Could the new ECW actually HURT WWE?

[SPTO]

OK I know right now that seems like a dumb question but hear me out.

Let's say the new ECW gains a cult following that grows due to word of mouth and great workrate. Don't you think, assuming WWE fully promotes and supports it that ECW could actually outshine WWE?

This could be like a frankenstein monster considering the talent that will be on the show and the talent behind the scenes. You could actually see mainstay WWE fans being siphoned off into ECW.

Obviously they're going for a whole different feel with the ECW brand so it's going to feel fresh and entertaining to those people who've been complaining about the staleness of the current WWE product. Now I know WWE will benefit in merchandising and such because they own the copyrights etc etc but it would look real bad if ECW does comparable or even better business then WWE.

Opinons? thoughts? Am I off my rocker?

[Streets]

Re: Could the new ECW actually HURT WWE?

OK I know right now that seems like a dumb question but hear me out.

Let's say the new ECW gains a cult following that grows due to word of mouth and great workrate. Don't you think, assuming WWE fully promotes and supports it that ECW could actually outshine WWE?

This could be like a frankenstein monster considering the talent that will be on the show and the talent behind the scenes. You could actually see mainstay WWE fans being siphoned off into ECW.

Obviously they're going for a whole different feel with the ECW brand so it's going to feel fresh and entertaining to those people who've been complaining about the staleness of the current WWE product. Now I know WWE will benefit in merchandising and such because they own the copyrights etc etc but it would look real bad if ECW does comparable or even better business then WWE.

Opinons? thoughts? Am I off my rocker?

Ummm, Vince makes his money either way. So, I dont think the WWE will hit the panic button if the new ECW is freakishly successful, infact I think that is what they will be going for. Screw rep, money is the bottomline, and dont be suprised to see more shoot-style promos from the ECW brand mocking the E. If Vince cared about The E's rep he wouldnt let such promos get aired, but trust me, he'd want nothing more than the new ECW to become a larger than life frankenstein so he can line his pockets.

And I expect that the brands will be on at different times as not to interfere with one another. I also have a feeling that we will be seeing crossovers and defections at major events, so they wont be entirely seperate.

[Spear]

Re: Could the new ECW actually HURT WWE?

I don't think this is a dumb question at all, but think it contains a lot of truth.

I'm just finishing up reading Scott William's Hardcore History book which is a look back at ECW's legacy and at one point he is looking at the success of ECW One Night Stand. This in regards to ONS's buyrate:

"Weeks later, the company upped that number to an estimated 320,000 (a much bigger jump than the usual difference btween initial estimates and later ones, which fall around 20,000 buys), but then fell silent. Some cable-industry insiders speculate that when the final number is released in 2006, it will be 375,000 to 400,000, a number that would trump almost every WWE pay-per view of 2005. People close to Vince McMahon said he was blown away by what he saw the night of One Night Stand, alothough he tried to put on a stoic front. One person said, "He thought it would be a nice show, and when it was over, the fans would leave happy. He was not expecting this outpouring of emotion or the kind of buzz around One Night Stand." The person, a WWE employee who asked to remain anonymous, said that shock might have been part of the reason for WWE's sudden dropping of all things ECW the night after the show."

I believe ECW will hurt Vince's ego but I'm not sure if they will grow to a point where they could hurt the WWE as a whole especially if they are running their TV tapings before Smackdown which is the one thing I'm worried about. ECW needs to be out on its own with Heyman and Dreamer in the back w/ no WWE distractions.

[goh]

Re: Could the new ECW actually HURT WWE?

Can't see it being harmful but it can outshine it easily since many think the orignial did (including me). In fact it could help it like the original did. If ECW is getting great reviews and Raw is getting crap they'll probably want to make Raw a lot better.

[madnumber24]

Re: Could the new ECW actually HURT WWE?

nah, ecw belong to the wwe, so its just like smackdown or raw. no harm done