WWE to promote an ECW Reunion PPV

[Guest Trivia247]

Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

 

Apparently, WWE is planning on doing a one night ECW reunion PPV.

 

A couple of months ago Rob Van Dam pushed the idea to McMahon. Also around this time was when Van Dam publicly made minor knocks against the company, in as far as saying ECW used him better and that ECW was the best period of his career. It also makes sense of the recent Byte This show where Heyman, Van Dam, Tommy Dreamer and Rey Mysterio were less than complimentary to aspects of WWE booking and pushing that ECW made better use of their talents, make a lot more sense. Dreamer even knocked David Lagana, the head writer of Smackdown, noting that he was a big ECW fan, yet couldn’t find anything to keep him (Dreamer), one of ECW’s biggest stars, on the active roster. Since Dreamer's role is in John Laurinaitis' new talent relations departments, if s almost impossible to believe he'd speak out against the company, considering his role, if it wasn’t for pushing of an angle. In fact, if not for the leaving of Chhibber, one could be easily think it possible Heyman's demotion could be an angle to set up him rebelliously starting ECW. That is almost assuredly not true, being that WWE, with hours of television, is not about to shoot a major angle like this, particularly working their own front office to the point where Stephanie was very upset the word about Heyman being off became internet knowledge. Wrestlers normally are strongly discouraged from saying anything against the company mindset in public, let alone comparing the company unfavorably to a different modern company.

 

Van Dam reportedly told McMahon about all the talent under contract that had worked for ECW, with the idea of reviving it for one night. McMahon and others thought at first that it was Heyman's idea, but Heyman was using Van Dam as the messenger. In meetings, Heyman always denied it being his idea, even though others on the inside termed it "Heyman's crusade." Vince was positive about the idea as well as Jim Ross and the Dudleyz. Stephanie kept avoiding putting the idea on her to be discussed docket, so nothing had been done on it. When the DVD did so well, Heyman brought it up again, in front of Vince, forcing Stephanie to deal with it. Stephanie was said to be against it, and nobody knows if it will be done at this point or not. Another source said Stephanie had never publicly said anything against it, but when she privately asked the writing staff their opinions, she implied that she was against as should they be. When word of that got to the wrestlers, there were ex-ECW wrestlers who were led to believe she was the hold-up.

 

One of the big questions originally was whether the show would be handled like a normal WWE show with the agent involvement, the same type of production, as opposed to a different feel, and really be Heyman's own man creative show. But if it is done, at this point, Heyman will have very little if anything to do with the creative end, as it would be put together by the WWE creative team and the WWE agents, just using former ECW talent currently on the active roster and probably Tommy Dreamer, since he works for the company, and possibly one or two outsiders. The idea was just to do one show, but as is natural once the door is opened, several former ECW types, many of whom were frustrated with their lack of push, were hoping it could become an annual thing where they could play a major role on a big show.

 

Below is the list of all EX-ECW talent wrestling with WWE right now:

Rob Van Dam

Chris Jericho

Chris Benoit

Eddie Guerrero

Rey Mysterio

Bubba Ray Dudley

D-Von Dudley

Spike Dudley

Rhyno

Tajiri

Tazz

Lita

Simon Dean

Nunzio

Chilly Willy

Dawn Marie

Mick Foley

Stevie Richards

Al Snow

 

That list alone could make an excellent PPV.

 

More on this breaking news as it comes.

 

 

my only question...... Will the Hat guy by there?

[2GOLD 0]

I'd rather ECW stayed dead.

I don't trust the WWE with the ECW name.

 

And Chilly Willy is in the WWE?

Really?

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

I'd rather ECW stayed dead.

I don't trust the WWE with the ECW name.

 

And Chilly Willy is in the WWE?

Really?

He fought in Iraq, of course they're gonna capitalize on it.

[Guest CronoT]

I'd rather ECW stayed dead.

I don't trust the WWE with the ECW name.

 

And Chilly Willy is in the WWE?

Really?

Vince is more likely to piss all over an ECW Reunion, even to the point of it losing money by making it horribly bad, than risk creating more potential competition. Unless Heyman ws given complete Creative Control, then it's guranteed to bomb.

