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{{short description|Former professional wrestling roster division, referred to as brands, in World Wrestling Entertainment}}
{{Short description|Former professional wrestling roster division}}
{{Infobox brand
{{Infobox brand
|name=ECW
|name=ECW
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|logo_caption=Logo for the brand and the ''[[WWE ECW|ECW]]'' television program
|logo_caption=Logo for the brand and the ''[[WWE ECW|ECW]]'' television program
|image=
|image=
⚫
|previousowners=
|image_upright=
|image_upright=
|alt=
|alt=
|caption=
|caption=
|producttype=[[Professional wrestling]]<br>[[Sports entertainment]]
|producttype=[[Hardcore wrestling]]<br>[[Sports entertainment]]
|currentowner=[[WWE]]
|currentowner=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]
|producedby= [[Paul Heyman]]<br><small>(2006)</small><br>[[Vince McMahon]]<br><small>(2006–2010)</small>
|producedby= [[Paul Heyman]]<br><small>(2006)</small><br>[[Vince McMahon]]<br><small>(2006–2010)</small>
|country= [[United States]]
|country= [[United States]]
|successor = ECW (WWE brand)
|introduced=May 25, 2006
|introduced=May 25, 2006
|discontinued=February 16, 2010
|discontinued=February 16, 2010
|related=[[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]]<br>[[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]]<br>[[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]]<br>[[NXT UK (WWE brand)|NXT UK]]<br>[[205 Live (WWE brand)|205 Live]]
|related=[[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]]<br>[[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]]<br>[[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]]<br>[[205 Live (WWE brand)|205 Live]]<br>[[NXT UK (WWE brand)|NXT UK]]
|markets=
|markets=
⚫
|previousowners=
|trademarkregistrations=
|trademarkregistrations=
⚫
|tagline=''A new breed unleashed''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06122006/mainarticle|title=An extreme awakening makes Cena snap|date=2006-06-12|last=Williams III|first=Ed|access-date=2010-06-30|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref><br>''The Tribe of Extreme has risen again!''
|ambassadors=
⚫
|tagline=''A new breed unleashed''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06122006/mainarticle|title=An extreme awakening makes Cena snap|date=2006-06-12|last=Williams III|first=Ed|access-date=2010-06-30|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|quote=The slogan for ECW is “The land of extreme”}}</ref>
|website=
|website=
|module1='''Predecessor:'''<br />[[Extreme Championship Wrestling]]
|module=
|module1=
}}
}}
'''ECW''' was a [[WWE brand extension|brand]] of the American [[professional wrestling]] promotion [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE) that was established in May 2006 and discontinued in February 2010. Brands are divisions of WWE's roster where wrestlers are assigned to perform on a weekly basis when a brand extension is in effect. Wrestlers that were assigned to ECW primarily appeared on the brand's weekly television program, ''[[WWE ECW|ECW]]''. The brand was established as a relaunch of the former [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] promotion, the assets of which WWE acquired in 2003.
'''ECW''' was a [[WWE brand extension|brand]] of the American [[professional wrestling]] promotion [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE) that was established in May 2006 and discontinued in February 2010. Brands are divisions of WWE's roster where wrestlers are assigned to perform on a weekly basis when a brand extension is in effect. Wrestlers that were assigned to ECW primarily appeared on the brand's weekly television program, ''[[WWE ECW|ECW]]''. The brand was established as a relaunch of the former [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] (ECW) promotion, the assets of which WWE acquired in 2003.


