The W
Views: 178994401
Main | FAQ | Search: Y! / G | Color chart | Log in for more!
28.3.17 0630
The 7 - Pro Wrestling - On the heels of WWE v. ECW
This thread has 1 referral leading to it
Register and log in to post!
(5261 newer) Next thread | Previous thread
User
Post (14 total)
The King of Keith
Lap cheong
Level: 84

Posts: 1008/1573
EXP: 5514946
For next: 147030

Since: 4.11.02
From: Winchester, VA

Since last post: 3394 days
Last activity: 3393 days
#1 Posted on 7.6.06 1440.42
Reposted on: 7.6.13 1440.43
As we approach tonight's show and the ECW PPV on Sunday, I wonder if this is all going to work. So much time has passed since ECW’s heyday. All of the former wrestlers for the federation are really showing their age. Can ECW survive in these modern times? I want to say yes. I loved watching Heyman’s boys (and girls) duke it out week after week. I want to believe again. However, for this to work, I think three things are going to have to happen:

1) ECW must evolve. They cannot rely on name value alone. What they will have to do is be something so completely different that watching the show feels like an event. Do you remember the old days when you would watch just to see something you wouldn’t see in the WWF or WCW? Do you remember the first time you saw Public Enemy put someone through a table? Do you remember watching Sabu bust out the an Arabian Facebuster? I do. I remember gasping and then thinking “Holy crap, I have to see more of this!” ECW will have to provide an alternative to the wrestling that is already out there to build and keep a fan base. I’m not saying that they need to kill themselves to entertain us, but find new and creative ways to wrestle, as they have done in the past.

2) ECW must build new superstars. How is the new viewer going to relate to someone like Tommy Dreamer? His legacy will mean nothing to them. They weren’t there through his epic battles with Raven. They didn’t see Beulah get 3D’d. They don’t know his history. They are going to see someone who looks like he’s been through the war and looks one misstep from permanent retirement. Poor Terry Funk looks absolutely ancient. The Sandman. Balls. Sabu. All of these guys are pushing it and can’t last much longer. I’m thinking that with Heyman’s involvement in OVW we should be seeing some of their stars soon. CM Punk, for one, would be a great fit. I’ve also heard rumors of Homicide arriving. These are steps in the right direction.

3) ECW needs to remain true to its roots. It cannot be another Smackdown/Raw. It needs to be extreme. There needs to be swearing (beep it out on the network, let it fly on the pay-per-views). They need to have provocative stories. They need to balance the hardcore matches out with classic wrestling matches. Remember, for every Sabu/Sandman you had Malenko/Guerrero. I want to go from a 20 minute classic to a barbed wire match. That’s why I loved ECW. They had what I wanted.

If the WWE can give us all of these with ECW, then I predict that the brand will be a success. If not, it could have the same attached stigma of the Invasion or the nWo: hot, hot angles with plenty of potential failing miserably. But, if it works, and I hope it does, we’ll all be a little luckier as wrestling fans. Come on guys, make us proud!


(edited by The King of Keith on 7.6.06 1641)
Promote this thread!
Matt Tracker
Scrapple
Level: 141

Posts: 1697/5326
EXP: 33951077
For next: 169021

Since: 8.5.03
From: North Carolina

Since last post: 121 days
Last activity: 6 days
#2 Posted on 7.6.06 1533.09
Reposted on: 7.6.13 1535.06
Angle's inclusion is obviously a step in the right direction. He's a master showman and one of the best ring workers in the history of ever, and he draws WWE fans to the new experiment. It's a great move and makes such sense that I can't believe they're going ahead with it.

While I don't have mu interest in the ECW stalwarts like Sabu, Ballz, Axl, or Sandman, I do want to see CW Anderson and the rumored return of Tanaka. I also hope they bring up new guys lingering on the WWE periphery like Punk. I also think guys like Matt Hardy can find a new momentum in this fed. It solves some problems for WWE to have this outlet for a variety of workers, including cruiserweights.

I'm all kinds of curious about this new ECW.
Mayhem
Scrapple
Level: 121

Posts: 2503/3693
EXP: 19619711
For next: 437043

Since: 25.4.03
From: Nashville, TN

Since last post: 2438 days
Last activity: 251 days
#3 Posted on 7.6.06 1610.56
Reposted on: 7.6.13 1613.09

I've read some reports that Gangrel has been signed to be in the new ECW ... to help please the Sci-Fi network folks who want a little bit on "sci-fi" to go with the product.
Freeway
Scrapple
Level: 119

Posts: 3298/3504
EXP: 18689877
For next: 239469

Since: 3.1.02
From: Calgary

Since last post: 3749 days
Last activity: 3436 days
#4 Posted on 7.6.06 1611.58
Reposted on: 7.6.13 1613.10
    Originally posted by Mayhem

    I've read some reports that Gangrel has been signed to be in the new ECW ... to help please the Sci-Fi network folks who want a little bit on "sci-fi" to go with the product.


