Author Topic: ECW runs its probable final show-- turn out the lights the party's over

rwallner

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Member # 178



posted 02:00 PM ECW ran its final scheduled show in Pine Bluff, Arkansas last night. Meltzer is reporting that there were a lot of hugs and crying back in the lockerroom, and that after the last match everyone on the show came back out and they brought trashcans full of beer to the ring and had one last toast with the fans, and more hugging and saying goodbye. The final straw may have been this week when channel 48 in Philadelphia, their home outlet, dropped ECW because apparently they won't run repeat tapes. With the next scheduled ppv not until march, they cant afford to produce new tv. So ECW has no tv outlets, no arena dates scheduled anywhere, and no cable deal. If they re-assembled for the march ppv, all the guys under guaranteed contracts would be three or four months behind in pay. They're loyal to Heyman, but they've got to get on with their lives. So that's it. ECW's over. And its sad, ECW was a true rebel promotion. The WWF turned itself around by borrowing a lot from ECW, including talent and ideas. It just goes to show how hard it is to run a tv wrestling promotion in this day and age. I wonder if we'll ever see another smalltime promotion attempt to run ppv's and house shows around the country, competing against wwf and wcw. Have to hope Bischoff or McMahon offer some of the ECW guys jobs. Especially Heyman, who has supposedly personally gone millions of dollars in debt with ECW. Heyman's a charismatic, strong-willed guy who has a lot of good ideas, and ECW's demise shouldnt have to be his swan song in the business. Extreme Championship Wrestling RIP. Thanks for the memories! [This message has been edited by rwallner (edited 01-14-2001).] IP: Logged

Trond F. Helland

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Member # 97



posted 02:58 PM Is it really true?! It's sad, but true then... Just two years ago they had the Guilty As Charged PPV which was an incredible show. Rob Van Dam is the ECW Heavyweight Champion who never was. I beleive WCW will be in this situasion in about 1-2 years from now on. WWF will make it, but not as big as it has been for the last couple of years. The ratings says that Wrestling is getting downhill with its popularity. It has always been this way. It's going up and down. It may take many years before Wrestling will get even popular that it has been ever........???..Who knows IP: Logged

Vincent Black from MD

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Member # 1149



posted 03:11 PM This is a sad day for wrestling fans. I really don't think that several years ago when ECW was putting the WWF and WCW to shame with their product that anyone thought it would end like this. It seems so unbelievable that ECW's final show would happen in Arkansas, far away from their home base, with half the company's stars, the owner of the company, and most of the hardcore fans not even in attendance. I would still like to believe that Heyman can get some sort of TV deal or funding that would allow the company to continue, even though it's pretty clear that that's not likely to happen. I hope the company can somehow schedule one final show at the ECW Arena with some of the past stars coming back, because this is no ending for one of the most innovative companies in wrestling history. IP: Logged

hammerva

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Member # 769



posted 03:42 PM I think I officially knew when it was over when I saw the New Jack was doing a run-in at a XPW show. The same man who told everyone and their mother that he retired. The same who probably kicked the most ass for ECW in the parking lot fight of XPW vs ECW at one PPV. Now working with another ECW wanna-be Sad to see. No matter how hard WCW or WWF will try they can never copy the real emotions or heart of ECW. Always worked there ass off. IP: Logged

pepsidude

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Member # 1018



posted 03:54 PM I think, if he's free, Paul Heyman could give a lot to any group as a head booker. I can really see him fitting in in the WWF or even WCW. IP: Logged

HOTSTUFF

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Member # 555



posted 03:56 PM It's kind of ironic that ECW can't get onto to local networks in the Philly or New York area but yet here in England their show is on twice a week in good spots on a decent station.