The brand only operated during the second half of WWE's first brand extension period (2002–2011), and was one of WWE's three main brands, along with [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]]. In addition to the brand's television program, ECW wrestlers competed on the branded and co-branded [[List of WWE pay-per-view and WWE Network events|pay-per-view events]]. From 2007 to 2009, ECW wrestlers also occasionally appeared on the ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' and ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown]]'' television programs due to talent exchange agreements between the brands. The brand was dissolved in February 2010, and its show was replaced by the reality series ''[[WWE NXT (seasons 1–5)|NXT]]'', which was rebranded as WWE's [[Farm team|developmental territory]], [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]], in 2012.
The brand operated during the second half of WWE's first brand extension period (2002–2011), and was one of WWE's three main brands, along with [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]]. In addition to the brand's television program, ECW wrestlers competed on the branded and co-branded [[List of WWE pay-per-view and WWE Network events|pay-per-view events]]. From 2007 to 2009, ECW wrestlers also occasionally appeared on the ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' and ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown]]'' television programs due to talent exchange agreements between the brands. The brand was dissolved in February 2010, and its show was replaced by the reality series ''[[WWE NXT (seasons 1–5)|NXT]]'', which was rebranded as WWE's [[Farm team|developmental territory]], [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]], in 2012.


==History==
==History==
{{main article|WWE brand extension}}
{{main article|WWE brand extension}}
[[File:Paulheyman.jpg|thumb|170px|[[Paul Heyman]], the first [[ECW (WWE)#Authority figures|ECW Representative]] in the ring in 2006]]
[[File:Paulheyman.jpg|thumb|170px|[[Paul Heyman]], the first [[ECW (WWE)#Authority figures|ECW Representative]] in the ring in 2006]]
In early-to-mid-2002, then World Wrestling Federation (WWF) underwent a process they called the "[[WWE brand extension|brand extension]]".<ref name="wwe55">{{cite book|last1=Shields|first1=Brian|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kevin|title=WWE: History of WrestleMania|year=2009|page=55}}</ref> The WWF divided itself into two ''[[de facto]]'' wrestling promotions with separate rosters, storylines and [[Professional wrestling authority figures|authority figures]].<ref name="wwe55"/> ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown!'' would host each division, give its name to the division and essentially compete against each other. The split came about as a result of the WWF purchasing their two biggest competitors, [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) and [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] (ECW); and the subsequent doubling of its roster and [[Professional wrestling championship|championships]]. The brand extension was publicly announced by [[Linda McMahon]] during a telecast of ''Raw'' on March 25 and became official the next day. WWE acquired the rights to ECW's trademarks and [[WWE Video Library|video library]] in 2003.<ref name="wwe58">{{cite book|last1=Shields|first1=Brian|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kevin|title=WWE: History of WrestleMania|year=2009|page=58}}</ref>
In early-to-mid-2002, then World Wrestling Federation (WWF, later WWE) underwent a process they called the "[[WWE brand extension|brand extension]]".<ref name="wwe55">{{cite book|last1=Shields|first1=Brian|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kevin|title=WWE: History of WrestleMania|year=2009|page=55}}</ref> The WWF divided itself into two ''[[de facto]]'' wrestling promotions with separate rosters, storylines and [[Professional wrestling authority figures|authority figures]].<ref name="wwe55"/> ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' and ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'' would host each division, give its name to the division and essentially compete against each other. The split came about as a result of the WWF purchasing its biggest competitor, [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW); and the subsequent doubling of its roster and [[Professional wrestling championship|championships]]. The brand extension was publicly announced by [[Linda McMahon]] during a telecast of ''Raw'' on March 25 and became official the next day. WWE acquired the rights to [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] (ECW)'s trademarks and [[WWE Video Library|video library]] in 2003.<ref name="wwe58">{{cite book|last1=Shields|first1=Brian|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kevin|title=WWE: History of WrestleMania|year=2009|page=58}}</ref>


