ECW?

[Boondock Saint]

I checked and didn't find a (new) topic about this. I know this has been talked about a lot but apparently these are "new developments". Take it for what it's worth. :-\

From Wrestlezone.com

Believe it or not, there is talk going around backstage in the WWE that officials might be thinking about coming up with a new brand to compete against Raw & Smackdown. If created, this brand would be almost like ECW, with a more hardcore formula to the shows, and would most likely be shown late at night. They could even call it ECW if they wanted, since they own the rights to the name.

However, if the WWE did decide to create a hardcore brand, it would contradict their new "safer mat wrestling" formula that officials have been trying to get across to superstars on both Raw & Smackdown. Despite the possible safety concerns, officials know that if they do decide to create a new show & brand, they have to do something very different in order for the idea to get across with fans and critics.

Backstage reports indicate that there is serious thought regarding the plans for creating a third brand, under the ECW name. If it does come to fruition, most are expecting the show to replace Confidential. While Confidential started out rather strong ratings-wise, it has really declined since WWE decided not to reveal as much inside information on the show, turning it simply into a "fluff show".

[Corkscrewed]

I'll bet it doesn't happen.


As usual.

[Boondock Saint]

I'm with ya on that one.

[Vietnamese Crippler]

It's been said time and time again :nono:

[ColdwaVer]

Calling it ECW would be really stupid IMO.

Personally I think they should replace Velocity and Confidential with a third "minor league" show in which lower-to-middle-midcarders from each brand would be showcased. Institute a title for the show (TV Title perhaps?) and feature the Orlando Jordans, the Jindraks, Cades, and add in the Billy Gunns and Lance Storms for recognition. Keep the production values lower, maybe pretape it on Wednesdays. Mix in highlights of the week's Raw and Smackdown. Could really take off.

[lariat]

I don't like the idea of bringing back ECW. A third brand I can agree with, but unless they are going to allow wrestlers to wrestle ECW style matches, don't bring back ECW. The WWE won't allow this to happen, because they don't want wrestlers hurt.

[Corkscrewed]

Besides, we do have a third brand. It's composed of Heat and Velocity. The brand is called UPW. UnPushed Wrestlers.

[Mr. JL]

ECW is dead... IT IS NEVER COMING BACK!

:(

[John la Rock]

it would never work

[Mikey]

They said it might replace Confidential which was good at first but has just become a "fluff" show

[Paranoid Rattlesnake]

Whats ECW???

[Sephiroth]

Besides, we do have a third brand. It's composed of Heat and Velocity. The brand is called UPW. UnPushed Wrestlers.

:lol: but...so true.

[Gertner]

Why ruin ECW legacy?

[loopydate]

If done right, that would be very cool.

Still never gonna happen.

[Lamuella]

here's a thought:

Instead of creating a new brand, why not give Ohio Valley their own show?

Get the names of developmental talents known with a degree of national exposure, and when they're ready move them to the major league.

Of course, it would probably need a new name (OVW sounds too local), but I think it could work, and it would mean that when someone like Spanky or Sean O'Haire appears on Smackdown, they're not a nobody.

[Kane Knight]

I've got an idea.

Why not work on making what you already have good before worrying about expansion?

[Kane Knight]

We coulda been spared the halfassed antics of the XFL at that rate.

[Lamuella]

to be fair, the XFL was Vince failing when he stepped outside of his business. TV time for a farm league would be Vince staying inside his business.

[Kane Knight]

to be fair, the XFL was Vince failing when he stepped outside of his business. TV time for a farm league would be Vince staying inside his business.

It would be, but it would also be expanding the business in a time when their other products weren't exactly hot.

[Lamuella]

in what way would it be 'expanding'? If you follow my idea, all it would require would be upping the production values on OVW a little. Confidential is already a ratings dead dog, so why not use that time to put on something a little different.

At worst, it will tank in the ratings (and then Confidential can be brought back)

At best, it will spark interest in some new talent.