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King Kong Christman

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Member # 1152



posted 07:37 PM It is indeed sad that they have ended and it is ashame it was in Arkansas instead of Philly. ECW provided me with many memories and if it were'nt for them I probably would not have gotten back into the sport. Also Hogan going to WCW in 94 played a role. The late 80's early 90's I was a jaded casual fan. Oh, the Flair WWF run kind of peaked my interest but after that ended I was kind of oout of it. The glory days of going to the arena in 94-97 will never be forgotten. IP: Logged

MaskedSuperstar99

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Member # 782



posted 08:40 PM I believe Bisch the Savior once said that he wanted to P*** on ECW's grave. I wouldn't be calling him for a job if I was Paul. IP: Logged

Ryan

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Member # 1017



posted 09:14 PM I'm not so sure that was the last ECW show. With all due respect to Pine Bluff, AK, I just don't think it could end there. If the company is indeed going out of business, I would be willing to bet that Paul Heyman would run one last show in ECW arena, and even if the money isn't there for the workers, he wouldn't have too much trouble finding plenty of guys who would make working that show a priority. If it were any other promotion, I would say there would be little chance of putting the show together. But you're talking about a lot of guys who have a lot of serious emotions about the company and the arena. I think if Paul could run one last show in that building, he would make it one that nobody would ever forget. And that's if the company is in fact going under. I still think at the last minute (and this really IS the last minute) someone will come along and save the day. Whatever does happen will have to happen soon. IP: Logged

tlyne

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Member # 319



posted 10:27 PM It would really be sad if this is the end. I first saw ECW in 1995. At that time they had; Benoit, Guerrero, Cactus, Sabu, Malenko, Sandman, Dreamer etc. While the hardcore thing was their trademark, Malenko, Benoit and company put on good wrestling shows. The "Steeltown Showdon" card I saw in Monoca, PA is the best live show I have ever seen. I'm sure Paul E. will have another day in the sun, at least I hope so. [This message has been edited by tlyne (edited 01-14-2001).] IP: Logged

clawmaster64

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Member # 743



posted 10:55 PM The first time I watched an ECW television show was in the summer of 1994. I had read about Eastern Championship Wrestling in the dirtsheets but I really wasn't prepared for what I saw. Here we had the world reknowned Funk brothers battling The Public Enemy. Incredible!! Chairs, blood, brawling ... It had everything WCW and the WWF did not have. The ECW TV show wasn't perfect by any means at that time. Matty in the House was pretty annoying. BUT it was so much better than what the Big 2 promotions were presenting back then. I felt ECW really hit stride in the Fall of 1994. Sabu was pretty amazing in those days. Mikey Whipreck played the wimpyish underdog role to perfection. The Public Enemy were great characters and had some terrific brawls. Then we had Dean Malenko in the silent shooter gimmick. Of course there was the Franchise Shane Douglas shooting all over "Dick" Flair. And I can't forget Cactus Jack. So many memories from those days. Cutting Edge angles. Those cool Pulp Fiction type videos. The Sandman blinding angle. Shane Douglas throwing down the NWA belt. The Cactus/Sabu beer bottle match. Eddie and Dean wrestling their hearts out. The sendoff for Eddie and Dean. Two Cold Scorpio in his better days. Extreme Lucha Libre. Damn Rey Jr was amazing back then. So was Psicosis for that matter. Terry Funk coming out of the box. Bubba Ray Dudley stuttering through Lets Get Ready To Rumble. Woman with her fiendish, sultry, seductive gazes. Chris Jericho coming of age. 911 finally chokeslamming Bill Alphonso. The Blue World Order. Big Stevie Cool. Bluedust. Man those were the days.

Jim [This message has been edited by clawmaster64 (edited 01-14-2001).] IP: Logged

Ryan

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Member # 1017



posted 11:07 PM Matty in the House was VERY annoying. Wonder whatever happened to that guy. IP: Logged

rwallner

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Member # 178



posted 11:09 PM ryan, a last show at ecw arena would be nice, but lets be realistic-- paul e. owes those guys so much money that he didnt even show down in arkansas. there's a lot of affection for him and the promotion, but also a lot of anger and bad feelings. there's reason to believe paul e. hasnt been completely straight with them. he strung them along with promises that a tv deal was right around the corner, that they'd running so and so many shows in november and december. that they'd be running every weekend in january. None of it has happened. Im sure some of these guys have gone seriously into debt waiting out Paul E., hoping it wasnt all talk, that he had another rabbit in his hat. But these guys are going on with their lives now. some will have to get out of the business and get day jobs. some will sign with other companies or end up in someother part of the country working indies. Put simply, most of these guys Im sure would rather Paul E. use whatever money he has left to *pay* them their back pay, rather than put on a farewell show that nobody outside the arena would see. thats life. IP: Logged

