Big news for any wrestling fans

[Deattribution]

WWE has made the decision to bring back Extreme Championship Wrestling as a full time entity and has begun talking with former ECW talent about returning to work for the new version of the legendary promotion. As of right now, WWE is targeting a September return for the promotion. No decision has been made as to exactly how the company will be brought back yet. It's possible that it will take over the present OVW territory, that it will be a promotion that gets matches on the Raw and/or Smackdown promotions or possibly in some other manner. Sources have told us that Paul Heyman and Tommy Dreamer will be booking ECW when it starts up.

WWE has already contacted a number of ECW wrestlers and contracts will be sent out to them this week. The talents are being offered three year deals which consist of a series of one year contracts, with rollover clauses. A number of wrestlers have been contacts so far. We can confirm that WWE has talked with The Sandman, Francine and Balls Mahoney and will be sending contracts out to them this week.



Quote via Pwinsider.com

If they do this properly (and I have serious doubts) it could be really cool. I might actually be interested in watching again.

[DaddyTorgo]

YESSS!!! BALLS MAHONEY!!!!

(although without Axl Rotten he's not the same). Sandman! Yeah!! What about the Blue Meanie+Nova? Or SABU?!?! And it wouldn't be ECW without New Jack bitchez! How about Shane Douglas? Odds on him being called? ;)

[Ramzavail]

Speaking of...why is RVD called Mr. Money in the Bank? or something like that?

[DaddyTorgo]

Speaking of...why is RVD called Mr. Money in the Bank? or something like that?

no idea. that is a post-ECW thing clearly, as when RVD leaped to WCW and then WWE I had completely dropped wrestling by that point. It is great to see Mr. Monday Night succeed on Monday night though, that's for sure!

[Terps]

He's Mr. Money In The Bank because he won a Money In The Bank ladder match. Which allows him to cash in at any time for a shot at the WWE title. He's rumored to cash it in at the ECW One Night Stand pay per view this June.

[Terps]

YESSS!!! BALLS MAHONEY!!!!

(although without Axl Rotten he's not the same). Sandman! Yeah!! What about the Blue Meanie+Nova? Or SABU?!?! And it wouldn't be ECW without New Jack bitchez! How about Shane Douglas? Odds on him being called? ;)

Sabu and Shane Douglas are both in TNA. Shane is a backstage worker though.

[DaddyTorgo]

Sabu and Shane Douglas are both in TNA. Shane is a backstage worker though.

sabu is in TNA? Hah...shows how much i pay attention these days. Wow...with his sparkling personality who wouldn't have guessed that Douglas would have a backstage job!

[SirFozzie]

sabu is in TNA? Hah...shows how much i pay attention these days. Wow...with his sparkling personality who wouldn't have guessed that Douglas would have a backstage job!

Sabu faces Samoa Joe at Lockdown, the next TNA PPV, for the X Division Title

[DeToxRox]

If true I'm pretty pumped. It'd be great to see a guy like CM Punk who would've been an ideal ECW Star get a chance to shine in such a way. Who knows how it'd come off but this could rule.

[molson]

If true I'm pretty pumped. It'd be great to see a guy like CM Punk who would've been an ideal ECW Star get a chance to shine in such a way. Who knows how it'd come off but this could rule.

I think this is the motivation for this, rather than having it be a "reunion tour". The WWE has realized that a ton of the best young talent in North America has no interest working for them because they can make a decent living in ROH, TNA, and the indys without being burried in OVW or the WWE. But those same guys might be interested in working full time in an ECW-type company.

[DeToxRox]

I think this is the motivation for this, rather than having it be a "reunion tour". The WWE has realized that a ton of the best young talent in North America has no interest working for them because they can make a decent living in ROH, TNA, and the indys without being burried in OVW or the WWE. But those same guys might be interested in working full time in and ECW-type company.

Yup.

Bring in some of those ROH guys, then throw in some guys who don't get over in the WWE right now but have that ECW quality to where they could shine, such as Paul London and Kendrick, etc.

