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The WWE's first attempt at recreating the ECW of old failed miserably. We all remember the first episode on Sci-Fi with the "Wrestling Zombie." Since that lame attempt to satisfy the network, ECW has climbed higher and higher up the ratings chart...

ECW is WWE's Secret Gem

by adam smerecki (Scribe)

11

2,202 reads

Opinion

August 17, 2008


The WWE's first attempt at recreating the ECW of old failed miserably. We all remember the first episode on Sci-Fi with the "Wrestling Zombie."

Since that lame attempt to satisfy the network, ECW has climbed higher and higher up the ratings chart. The show has survived a power struggle between Paul Heyman and Vince McMahon, a disastrous pay per view debut, and the highly critical "original" ECW fans.

ECW is in the top five highest rated shows on Sci-Fi and scores a higher rating than TNA's Impact on a weekly basis. The WWE can put any of there top stars on the show to score ratings. To their credit, lately they have not.

To be on the ECW roster is not a stigma anymore. Considering ECW stars compete on most WWE pay per views, being on the "C" show is irrelevant.

ECW has done more with an hour show than TNA can dream of in two hours. Not only do established stars become more noticeable, new stars are invented every week. The new star initiative on ECW is pure genius. Not to mention the story lines are actually compelling. I found myself cheering for Tommy Dreamer to teach Colin Delaney a lesson during this past episode (Delaney was released from the company shortly after.)

The ECW roster has a lot to offer. Veterans like Finley, Matt Hardy, Mark Henry, and even Tony Atlas make their presence an asset to the show. Young stars like Ricky Ortiz, and Evan Bourne are really taking off. Not to mention the former tag champs Miz and Morrison are in the locker room (John Morrison is also a former ECW champion.)

ECW may not have the same feel as the original but this version is darn good. Maybe the WWE should change the name brand of the show? I don't know. Anything they want to call it is fine with me.

ECW is must see TV on Tuesday nights!

 

 

 

 

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11 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Tim List 10 months ago

    I so disagree. The show is just lame. I actually like Mark Henry as champion, but this show needs to be called anything but ECW. And calling the original promotion's fans anything is a slap in the face.

    So, if I'm a fan of, say, System of a Down. And then they bring in a new SOD, should I not say "if you use the name, live up to the standard?"

    If David Lee Roth and Slash from GNR became Led Zep, wouldn't original Led Zep fans say "hey, wait a minute. Led Zep was about something else than this?"

    You can't blame people for holding Vince McMahon and WWE to a standard. You can only blame WWE for whoring out that name, and then delivering a clearly C-level product.

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  2. adam smerecki 10 months ago

    I see your point. That's why I suggested they change the name. It's still better than TNA.

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  3. adam smerecki 10 months ago

    One more thought...I guess the new and old ECW can be compared to Daivd Lee Roth or Sammy Haggar. I am a VAN HAGGAR fan myself.

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  4. Krystn Smerecki 10 months ago

    I agree with Adam. ECW is way better than TNA!!! I really like what WWE has done with ECW and I like how they have turned it from some sci-fi freak show to a real wrestling program. I didn't watch ECW in the beginning because it was so sci-fi and lacked the real wrestling charisma. I think they are doing a better job now and more wrestling fans will come to love ECW.

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  5. adam smerecki 10 months ago

    Thanks guys for the comments

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  6. Brian 10 months ago

    I agree with you too Adam, ECW does have a lot to offer. I can appreciate the New Star initiative, ECW is a great training ground for young superstars. They are lacking some meaningful feuds though, Finlay/Knox has a chance to be good, Kofi/Shelton Benjamin was great and ended too early, Miz and Morrison are very entertaining, but are lately underused.

    But overall, even the one-hour, sometimes sub-par ECW show is still far more entertaining than TNA.

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  7. Jen Preston 10 months ago

    Adam, congrats on this article's link making it to Wrestling-Edge.com that's big stuff! This is a good read, and ECW is really good. Hopefully it continues on the road it's on.

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  8. joe rogan 10 months ago

    Wow brother, finally someone like myself who sees ECW is the best WWE program. I like it more than RAW and SMACKDOWN combined. They do excellent in their 1 hour.

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  9. adam smerecki 10 months ago

    Thanks Jen! I was unaware of that! I appreciate your comments as well Joe.

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  10. Dave M 10 months ago

    Are you high? ECW is ruined. The only reason it is the highest rated show on Sci-Fi is because NOBODY WATCHES SCI-FI!

    Sorry, ratings of 1.2 are very low.

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  11. adam smerecki 10 months ago

    TNA scores 1.0 and 0.9 on average. Plus TNA is on Spike and I know people watch that channel. Plus in the article I suggested a name change. Thanks for the comments though. I appreciate it.

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