The Midnight Lurker

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Member # 1084



posted 11:33 PM ECW got me back into wrestling circa 94-95. It provided almost the perfect example of "salad bowl" booking whereby there is something for everyone. PE tag team brawls; Benoit, Mlaenko, Guerrero having great matches; good "soap opera" (and good [or at least entertaining, well booked] matches to boot) involving Sandman, Dreamer, Raven, Foley, Funk, Dougles etc.; spotfests with Sabu; Mikey's run with the TV title; Superstar Steve Austin, Scorpio, Eliminators, Taz, Dudleys, hell, even the Steiners showed up; even 911 was fun (remember when he choke-slammed Jungle Jim Steele?) as Paul E. used him. Used to go to ECW shows at Ag Hall in Allentown and all too infrequent trips to Swanson and Ritner for what was undoubtedly the best live shows I've ever seen, consistently delivering shows that entertained for the aforementioned reasons. The TV shows really set the template for RAW, enabling McMahon to rise in the ratings. I can remember waiting with baited breath to watch it on TV (Philly 48) back around this time, even getting my buddies in college into it as well. Kind of sad IF it is gone, but the product really has not been as good as it was in the mid-90's, to the point where I rarely, if ever, watched the TNN show when it was on and hadn't sought it out on Channel 48 since leaving TNN. Make no mistake though, wrestling today would be VERY different if not for Paul Haymen, his dedicated workers and a bingo hall packed with mutants. IP: Logged

SLS

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Member # 265



posted 12:01 AM I first seen ECW as Eastern Championship wrestling on the old rabbit ears in Cincinnati thanks to Channel 25. I remember seeing wrestlers like Sal Bellomo, Tony Cairo and Rockin Rebel wrestling The Public enemy,Taz,Tommy Dreamer and veterans like Terry Funk,Sherri Martel and Mr. Hughes etc. ECW was great wretling like the UWF,SMW,GWF(texas),WCCW and USWA. I aslo saw two ECW cards when they came to Toledo (during my college years) and I met some of the stars. I think ECW should have one last show in Philly for the hardcore fans called an Extreme Exit! IP: Logged

sabremike

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Member # 827



posted 12:25 AM quote: Originally posted by rwallner:

ryan, a last show at ecw arena would be nice, but lets be realistic-- paul e. owes those guys so much money that he didnt even show down in arkansas. there's a lot of affection for him and the promotion, but also a lot of anger and bad feelings. there's reason to believe paul e. hasnt been completely straight with them. he strung them along with promises that a tv deal was right around the corner, that they'd running so and so many shows in november and december. that they'd be running every weekend in january. None of it has happened. Im sure some of these guys have gone seriously into debt waiting out Paul E., hoping it wasnt all talk, that he had another rabbit in his hat. But these guys are going on with their lives now. some will have to get out of the business and get day jobs. some will sign with other companies or end up in someother part of the country working indies. Put simply, most of these guys Im sure would rather Paul E. use whatever money he has left to *pay* them their back pay, rather than put on a farewell show that nobody outside the arena would see. thats life. A last show at the arena would be quite doable. Remember, the vast majority of the roster lives in the area so transportation wouldn't be a problem.

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Trond F. Helland

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Member # 97



posted 05:06 AM You say that a great ending would be a one last show at the ECW Arena in Philly. I certainly agree, but I don't think any of the old territory promotions ever did a great ending when they closed down. A Wrestler can't wrestle forever, but a Wrestling promotion can last forever and I think that's the idea in the first place. No Wrestling promotions closes down when they are the top. Exception would be Bill Watts' UWF, And everybody think that was stupid and I agree. Wrestling is just what it is whatever happens...it's the greatest IP: Logged