[molson]

Ugh. My optimism is gone already - its been reported that the ECW matches will just be taped before Raw and Smackdown. So it'll essentially just be "Velocity with weapons".

Why not just rename OVW to ECW, fund it more, and find late night national TV for it? Paul Heyman's already in charge.

[DeToxRox]

Ugh. My optimism is gone already - its been reported that the ECW matches will just be taped before Raw and Smackdown. So it'll essentially just be "Velocity with weapons".

Why not just rename OVW to ECW, fund it more, and find late night national TV for it? Paul Heyman's already in charge.

Agree on the OVW front.

Where'd ya hear about the Velocity deal? It makes sense though.

[molson]

Agree on the OVW front.

Where'd ya hear about the Velocity deal? It makes sense though.

hxxp:/www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=16088

In a story reported on earlier today by Pro Wrestling Insider, WWE is indeed bringing back the ECW brand name for merchandising purposes as well as some form of weekly television and house shows.

The decision appears to have been finalized in the past week as several former stars were offered three-year contracts.

Paul Heyman will be in charge of the brand. It is believed this will be a mix of both former ECW wrestlers and new WWE developmental wrestlers.

It is expected this will lead to some significant changes in the WWE television product as well. The company is not looking to add a third day of television taping. It would likely be handled similar to the Superastros deal in the late 90s, with weekly matches taped before either the Raw or Smackdown tapings

[Deattribution]

I already knew it could turn out to be not so hot of an idea, but I have little faith in anything reported thru the observer or the torch - while right more than wrong both site tend to rely more on 'rumors' than facts.

[SirFozzie]

The Wrestling OBserver is usually good.. Meltzer is good about fact checking

[Schmidty]

I was never big on ECW. I found it more gimmicky than the WWE, mostly because of the "Oooh, look how extreme we are! We use barbed wire and weapons and bleed a lot."

I really like TNA though. It's a good mixture of WWE and ECW. It reminds me of the stuff I used to watch with my grandpa down south in the '80's. I think that was in fact NWA as well.

[JeffNights]

Why not just just give them the "Smackdown" timeslot?

WWE Raw on Monday, and then ECW or whatever on friday..

[General Mike]

This will suck.

[SirFozzie]

Why not just just give them the "Smackdown" timeslot?

WWE Raw on Monday, and then ECW or whatever on friday..

An Extreme promotion on UPN (or whatever the hybrid UPN/WB network will be called?). They'd get millions of complaints from the PTC

[JonInMiddleGA]

It's a good mixture of WWE and ECW. It reminds me of the stuff I used to watch with my grandpa down south in the '80's. I think that was in fact NWA as well.

Depending upon where in the south, there's a pretty good chance it was an NWA affiliate.

Georgia Championship Wrestling was, so was Mid-Atlantic that ran in North Carolina. And those two promotions formed the basis for the eventual WCW. Florida was also mostly NWA territory (albeit was some former AWA working there pretty regularly). Parts/most of Tennessee wasn't NWA affilated by that point IIRC, but otherwise, it's pretty likely there was an NWA connection if you were watching in the South. And, depending upon what part of the 80's you watched, you might have gotten a kick out of the surprise appearances on TNA last night -- first time anyone has seen Buff Bagwell and Lex Luger in quite a while (outside of a courtroom that is). The closing segment looked like a WCW reunion, with Sting, Jeff Jarrett, Scott Steiner, Bagwell, and Luger all in the ring (talking, not wrestling) and Mike Tenay on commentary. Funny thing was, as bad as WCW got at the end, I thought the final bit last night was well done and entertaining. Nice to see Sting clearly having fun around wrestling again.

