WWE ECW: Difference between revisions
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To boost the success of the brand, ECW was cross-promoted on WWE programming. This began in the weeks leading up to the 2006 ''[[ECW One Night Stand 2006|One Night Stand]]'' pay-per-view. A [[prime time]] ''[[WWE vs. ECW Head to Head]]'' special was aired to promote the pay-per-view as well. |
To boost the success of the brand, ECW was cross-promoted on WWE programming. This began in the weeks leading up to the 2006 ''[[ECW One Night Stand 2006|One Night Stand]]'' pay-per-view. A [[prime time]] ''[[WWE vs. ECW Head to Head]]'' special was aired to promote the pay-per-view as well. |
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Former ECW owner [[Paul Heyman]] has been entrusted with operating the brand. Furthermore, long-time WWE Superstars [[Kurt Angle]] and the [[Paul Wight|Big Show]] have joined former ECW performers such as [[Rob Van Dam]], [[Terry Brunk|Sabu]], and [[Jim Fullington|The Sandman]] to headline the promotion. [[Joey Styles]] has returned to his former role as ECW [[play-by-play]] [[announcer]], with [[Tazz]] joining him as a [[color commentator]]. |
Former ECW owner [[Paul Heyman]] has been entrusted with operating the brand along with WWE creative. Furthermore, long-time WWE Superstars [[Kurt Angle]] and the [[Paul Wight|Big Show]] have joined former ECW performers such as [[Rob Van Dam]], [[Terry Brunk|Sabu]], and [[Jim Fullington|The Sandman]] to headline the promotion. [[Joey Styles]] has returned to his former role as ECW [[play-by-play]] [[announcer]], with [[Tazz]] joining him as a [[color commentator]]. |
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Coupled with the Sci Fi show are a number of ECW-exclusive live events booked for the duration of the channel's contract, including a return to [[New Alhambra Arena]] (formerly known as ECW Arena) on [[June 24]].[http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/summertour] ECW will also hold tapings for their Sci Fi show at New Alhambra Arena and at Hammerstein Ballroom on [[July 4]] and [[August 1]] respectively. |
Coupled with the Sci Fi show are a number of ECW-exclusive live events booked for the duration of the channel's contract, including a return to [[New Alhambra Arena]] (formerly known as ECW Arena) on [[June 24]].[http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/summertour] ECW will also hold tapings for their Sci Fi show at New Alhambra Arena and at Hammerstein Ballroom on [[July 4]] and [[August 1]] respectively. |
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Revision as of 01:48, 20 June 2006
This article is about World Wrestling Entertainment's ECW brand. For the original promotion that existed from 1992–2001, see Extreme Championship Wrestling.
| WWE ECW | |
|---|---|
| ECW logo | |
| Created by | Paul Heyman Vince McMahon |
| Starring | ECW Brand |
| Opening theme | "Bodies" by Drowning Pool |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of episodes | 1 (as of June 13, 2006) |
| Production | |
| Camera setup | Multicamera setup |
| Running time | 45 minutes (60 with commercials) |
| Original release | |
| Network | Sci Fi Channel |
| Release | June 13, 2006 |
Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) returned as a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) brand on June 13, 2006 with a weekly television series. This series can be seen on the Sci Fi Channel in the United States, Sky Sports 3 in the United Kingdom and SKY 1 in New Zealand. A Canadian TV deal is currently being worked on.
The road to a third brand
WWE began reintroducing ECW through a series of DVDs and books following its 2003 acquisition of the company's tape library, most notably The Rise and Fall of ECW, a documentary of the promotion's history.The enormous popularity of ECW merchandise prompted WWE to organize an ECW reunion show in 2005 dubbed ECW One Night Stand. The financial and critical success of the pay-per-view motivated WWE to organize a second One Night Stand the following year. With rejuventated interest in ECW, WWE explored the possibility of reviving the promotion.
On May 26, 2006, WWE announced the relaunch of ECW as a stand-alone franchise that would complement WWE's RAW and SmackDown! brands. The promotion would emanate on Sci Fi Channel. [1] Although a puzzling decision, Sci Fi Channel's President Bonnie Hammer believed that ECW would fit the channel's theme of stretching the imagination. Sci Fi Channel is owned by NBC Universal, parent company of USA Network, the exclusive cable broadcaster of WWE programming.
To boost the success of the brand, ECW was cross-promoted on WWE programming. This began in the weeks leading up to the 2006 One Night Stand pay-per-view. A prime time WWE vs. ECW Head to Head special was aired to promote the pay-per-view as well.
Former ECW owner Paul Heyman has been entrusted with operating the brand along with WWE creative. Furthermore, long-time WWE Superstars Kurt Angle and the Big Show have joined former ECW performers such as Rob Van Dam, Sabu, and The Sandman to headline the promotion. Joey Styles has returned to his former role as ECW play-by-play announcer, with Tazz joining him as a color commentator.
Coupled with the Sci Fi show are a number of ECW-exclusive live events booked for the duration of the channel's contract, including a return to New Alhambra Arena (formerly known as ECW Arena) on June 24.[2] ECW will also hold tapings for their Sci Fi show at New Alhambra Arena and at Hammerstein Ballroom on July 4 and August 1 respectively.
ECW on Sci Fi
Originally planned as a live broadcast following SmackDown! tapings, the show was changed to a tape delayed format shortly before its June 13 debut on Sci Fi, with the taping occurring before SmackDown! due to "rude chants" heard at the ECW One Night Stand pay-per-view. The debut show featured appearances by RAW superstars John Cena, Edge and Lita, and a vampire and zombie characters (recommended by the Sci Fi channel executives to follow with the channel's Science Fiction-based genre). The show also featured the debut of Kelly, an exhibitionist who almost stripped naked, and was headlined by an "Extreme Battle Royal" won by Sabu. The premiere of ECW on Sci Fi received a 2.79 rating, which was seen as a major success by WWE officials, given that the Sci Fi channel has never before hosted a wrestling show.[1] Despite the premier's rating success, it was panned by a large number of wrestling critics and ECW fans alike who had expected something closer to the old ECW than to either RAW or SmackDown!.[2][3].
Current champions
- ECW World Heavyweight Champion: Rob Van Dam (also current WWE Champion)
Commentators
- Joey Styles (June 7, 2006 - present)
- Tazz (June 7, 2006 - present)
References
- ^ Johnson, Mike. SCI FI TOUTS SUCCESS OF FIRST EPISODE OF ECW ON THEIR NETWORK. PWInsider.com. June 14, 2006. Retrieved on June 14, 2006.
- ^ Ryder, Bob. LET ECW BE ECW. 1Wrestling.com. June 14, 2006. Retrieved on June 14, 2006.
- ^ James Guttman's Look at: ECW's SciFi Debut - Zombies, Strippers, Vampires, and Big Show