Sandman, Justin Credible, Lance Storm and Francine. McMahon is also said to be very interested in adding former ECW wrestlers he knows little or even nothing about – further cementing the notion that intends to have this work (or not) on its own merit.
Of note, workers such Raven and the former Dudley Boys (now Team 3-D) are unable to join the resurgence as all are under long-term deals with Total Non-Stop Action (TNA).
The company will be booked by former head Paul Heyman along with former worker Tommy Dreamer.
What do you – the fans, and readers of Wrestler’s Ramblings – think of ECW’s return? Can they recapture their old glory? Or is ECW better left as something in the past? Drop Mr. Mal a note via the comments link and let’s chat about it!
sources:
www.lordsofpain.com
www.pwtorch.com
www.PWInsider.com
www.wrestlingobserver.com
All photos copyright Wrestler’s Ramblings and Mr. Mal Occhio.
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May 2nd, 2006 at 11:46 am
I knew very little of ECW. I watched the TV show occasionally and they really couldn’t show much. I am interested, but I am not really in to people using cheese graders on each other. That is too much like CZW. I don’t mind if somebody like Sabu jumps from the top rope into the audience to hit someone, that is all fine, so I will really have to hold off judgement until I see what they have to offer.
May 2nd, 2006 at 3:53 pm
Cheese-graters is but one small drop in the ocean of offerings that ECW presented in the past, and no doubt will again the future. The in-ring wrestling (thanks to guys like Little Guido, Jerry Lynn, Mikey Whipwreck and others) was also THE BEST I had ever seen - no cheese grater necessary. If you haven’t really seen it, and it comes back to be anything like it was - everyone is in for a real treat. It was incredible.