Meanwhile, on the original topic (and to avoid a dola) -- the rumor mill about ECW says:
-- No Dudleys ("not as long as Johnny Ace is there"),
-- No Raven (multi-year contract with TNA)
-- Rhino might consider going back; Justin Credible has at least been called
-- Sabu may be the first name signing among former ECW free agents
-- Timeslot might be 2AM, where a replay of Raw currently airs

So, lemme speculate a little here. You've got RVD, probably Sabu. Maybe Rhino. Taz is a WWE employee, not sure how much/whether he can still work in the ring physically (didn't he have an injury issue that sent him to the announcers table?). Dreamer is there but is almost certainly past the point of being able to go regularly physically. Who knows what Shane Douglas might do at any given moment? So ... who else could be part of ECW, short-term or long-term?

Well, Chris Jericho comes to mind, so does Chris Benoit. Both did ECW stints and both could be loaned briefly if they wanted to push the revival hard. Heck, Steve Austin was there too, so was Terry Funk, even Jimmy Snuka.

Tony Mamaluke is working the indies now, Little Guido is out there somewhere,and Tracy Smothers, maybe the F.B.I. gets revived?

And from the "Whatever Happened To" files: Mike Awesome (retired, selling real estate), Lance Storm (retired in kayfabe but wrestled at an indy earlier this month), Steve Corino (indies/overseas last I knew), Jerry Lynn (working with TNA at the moment, non-wrestling role), Sandman (probably drunk somewhere), Bam Bam Bigelow (retired after a motorcycle crash), New Jack (working indies & dodging the law), Masato Tanaka (back in Japan?), Chris Chetti (indies maybe?), Mikey Whipwreck (no idea).

And even deeper from the vault: John Kronus (last seen at Hardcore Homecoming last year), Perry Saturn (no idea), Too Cold Scorpio (was in Mexico IIRC).

So, there's quite a few names that have ECW connections that could, theoretically, be available. But ... notice the overall lack of size in that list? And knowing McMahon's passion for big men (insert your own homoerotic reference here), I'm just having a tough time seeing him let ECW be ECW. While it was hardcore, violence, weapons, tables, blood, and general mayhem that most people remember about ECW, the promotion also featured some of the most enteraining and talented pro wrestlers in the world - Malenko, Benoit, Jericho, all the international talent. It was, IMO, the combination of the two elements that made ECW what it was and why it's fondly remembered. If the latter isn't part of the new equation, I'm afraid that the product could get pretty unwatchable pretty quick.

[Ryche]

As long as the new ECW is in no position to provide competition to McMahon's WWE, I think he'll give Heyman a pretty free reign to run it as he wants. It sounds like that is the current situation in OVW and all reports are that OVW is pretty entertaining and athletic.

[Terps]

Sabu has already signed w/ the WWE. Also contacted were Sandman, Balls Mahoney, Justin Credible, Lance Storm, Francine, and perhaps others. With the possible exception of Storm, all have agreed to terms and are expected to sign contracts this week.

[Deattribution]

There has been some talk about them bringing in new talent from OVW that doesn't fit the 'WWE mold', I could also see them using more of the cruiserweights, while not original ECW guys, theres no way for any promotion to succeed without fresh talent.

Again, it has the potential to really suck - but at this point anything is better than the wretched stuff theyre showing now.

[JonInMiddleGA]

re: OVW -- I hadn't seen their roster in a while, didn't realize that Amish Roadkill was there now, I'd think he's almost certain to make an ECW appearance. Of the youngsters there, I could see them working something for CM Punk and maybe Matt Cappotelli. And, last I knew at least, Johnny Parisi (aka Johnny Swinger) was working for Deep South Wrestling in McDonough, GA which was/is
basically the Class AA farm club promotion for WWE/OVW.

edit to add: Another FA name I missed earlier but who is still out there would be Danny Doring.

[TazFTW]

Tony Mamaluke is working the indies now, Little Guido is out there somewhere,and Tracy Smothers, maybe the F.B.I. gets revived?

Little Guido is Nunzio on the Smackdown roster. There is also Super Crazy and Psicosis. Bring back Tajiri!

Nova is also in the WWE wrestling as Simon Dean.

