The Wrath of Tito - Attack of the ECW fans!
Submitted by Mr. Tito on Sunday, April 30, 2006 at 12:28 PM EST
Welcome to the post-draft edition of the Wrath of Tito. See, that's funny, as everything in sports today is the "post draft edition" of whatever the show might be. Seriously, I like the NFL draft and am pumped for the drama of the event each year. But could you do a little less hype of it for next year? What's great is that ESPN Radio spent 4 freakin' weeks with mock drafts on having Reggie Bush go #1 and Matt Leinart go #3 or #4, and all of that time was wasted because that's not exactly what happened. This excessive hype makes me want to watch the NBA, NHL, NASCAR, or TNA on a regular basis, and that says a lot!
My apologies to those who tuned into the radio show that I advertised last week. Some late communication came in that had the radio show taking a week off. My bad. However, I do hope to be on the show this week. Check out the Shawn and Chase" show between 6 and 7 pm on Wednesday at LVRocks.com for a potential Mr. Tito call-in and discussion about pro wrestling. In addition to this show, I'm in some talks with various internet radio vendors about having my own show. Keep you updated, I will.
Anyway... how is everyone doing today? I'm doing great. It's a nice weekend of rest & relaxation, as my batteries needed charged after a long last week. I just feel like chilling for today and writing a column that doesn't get me fired up...
Uh oh...
Oh no!!!!!
*reads feedback from the last column about ECW*
Danger! Danger! Too much ECW overload!
ATTACK OF THE ECW FANS (or Marks)
Throughout my time as a columnist, there are two things that I instantly get hatemail for. First and foremost, Insane Clown Posse. Whenever I say that they aren't talented, they are an eyesore to professional wrestling, or that they were so 1990's, I get hatemail. Some wrestling fans like the guys, but most of all, word gets out on an ICP message board and I get bombarded with emails. A word of advice to anyone emailing me whenever I proudly say "ICP Sucks". Stop using excessive amounts of 4-letter words and learn how to somewhat handle the English language.
And the other is Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) fans. Anytime I mention ECW, I get some sort of feedback. The absolute worst was when I did the "ECW on TNN" reviews and I loaded those puppies up with lots of opinions from yours truly. Oh boy did I have a bloated inbox from that. Seriously, who can defend Justin Credible as a World Champion, oh, 6 years later? Plus, I was never afraid to call a spotfest a spotfest. In addition, I was always able to point out how Rob Van Dam and Sabu took like 3 minute breaks between each spot. Sure, the moves they did hurt like hell, but taking long breaks in between exposes the one-dimensional wrestlers that you are and how being on the cover of "High Times" might mean that your lung capacity could be greatly improved. See, I'm already digging myself into a hole and I have yet to answer YOUR feedback.
That's the purpose of today's column... to answer the ECW marks fans. I, myself, was once an ECW mark. I actually had the late night syndicated during late 1996 and through most of 1997 on a UPN channel. Then, WB took over the channel and the new owners became disgusted with the language used by ECW fans (seriously, they began censoring the fan chants) and soon took it off the air in honor of WCW Worldwide. While I did miss having a 3rd option for my wrestling tastes, I could clearly see that ECW was a product in decline by mid 1997 after key stars bolted to WCW. So to say that I dislike ECW is incorrect. I still have all of these shows that I just talked about on tape, I have various ECW DVD's, and I went to an ECW houseshow in April of 1997. I bought a Sandman shirt that I still wear on occasion and I marked out briefly for the "One Night Stand" show last year.
But to say that ECW can be brought back as a regular show is ludicrous! When will people realize that ECW has been dead since early 2001, more than 5 years ago? Even then, the product peaked during the mid to late 1990's. Stars from the past are old and cannot compete at the same suicidal level as they once did. WWE is really protective of the wrestlers they hire and won't allow them to put their bodies on the line, as they once did for ECW. The McMahons HATE Paul Heyman. Even if Heyman makes this product a success, it's very likely he'll be torn down out of jealousy. In addition, welcome to 2006. The culture of ECW has diminished greatly. Fans are now older, have moved on to other forms of entertainment, you name it. The thirst for crash television and violent matches has greatly decreased. And that was my point of my column, which many missed...