The enormous popularity of ECW merchandise prompted WWE to organize [[ECW One Night Stand (2005)|One Night Stand]], an ECW reunion pay-per-view in 2005.<ref name="wwe58"/> The financial and critical success of the event motivated WWE to organize a second [[ECW One Night Stand (2006)|One Night Stand]] the following year. With rejuvenated interest in the ECW product, WWE began exploring the possibility of reviving the promotion full-time. On May 25, 2006, WWE announced the launch of ECW as a stand-alone brand, congruous to [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]], with its own show on Sci Fi (now [[Syfy]]).<ref name=SciFi>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/scifi|title=WWE brings ECW to Sci Fi Channel|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=June 2, 2006}}</ref> On May 29, the WWE held their [[2006 WWE brand extension draft|2006 brand extension draft]]. The [[WWE draft|draft]] featured ECW founder [[Paul Heyman]] receiving two total draft picks from the existing Raw and SmackDown rosters for the newly created ECW brand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05292006/articles/heymangetspicks|title=Heyman gets Draft picks|last=Williams III|first=Ed|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=May 29, 2006|access-date=February 23, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05292006/|title=Will Triple H join the Mr.McMahon Kiss my Ass club|last=Williams III|first=Ed|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=May 29, 2006|access-date=February 23, 2008}}</ref> During the draft, [[Rob Van Dam]] was drafted from Raw and [[Kurt Angle]] from SmackDown.
The enormous popularity of ''[[The Rise and Fall of ECW]]'' and other ECW merchandise prompted WWE to organize [[ECW One Night Stand (2005)|One Night Stand]], an ECW reunion pay-per-view in 2005.<ref name="wwe58"/> The financial and critical success of the event motivated WWE to organize a second [[ECW One Night Stand (2006)|One Night Stand]] the following year. With rejuvenated interest in the ECW product, WWE began exploring the possibility of reviving the promotion full-time. On May 25, 2006, WWE announced the launch of ECW as a stand-alone brand, congruous to [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]], with its own show on Sci Fi (now [[Syfy]]).<ref name=SciFi>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/scifi|title=WWE brings ECW to Sci Fi Channel|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=June 2, 2006}}</ref> On May 29, the WWE held their [[2006 WWE brand extension draft|2006 brand extension draft]]. The [[WWE draft|draft]] featured ECW founder [[Paul Heyman]] receiving two total draft picks from the existing Raw and SmackDown! rosters for the newly created ECW brand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05292006/articles/heymangetspicks|title=Heyman gets Draft picks|last=Williams III|first=Ed|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=May 29, 2006|access-date=February 23, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05292006/|title=Will Triple H join the Mr.McMahon Kiss my Ass club|last=Williams III|first=Ed|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=May 29, 2006|access-date=February 23, 2008}}</ref> During the draft, [[Rob Van Dam]] was drafted from Raw and [[Kurt Angle]] from SmackDown! as the marquee signings.


The ECW brand was initially produced differently from WWE's other brands. For televised events, the main ring-facing cameras were placed on a different location in the arena while the [[wrestling ring]] itself featured an ECW logo on the mat and blank turnbuckle covers. The male performers were referred to "Extremists" instead of "[[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Superstar|Superstars]]" while female performers were called "Vixens" rather than [[Women in WWE|Divas]]. However, the brand steadily began being produced following the same format of the other brands and as opposed to the original promotion match rules, such as [[Countout|count outs]] and [[Professional wrestling#Disqualification|disqualifications]], were now standard. Matches featuring the rule set of the original promotion were then classified as being contested under "[[Hardcore wrestling|Extreme Rules]]" and were only fought when specified.
The ECW brand was initially produced differently from WWE's other brands. For televised events, the main ring-facing cameras were placed on a different location in the arena while the [[wrestling ring]] itself featured an ECW logo on the mat and blank turnbuckle covers. The male performers were referred to "Extremists" instead of "[[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Superstar|Superstars]]" while female performers were called "Vixens" rather than [[Women in WWE|Divas]]. However, the brand steadily began being produced following the same format of the other brands and as opposed to the original promotion match rules, such as [[Countout|count outs]] and [[Professional wrestling#Disqualification|disqualifications]], were now standard. Matches featuring the rule set of the original promotion were then classified as being contested under "[[Hardcore wrestling|Extreme Rules]]" and were only fought when specified.
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Former ECW owner [[Paul Heyman]] served as the on-air ECW Representative until [[December to Dismember (2006)|December to Dismember]], when Heyman was relieved from both his on and off-air duties with WWE.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/news/heymanout|title=Heyman out|access-date=December 23, 2006}}</ref> After Heyman left in late 2006, there was no [[ECW (WWE)#Authority figures|ECW authority figure]] until August 14, 2007, when [[Armando Estrada]] was announced as the General Manager. On June 3, 2008, Estrada was replaced by [[Theodore Long]]. On the April 7, 2009 edition of ''ECW'', it was announced that Long was returning to SmackDown to fulfill the role of General Manager. From this point, the Interim General Manager was named as [[Taryn Terrell|Tiffany]], who took over as full-time General Manager on the June 30 episode.
Former ECW owner [[Paul Heyman]] served as the on-air ECW Representative until [[December to Dismember (2006)|December to Dismember]], when Heyman was relieved from both his on and off-air duties with WWE.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/news/heymanout|title=Heyman out|access-date=December 23, 2006}}</ref> After Heyman left in late 2006, there was no [[ECW (WWE)#Authority figures|ECW authority figure]] until August 14, 2007, when [[Armando Estrada]] was announced as the General Manager. On June 3, 2008, Estrada was replaced by [[Theodore Long]]. On the April 7, 2009 edition of ''ECW'', it was announced that Long was returning to SmackDown to fulfill the role of General Manager. From this point, the Interim General Manager was named as [[Taryn Terrell|Tiffany]], who took over as full-time General Manager on the June 30 episode.


