ECW returning full time?!?!

[goh]

Re: ECW returning full time?!?!

Hopefully they can get some new guys in there too. Necro Butcher vs. Balls Mahoney would be crazy.

[MachoMyers]

Re: ECW returning full time?!?!

I wanna know if they will test for Steroids...If not Mike Awesome is definatley not coming back.

[VanillaGorilla]

Re: ECW returning full time?!?!

I hate to burst everyones bubble, but this ain't gonna happen. How would ECW get on television? USA doesn't want anymore WWE programming, and neither does pretty much every other station. If it will simply replace OVW, and be shown on local TV in the areas OVW is shown, then it would be a huge waste of money, as you would be signing all these former ECW guys to contracts, only for them to be seen on Louisiville local television? This rumor has always resurfaced at least once a year, and it never, ever happens.

[Spear]

Re: ECW returning full time?!?!

They could scrap AM Raw? WWE Bottom Line? worst comes to worst they could have it on the Web like Heat and Velocity. Vince could even include it on WWE 24/7.

[MachoMyers]

Re: ECW returning full time?!?!

I hate to burst everyones bubble, but this ain't gonna happen. How would ECW get on television? USA doesn't want anymore WWE programming, and neither does pretty much every other station. If it will simply replace OVW, and be shown on local TV in the areas OVW is shown, then it would be a huge waste of money, as you would be signing all these former ECW guys to contracts, only for them to be seen on Louisiville local television? This rumor has always resurfaced at least once a year, and it never, ever happens.

You've got a point

USA has paid for the WWE brand not ECW, it would be burning money for them.

[Spear]

Re: ECW returning full time?!?!

From Rajah.com

As reported here earlier, news has broken that WWE is planning on bringing back the ECW brand as a regular, full-time promotion later this year.

More information has become available regarding this major story:

* The official decision to bring ECW back was said to be finalized in the last week or so. The plan is to have the promotion return on a full-time basis in September.

* WWE is not looking to add a third day to their television schedule. Dave Meltzer reports that 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.

* The ECW roster will feature a mix of both former ECW personalities and new WWE developmental wrestlers who have been working house shows under Paul Heyman. WWE is offering talent three year deals which consist of a series of one year contracts with rollover clauses. The Sandman, Francine and Balls Mahoney are all being sent contreacts this week.

* There are several members of the TNA roster that have been talked about as being prime candidates for ECW contracts when the time is right.

* Paul Heyman he will be in charge of the ECW brand, who will be booking, along with Tommy Dreamer. The McMahons are not believed to be part of the creative process.

* The plan is to run house shows and some form of weekly television as well as well. Should ECW secure regular television time, expect Joey Styles to be involved.

* As of now, there are two ECW PPVs scheduled - One Night Stand 2 (June '06) and One Night Stand 3 (June '07). It is quite possible there will be more ECW PPVs added to their annual lineup when the promotion goes full-time.

[Lintyfresh85]

Re: ECW returning full time?!?!

so basically they're gonna run it and if it gets real popular they'll expand it out... I guess it could be good, but it also could suck real bad... Although as long as Heyman is booking with no McMahon's it could be freaking amazing.

[CWood2]

Re: ECW returning full time?!?!

The ECW roster will feature a mix of both former ECW personalities and new WWE developmental wrestlers who have been working house shows under Paul Heyman. WWE is offering talent three year deals which consist of a series of one year contracts with rollover clauses. The Sandman, Francine and Balls Mahoney are all being sent contreacts this week.

Wonder if this includes CM Punk, among others? I like the idea of infusing youth instead of just bringing back guys who can't go anymore and really could only brawl in the first place. Could be an interesting mix.

[Spear]

Re: ECW returning full time?!?!

I'm listening to the Wrestling Observer online right now, and they said that WWE have been in talks with USA about putting ECW on the air.

[Lintyfresh85]

Re: ECW returning full time?!?!

once again....as long as the McMahons aren't involved this will be great...

[VanillaGorilla]

Re: ECW returning full time?!?!

Well, by the sounds of it, it looks like it's gonna happen. I guess I'm a *******.

[MizzouBravesFan]

Re: ECW returning full time?!?!

And for all those that are scared this won't be authentic or true to the ECW style, do you really think Paul Heyman would sign off on it and come on board as the head booker and creative man in charge if there were going to be restrictions put on what can be done or if Vince won't allow it to be like the old school ECW??? I seriously doubt it, just some food for thought.

[CaptainZombie]

Breaking News: ECW Returning Full-Time This September

PWInsider.com is reporting that WWE has made the decision to bring back ECW FULL-TIME.

The plan is to have the promotion return on a full-time basis in September. WWE officials have begun talking to former talent about returning to work for the promotion.

There has been no decision on how the company will be brought back just 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.

Paul Heyman and Tommy Dreamer will be booking ECW when it starts up.

WWE is offering talent three year deals which consist of a series of one year contracts with rollover clauses. The Sandman, Francine and Balls Mahoney are all being sent contreacts this week.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Breaking News: ECW Returning Full-Time This September

In a follow-up to the story that we posted earlier about ECW returning full-time, the plan was said to be finalized in the last week or so.

WWE is not looking to add a third day to their television schedule. It is believed this will be a mix of both former ECW wrestlers and new WWE developmental wrestlers who have been working house shows under Paul Heyman.

Speaking of Heyman, he will be in charge of the ECW brand. The plan is to run house shows and some form of weekly television as well.

Dave Meltzer reports that 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.

[Spear]

Re: ECW returning full time?!?!

That's true. Dreamer and Heyman wouldn't do anything to ruin the ECW legacy.

Incase you missed it over the weekend, news broke that WWE plans to revive the ECW brand. The likely plan at this point is to transform OVW into ECW sometime around September. The roster will be a mix of former ECW stars and current OVW developmental talents. Paul Heyman and Tommy Dreamer will be heading up the ECW brand and booking it. Below are some new notes to add to the story.

- In addition to The Sandman, Balls Mahoney, and Francine, it appears that Lance Storm, Justin Credible, and Sabu have also been contacted by WWE to be part of the new ECW. Al Snow, Rob Van Dam, Kid Kash, Super Crazy, and Johnny Swinger are all also expected to be part of the brand.

- Joey Styles could be pulled from RAW and shifted to ECW while Jim Ross returns on RAW.

- The wrestlers being offered ECW deals are not being told much beyond the fact that WWE would keep them busy and the pay is basically in-line with the typical downside given to regular Raw or Smackdown wrestlers when they first sign with the company.

- There is a chance that ECW could have its own show that would be broadcast via WWE.com like how Velocity and Heat currently are. The most likely option remains that the brand will get airtime on RAW and/or Smackdown.

Credit: PWTorch.com