Time to respond to YOUR email, ECW fans (or marks).......
"I totally agree that the ECW should not be ran by WWE, but it would be retarded for any person alive to think that a ECW resurgance by any means would be a failure. Granted the WWE wont allow the wrestlers to do the same things they used to do and half of them can't do what they used to do, but if the ECW was given monetary backing, the ECW would flourish.
Now its is time to disect and pick apart your misunderstandings. First of all, even if Paul Heyman was disliked by Vince and the McMahons, then why does he have a job at OVW, which you said he didn't and it wrong on your part. He wasn't fired from OVW in 2003, he was fired from WWE in 2003. He recently took a job working for OVW. And the fact you have the audacity to say that the ECW would be a failure because of the fact they are still around. Well if our nation didn't have a pussy-ass society and fucking pansy ass people, the ECW would have gotten a network and we would be talking about a WWF reunion. And it is like Paul Heyman said on the ECW DVD, if that had of happened, everyone from WWE would be working for Paul. If Vince dislikes Paul as much as you claim, then how did this comment make it to the DVD. The fact they didn't get another network proves network execs lack balls. Which is also relevant to the pussy society in which beating you child for acting up is bad."
Paul Heyman's biggest enemy is Stephanie McMahon. Vince has an odd off and on relationship with Heyman, but at the end of the day, Vince knows to keep an enemy within reach in the wrestling industry. Stephanie hates Heyman and has pushed hard for Heyman to get fired already. Heyman's Smackdown demotion of 2003 was a direct result of Stephanie and Heyman having problems together, and Vince's want to push Albert that year was the final straw. Stephanie regularly badmouths Heyman's performance at Ohio Valley Wrestling and has pushed to have him demoted from that job as well. In addition, I think it's quite relevant that a bunch of resources were pushed towards the WWE Vengeance Pay Per View, which had HHH fighting Batista for the third time. A good reason why that match was a Hell in the Cell bout was to out-do Paul Heyman.
As for your "pussy-ass" television comments, the fact remains that ECW barely did a 1.0 on TNN during PRIME TIME. Yes, it was a Friday night, but Smackdown's audience has actually INCREASED by moving from Thursday to Friday. Where's your argument that Friday isn't a wrestling night? The fact is that ECW on TNN did not draw the ratings that it should because the demand for watching the ECW product has greatly diminished. Say what you want about Viacom, who owns TNN/Spike TV, they don't care about content. They own Mtv and VH1 for Christ's sake and the content on both of those networks puts the WWE's to shame! Execs will put on any show that makes money and during late 1999 through 2000, ECW wasn't a show that made money, period. Wrestling shows don't pay much by advertisers (thanks to low income demographic studies), and poorly rated wrestling shows won't pay nothing at all. Heyman made nothing on those ECW on TNN shows and was in financial trouble before Viacom was even in negotiations with the WWE.
"It never ceases to amaze me how utterly stupid you can be sometimes. I say this in response to your column about ECW's imminent return. It is people like you, who are against different ideas that may be considered "thinking outside the box), that are what is wrong with business and entrepreneurship in this day and age. Where others see opportunities, you say "it can't work" and dismiss it.
ECW was a product in severe decline by the time it was deleted in 2001. If it were sooooooooo great, then it would have had higher drawn Pay Per View shows and better ratings on TNN. Those are facts that NOBODY can dispute.
Thinking outside of the box? Bringing back an old brand from the dead is thinking outside the box? How many times must ECW be revived or thought about for a return? With each moment ECW makes a hint of return, the interest is not there. However, when you dip into the past and put out nice DVD's, they are bought up quickly. Why? Because ECW was great back in the day but they aren't now. The same old stars can't be as "extreme" as they once were. Heyman can't write the edgy storylines that he once did and he'll have to answer to his owner.