He can work and he has a kickass gimmick. What's not to love?
StaggerLee
Scrapple
Level: 161

Posts: 3021/7105
EXP: 53050074
For next: 1063159

Since: 3.10.02
From: Right side of the tracks

Since last post: 937 days
Last activity: 937 days
#5 Posted on 7.6.06 1635.45
Reposted on: 7.6.13 1639.51
    Originally posted by Freeway420
      Originally posted by Mayhem

      I've read some reports that Gangrel has been signed to be in the new ECW ... to help please the Sci-Fi network folks who want a little bit on "sci-fi" to go with the product.


    He can work and he has a kickass gimmick. What's not to love?



Is there a second Gangrel walking the planet? Or have I just missed something?
OMEGA
Lap cheong
Level: 88

Posts: 1645/1747
EXP: 6512092
For next: 138598

Since: 18.6.02
From: North Cacalacky

Since last post: 5385 days
Last activity: 2990 days
#6 Posted on 7.6.06 1732.04
Reposted on: 7.6.13 1732.05
    Originally posted by Freeway420
    He can work and he has a kickass gimmick. What's not to love?


I agree with only half of that statement. I loved the gimmick, but I don't recall ever thinking too much of Gangrel in the ring.
Greymarch
Boudin rouge
Level: 52

Posts: 162/517
EXP: 1031690
For next: 52158

Since: 24.2.03
From: Toronto, Canada

Since last post: 2144 days
Last activity: 1332 days
#7 Posted on 7.6.06 1838.01
Reposted on: 7.6.13 1838.29
    Originally posted by Mayhem

    I've read some reports that Gangrel has been signed to be in the new ECW ... to help please the Sci-Fi network folks who want a little bit on "sci-fi" to go with the product.


Yes! My sig is relevant again!
The Vile1
Lap cheong
Level: 87

Posts: 1473/1694
EXP: 6187362
For next: 205437

Since: 4.9.02
From: California

Since last post: 5456 days
Last activity: 5188 days
#8 Posted on 8.6.06 0103.58
Reposted on: 8.6.13 0104.31
What is Smackdown left with now that Angle is in this WWECW?

They've lost Benoit, JBL, Angle, and now Orton. The last time something similar happened was 2 years ago after the first draft lottery and Smackdown went down the toilet.

The champion, who is the lamest duck world champion of all time, needs to leave soon for knee surgery. Batista still isn't back yet. And I'm sorry but you can't build a strong main event scene out of The Giant Khali and Mark Henry.

Why does WWE hate Smackdown so much and constantly want it to look like crap?
edoug
Summer sausage
Level: 48

Posts: 163/447
EXP: 810174
For next: 13374

Since: 13.2.04
From: Maine

Since last post: 3206 days
Last activity: 176 days
#9 Posted on 8.6.06 0239.27
Reposted on: 8.6.13 0239.43
    Originally posted by The Vile1
    What is Smackdown left with now that Angle is in this WWECW?

    They've lost Benoit, JBL, Angle, and now Orton. The last time something similar happened was 2 years ago after the first draft lottery and Smackdown went down the toilet.

    The champion, who is the lamest duck world champion of all time, needs to leave soon for knee surgery. Batista still isn't back yet. And I'm sorry but you can't build a strong main event scene out of The Giant Khali and Mark Henry.

    Why does WWE hate Smackdown so much and constantly want it to look like crap?

ECW is doing their tv tapings at the same locations as Smackdown, so there'll probably be some interaction there.
Excalibur05
Knackwurst
Level: 110

Posts: 2501/2932
EXP: 14291648
For next: 117284

Since: 19.1.02
From: Minnesota

Since last post: 2915 days
Last activity: 2783 days
#10 Posted on 8.6.06 0243.29
Reposted on: 8.6.13 0243.53
The conspiracy theorist in me says that WWE is doing this as a way of tanking the show until the swap over to CW as a way of goosing UPN for dicking around with the show last year. The realist in me thinks that WWE probably doesn't think anything is wrong.