[GreatWhiteNope 0]

RAW X

 

Nuff said.

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

I sort of like this idea, I just don't like the execution. Let's face it, aside from RVD, Rhyno, Tajiri & The Dudleys, everybody associated with ECW is pretty much useless as far as drawing interest. Rey, Benoit, Eddy, etc., are all more famous for having been in WCW.

 

Instead, they should just have a RAW or Smackdown Only PPV and give it an ECW makeover for one show a year (all hardcore/gimmick matches), preferably in the spring after the big Wrestlemania storylines have wrapped up. Its worth a shot. Anything to generate interest in PPV, which should be the company's top concern right now since it is their biggest weakness.

 

The RAW roster is more ideal overall for this type of show, so you would have to move RVD & The Dudleys over by then.

[NoCalMike 0]

If this is just WWE trying to capitalize on the "ECW" brand name ala, making it just like a WWE show, except calling it ECW, then it will fail miserably as far as the show itself goes, although it still might bring in a lot of buys due to curiosity. I know it will be nearly impossible but Heyman should lobby for a smaller ring, and different rope tightness, so if the cruisers get some matches, they can actually be cruisers, which leads me to my next demand, no WWE-style wrestling please

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

It will only be good if Tommy Dreamer and Lance Storm makes appereances. And if they can, get Raven or Justin Credible there for one night appereances.

[King Cucaracha 0]

It'd be funny to see them explain off Simon Dean appearing on the show. Also, they missed Rosey off the list.

 

Plus, I'm sure Malenko would get himself into wrestling shape for a match.

 

Show itself...wouldn't work. Unless they leave EVERYTHING to Heyman, it won't be authentic. It'd have to be in Viking Hall. The lighting would have to suck. If it's one show, Heyman will look to cram every big ECW type occurence he can think of...the big bumps, emotional storylines, shocking TV...all that stuff in one 3 hour show adds up to a potential car wreck. Even then, he'll probably have limitations on what he can do because with WWE promoting it, McMahon is ultimately responsible if they do something akin to the crucifiction angle. He's also missing a lot of workers, obviously.

 

Forgetting all that, there's no WAY they can live up to non-diehard ECW fans' expectations. You're asking them to cram seven years into 3 hours essentially.

 

Nope. Can't see it.

[Guest Mordecai's Cathedral]

Hmmm... Eddie Guerrero VS Dean Malenko 2/3 Falls

[AboveAverage484 0]

An ECW reunion without Sabu, Sandman, or Raven is useless. While it's unrealistic that WWE could get them, that's like having a WWE reunion without Hogan, Savage, or Bret Hart. Wait, I wouldn't put that by WWE.

[Enigma 0]

Wasn't this already posted in the WON thread?

[Guest Trivia247]

I didn't see anything in the other topics pertaining to only this nor even mention of ECW. lets not get thread smug

[RHR 0]

I don't think this would really work at all. The only unless I can think of is if Heyman was in charge, and it was some established ECW guys (RVD, the Dudleys, Dreamer) mixed in with some old-one shots (Justin Credible, Sandman), and some one shot indy guys (giving them their first large audience...like Samoa Joe, CM Punk, etc)...then it'd be something a little familiar, a little new, and not spit in the face of ECW fans by just making something up and slapping the ECW name on it.

[1234-5678 0]

If it were to occur, here's what the card should look like (off the top of my head).

 

Tazz vs. Sabu

Raven vs. Tommy Dreamer

Rob Van Dam vs. Jerry Lynn

The Dudley Boys vs. The Eliminators vs. The Impact Players

Terry Funk, Cactus Jack and Mikey Whipwreck vs. Shane Douglas, Chris Candido and Bam Bam Bigelow

Dean Malenko vs. Eddie Guerrero

Rhyno vs. The Sandman

Super Crazy vs. Tajiri

Stevie Richards, Nova and The Blue Meanie vs. Steve Corino, Simon Diamond and CW Anderson

Balls Mahoney vs. Axl Rotten vs. New Jack

[Guest LooneyTune]

Objection! I demand that last match be stricken from the record.

