ECW 2008: A Look at The Third Brand Of WWE (Part One)

Part One

ECW 2008 Begins

When the year began, I was almost positive that ECW would eventually be defunct (again) and combined with Smackdown.  It didn't even seem that WWE/Vince cared about the product, especially when they continually made the matches only a couple of minutes or less at major PPV's (Kane vs. Chavo at WM24).

After Wrestlemania, ECW took a chance with Kane as champion (Chavo never should have been the champ).  CM Punk was also gunning to reclaim the title, and with the MITB win, interest in a meeting between the two was something to look forward to after all of the Chavo matches. 

However, outside of Punk, Kane, and the new sensation Kofi Kingston—there was nothing. Stupid storylines, almost as bad as TNA, were the main part of the show. It almost looked like there weren't any writers for ECW, only SD/RAW writers who, after finishing writing assignments with SD/RAW at four in the morning, would throw together an idea or two for the ECW program.  In other words, it seemed very half-assed. 

Big Show

When Big Show entered at the end of spring, I actually allowed myself to believe that the ECW title would one day again be considered a major title.  I also thought that with Kofi Kingston in the picture, along with Miz, Morrison, and other younger stars that maybe someday the ECW TV belt would show face.  With all of these pieces seemingly coming into place, it looked that ECW was finally in prime position to rise to the occasion and become the third brand that it was meant to be—the level ECW once was in the 90's.

Then, in a few weeks time, they sent us into the disappointing unknown once more.

The Draft

First, it was announced that Kane, Mark Henry, and Big Show would square off for the title at the next PPV.  I was positive The Show would take the title and have a long reign validating the title more.

A week later the WWE Draft was held.  It seemed like an opportunity to put in a rising star who would one day take the belt from Show.  Punk went to RAW (no surprise since he still hadn't cashed in his MITB—he was obviously going for another title).  Then went Kingston (a somewhat disappointment, since he was still brand new).

Then two of three things happened that I didn't expect at all: Kane went to RAW and Big Show went to SD; just a week or two before their triple threat match (including Mark Henry) for the ECW title.  I honestly didn't get it at all and knew right then that Henry was going to win (uggghhhhh).

The additions?  Finlay and Hornswaggle came over from SD and my third, pleasant surprise: Matt Hardy from SD.  ECW was pretty much depleted of the World title division with hopes that Hardy would come through and the rest relied upon the young guys in the locker room.  Major disappointment for ECW fans (as always).

Yet, at the same time, I found myself a bigger ECW fan than ever.  Why?  Because I wanted them to make it work.  I wanted to see Hardy as World champion (something I believe he and Jeff deserved).  In fact, I saw him as being the face of ECW and the one to bring it to the next level.  But how would they do it?  Who would he compete with? 

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