On October 16, 2007, a "talent exchange" was started between the SmackDown and ECW brands, allowing their respective talent to appear on either brand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/10162007/articles/partnershipforming|title=Partnership Forming?|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=October 16, 2007|access-date=October 25, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/10162007/|title=Setting the night on fire|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=October 16, 2007|access-date=October 25, 2007}}</ref> On the September 8, 2008 episode of ''Raw'', it was announced a "talent exchange" was started between the Raw and ECW brands, allowing their respective talent to appear on either brand. Following the [[2009 WWE draft]], both of these talent exchanges were quietly dropped.
On October 16, 2007, a "talent exchange" was started between the SmackDown! and ECW brands, allowing their respective talent to appear on either brand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/10162007/articles/partnershipforming|title=Partnership Forming?|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=October 16, 2007|access-date=October 25, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/10162007/|title=Setting the night on fire|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=October 16, 2007|access-date=October 25, 2007}}</ref> On the September 8, 2008 episode of ''Raw'', it was announced a "talent exchange" was started also for the Raw brand with ECW, allowing their respective talent to appear on either brand whenever they feel like. Following the [[2009 WWE draft]], both of these talent exchanges were quietly dropped.


On February 2, 2010, WWE Chairman [[Vince McMahon]] announced that ''ECW'' would be going off the air and would air its final episode on February 16.<ref name="NXT">{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_38751.shtml|title=Caldwell's WWE Superstar TV Report 2/4: Complete coverage of Team Morrison vs. Team McIntyre six-man tag, awesome Bourne vs. Carlito match|first=James|last=Caldwell|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=February 4, 2010|access-date=February 5, 2010}}</ref> The final match on the show was an [[Professional wrestling match types#Hardcore-based variations|extreme rules match]] where [[Ezekiel Jackson]] defeated [[ECW Championship|ECW Champion]] [[Christian Cage|Christian]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyEZPRzOh3o|title=ECW Tue. Feb. 16, 2010|publisher=WWE|date=May 6, 2010|access-date=August 29, 2020}}</ref>
On February 2, 2010, WWE Chairman [[Vince McMahon]] announced that ''ECW'' would be going off the air and would air its final episode on February 16.<ref name="NXT">{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_38751.shtml|title=Caldwell's WWE Superstar TV Report 2/4: Complete coverage of Team Morrison vs. Team McIntyre six-man tag, awesome Bourne vs. Carlito match|first=James|last=Caldwell|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=February 4, 2010|access-date=February 5, 2010}}</ref> The final match on the show was an [[Professional wrestling match types#Hardcore-based variations|extreme rules match]] where [[Ezekiel Jackson]] defeated [[ECW World Heavyweight Championship|ECW Champion]] [[Christian Cage|Christian]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyEZPRzOh3o|title=ECW Tue. Feb. 16, 2010|publisher=WWE|date=May 6, 2010|access-date=August 29, 2020}}</ref>


