WWE ECW
| WWE ECW | |
|---|---|
| File:ExtremeChampionshipWrestling.jpg ECW logo | |
| Created by | Paul Heyman Vince McMahon |
| Starring | ECW Brand |
| Opening theme | "Bodies" by Drowning Pool |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of episodes | 24 (as of November 21, 2006) |
| Production | |
| Camera setup | Multicamera setup |
| Running time | 45 minutes per episode (60-65 including commercials) |
| Original release | |
| Network | Sci Fi Channel |
| Release | June 13, 2006 |
Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) is a professional wrestling brand of World Wrestling Entertainment, based on the independent promotion Extreme Championship Wrestling that lasted from 1992 to 2001. It debuted on June 13, 2006 with a weekly television series. The ECW brand is one of WWE's three brands, the other two being RAW and SmackDown!.
The ECW brand has sought to differentiate itself from WWE's other brands. For example, ECW's male performers are referred to as "Extremists", as opposed to the SmackDown! and RAW performers who are called "Superstars".[1] ECW's female performers are referred to as "Vixens", as opposed to WWE's "Divas".
This series can be seen on Sci Fi Channel in the United States, X-Treme Sports and Global in Canada, Lativi in Indonesia, Sky Sports 3 in the United Kingdom, FX in Latin America, Ten Sports in India, Astro Supersport in Malaysia, Solar Sports in Philippines, FOX8 in Australia, SKY 1 in New Zealand, [e.tv]] in South Africa, and on AFN Xtra.
History
WWE acquired the Extreme Championship Wrestling name and video library in 2003 and later began reintroducing ECW through a series of DVDs and books. The most notable example is The Rise and Fall of ECW, a documentary (and later a book) of the promotion's history. The enormous popularity of this and other ECW merchandise prompted WWE to organize an ECW "reunion show" pay-per-view in 2005 dubbed ECW One Night Stand. The financial and critical success of the show motivated WWE to organize a second One Night Stand the following year. With rejuvenated interest in ECW, WWE began exploring the possibility of reviving the promotion full time.
On May 26, 2006, WWE announced the relaunch of ECW as a stand-alone brand that would complement WWE's RAW and SmackDown! brands and emanate weekly on the Sci Fi Channel. [2] Despite initial concerns that professional wrestling would not be accepted by Sci Fi Channel's demographic, network 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 andexclusive cable broadcaster of WWE programming.
To boost success of the new brand, ECW was cross-promoted on WWE programming in the weeks leading up to the 2006 One Night Stand. A prime time WWE vs. ECW Head to Head special was aired on USA Network as part of the promotion.
The ECW brand was initially headlined by original ECW performers such as Rob Van Dam, Sabu, Tommy Dreamer, Balls Mahoney, Al Snow and The Sandman, with former ECW owner Paul Heyman entrusted with booking the brand. However, following the second episode, Heyman's role was somewhat reduced. According to an interview in the UK newspaper The Sun, Heyman writes the brand's weekly scripts and submits them to writers for possible changes, and then Vince McMahon for final approval.
Changes were made to the brand that differentiated it from the original ECW promotion, including changing the original promotion's rules - where weapons were legal in all matches and there were almost never count outs or disqualifications. The WWE brand typically classifies such matches as "Extreme Rules" bouts, and they are only fought on occasion. By default, all matches on ECW cards are now fought under standard WWE rules unless specified otherwise.
The first pay-per-view event hosted by the ECW brand since its launch will be December to Dismember on December 3 from Augusta, Georgia. ECW also has its talent appear at cross-branded pay-per-view events, such as WWE's "Big Four" pay-per-view productions: Survivor Series, Royal Rumble, SummerSlam and WrestleMania.
ECW on Sci Fi
ECW's weekly series was originally given a run of a thirteen episode "summer series" by the Sci Fi Channel. Because of good ratings, it was granted an extended run through the end of 2007.[3] The premiere of ECW's weekly show on the Sci Fi Channel received a 2.79 rating, making it the highest rated show on cable in its time slot.[4]
Unlike the original promotion which primarily ran television tapings in smaller arenas, ECW shows are now held in larger arenas as a part of SmackDown!'s Tuesday taping schedule. ECW typically airs live on Tuesdays after SmackDown! has finished taping.
While the show has been a ratings success for both Sci Fi Channel and WWE, it has drawn criticism from some fans of the original ECW and critics in the Internet wrestling community. This was evidenced by the negative crowd reaction "old school" fans gave the main event of Batista vs The Big Show at the August 1, 2006 show from Hammerstein Ballroom.[5][6]
To compliment the weekly television program, WWE.com introduced an online streaming video site called Hardcore Hangover that allows fans to stream on-demand video footage of the weekly show.
On-air personalities
- ECW World Heavyweight Champion: The Big Show
- Representative: Paul Heyman (June 7, 2006 - present)
- Commentators: Tazz (June 7, 2006 - present), Joey Styles (June 7, 2006 - present)
References
- ^ "ECW: Extremists". WWE.com. Retrieved June 21.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "WWE brings ECW to Sci Fi Channel". WWE.com. Retrieved August 2.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Sci Fi Channel Extends ECW". Retrieved October 11.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Sci Fi Channel pins the competition with ECW's triumphant return to television". www.thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved July 8.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ http://www.onlineonslaught.com/features/20060801.shtml
- ^ http://www.pwtorch.com/artman/exec/view.cgi/15/17507