[Kane Knight]

in what way would it be 'expanding'? If you follow my idea, all it would require would be upping the production values on OVW a little. Confidential is already a ratings dead dog, so why not use that time to put on something a little different.

At worst, it will tank in the ratings (and then Confidential can be brought back)

At best, it will spark interest in some new talent.

At best, it'd be good, but I doubt there's enough sustained interest in the wrestling business right now.

Still, this is a thread about ECW, and a possible "Hardcore" Wrestling expansion.

[Tornado]

I've got an idea.

Why not work on making what you already have good before worrying about expansion?
:y: :y:

[SuperSlim]

I just don't see it happenin

[The CyNick]

I think its premature to say the WWE is thinking of adding a third brand.

In theory I think this would be a good idea, in theroy. But in theory communism was a good idea.

There are a lot of problems with adding a third brand.

First, where and when do you tape the shows? If its done prior to a RAW or SD it ruins the illusion of it being separate. If you do separate tapings in smaller arenas, then you add another day of tapings for an already overworked TV staff. On top of that there are increased expenses, and what are the odds guys like Lance Storm could headline a show and draw people?

Then there is a problem with PPVs. I think part fo the reason they might be considering this is because they want to increase the # of PPVs they run to 14 or 16. Now, if you do say 4 "ECW" PPVs a year, when do you run them? Do you run them the same month as the "Big 4 PPVs", or do you run them during brand specific months? And what will be the impact of running two PPVs a month? And, who is going to order a PPV headlined by Lance Storm that only gets promoted late Saturday nights?

Another problem is that calling it "ECW" is likely going to backfire on them. Yeah, you can run the shows in small arenas, forcus on smaller guys, and you can even have Paul Heyman book the thing, but its still going to be a WWE show. A large part of the appeal of ECW was that they were a renegade promotion fighting against all the odds. This version of "ECW" would be a profit centre for a public company. Its hardly the same thing.

[Rob]

The ECW TV show has definately been talked about. I don't see it happening right now but you never know. OVW on national TV would be a disaster. The guys are there for a reason - To learn! They are far too green to be on national TV and expose themselves. The only reason they rarely expose themseleves in OVW is because Jim Cornette is a master mind of a booker and knows exactly how to make wrestlers.

[Rob]

Oh yeah - Vince McMahon DOES NOT own OVW. Jim Cornette does. They have a working agreement but WWE makes no immediate money from them.

[Mr.Violent J]

Why ruin ECW legacy?


I agree, ECW has left a sort of legacy in the wrestling business. Heyman didn't have the financial backing of the McMahon machine or the Turner machine, yet still managed to get PPV's and eventually a national TV deal. And IMHO I saw some matches in the 4 years I watched ECW that would put some of the WWE's high budget shows to shame. RVD was 5 times the wrestler in ECW than what he HAS to be in the WWE. Taz's "push" has been well documented as has Al snow's and Jerry Lynn's.

Anyway... back to the topic.... I, and many other ECW fans don't see ECW as a failure at all. It wasn't just another wrestling company, it was it's own place. I just know if it was a new brand that the wrestlers on the brand wouldn't be able to put on the shows that we ECW fans would want to see.

And as stated before, the WWE has PLENTY to work with as it is. They don't even know what to do with most of what they have now so why create another brand? I swear if this does happen I will most likely lose all of the respect I have ever had for the WWF/E in my 21 years of existence.

[Batsu]

And as stated before, the WWE has PLENTY to work with as it is. They don't even know what to do with most of what they have now so why create another brand? I swear if this does happen I will most likely lose all of the respect I have ever had for the WWF/E in my 21 years of existence.

Right. They don't need another brand. Smackdown is stagnating...RAW is getting better, but ...eh. As long as they have Bischoff and Heyman running things on-screen, they don't need another brand. Neither RAW or Smackdown is drawing it in like they used to...