Crimson Mask I

unregistered





posted 12:08 PM This is pretty much an echo of previous sentiments, but ECW rekindled my interest in wrestling during the early/mid-'90s too. I had become very disaffected when Hogan came and crapped up WCW, and the ECW attitude and level of effort was a breath of fresh air. And even though they've been in a rut as far as performance style goes for the past three years or so, if I were going to show a first-time viewer ONE current American wrestling card, I'd still show 'em an ECW show. This sucks. quote: Not with a bang but with a whimper---this is the way the world ends.---T.S. Eliot So long from the f'n Sunshine State! IP: Logged

Medical Lamp

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Member # 342



posted 11:17 AM Scott Keith had a pretty good rant in his review of ECW's new DVD regarding the current state of the company.. "...Paul Heyman continuously shot himself in the foot for the past year, pushing the wrong people, pi$$ing off the network who gave him a home when no one else would, and burning his bridges with the other promotions to the point where neither Vince nor Eric felt any qualms about signing whoever they felt like out from under his nose. Funny how the nets sentimental view became one of the underdog fighting against huge odds and seemingly only focused on the effort given by the underpaid workers. Hey, if Im building a house and I dont know what Im doing, the house is still gonna fall down no matter how much effort I put into it. Face it, Paul killed his own promotion deader than Hulk Hogans hair folicles when he put the World title on Justin Credible instead of waiting for RVD to heal earlier this year. Make all the rationalizations you want, but when Justin started his reign ECW had a faithful (if small) PPV base and a national TV deal. By the end of it, they were cancelled off TNN and their buyrates were lower than WCWs. That kind of record makes Kevin Nash look like Bruno Sammartino in terms of drawing power. Paul learned the hard way that if you shove the wrong guys down the fans throats, you lose your promotion. Well, I guess the WCW booker job is always open." The whole article is at Wrestleline.com under Keith's review of the new DVD (which he likes, BTW).

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Jess McGrath

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Member # 20



posted 12:25 PM I agree that ECW should have one last show in Philadelphia... it's the least they could do for the people who paid IN CASH on 12/23 for "Club ECW" ringside seats to the next four Arena shows. Regarding blaming of Justin Credible for the downfall, I feel that's too simplistic. The booking itself from 1998 on has been horrible. [This message has been edited by Jess McGrath (edited 01-16-2001).] IP: Logged

rwallner

Member

Member # 178



posted 12:31 PM paul e. kept delaying putting the belt on RVD because he wanted that to be a big ppv. the big ppv was going to be Tazz vs. RVD belt vs. belt. Then Tazz left. Paul E. still wanted RVD winning the belt in a title vs. title ppv, so instead of letting rvd win it then, he put it on Awesome. To set up Awesome vs. RVD title vs. title. Except RVD got hurt. Then Awesome left. Paul E. still stubbornly decided he only wanted RVD winning the belt on a big title vs. title ppv. anybody else in the company could win the belt on tv or on a regular ppv. RVD had to wait. So Justin Credible gets the belt. Then Corrino. Then RVD comes back for the last ppv. he gets to come out after Rhino wins the belt. does he get to challenge Rhino? No, that has to be another ppv, he gets to wrestle jerry lynn instead. Paul E. kept saving RVD's winning the title for his big ppv. now he's saved it so long it probably won't take place. Just like he supposedly blew off Fx and Espn2 because he just had to be on USA Network. It was USA or bust, and they didnt go for it, and now Fx and ESPN2 might be saying, "thats it, he had his chance" Paul E's too much of an idealist, too obsessed with what he wants to be able to accept what he's offered. IP: Logged

sabremike

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Member # 827



posted 01:04 PM quote: Originally posted by Medical Lamp:

"...Paul Heyman continuously shot himself in the foot for the past year, pushing the wrong people, pi$$ing off the network who gave him a home when no one else would, and burning his bridges with the other promotions to the point where neither Vince nor Eric felt any qualms about signing whoever they felt like out from under his nose. " Uh, he began Pi$$ing off the network when they ditched him for WWF. He was losing the slot, what did he have to lose? And burning his bridges with other promotions? WWF has been more than willing to help ECW. Heck, JR basicly came out and said they weren't going to hire ECW guys so as not to kill the company. As usual, this guy doesn't have a clue.

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