If there was EVER a strong reason to recreate ECW, it's to compete with NWA-TNA. That's it. Part of the reason for the WWE's roster split was to create competition among itself in the marketplace. With ECW being created, it can quickly be the equivalent of NWA-TNA's X-division, and by raiding the TNA roster of its younger, extreme style wrestlers, the WWE could make TNA into nothing but boring Southern wrestling. Like people will care about a raided roster with Jarrett having nobody new or fresh to wrestle.
Otherwise, how is recycling an old brand considered "thinking outside the box". A better idea for ECW is to release MORE DVD's and keep the idea of an annual reunion Pay Per View. Hell, even make an ECW vs. WWE vs. WCW video game! That's how you maximize profit on the ECW brand and not bringing back a shadow of what the wrestling brand once was.
The rough and tumble style of ECW matches is "Outdated"???? How? Explain in detail!!! And you think fans are taking to the meadering, boring "80's" style matches that we have now? The reason that the WWE went away from the "risk taking" matches from the Attitude Era was not because they went out of style. It was because wrestlers like Austin, Benoit, Angle, Edge. and others got serious neck injuries that almost ended their careers. The WWE realized around 2002 or so, that they would have no more marketable stars left, if they did not make the matches somewhat tamer. The problem is, they have gone too far. It is also quite possible the share holders got on McMahon's case about all of the employees that were out for extended periods of time with serious, invasive surgery.
WWE's never been risky fed. Vince McMahon has always been careful of his wrestlers doing certain moves. However, he overworks his wrestlers. Most of the injuries you describe are mostly from excessive whiplash from years of wear and tear. Think about it... the most "extreme" WWE matches were mostly on special occasion Pay Per Views and much of the spots were in a very controlled environment. ECW was careless. Barbed wire matches, balcony jumps, scaffold matches, you name it... There are reasons why Sabu and the Sandman can barely walk, let alone wrestle right now. Most WWE injuries come from Vince McMahon touring way too much year round. You can only take so many bumps before whiplash catches up to you, while Austin's injury was from an accidental pile driver from Owen Hart at Summerslam 1997.
In the WWE, you'd only see ladder matches on Pay Per Views. In ECW, it was violence on each show and even on houseshows. It catches up to you. I do like your shareholder argument, but I would say that has to do more with cutting costs (i.e. releasing wrestlers) than protecting injured wrestlers. Anybody who buys a stock wants to see a company increase their profit margin even if their overall profits are diminishing.
Huge bust? The PPV drew more PPV buys than alot of the single brand ppv's, and despite the decreased venue size, drew a larger bottom line than many of the single brand ppv's. Not bad for a brand that died 5 years prior and having zero announced matches on tv.
Having "zero announced matches on tv"? While I'll give you that the matches weren't hyped, there was an ECW angle advertised on BOTH RAW and Smackdown brands for about 4 weeks. In addition, the WWE spiced things up by having wrestlers from both RAW and Smackdown brands as being advertised for an "invasion" at that Pay Per View. Don't you think that this "invasion" had some drawing power?
I fought this argument on a message board and I'll say it again. Considering that the ECW Pay Per View was ALSO a WWE Pay Per View, it did a horrible job drawing buys. One Night Stand essentially merged the oldschool ECW fanbase with today's WWE fanbase. Thinking about it wisely, that's a lot of wrestling fans. The show did around 275,000 buys when the official number was released (it was inflated multiple times), which was a reported huge disappointment to the WWE higher brass. In fact, the WWE was heavily considering bringing back ECW as a full time brand until the official Pay Per View numbers came in. YES, it did better than lousy throwaway Pay Per Views such as "No Way Out", "Great American Bash", "Judgment Day", and "No Mercy", but so what? ECW One Night Stand had a lot of WWE resources thrown their way to be a success, including its talent roster (Edge, Angle, JBL, etc... big names!), as well as current WWE stars wrestling on the show (remember, Eddie vs. Benoit?). The Invasion angle plus the idea of a reunion show only drew 275,000 (with expectations of 400,000 or more) out of all of the millions of Pay Per View households out there who are wrestling fans?