[Joe]

Taz is a WWE employee, not sure how much/whether he can still work in the ring physically (didn't he have an injury issue that sent him to the announcers table?).



Taz doesn't wrestle anymore because of chronic neck problems. He had surgery to have vertebrae and discs in his neck fused instead of shaving them down like Angle did. Tazz pretty much can't wrestle because he'd get too fucked up.

[Deattribution]

Taz doesn't wrestle anymore because of chronic neck problems. He had surgery to have vertebrae and discs in his neck fused instead of shaving them down like Angle did. Tazz pretty much can't wrestle because he'd get too fucked up.

The fact that if he were still a wrestler he would have probably been released already, while being an announcer ensures him a 20+ year career doesn't hurt either ;)

[JonInMiddleGA]

Taz doesn't wrestle anymore because of chronic neck problems. He had surgery to have vertebrae and discs in his neck fused instead of shaving them down like Angle did. Tazz pretty much can't wrestle because he'd get too fucked up.

Thanks. I remembered a health problem but couldn't recall what it was specifically.

[Terps]

Of the youngsters there, I could see them working something for CM Punk and maybe Matt Cappotelli.

Cappotelli has a cancerous brain tumor.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Cappotelli has a cancerous brain tumor.

Well damn, I totally missed that. I guess it's a symbolic thing that he's still listed on their roster (a surprisingly classy gesture IMO).

[JonInMiddleGA]

Another solid night of TV from TNA on Spike.

Gail Kim provides her customary interference to save AMW from Styles & Daniels but hit a highlight move, sudden huracarana on Styles. Eye candy or not, she really snapped off the move & made it look very good IMO.

Nice work in the World X Cup and some surprise booking to give Team Mexico a win. Neat to see Shocker get some US TV time and a victory to boot.

And in week #2 of the "Deal or No Deal", Sting reveals the next potential partner which Jarrett & Scott Steiner reject ... He's a former collegiate wrestler, a 10 time WCW World Tag Team Champion, the top selling agent for Keller-Williams Real Estate in Atlanta, and a member of the Cherokee County Board of Education (http://www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Board_of_Ed/board_table.htm)(and that's a shoot) ...
the Dog-Faced Gremlin Rick Steiner!

I'm still pretty skeptical about whether the writing and booking will hold up to the strain of the new formula that calls for less wrestling & more angles, but I have to admit that the "Who's Sting's Partner" angle has been fun to watch for an old-timer like me.

[SirFozzie]

*grins evilly* I saw the spoilers for who Sting's partner will be next week, should I spoil? :)

[JonInMiddleGA]

*grins evilly* I saw the spoilers for who Sting's partner will be next week, should I spoil? :)

I hadn't looked at spoilers from this week's taping yet, but I will now. (I knew Rick was backstage for the taping that aired tonight, so I was pretty much certain that he'd be tonight's unchosen guest).

Better to not spoil it in this thread in case we might actually manage to attract a few viewers with some curiosity.

I'm afraid that they're going to need to put up some decent numbers right now, since they're getting a pretty good lead-in from Ultimate Fighter 3 (“Ultimate Fighter,” Spike, Thursday, 10 p.m. If you’re looking to reach men 18-34, forget the traditional sports like basketball, hockey and baseball. “Fighter” delivered a bigger audience in that hard-to-reach demo Thursday than TNT’s NBA playoffs, OLN’s NHL playoffs and ESPN’s MLB combined, according to Spike, averaging 799,000 men 18-34.)


edit to add: Okay, just read the spoiler and frankly I'm kind of disappointed. The storyline that will follow is sooooooo obvious, and the ending of said storyline is too. I understand why it's being done but I can't say that I'm particularly excited about it. {shrug} Still, it's been fun to enjoy wrestling again even for a little while and there's still a lot of good action beyond this particular angle.

