Making the case for ECW
I enjoyed last night’s episode of ECW. In fact, I have been enjoying ECW for a while now. For those of you who gave up on WWE's "C" show at some point, you might want to consider giving it another look.
After the program debuted on the Sci Fi Channel in June 2006, it seemed as if the decision makers in WWE couldn’t make up their minds as to what exactly it wanted ECW to be. Finally, ECW appears to have a clear mission statement, and it is a sound one. WWE primarily is using the show as a bridge between developmental and a spot on either Raw or Smackdown.
Guys such as Jack Swagger, Evan Bourne, Ricky Ortiz and recent addition D.J. Gabriel get the opportunity to hone their acts on ECW until WWE feels they are ready for bigger things.
It’s fun to watch guys on their way up, and the show’s basic approach, focus on in-ring action and one-hour format make it a nice change of pace from Raw, Smackdown and TNA Impact. Another good thing about ECW is Matt Striker, who has quickly established himself as the best color commentator in the business.
ECW also makes good use of some WWE veterans.
At first, I thought it was a bad move for Matt Hardy to be sent to ECW, but I have changed my opinion. Let’s face it: WWE has never viewed Hardy as a main-eventer. So rather than languishing in the upper mid-card on Raw or Smackdown, Hardy is better served being a big fish in a small pond. As someone who the fans respect and like, Hardy is the perfect choice to be ECW champion. He gives the title credibility and has demonstrated that he can have good matches with a variety of opponents.
Mark Henry would be just one of several big guys on the other shows, but on ECW he is the big guy. Finlay, despite being 50, can still go in the ring, and any young wrestler who works with him will learn a lot. Plus, a victory over Finlay will help elevate up-and-comers. John Morrison and The Miz (that’s right, I said it) also are valuable members of the roster, although it’s just a matter of time until they officially are part of Raw or Smackdown.
I’d like to see some other wrestlers who are somewhat lost in the shuffle on the “big two” come to ECW. I’m talking about guys such as The Brian Kendrick (a title program with Hardy and a feud with Bourne would be tremendous), Hurricane Helms, Jimmy Wang Yang, Charlie Haas, D-Lo Brown and Paul Burchill (yes, he’s still with the company).
As an aside, I find the duo of Gabriel and Alicia Fox (who was last seen as the wedding planner on Smackdown) to be quite entertaining. Their exaggerated dance moves had me laughing out loud last night.
Comments
Kevin,
Thank you for saying what I've been thinking about ECW lately. With its new found focus on exposing newcomers, its the freshest work in wrestling at present. Two big thumbs up!
And yes, Striker is very entertaining and a cut above on commentary! Even JR sounds old and repetitive to me at this point.
Posted by: AMC | November 26, 2008 9:56 AM
Kevin, again you make another great post. You hopefully have enlighten many fans to the scope of ECW. Hopefully the WWE will not mess with what seems to be ECW finally finding its purpose.
Think about it, Matt Hardy finally has a place for a major run…Mark Henry has the perfect place in which we can now see a positive contribution from him… and Matt Striker proves to the fans and the WWE that he has been a true "company man" who knows and loves the wrestling business (that’s what makes a promotion and work). Striker has played every role in the company and has done a good job in every position, i.e. manager, jobber, vignette performer, mid-carder and color commentator.
Lastly, D.J. Gabriel and Alicia are great! Alicia comes off really comfortable on camera and makes ups for Gabe's weaknesses. I never thought bad dancing could work so well for a wrestler (and we’ve seen some bad dancing from wrestlers before). Not sure if the "DJ" is his name or something to do with the music and dancing. He executes that finisher perfectly though! The two have major growth potential.
Posted by: Rob the barber | November 26, 2008 10:07 AM
I watched ECW for the first time a couple of weeks back and now I am obsessed, I did not think it would have been quite as good as it was, now I can't see myself missing it, here's hoping it continues to improve and starts to get more viewers to make it even better.
Posted by: Wylsey | November 26, 2008 11:34 AM
I love Jack Swagger. Guy is a future superstar. I think he needs a new name though...Jack Swagger is too jobberish...to me at least.
Kevin, will you be going to Raw this week in DC?
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: HIs real first name is Jake. For some reason, Jake Swagger sounds less cartoonish to me.
Yes, I will be at Raw.
Posted by: BHC | November 26, 2008 4:22 PM
Yes, but Jake Swagger would not evoke the All-American image as much. Y'know, Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy (in case you're not an old timer like m... - uh, some of us.)?
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I know they are playing of Jack Armstrong, but I think that's what makes it sound a little corny.
Posted by: Marko50 | November 26, 2008 6:33 PM
thanks for giving ECW the credit it deserves, have been watching since it started and love the new format, but yet still has the cutting edge SD and RAW don't. I think the direction ECW is going is great, nice to see youung stars on there way up without hurting there careers in SD/RAW. Think MIke Knoxx is too early for RAW hope he gets a good storyline, needed more work with finlay/dreamer. ECW has the right approach and the right old and new wrestlers. And finally thanks Vince, for giving the job that Beniot would he have had to Finlay. The man is a great teacher and never see him complain. Right on Kevin.
Posted by: Finlay Fan | November 26, 2008 6:38 PM
i would love for the LightHevyWeight Title to come back on ecw and have superstars like helms wang yang and evan bourne fight for it. also todd grisham deserves some credit as well for his commentary. and is it me or it seems like matt striker has a lot more freedom on commentary then mick forly ever did
Posted by: ritz | November 26, 2008 11:27 PM
Cruiserweights on ECW...excellent idea ritz!
Posted by: Rob the barber | November 27, 2008 9:39 AM