WWE ECW: Difference between revisions
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''This article is about World Wrestling Entertainment's ECW brand. For the original promotion that existed from 1992–2001, see [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]].'' |
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{{Infobox Television |
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| show_name = Extreme Championship Wrestling |
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| image = [[Image:Ecwbrandlogo.JPG|155px|ECW logo]] |
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| caption = |
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| format = [[Professional wrestling]] |
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| camera = [[Multicamera setup]] |
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| picture_format = |
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| runtime = 60 minutes (with commercials) |
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| creator = [[Paul Heyman]]<br />[[Vince McMahon]] |
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| developer = |
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| executive_producer = |
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| starring = [[World Wrestling Entertainment roster#ECW Brand|ECW Brand]] |
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| narrated = |
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| opentheme = |
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| endtheme = |
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| country = [[United States]] |
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| network = [[Sci Fi Channel (United States)|Sci Fi Channel]] |
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| first_aired = [[June 13]], [[2006]] |
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| last_aired = |
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| num_episodes = |
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| website = http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/ |
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| imdb_id = 0810614 |
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| tv_com_id = |
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}} |
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'''Extreme Championship Wrestling''' '''(ECW)''' is the return of [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] as a [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE) brand. It is currently scheduled to commence in a full-time fashion on [[June 13]], [[2006]] with a weekly television series. This series can be seen on the [[Sci Fi Channel (United States)|Sci Fi Channel]] in the United States, [[Sky Sports|Sky Sports 3]] in the [[United Kingdom]], [[FOX8]] in Australia, and [[SKY Network Television|SKY 1]] in New Zealand . A [[Canadian]] TV deal is currently being worked on. |
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Originally founded in 1992 as Eastern Championship Wrestling by [[Tod Gordon]], ECW was a [[professional wrestling promotion]] under the ownership of [[Paul Heyman]]. The company was known for its loyal fanbase as well as its tendency to push the envelope with both their [[angle (professional wrestling)|storylines]] and in-ring work. The group showcased many different styles of professional wrestling, ranging from [[lucha libre]] to [[hardcore wrestling]]. The company ceased operations in January 2001 and all of ECW's assets were acquired by the WWE. |
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==History== |
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===Invasion storyline=== |
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{{details|The Invasion}} |
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A few months after the promotion's 2001 demise, ECW resurfaced as a part of the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] Invasion storyline. As a participant in the inter-promotional feud between [[Shane McMahon]]'s [[World Championship Wrestling|WCW]] and [[Vince McMahon]]'s WWF, ECW was initially owned by [[Paul Heyman]] and harbored no loyalty to either promotion. Soon after, it was revealed [[Stephanie McMahon-Levesque|Stephanie McMahon]] was ECW's new owner, and she would soon conspire with her brother Shane to oust their father from his leadership position in the World Wrestling Federation. With the creation of [[The Alliance]], the inter-promotional feud shifted into an internal power struggle among the McMahon family. The defection of WWF superstars to The Alliance continued the shift as less focus was placed on WCW and ECW performers. The feud lasted six months and concluded with WWF defeating The Alliance at the [[Survivor Series#2001|''2001 Survivor Series'']]. The WWF's victory also marked the end of the Invasion storyline, and WCW and ECW wrestlers were reintegrated into the WWF. |
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===ECW in WWE=== |
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WWE began reintroducing ECW through a series of [[DVD]]s and books following its [[2003]] acquisition of the company's tape library, most notably ''[[The Rise and Fall of ECW]]'', a documentary of the promotion's history.The enormous popularity of ECW merchandise prompted WWE to organize an ECW reunion show in 2005 dubbed ''[[ECW One Night Stand 2005|ECW One Night Stand]]''. The financial and critical success of the [[pay-per-view]] motivated WWE to organize a second ''[[ECW One Night Stand 2006|One Night Stand]]'' the following year. With rejuventated interest in ECW, WWE explored the possibility of reviving the promotion. |
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===Relaunch=== |
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On [[May 26]], [[2006]], WWE announced the relaunch of ECW as a stand-alone franchise that would compliment WWE's ''[[WWE RAW|RAW]]'' and ''[[WWE Friday Night SmackDown!|SmackDown!]]'' brands. The promotion would emanate on [[Sci Fi Channel (United States)|Sci Fi Channel]]. [http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/scifi] Although a puzzling decision, Sci Fi Channel's President Bonnie Hammer believed that ECW would fit the channel's theme of ''stretching the imagination.'' Sci Fi Channel is owned by [[NBC Universal]], parent company of [[USA Network]], the exclusive cable broadcaster of WWE programming. |
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To boost the success of the brand, ECW was cross-promoted on WWE programming. Former ECW owner [[Paul Heyman]] and wrestler [[Tommy Dreamer]] have been entrusted with operating the brand. Furthermore, long-time WWE Superstars [[Kurt Angle]] and the [[Paul Wight|Big Show]] will join former ECW performers such as [[Rob Van Dam]], [[Terry Brunk|Sabu]], and [[Jim Fullington|The Sandman]] to headline the promotion. [[Joey Styles]] will return to his former role as ECW [[play-by-play]] [[announcer]], with [[Tazz]] joining him as a [[color commentator]]. |
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The promotion will resume on [[June 13]], 2006, following ''[[WWE vs. ECW Head to Head]]'' and ''[[ECW One Night Stand 2006]]''. The show is to be broadcast live on Sci Fi Channel following ''SmackDown!'' tapings. There are also a number of ECW-exclusive live events booked for the duration of the Sci Fi Channel contract.[http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/summertour] |
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== Current champions == |
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* ''[[WWE Championship|WWE/ECW Champion]]'': [[Rob Van Dam]] |
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==Commentators== |
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*'''[[Joey Styles]] ([[2006#June|June 2006]] - present)''' |
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*'''[[Tazz]] ([[2006#June|June 2006]] - present)''' |
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==See also== |
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*[[World Wrestling Entertainment roster#ECW Brand|World Wrestling Entertainment roster (ECW brand)]] |
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==External links== |
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*[http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/ ECW.com - Official website of Exteme Championship Wrestling (2006-present)] |
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{{WWE Championships}} |
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{{WWEPPV}} |
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[[Category:2000s TV shows in the United States]] |
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[[Category:Extreme Championship Wrestling|*]] |
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[[Category:Sci Fi Channel shows]] |
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[[Category:World Wrestling Entertainment]] |
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