[molson]

*grins evilly* I saw the spoilers for who Sting's partner will be next week, should I spoil? :)

I hope it's Tom Zenk.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Incidentally (or maybe not so coincidentally), this story is in today's AJC
I actually wondered whether he had legally changed his name when I saw him using his alias on the Board of Education site, I guess this answers my question

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/cherokee/stories/0506metwrestler.html
Former pro wrestler disqualified for Cherokee seat

By JILL YOUNG MILLER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/06/06

Former pro wrestler Rick Steiner was tossed out of the ring this week as a Republican candidate for the Cherokee County School Board.

But he plans to return to the match under his legal name, Robert Rechsteiner.

After county Supervisor of Elections Janet Munda couldn't find Steiner's name among registered voters during a routine search of qualified candidates, she called him and told him he wasn't qualified, after all, to seek office.

It was Rick Steiner who was appointed last year to fill out a school board term. And it was Rick Steiner who was the only person to qualify for that seat last week, making him, it seemed, the de facto winner.

But only people who qualify under their legal names may seek public office.

On Friday, Rechsteiner, 45, sent a letter to Munda apologizing for any trouble he may have caused. He said he "will likely seek the position through an independent qualification or a write-in campaign in the general election," in November.

He had gone by the name Rick Steiner for 20 years, he said in the letter. He holds his real estate license in that name, he said, and is only known as Rick Steiner "to everyone I know."

"I used it as a springboard to help people recognize who I was," he said Friday.

Rick Steiner was half of the Steiner Brothers tag-team wrestling team in various pro wrestling leagues in the late 1980s and early '90s.

Steiner was appointed to the school board in November, to a seat vacated by Fred Larsen.

It's too late for Rechsteiner's name to get on the ballot for the July primary, Munda said. But he could qualify and be on the ballot for the general election in November, she said.

[DeToxRox]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=PwJY3_qG7_M&search=Florida%20Brothers%20music%20video

Incredibly funny wrestling video feauting the Florida Brothers.

[Joe]

WWE is jacking up the prices of their PPV's yet again. Starting with ECW's One Night Stand II each WWE PPV will be 39.95 instead of the typical 34.95. WWE has made no mention of this anywhere on their website, but if you go to your Direct TV or digital cable box and pull up the PPV you will see the price listed as 39.95.

[SirFozzie]

The FLorida Brothers rule. Too bad they had to break up.

[Schmidty]

The FLorida Brothers rule. Too bad they had to break up.

Why did they have to break up?

[SirFozzie]

I think they lost a match where they had to split up if they lost.

While I'm looking for that bit of info..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyUgaICgE8Y

Stuff like this makes Japanese wrestling the weirdest.

This is from a federation (DDT) that had a LADDER win a title. Several times.

[SirFozzie]

ah here it is, the Florida Brothers lost a match in April to Stalker Ichikawa and had to split up.

[Schmidty]

I think they lost a match where they had to split up if they lost.

While I'm looking for that bit of info..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyUgaICgE8Y

Stuff like this makes Japanese wrestling the weirdest.

This is from a federation (DDT) that had a LADDER win a title. Several times.

That is so cool. I'd love to be able to find a way to watch that stuff on a regular basis. :D

[SirFozzie]

There are folks who import tapes/DVD's into AMerica.. I like the comedy stuff, but I also like the athletic style of New Japan/All Japan,NOAH/Zero-One as well.

ANd Hustle. Hustle is just bizarre. Danoshuku Dino, Generalissimo Takada and the Monster Army.. Yinling The Erotic Terrorist. And let us not forget Razor Ramon HG (or Hard Gay).

Hustle is just F'n bizarre

[Desmond]

Is Yinling the girl who likes to squat? I enjoy her work very much.

This whole ECW angle is so retarded, they started the fighting over the angle before the angle even happened, then when it does happen they acknowledge that it's a "brand" and pretty much squelch any sort of heat regarding it's formation. Of course having no plan at all and having all the angles leading up to it occur on the West coast is just stupidity, but stupidity is what Vince does best these days.

[Neon_Chaos]

EC-DUB! EC-DUB!