The mere fact that we're not talking about an ECW brand as a current show goes to show you how much of a failure the ECW Pay Per View was. WWE already mapped out plans to have ECW as a separate show and they were even harassing UPN and USA Networks/Spike TV at the time about a new show addition last year. That's funny, because the WWE is doing the same exact thing right now about ECW. WWE loves to let history repeat itself.
ECW is still plenty strong. The real reason the buyrates weren't higher (though it was still one of the years highest, and the only one I bought) was because it's really only still strong in the Northeast. You can still get a sold out MSG chanting "EC-dub" quicker than anything else WWE wants us to chant (possible recent exception being The Matt/Lita stuff and Cena). Which means if you play your cards right, ECW can sell out MSG. Which means it is a viable product.
See, you just helped make an argument for me. In addition to diminished demand for the ECW brand, more than half of the country didn't even watch or know about ECW. Thank you, so why bring it back? In addition, the "ECW" chants are only heard in the Northeast. Whenever a big spot is done, I think it's a bad label to have it called "ECW", in my mind. Meaning that the WWE just lowered itself to copy another fed.
ECW could sell out Madison Square Garden. That might be the funniest ECW comment yet! Yeah, maybe if tickets were FREE. Even then, that's stretching it. The WWE couldn't sell out the Manhattan Center last year for One Night Stand, let alone a venue that probably multiplies that arenas seating by 10 or more. And don't get me started about One Night Stand's ticket prices. Put ECW in MSG and see if ticket prices would be low. THINK! WWE is more established in New York City than ECW and they cannot even sellout MSG these days unless its for a Pay Per View.
i agree about not bringing ecw back, but maybe they could create a new title and call it ECW Championship. It could be like the hardcore title. and to be safe, they could stick with weapons like garbage cans and steel chairs and lay off the barbed wire.
Nooooooooo! The Hardcore title was an utter failure in the longrun. Yeah, it was worth a good cheap laugh thanks to the late Crash Holly's 24/7 rules (which was actually the most genius thing you could ever do with that title), but in the end, it was still guys hitting each other with trash can lids and kendo sticks. BIG DEAL.
And finally...
Cmon, Seriously..... I remember your column.........How great One Night Stand was.......and if it only did 200,000 buys........why would they bring it back? They wouldnt have stacked Vengance with both titles if and Angle vs HBK 2 if ECW wasnt a draw........and as far as old ECW wrestlers.....we dont need them ALL.... ECW was about creating new stars....Let Heyman be creative give him a chance....and VInce doesnt hate Heyman.........its Stephanie........but when ECW sells......she will love Heyman too......you should be more excited....its a chance to see OUR brand........with new stars.....same old ECW attitude.......I strongly reconsider that you ALSO write a column as to why ECW would be great right now....cause with Heyman...he is gonna raise not only WWE, but TNA's product as well....Team 3D and Rhyno will bounce...cause they want to run with Heyman....despite being burned by Vince....please dont be so quick to judge....ECW was at its best Heyman was booking and Todd Gordon was fianancial.....Vince will just be in charge of booking...and by the way...ECW and WWE have been working for years...remember Jerry Lawler and RVD....they both went to each others shows......so stop acting like it cant be done....please reconside your column... I think ECW needs your support Tito....I think Heyman will still suprise you...just like ONS and this years ONS2 ....Take Care.
I'll give you the HBK vs. Angle #2 match and that match's addition backs up my Stephanie vs. Heyman argument above. I can't say anything else other than I LOVE the ECW passion given in this email. Thanks to Rob T for sending in this passionate ECW email.
Like I said before... I don't mind reunion shows. In fact, I encourage them. ECW DVD's, please, give us more! But a regular ECW show? Nope. You cannot recreate history, especially a corporate or watered down history as we'd see with a WWE operated ECW. With ECW's return, you'd have to bring back old name stars to catch the former ECW fans' attentions, but in the long run, you must establish new ECW guys to carry the load. That takes time and any good ECW prospect will get promoted to the WWE roster.
Bringing back ECW as a regular brand is a bad idea... that's my opinion and in a year, you'll see how correct I was... Keep bringing the heat, ECW fans, in the process!
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