[razazteca 0]

Stevie Richards, Simon Dean, Funaki as the BWO vs Al Snow, Tommy Dreamer, Nunzio.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I've thought about this kind of idea myself. The main problem I see is that most of the former ECW guys are past their best wrestling days. Guerrero/Malenko is nice, but I doubt it'll be better than their matches nine years ago.

 

This can work, but it needs a fresh angle. Otherwise, its no better than what one could already seek on video.

[1234-5678 0]

Yeah, most of em are past their prime, and some probably aren't even in wrestling shape (Dreamer, Malenko, Tazz). But I would still pay to see it, which is more then I can say for any of the Smackdown or RAW PPVs.

[Youth N Asia 0]

It ain't ECW without Mikey Whipwreck.

 

If it's going to be ECW...then get guys that are ECW, not just guys who used to be there and are now under WWE contract.

[Eclipse 0]

This would be a good idea, but the WWE should let Heyman control and book what goes on in that PPV. Also, ALL of the major ECW talent should return, not just the ones currently employed by WWE.

[Toshiaki Koala 0]

Balls Mahoney vs. Axl Rotten vs. New Jack

How would they fit a wrestling ring in New Jack's cell?

[justcoz 0]

They could use the Manhatten Center (if it's still available) instead of Viking Hall. Also, strike up a deal with ROH where their shows are featured on WWE 24/7 for the occassional use and swapping of talent (similar to the ECW relationship during the Monday Night Wars). This way guys like Samoa Joe, American Dragon and CM Punk, who for all intent and purposes would be working for ECW if the promotion was still around, could be featured on the PPV. You can't build the PPV on classic ECW names alone. Hype it as an ECW Reunion show but also test the waters to see if such a product has a future, test out some new talent, etc. Plus, if WWE befriends ROH, it stops TNA from hijacking their talent. And I'm sure ROH could find use for guest appearances by guys like Paul London, Akio, Ultimo Dragon, Rey Mysterio, Eddie, Benoit, etc.

 

Heyman should have total creative control of the product. Whatever network WWE programming signs with should leave one time slot available, maybe a 11pm slot following Raw on Mondays, for a possible recurring ECW television show. Styles and Tazz on commentary.

[1234-5678 0]

It ain't ECW without Mikey Whipwreck.

 

If it's going to be ECW...then get guys that are ECW, not just guys who used to be there and are now under WWE contract.

I'd change the 3 way between Douglas, Funk and Cactus to this then:

 

Terry Funk, Cactus Jack and Mikey Whipwreck vs. Shane Douglas, Bam Bam Bigelow and Chris Candido.

[The Mandarin 0]

I'm convinced the DVD never came to Canada. There's no way it could have sold out EVERYWHERE.

[Guest Trivia247]

Nah an Elimination Chamber Tai pei Burning Barbwire bat table match..

 

the participants...

 

Axl Rotten

 

Ian Rotten

 

New Jack

 

Abdullah the Butcher

 

Cactus Jack

 

Terry Funk

[haws bah gawd 0]

Does anyone think that they would acknowledge Rhyno as the ECW World and Television Champion since he technically never lost either title? Would they bring in Doring and Roadkill (I think they were the last tag champs but I may be wrong) for a one-off as the Tag Champions?

[Youth N Asia 0]

Nope...just current WWE guys who passed through ECW. No Doring and Roadkill...although they are Tazz's students

[Steviekick 0]

Stevie Richards, Simon Dean, Funaki as the BWO vs Al Snow, Tommy Dreamer, Nunzio.

I know a lot of it is because I'm a ridiculous Stevie-Mark, but reforming the bWo as a comedy midcard heel act would actually work. They really aren't doing anything of value with Stevie and Funaki, and lets face it, Simon Dean as a gimmick doesn't seem to be going well.

 

Besides, I'm sure the t-shirt would sell well.

[Youth N Asia 0]

Meanie would be a great sidekick for Simon...most people seem to know his ECW past anyway, and everyone knows the Meanie was fat.