The Fall Of ECW, What Happened?

The issue with ECW at the end was A. The deal with TNN was a horrible deal in hindsight. ECW in 1999 was thinking they were on the rise as they managed to get a national TV deal with TNN, they managed to get a video game deal with Acclaim, and they managed to get a toy figure deal as well. So they couldn’t of been any happier in 1999, then Taz, Mike Awesome, Lance Storm, Shane Douglas, and The Dudley’s all leave ECW within months of each other. Then their deal with TNN was showing it’s reality with ECW with them being on at very late night. Which leads to B, the product was too violent for sponsors, advertisers and a prime time slot on national TV. Heyman didn’t realise that once they got on national TV that they had to change the product a little more to what WWF or what WCW was doing in 1999, which was influenced by ECW anyway by 1999. Heyman thought well the Extreme stuff got us to the dance and let’s stick with it, but that style just couldn’t last and couldn’t attract sponsors, advertisers and a prime time tv slot. So ECW couldn’t try to get bigger as their product was too violent, their stars were leaving to other promotions, and WWF and WCW were stealing ECW’s gimmick by 1999. And as I say that I just realised that ROH fucking mirrored ECW to a t, except for the violence.

So grateful that my older brother turned me on to ECW in late 1996. So grateful for my group of Middle school friends who got in with Fan Cam Guy and we were Frint Row until the promotion died. I cannot tell you how great those shows were !

The feeling being in the arena. I'll never forget it.

The whisper narrative is really hard to follow. Try increasing the audio volume on your voice over.

I was a wrestler years ago , loved the show and most of the talent I encountered. ECW was a much needed breth of fresh air at the time

I'd just like to give ECW a hand for not spelling Extreme with an X

Paul Heyman will always be known as one of the best bookers, promoters, managers, and hype men to ever live. Just not the best book keeper ever. His downfall has always been that he will put everything on the line to bring the best show to the audience. Investors just don't care about quality, only profit margins.

I am a huge ECW fan. I still watch re-runs of the original ECW Hardcore TV and house shows at home to this day. Thanks for your work rate mate ;)

A few times I had to rewind back to hear what you were saying, not bc I couldn't follow you but just bc of the captivating cuts from some of the old ECW matches hey really were wild and awe inspiring as are your videos.

What upset the fans at One Night Stand 06 was the Mysterio v Sabu match ending when the medical team said its over that never happened in the original ECW

Awesome vid dude. I enjoyed the hell out of this. Definitely watch it again.

TNN didn't do anything really for ecw . But ecw did a lot for ten to get then to be not just a country station. It made ten more edgy and entertaining

Great video . A lot of history there. I was at the first tv taping of ECW on TNN in Toledo Ohio .It wasn't there best effort the show was already watered down before it could get in the can. Most of the matches got shifted to the hardcore show and they did documentary of ECW for the first show. Only the backstage interviews were shown from the taping.

I miss those days, trading video tapes and channel surfing late at night cause the ECW couldn't keep a tv station, so you just had to start flipping channels after 10 at night on the weekends 😂❤, I absolutely loved it though

Great video once again, Can't wait for another video.

I really enjoy your videos, they're very well written and easy to listen too. One bit of critisism though, the constructing of the different parts could be a lot better as it feels like your narrative is a bit jumpy. Example, one minute you're talking about Paul Heyman jumping ship to WWE and the next you're talking about the Sandman drink driving. Its like watching a TV series but instead of watching the episodes 1 through 10 its like watching the episodes in a random order. Aside from that its a very good video!

Got recommended this video...why am I listening to what sounds like a 16 year old whisper old articles at 2 in the morning at his parents house hoping he won't wake anyone?

Another thought. The ECW talent had to really promote themselves. ECW didn't have a budget to promote their stars. Look at The Undertaker. The WWF had him as a full time talent for almost 30 years. I can imagine it was very expensive to have The Undertaker for all those years. I don't just mean Mark's salary either. The entire promotion of 30 years of The Undertaker.

I was at both Heat Wave 1998 and 1999 at Hara Arena in Dayton,Ohio. Heat Wave '98 was the best ppv of the Heat Wave's ppv.

Killer! JUST KILLER video- well done!