With the ECW brand permanently disbanded, the ECW roster were assigned to other brands.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02082010/|title=Raw's pit stomp|first=Greg|last=Adkins|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=February 8, 2010|access-date=February 9, 2010}}</ref>
With the ECW brand permanently disbanded, the ECW roster were assigned to other brands.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02082010/|title=Raw's pit stomp|first=Greg|last=Adkins|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=February 8, 2010|access-date=February 9, 2010}}</ref> The ''ECW'' show was replaced by the reality series ''[[WWE NXT (seasons 1–5)|NXT]]'',<ref name="NXT"/> which was rebranded as WWE's [[Farm team|developmental territory]], [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]], in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/118-daily-updates/27030-wwe-news-fcw-name-being-phased-out|title=WWE News: FCW name being phased out|access-date=August 14, 2012|publisher=Wrestling Observer}}</ref>


== Championships ==
== Championships ==
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|-
|-
|align="left"|[[ECW World Heavyweight Championship|ECW Championship]]
|align="left"|[[ECW World Heavyweight Championship|ECW Championship]]
|align="left"|(June 13, 2006 – January 22, 2008; March 30, 2008 – June 23, 2008; June 29, 2008 – February 16, 2010)
|align="left"|June 13, 2006 – January 22, 2008; March 30, 2008 – June 23, 2008; June 29, 2008 – February 16, 2010
|-
|-
|align="left"|[[WWE Championship]]
|align="left"|[[WWE Championship]]
|align="left"|(June 13, 2006 – July 3, 2006)
|align="left"|June 13, 2006 – July 3, 2006
|-
|-
|align="left"|[[WWE United States Championship]]
|align="left"|[[WWE United States Championship]]
|align="left"|(June 23, 2008 – July 20, 2008)
|align="left"|June 23, 2008 – July 20, 2008
|-
|-
|align="left"|[[WWE Raw Tag Team Championship|WWE Tag Team Championship]]
|align="left"|[[WWE Raw Tag Team Championship|WWE Tag Team Championship]]
|align="left"|(November 13, 2007 – July 20, 2008)
|align="left"|November 13, 2007 – July 20, 2008
|-
|-
|align="left"|[[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Championship]]
|align="left"|[[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Championship]]
|align="left"|(December 13, 2008 – April 5, 2009)
|align="left"|December 13, 2008 – April 5, 2009
|}
|}


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!scope="col" width="490"|Main event
!scope="col" width="490"|Main event
|-
|-
|June 11, 2006 || [[ECW One Night Stand (2006)|One Night Stand]] || [[Hammerstein Ballroom]] || [[New York City|New York, New York]] || [[John Cena]] vs. [[Rob Van Dam]]
|June 11, 2006 || [[ECW One Night Stand (2006)|One Night Stand]] || [[Hammerstein Ballroom]] || [[New York City|New York, New York]] || [[John Cena]] vs. [[Rob Van Dam]] for the [[WWE Championship]]
|-
|-
|December 3, 2006 || [[December to Dismember (2006)|December to Dismember]] || [[James Brown Arena]] || [[Augusta, Georgia]] || [[Big Show]] vs. [[Bobby Lashley]] vs. [[CM Punk]] vs. [[Hardcore Holly]] vs. [[Rob Van Dam]] vs. [[Test (wrestler)|Test]]
|December 3, 2006 || [[December to Dismember (2006)|December to Dismember]] || [[James Brown Arena]] || [[Augusta, Georgia]] || [[Big Show]] vs. [[Bobby Lashley]] vs. [[CM Punk]] vs. [[Hardcore Holly]] vs. [[Rob Van Dam]] vs. [[Test (wrestler)|Test]] in a six-man [[extreme Elimination Chamber match]] for the [[ECW Championship]]
|-
|-
|}
|}

