WK FLASHBACK (5 Yrs. Ago): My optimism that ECW could develop into a satisfying "alternative" third brand within WWE
Jun 30, 2011 - 6:11:53 PM |
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By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor
BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
I had hope five years ago... hope that ECW could turn into a viable third brand within WWE. We all know what happened, as it eventually became Sunday Night Heat or Velocity, losing any sense of identity, especially with talent being drafted in and out of ECW from Raw and Smackdown, ending any facade that ECW talent was in some way different. Paul Heyman left, the show lost any edge, and Vince McMahon lost his enthusiasm for the idea and the willingness to let others book it differently from Raw and Smackdown.
In the reader comment area, let me know whether you think ECW could have made it had Heyman been given more creative freedom and he showed the restraint and discipline to work within the WWE corporate structure to make sure his renegade approach was given a fair chance.
Keller's End Notes Editorial
Cover-dated: July, 1, 2006
Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter #921
"ECW So Far"
I am tentatively optimistic that ECW can develop into a worthy, satisfying "alternative" type product within WWE.
It seems most ECW fans do realize ECW won't be like the old days. The outrage expressed by many fans on Saturday seemed to be more based on the new ECW not feeling different enough from WWE. That can change over time.
I understand Vince McMahon's desire to stick with the familiar and play it safe at first. Some would say he wasn't playing it safe by making the new ECW look a lot like a third WWE brand not all that different from the first two. But he has had enough success doing things a certain way, it's at least understandable he'd lean toward some of those policies with ECW.
The reason for optimism is that in the midst of pushing and protecting John Cena and thrusting some top WWE stars into the ECW mix, Rob Van Dam has been protected. John Cena used RVD to get himself over to a certain degree, but he also gave RVD a rub by paying him respect for granting him a title rematch on Raw. Edge even paid RVD some respects by applauding his win over Kurt Angle on Tuesday night's ECW show (only to attack RVD a minute later, but still, the impression was made).
RVD isn't being treated like a quick transitional champ. He is going to be in the main event of what may be one of the three or four most watched matches of the entire year on NBC's Saturday Night's Main Event next month. McMahon may not understand why ECW's faithful are rejecting, with passion, certain aspects of the new ECW, but he's hardly abandoning the product in reaction.
One of the downsides so far is that the ECW's supporting cast have been treated as lower card wrestlers or background. They weren't even flown out to the ECW taping this week in Roanoke. But really, who among that ECW group is worthy of protecting at this point? Sandman has been able to stay true to himself, as have Sabu and Tommy Dreamer (the freak). Justin Credible did one job, but it was to Kurt Angle, so hardly anything to be embarrassed about. Al Snow has been a background player so far, but his primary responsibility remains behind the scenes in Ohio Valley Wrestling. Overall, though, the list of who's left doesn't equal a dream roster by any means.
I think once a few original characters are introduced and developed, such as Mike Knox and C.M. Punk (who debuted at the ECW Arena event), there's a chance for the new ECW to develop its own identity. The key is to get past Saturday Night's Main Event, get the WWE belt off of RVD, and let ECW be an island unto itself for a while. Then Heyman can do his best with one hour, which isn't a lot of time, to feature RVD, Kurt Angle, Sabu, and Big Show as the top four in the promotion, develop some new talents and tag teams, and create original storylines.
As Bruce Mitchell said in a recent Torch VIP Audio Update, ECW fans have a reason to be frustrated, but if someone had said two months ago that WWE was going to start a third brand, give it an hour live on primetime on a major cable network, and give Heyman more creative control than he's ever had in WWE as its primary scriptwriter, a lot of people who are upset today would have been elated. The only difference is the expectations based on the ECW brand name.
Vince McMahon is showing he will allow ECW to be more extreme than Raw or Smackdown. There is more sexual content, violence, and innuendo on ECW TV than a typical Raw (although lately Raw has been higher than usual in that area due to DX). It's also important to remember that ECW wasn't just about amped up violence and sexual content. It was about playing off of pop culture, more realistic and deeply personal storylines, and an edgier, hipper, more adult feel overall. All of that is still achievable once Cena and Edge move on and the core ECW group is left.
With the early ratings on Sci-Fi, ECW is going to be around longer than the initial 12 week run (barring a collapse of course), so a little patience as the power and creative structure is worked out would be reasonable, despite some early disappointments and setbacks. Today's Heyman has to live up to the inflated legend of Heyman and ECW, so it's a steep hill to climb, but a fun one.
[Paul Heyman web photo by Wade Keller (c) PWTorch]
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