An idea for the new
ECW
By Gordo, the wizard of id
The announcement by the WWE that they are recreating the ECW
brand has generated a lot of interest from fans and workers. The success of the
recent ECW PPVs indicates that an audience exists for the product. It would
seem that many people think this “new” ECW will be a hollow shell of its former
self; a watered down version of the fed that captivated so many fans with its
edginess and signature violence. One doesn’t have to look too far to find
doomsayers aplenty forecasting the demise of the new ECW before it even starts.
“It won’t be the same!” Of course it won’t. How could it be? For one thing, it
won’t be run on a shoestring budget, checks won’t bounce, and about a gazillion
more people will see it. Personally, I’m going to wait and see how it plays out
before I start declaring it a colossal mistake.
It would appear that the WWE plans on filling the roster
with former ECW stars and Indy workers. Undoubtedly, many of these Indy workers
will come from the WWE’s farm teams like OVW but there are opportunities for
freelance workers to have their chance as well. There is little doubt that this
has created quite a buzz in Indy locker rooms across N. America.
Who wouldn’t want the chance to receive a WWE paycheck and the exposure this
new ECW will generate? Any Indy wrestler out there who sys they wouldn’t jump
at the chance to join is a liar.
As are most of the fans who say they won’t watch the new
ECW. Damn right they’ll watch; if for no other reason than to say “I told you
so” if the venture tanks and bombs out. Plans are to begin the new ECW with
matches taped prior to the current Smackdown shows with ECW-only tapings and
house shows to follow. It’s unlikely that the new ECW stars will be cutting
profanity laced promos or bleeding buckets in front of audiences there to view
the WWE’s regular “family” oriented offerings. But that’s okay. Swearing and
bloodletting can be found anywhere these days. That alone is no longer
sufficient to give fans the feel that the product they’re watching is
“special.”
There are many things about the original ECW that will not
be present in the new version. This is probably the biggest complaint that fans
have. There is however, something that made the original such a great promotion
that the new ECW can present quite easily. Something that is lacking from the
WWE and almost every other fed in the world today; a solid tag team division.
One of ECW’s biggest strengths was its tag team wars. If the new WWE version
delivers a strong tag team roster as its foundation, everything else will fall
into place and the new ECW will have something truly unique.
So, having said that, I now offer my choice for the team
that should head that division; a tag team that embodies the hardcore spirit of
the original ECW yet is new enough not to be labeled a retread of past glory. A
team comprised of a former ECW star and a veteran Indy worker. A ready made
pairing of extreme talents managed by a woman who is as tough as she is
beautiful. This perfect threesome of hardcore talents could not only head the
new ECW tag team division; they should be signed immediately by the WWE to do
so. The perfect blend of the old and the new, they have enthralled fans lucky
enough to witness their brand of carnage on the Indy scene and would captivate
audiences worldwide if given the opportunity that WWE television exposure
gives. They would bring legitimacy and excitement to the new ECW and Vince and
company would be stupid beyond belief not to see the potential benefits of
having them on the roster.
Wrestling fans, ladies and gentlemen, smarks, marks and
Vincent K McMahon… I give to you, your new ECW tag team Champions of the world:
AXL ROTTEN & MARC MANDRAKE w/FERRARI
At least, that’s the way it should be. If Tommy Dreamer
& Paul Heyman want to give fans a reason to watch the new ECW and chant E.
C. “Fucking W” until they’re hoarse, they will bring these new kings of
hardcore to where they belong; right squarely in the spotlight.
Axl Rotten is a
former ECW star with national recognition. He’s a talented brawler, a generous
worker, a hardcore icon and his promos are fucking gold! Yea, time has passed
and many original ECW stars are shells of their former selves but Axl has once
again defied the odds. He’s better now than he’s ever been. His oft mentioned
personal issues are behind him. He is a leaner, meaner fighting machine and his
presence in the new ECW would satisfy old fans and enthrall new ones. Axl
deserves the chance to shine once again in the national spotlight and ECW needs
a proven superstar like him to carry them into the future.
Marc Mandrake is
the best Indy brawler in America
that most of you have never heard of. He is tough as nails and has carved a
brutal swath through the Indy ranks long enough. He has paid his dues; it’s
time he got his reward. He is respectful of the business, loyal, and dedicated
to giving fans the best of himself every time. Mandrake has earned the respect
and admiration of those lucky enough to know him or see him in action. ECW
would be well served to have him carry their banner in a team with Axl.
Ferrari has been
at Mandrake’s side for years. A veritable heat-seeking missile at ringside, she
can infuriate fans with a single disdainful glance, or captivate them with a smile
and flick of her hair. She’s an accomplished in-ring performer in her own right
– straight ahead tough. No roll-around “cat fights” from this woman; she’ll
just kick the shit out of those who would dare challenge her with such girlish
antics. Armed equally with attitude and talent, Ferrari could take the average
WWE Diva and snort them up one nostril and snot them out the other. She is the
perfect ringside compliment to Axl and Mandrake.
Together, these three represent exactly what the new ECW
needs to pay homage to the old and blaze a thrilling new path to future glory.
ECW needs them. The fans need to see them. Axl, Mandrake and Ferrari deserve to
be there. Vince, Dreamer, Heyman… do the right thing! Bring the NEW KINGS OF HARDCORE to ECW!
Contact the wizard of id: zapflash@sympatico.ca