Latest revision as of 15:52, 23 November 2024

ECW
Logo for the brand and the ECW television program
Product typeHardcore wrestling
Sports entertainment
OwnerWorld Wrestling Entertainment
Produced byPaul Heyman
(2006)
Vince McMahon
(2006–2010)
CountryUnited States
IntroducedMay 25, 2006
DiscontinuedFebruary 16, 2010
Related brandsRaw
SmackDown
NXT
205 Live
NXT UK
TaglineA new breed unleashed[1]
The Tribe of Extreme has risen again!
Predecessor:
Extreme Championship Wrestling

ECW was a brand of the American professional wrestling promotion World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) that was established in May 2006 and discontinued in February 2010. Brands are divisions of WWE's roster where wrestlers are assigned to perform on a weekly basis when a brand extension is in effect. Wrestlers that were assigned to ECW primarily appeared on the brand's weekly television program, ECW. The brand was established as a relaunch of the former Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) promotion, the assets of which WWE acquired in 2003.

The brand operated during the second half of WWE's first brand extension period (2002–2011), and was one of WWE's three main brands, along with Raw and SmackDown. In addition to the brand's television program, ECW wrestlers competed on the branded and co-branded pay-per-view events. From 2007 to 2009, ECW wrestlers also occasionally appeared on the Raw and SmackDown television programs due to talent exchange agreements between the brands. The brand was dissolved in February 2010, and its show was replaced by the reality series NXT, which was rebranded as WWE's developmental territory, NXT, in 2012.

History

[edit]
Main article: WWE brand extension
Paul Heyman, the first ECW Representative in the ring in 2006

In early-to-mid-2002, then World Wrestling Federation (WWF, later WWE) underwent a process they called the "brand extension".[2] The WWF divided itself into two de facto wrestling promotions with separate rosters, storylines and authority figures.[2] Raw and SmackDown! would host each division, give its name to the division and essentially compete against each other. The split came about as a result of the WWF purchasing its biggest competitor, World Championship Wrestling (WCW); and the subsequent doubling of its roster and championships. The brand extension was publicly announced by Linda McMahon during a telecast of Raw on March 25 and became official the next day. WWE acquired the rights to Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)'s trademarks and video library in 2003.[3]

The enormous popularity of The Rise and Fall of ECW and other ECW merchandise prompted WWE to organize One Night Stand, an ECW reunion pay-per-view in 2005.[3] The financial and critical success of the event motivated WWE to organize a second One Night Stand the following year. With rejuvenated interest in the ECW product, WWE began exploring the possibility of reviving the promotion full-time. On May 25, 2006, WWE announced the launch of ECW as a stand-alone brand, congruous to Raw and SmackDown!, with its own show on Sci Fi (now Syfy).[4] On May 29, the WWE held their 2006 brand extension draft. The draft featured ECW founder Paul Heyman receiving two total draft picks from the existing Raw and SmackDown! rosters for the newly created ECW brand.[5][6] During the draft, Rob Van Dam was drafted from Raw and Kurt Angle from SmackDown! as the marquee signings.

The ECW brand was initially produced differently from WWE's other brands. For televised events, the main ring-facing cameras were placed on a different location in the arena while the wrestling ring itself featured an ECW logo on the mat and blank turnbuckle covers. The male performers were referred to "Extremists" instead of "Superstars" while female performers were called "Vixens" rather than Divas. However, the brand steadily began being produced following the same format of the other brands and as opposed to the original promotion match rules, such as count outs and disqualifications, were now standard. Matches featuring the rule set of the original promotion were then classified as being contested under "Extreme Rules" and were only fought when specified.

Tiffany (the final ECW General Manager) on Raw in November 2008

Former ECW owner Paul Heyman served as the on-air ECW Representative until December to Dismember, when Heyman was relieved from both his on and off-air duties with WWE.[7] After Heyman left in late 2006, there was no ECW authority figure until August 14, 2007, when Armando Estrada was announced as the General Manager. On June 3, 2008, Estrada was replaced by Theodore Long. On the April 7, 2009 edition of ECW, it was announced that Long was returning to SmackDown to fulfill the role of General Manager. From this point, the Interim General Manager was named as Tiffany, who took over as full-time General Manager on the June 30 episode.

