TNA's Hardcore Justice, an extreme sendoff
TNA’s HardCore Justice was a very unique pay per view. It was unique in the sense that it didn’t feature very many actual TNA stars, and it didn’t involve any of the current story lines. As most of you already know, this was a night for the former ECW alumni to do there thing, one more time.
Like many people, I wondered about the logic of one brand serving up one of their own pay per views for the benefit of another, especially since that other one is no longer around. But this is TNA, and they don’t exactly do things in a normal way. From having a 6 sided ring, to being the innovators of such matches as the Ultimate-X, and Lethal Lockdown, they like to try new things. This seemed like a blatant attempt at getting their buy rates, and ratings to improve by dragging out the ol ECW crew that everybody loves, but who cares, it really was a fun night.
Of course it wasn’t without some odd moments. Because of the WWE owning pretty much everything to do with ECW, there were some name changes for a few wrestlers, such as Balls Mahoney being called Kahoneys, and Justin Credible having to use PJ Polaco. We even had a fake Blue Meanie. Naturally that didn’t stop the crowd from chanting the names of the people they recognized. Lets see Vince sue the entire Impact Zone audience.
But what about the show itself? Did the ECW boys deliver? I would have to say in a word, yes. Some of them have lost a step or two, but for the most part it was entertaining, and now and again just a little bit extreme. I would have to say that the WWE’s, One Night Stand pay per view was a bit better, but back then they had a better selection of guys to show up, and of course they have their WAY better production values. But what could have been something great for the WWE was ruined by Vince McMahon’s vision of what he wanted a new and improved ECW to be. Then of course it slowly died.
So, to sum up, I would have to say that HardCore Justice was a good show, and a much better way to see the old ECW brand put to rest. And for whatever reason that Dixie Carter and TNA had for doing this, it really was a nice gesture and a proper sendoff. We the fans of ECW appreciated it. And of course since this pay per view was devoid of their own talent (mostly) and story lines, they are putting on a Thursday night special that is totally loaded. Sort of a free for T.V. pay per view. sounds good to me.
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