A BADSTREET PERSPECTIVE of the RETURN of ECW
- 05/26/2006 (5:40:31 am)
- Dave Whitaker
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A Badstreet Perspective on the Return of ECW
By: Dave Whitaker
Well, ready or not, ECW will be back. There's finally been an official announcement of the TV show airing weekly on the Sci-Fi Channel. Joey Styles is in place to be the "voice" of ECW. Rumors have Tazz jumping over to be color commentator. Names have been signed such as Sabu, Sandman, and Balls Mahoney. Fans who've been frustrated with recent WWE storylines are salivating at the return of their beloved company.
So why don't I feel excited? I loved ECW just as much as the next guy. I actually flew to Pennsylvania in 1996 to watch November To Remember, went to Marietta in 1997 for Wrestlepalooza. Have all the ECW figures, and the wrestling ring. I ordered One Night Stand last year, and will this year. But I've not been as gung ho about the impending return of ECW. As a matter of fact, I'm worried about it.
Mainly because I don't trust WWE Creative. They don't seem to be willing to leave well enough alone. Otherwise, Paul Heyman would still be booking Smackdown, and this wouldn't even be a consideration. Sure Heyman and Tommy Dreamer will be in charge, but will Stephanie McBoobs-Helmsley and friends allow them to stay in charge? If ECW takes off as a brand, will jealousy cause some of Vince McMahon's inner circle to try to take them down?
Another concern is the music. The entrance music of ECW was one of its many outstanding features. WWE has shown an unwillingness to pay the liscence needed for wrestlers to use real themes. And it makes a difference. Did the FBI seem the same last year without that rap version of "Stayin' Alive" that Tommy Rich, Tracy Smothers and Little Guido used to come out to? I'd say no. And for those who bought last year's One Night Stand, how disappointing was it to not hear "Enter Sandman" when Sandman came out? I'm concerned wrestlers who had cool music will be stuck with pre-produced WWE junk that just doesn't capture the real feeling of real entrance music.
Last but not least, can ECW be "bought back?" ECW wasn't actually "formed" as most wrestling companies are. Sure Shane Douglas threw down the NWA World Title, which began the start of ECW, but that didn't really make the company. What made it was all the workers, fans, Joey Styles, Paul Heyman, etc. who gave of themselves to make it successful. It was a movement, a true alternative, something different. Now it's being "bought back" under the WWE banner. I don't see how the same passion, excitement, or intensity can be there with a company that isn't the same.
Of course, I could be wrong. God knows, it's not the first time. Got feedback? [email protected] or [email protected]
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