On October 16, 2007, a "talent exchange" was started between the SmackDown! and ECW brands, allowing their respective talent to appear on either brand.[8][9] On the September 8, 2008 episode of Raw, it was announced a "talent exchange" was started also for the Raw brand with ECW, allowing their respective talent to appear on either brand whenever they feel like. Following the 2009 WWE draft, both of these talent exchanges were quietly dropped.

On February 2, 2010, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon announced that ECW would be going off the air and would air its final episode on February 16.[10] The final match on the show was an extreme rules match where Ezekiel Jackson defeated ECW Champion Christian.[11]

With the ECW brand permanently disbanded, the ECW roster were assigned to other brands.[12] The ECW show was replaced by the reality series NXT,[10] which was rebranded as WWE's developmental territory, NXT, in 2012.[13]

Championships

[edit]

When ECW was revived in 2006 as a third brand, the ECW World Heavyweight Championship was reactivated and was intended to be the brand's only championship.[14] The brand would later gain championships through the yearly WWE draft, but the ECW Championship was deactivated along with the ECW brand on February 16, 2010.[15]

Championship Time on brand
ECW Championship June 13, 2006 – January 22, 2008; March 30, 2008 – June 23, 2008; June 29, 2008 – February 16, 2010
WWE Championship June 13, 2006 – July 3, 2006
WWE United States Championship June 23, 2008 – July 20, 2008
WWE Tag Team Championship November 13, 2007 – July 20, 2008
World Tag Team Championship December 13, 2008 – April 5, 2009

Pay-per-view events

[edit]
Date Event Venue Location Main event
June 11, 2006 One Night Stand Hammerstein Ballroom New York, New York John Cena vs. Rob Van Dam for the WWE Championship
December 3, 2006 December to Dismember James Brown Arena Augusta, Georgia Big Show vs. Bobby Lashley vs. CM Punk vs. Hardcore Holly vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Test in a six-man extreme Elimination Chamber match for the ECW Championship

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Williams III, Ed (2006-06-12). "An extreme awakening makes Cena snap". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2010-06-30.
  2. ^ a b Shields, Brian; Sullivan, Kevin (2009). WWE: History of WrestleMania. p. 55.
  3. ^ a b Shields, Brian; Sullivan, Kevin (2009). WWE: History of WrestleMania. p. 58.
  4. ^ "WWE brings ECW to Sci Fi Channel". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved June 2, 2006.
  5. ^ Williams III, Ed (May 29, 2006). "Heyman gets Draft picks". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
  6. ^ Williams III, Ed (May 29, 2006). "Will Triple H join the Mr.McMahon Kiss my Ass club". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
  7. ^ "Heyman out". Retrieved December 23, 2006.
  8. ^ "Partnership Forming?". World Wrestling Entertainment. October 16, 2007. Retrieved October 25, 2007.
  9. ^ "Setting the night on fire". World Wrestling Entertainment. October 16, 2007. Retrieved October 25, 2007.
  10. ^ a b Caldwell, James (February 4, 2010). "Caldwell's WWE Superstar TV Report 2/4: Complete coverage of Team Morrison vs. Team McIntyre six-man tag, awesome Bourne vs. Carlito match". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
  11. ^ "ECW Tue. Feb. 16, 2010". WWE. May 6, 2010. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  12. ^ Adkins, Greg (February 8, 2010). "Raw's pit stomp". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
  13. ^ "WWE News: FCW name being phased out". Wrestling Observer. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  14. ^ "Rob Van Dam's first ECW Championship reign". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
  15. ^ Medalis, Kara A. (February 16, 2010). "Results:Dominant farewell". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 20, 2010. Retrieved February 16, 2010.
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