|
|
Viewing The Rise and Fall of Wrestling's ECWThe Rise and Fall of Wrestling's ECW
By Paul McIndoe
|
For nine years, the ECW was the nastiest, filthiest, most violent wrestling promotion in the US, the perfect alternative to the slick and glossy production of the WWF and WCW. The original ECW died when owner Paul Heyman filed for bankruptcy in 2001. Although it officially still exists today, thanks to its resurrection by WWE, the original ECW died when owner Paul Heyman filed for bankruptcy in April 2001. When it all began, Heyman said he saw the company as the professional wrestling equivalent to the grunge movement, and wanted to focus on taking wrestling in a new direction. ECW became best known for its tendency to push the envelope with wrestling storylines. It contrasted contemporary professional wrestling, which contained many cartoonish gimmicks, and was marketed more towards children. ECW, aiming at 18- to 35-year-old males, broke a few taboos such as showing wrestlers bleeding frequently, and women wrestlers being beaten up by male wrestlers. The group also showcased many different styles of professional wrestling, popularizing the ultra-violent hardcore style. The group also invented the Three-Way Dance, a match where three wrestlers competed in the same ring at the same time, rather than the standard two. ECW also brought in styles that were popular in other parts of the world, but were rarely seen in North American wrestling. Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko, and Eddie Guerrero - who had all gained massive success for their scientific technical wrestling in Japan - were brought in, as were high-flying, super-quick lucha libre wrestlers Rey Mysterio Jr., Juventud Guerrera, and Konnan, from Mexico. One of the promotion's marquee feuds, and one of the greatest wrestling feuds of the '90s, was the long-standing feud between ECW's everyman and top babyface Tommy Dreamer and the gothic, sinister Raven. This involved many matches between the two over a period of two and a half years, before Dreamer was finally able to topple his foe and win the ECW Championship. Another great feud was between Raven and the blue-collar, chain-smoking, alcohol-drinking character called the Sandman. This included a storyline where Raven kidnapped and brainwashed Sandman's wife and nine-year-old son, as well as the now infamous crucifixion angle, where Raven and his lackeys tied Sandman to a giant wooden cross and placed a barbed wire crown on his head. It was one of the most controversial angles in wrestling history. Prior to WWE bringing back ECW on a full-time basis, it held a one-off ECW tribute show entitled ECW: One-Night Stand, in which WWE wrestlers who had previously competed in ECW reverted to their ECW gimmicks as a one-off. The show was a huge success, and the DVD of the show went on to become WWE's fastest selling release ever. A former ECW wrestler, Shane Douglas, who was then working for WWE rival, TNA, noted the success. Douglas subsequently set up Hardcore Homecoming, a reunion of all former ECW employees not under WWE contract. The company promotes ECW tribute shows in and around New York, the former stomping ground of ECW. Any ECW fans wishing to catch an upcoming Hardcore Homecoming event can stay in a hotel in Amherst for accommodation. So if you are a fan of the nastiest, filthiest, most violent wrestling promotion in the USA, this is one you do not want to miss. About the Author: Paul McIndoe is an online, freelance journalist and keen hillwalker. He lives in Edinburgh with his two dogs. Article Source: 1st Rate Articles - http://1stRateArticles.com |
|