Getting Rid of ECW

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>So...with constant talk of changing the ECW brand, as I've said in the past, I think it's best to just do away with it entirely. Part of this year's draft should be a mini-draft where Raw and SD takes turns plucking everybody from ECW.

I know the immediate argument that will come up is that the guys currently on ECW will get lost and never have air time. I don't know if that's accurate, though. The ECW timeslot can get a new name and can become a mini-show for either Raw or SD, then Superstars can become that way as well for the other brand.

This way guys can still test the waters on those shows and it will keep them relevant before they see more time on the main show. It's also worth noting that right now it takes nearly 4 hours to get through SD/ECW tapings. Doing this can make Raw AND SD shows around 3 hours each (figuring 3 matches each or something).

I dunno...I just feel like it's stupid to keep a brand around when it's CLEARLY a feeder brand, especially when they try to justify all the trades and transactions on air as saying it makes them a better show when in fact they are just losing anybody of note. I feel almost like your time on ECW doesn't even really count.

I think last night's Rumble shows pretty much how high of a regard there is for the ECW guys, anyway. One participant (Regal) was pulled last second with no explanation. The other three that got in all were eliminated without lasting a full interval. Hell, even if the Hurricane had gotten into the match...I'm pretty certain JTG was his replacement and did the exact same spot Hurricane would have done, getting eliminated in 30 seconds. When scripting the Rumble they clearly viewed ECW as a bunch of patsies. So what's the point of having it if nothing they do matters until going to Raw or SD?</font>

[Indifferent Clox]

If Raw goes to 3 hours, a mini smackdown show to replace ECW, would be great. Superstars should become bigger though, like THE place to see all the interbrand feud shit, at least one ppv worthy match per show, the rest can be minor stuff. Same with Smackdown's mini show, it's got to make up for being shorter, by focusing on at least one balls to the wall good match.

[Sycophant]

I agree, ECW is a sad excuse for a brand. The talent is good enough, but they never get any respect. I mean, I am pretty sure the US or IC champions would go over the ECW champion on any given day, some exceptions apply of coarse. ECW has been called everything from the "minor leagues" to "WWE light." They can't possibly be making money from this show. I think it is a great way to give the undercarders or new guys a way to shine where they wouldn't normally get any air time, but you are right in saying that when anyone reaches the top of ECW, they get "traded" to RAW or SD. Can you honestly tell me that Christian traded to RAW for Beth Phoenix, JTG, and Primo is a good deal? (I know this isn't real, but it is comparable to prior deals.)

It is almost as if Vince is continuing this crappy ECW brand on purpose to rub Heyman's nose in it...

[Mr. Nerfect]

I do not think that the ECW brand is a total waste. I really enjoy it, and I feel that it could thrive. It's just that the WWE just refuses to treat it seriously. Perhaps this is Vince McMahon's ego, although I do find it bizarre the brand lost a lot of its luster after the Chris Benoit tragedy.

I mean, we were all set up to have a Chris Benoit vs. CM Punk feud over the ECW Title. That would have been incredible. Elijah Burke, who had a lot of potential, was also on the roster. Johnny Nitro was a rising star at the time, too. Things weren't perfect there, but they were manageable. Right now, you don't have a former WWE Champion or World Heavyweight Champion on the show saying "I would love to be ECW Champion." I think the first two steps to fixing ECW would be:

1. Get some major stars on the show.

2. Treat the ECW Title like a legitimate World Title. Big Show still mentions it as such. Without him doing much, he could be a great move to Sci-Fi.

If/When Jim Ross returns, I think he would make a great color commentator for ECW. Todd Grisham and Matt Striker are working fine on SmackDown!, so don't fiddle with them. Let JR lend his legendary voice to the brand. Josh Mathews & Jim Ross could have a lot of chemistry together, too.

I would mark out like a little bitch if Edge pointed out the only title he has yet to hold in the WWE is the ECW Title, and he challenged his "brother" using his WrestleMania title shot. The match would certainly not close the show, but I feel that Christian vs. Edge is definitely Mania-worthy.

In the draft, move Chris Jericho to ECW, and let Christian, Edge, Chris Jericho and perhaps even Big Show feud over the ECW Title. Also send Rey Mysterio down there, as well as a member of Legacy (I think having one member of Legacy on each show after WrestleMania would be pretty cool and give them a chance to do their own thing). Cody Rhodes seems like the best bet.

Your idea is fantastic, though, Vito. I would actually enjoy it if it were to go down like that. I don't like the "farm league" idea, though. How does the WWE expect that to freshen up the brand?

[jerichoholicninja]

ECW is fine the way it is. It's the only WWE show I can sit and watch the whole way through. It's like wrestling should be, you know with wrestling and one or two non-wrestling segments.

[Savio]

I don't think it should be scraped I think ECW should be for the main eventers who will never make it big again. Transfer Mark Henry, Kane, Rey Mysterio, and R-Truth there and it would become serious contender.

[Savio]

Also move Chavo there as well along with Swagger who they shouldn't have moved in the first place.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I mean, in a perfect world I would keep ECW and have it booked as a viable brand...but realistically that's not going to happen. Christian is all but a lock to be drafted away next year, as well as several other "stars" like Goldust and Yoshi Tatsu. I know they have that "New Superstar Initiative" thing to fall back on, but again if the whole point of the brand is to build guys for the other two shows, I'd rather them not even attempt to call it an equal brand. With these "trades" that have happened in the past I've been left to assume that from a kayfabe perspective Tiffany is either a really dumb blonde or she got to sleep with the Raw/SD superstar of her choice to sign off on such a lopsided move.

Definitely think ECW and Superstars could serve in the same role that heat and Velocity did - shows to keep guys fresh, let people try new things, showcase guys that didn't work on the main show that week, etc.</font>

[thedamndest]

My only real problem with ECW is the title. I would rather the WWE have tag team championship matches or even one-on-one feuds for no title than an ECW championship match on every PPV. It's part of the problem of adding another hour of programming that the PPV's haven't kept up with. Mid-cards feuds on Raw for no belt would probably help build guys better than an ECW championship feud.