Smackdown has always been (since the split) a kind of "proving ground" show. You always have a mix of bonafide top stars in there (which now would be Booker, Rey, Batista and, if you want to go there, Mark Henry) along with a large chunk of talent who is particularily green or whose live promos (if they get any) could benefit from being edited after the fact on the tape delay. So in that respect, getting rid of Orton and Angle really just means there's a spot to give Lashley more time, or Kennedy, or (yes) Khali. Then when those guys are sufficiantly prepared, you toss them over to the "Flagship" and send in the next batch of young, green talent (your Gunner Scotts and Paul Burchils).

Of course, that's not particularily good planning if you want to really make the Smackdown brand seem as strong as RAW, or to get higher ratings for your Friday Night network block, but in the long run, it's kind of what has made guys like Finlay, Lashley, Kennedy even Batista to a certain extent, and certainly now Booker T into bigger stars in the long run than they ever would have fighting for TV time with an upper card like RAW has. It's dumb logic, sure, but it's not my company.
Destrucity
Boerewors
Level: 43

Posts: 264/339
EXP: 532578
For next: 32473

Since: 21.4.04
From: New York, NY, USA

Since last post: 6340 days
Last activity: 6248 days
#11 Posted on 8.6.06 0630.08
Reposted on: 8.6.13 0630.33
    Originally posted by The King of Keith
    There needs to be swearing (beep it out on the network, let it fly on the pay-per-views).
I thought they suggested there would be swearing last night when Kurt Angle said "shit." Of course, considering "shit" didn't quite get bleeped, they might think twice before letting anyone out there for a Shane Douglas-style fuck-laden promo.
britishiles
Head cheese
Level: 42

Posts: 244/332
EXP: 499712
For next: 21654

Since: 22.7.05
From: Tulsa, OK

Since last post: 3470 days
Last activity: 3440 days
#12 Posted on 8.6.06 0914.26
Reposted on: 8.6.13 0914.44
I agree that they need to build more "Oh My God" moments otherwise it will just be another WWE show.

My first OMG moment for ECW was when Shane Douglas grabbed Pitbull #1 by the neck halo and started shaking it. I was watching the show in my bedroom and sat striaght up in bed and gasped. Woke my wife out of a sound sleep. It was the first time I had ever witnessed an ECW TV show. Wasn't the last one, but it was the last one I tried to watch while the wife was asleep in the same room.
CANADIAN BULLDOG
Andouille
Level: 92

Posts: 1927/1962
EXP: 7622791
For next: 134176

Since: 5.3.03
From: TORONTO

Since last post: 3989 days
Last activity: 1610 days
ICQ:  
#13 Posted on 8.6.06 0939.46
Reposted on: 8.6.13 0940.14
I think we just need to give it a chance and see what happens.

So far, everything they've indicated is that this won't be another "reunion" type show beyond the PPV. And with Heyman writing, it IS going to be different than the Raw and SmackDown stuff.

I am baffled by the SmackDown stuff, though. Besides JBL, Benoit, etc. and now Orton, don't forget that their one marquee tag team is gone too. And how long will it be, realistically, before Mysterio has to go in for surgery?

I don't know... I just keep thinking that maybe Friday nights will become ECW nights on CW, while Raw would get some of the SmackDown guys. Maybe not, but it just seems that way....
KJames199
Scrapple
Moderator
Level: 135

Posts: 199/4714
EXP: 29207746
For next: 127335

Since: 10.12.01
From: #yqr

Since last post: 226 days
Last activity: 7 days
#14 Posted on 8.6.06 1118.19
Reposted on: 8.6.13 1118.50
    Originally posted by Destrucity
    I thought they suggested there would be swearing last night when Kurt Angle said "shit." Of course, considering "shit" didn't quite get bleeped, they might think twice before letting anyone out there for a Shane Douglas-style fuck-laden promo.


Tazz's "motherfucker" at Lawler didn't quite get bleeped either.
ALL ORIGINAL POSTS IN THIS THREAD ARE NOW AVAILABLE
Thread ahead: TNA Impact 6/1/2006
Next thread: Preview for IWS Freedom to Fight - Gatineau - June 17th
Previous thread: RAW #680 06/05/06 Play by Play Report
(5261 newer) Next thread | Previous thread
Related threads: ECW PPV sold out? - Terry Funk advertised for ECW One Night Stand - Heyman announces second "One Night Stand" - More...
The 7 - Pro Wrestling - On the heels of WWE v. ECWRegister and log in to post!

The W™ message board - 7 year recycle

ZimBoard
©2001-2024 Brothers Zim
This old hunk of junk rendered your page in 0.305 seconds.