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Pro's from the Palace (#135) - An in-depth look at the problems of ECW |
» Reported by Mike Siciliano of WrestleView.com
» On Sunday, October 29, 2006 at 1:11 PM EST
I wrote #134 thinking that there wasn't anything major that was going to go on this weekend, but obviously, I was wrong. And with me being on vacation right now, I can spend a little extra time writing these diddies.
WWE has released a statement saying ECW House Shows will cease after November. That, I think is the potential death knell for the brand.
Or it could be the beginning of a new creative angle for Raw and Smackdown.
Yes, I know when ECW began it jumped right out of the blocks with great ratings, and a lot of hope. Then came RVD's tumble from the top, and Big Show's eventual rise to the title with Heyman turning heel so fast. Since then, there has really been an element of stagnation throughout the brand. I could go through the entire list of ECW talent, and there is really, truly, nobody out there ready to significantly challenge Big Show for the championship, and without a midcard title to pacify the fans and the other talents, this type of move was inevitable to occur, albeit a bit surprising to happen as soon as it has.
Yes, Rob Van Dam has a date with the World Champion at the December Pay Per View. But, truthfully, ladies and gentlemen, do you think RVD will win? Has WWE forgiven RVD for the black eye that he gave them when he held both titles at the onset of ECW? I don't think so. RVD is being given the shot for the title because he basically is the last line of ECW originals that can challenge for the belt. Sandman has, and was beaten. Sabu has, repeatedly, and was beaten. Dreamer is not in line for the title, and Funk has basically disappeared, and even still, if Funk did challenge for it, he A) couldn't hang with Big Show due to his age, and B) if the miracle happened that Funk did win, he would not be able to handle a schedule fit for a world champion.
So, the obvious line of defense is for RVD to get the shot at the PPV. But, this brings me back to the original point. ECW has nothing left. The only shining prospects out of ECW are three men that I can think have the potential to take their stock to the next level, but whether or not they can take the entire brand to the next level is sketchy. The men I am speaking of are MIKE KNOX, KEVIN THORN, and CMÂ PUNK. All three men have the potential, I believe, to continue to raise their collective resumes, but whether or nor WWE can rest the entire brand on any of their shoulders is a question mark, well, I think it's a question mark for Knox and Thorn, but for Punk, well, I think it's obvious where I stand on thinking with regard to CM Punk.
Attempting to further elaborate ECW's plight, and the reasoning behind the decision to stop the house shows, I want to go through and list one by one the names of the talents on the ECW roster, and give you a brief one liner as to where I think they may be headed in the future.
AL SNOW - It appears Snow has become a walking stick for other talents to step over en route to the promised land. He has been used little on television, and from what I have seen on house show results, even fewer. It's sad, too, because this was a chance for Snow to rekindle the magic, and it looks like it has fizzled.
ARIEL - One half of the vampire duo with Kevin Thorn, there is potential here for something to come out of this duo, something that can be marketed. Experience is needed, and that requires time, which I am not sure ECW has much of, left.
BALLS MAHONEY - Not yet a challenger for the world title, he has had a run in with Kevin Thorn that dropped him to the back of the pack, and it's turned him in to the man who is most famous for being the dealer in a strip poker vignette that did not work.
BIG SHOW - What can be said. He is the face of the company. With RVD's slip up, and Angle's departure, Show has become the man.
CHRISTOPHER W. ANDERSON - An original that could pose a threat to Show simply from his stone-solid demeanor, he has gone the same way as Al Snow, and that, ladies and gentlemen, is sad.
CM PUNK - The future of a brand, somewhere. I hope it's in WWE, somewhere, but who knows. He is that damn good, if given the opportunity.
DANNY DORING - An ECW original that has disappeared off the planet. If Roadkill was kept on the roster, there was a shot for a run as a tag team. But, with him gone, this has turned in to a disappearing act of major proportion.
HARDCORE HOLLY - Is he Heyman's flunkie, or a potential candidate to challenge Show? Time will tell, and hopefully, his health will hold out.
JAZZ - Has she been used once yet?
I am not adding Joey Styles to this list, for obvious reasons.
KELLY KELLY - Goregous. But, personality? Needs work. Talent in the ring? Zero. So why is she in the business? I can give you a couple of reasons, and that doesn't solve ECW's current plight.
KEVIN THORN - Part of the potential future of the company.
LITTLE GUIDO - A loyal original to Heyman, he has disappeared from the radar scope. He could've been a shoe in for the tag team titles as a member of the FBI.
MATT STRIKER - I give Striker credit for following his dream, but the gimmick is dying a quick death.
MIKE KNOX - His talent is questionable, but his intensity can make him a future potential prospect, alongside Thorn and Punk.
REBECCA - See Kelly Kelly.
RENE DUPREE - Ever seen someone more miscast than Dupree in ECW? Not me.
RVD - RVD could've been the face of this brand from day one if he didn't slip up and screw up. Now, it's touch and go where his career goes from here.
SABU - I give Sabu credit for sticking in this as long as he has. I remember reading somewhere where Sabu thought his time in ECW is limited at best. His future is always sketchy, because his persona is the same way. It's sad, too, because he is a talent and a half. Hopefully, they will use him correctly.
SANDMAN - See Sabu.
SHANNON MOORE - When you debut on ECW, and lose to CM Punk, you know the so called Prince of Punk is in for tough times. He should've stayed in the X Division in TNA.
STEVIE RICHARDS - The true loyalist of WWE. I think Vince keeps him on the payroll just to make himself laugh. Sad, too, because Richards has the talent to compete, but not the role in creative's mind.
Tazz is being excluded for the same reason as Styles, why broadcasters are listed as wrestlers is beyond me.
TERRY FUNK - Why is he even on the page? He hasn't been seen or heard from once since One Night Stand.
TEST - As much as Test may have improved, and he has, from what I can see, he is still a midcarder.
TOMMY DREAMER - How cool would it be for Dreamer to get a run as ECW champion? It would be amazing, but doubtful, as he has spent most of the time being the doormat to Test and Knox.
TONY MAMALUKE - Where did he go? I lost his signal on the radar.
TRINITY - Trinity needs to be re-directed to Raw and strengthen the women's division. For that matter, Jazz needs to do that as well, because that division, since it's obviously keeping a champion, is significantly weaker because of Trish leaving. Both Trinity and Jazz would strengthen the division, considerably. Here, who knows where they'll end up.
Bottom line, ECW is in trouble. Serious trouble. While there may be some more cross brand work in the near future, it's going to get stale just as quickly as it did when ECW re-launched. Vince may need to significantly re-think his idea of three brands, and cut his losses now, before it's too late.
Your thoughts are welcome. Email me at palace@wrestleview.com.
Or check me out on myspace at myspace.com/mikesiciliano.
Speak to you down the road, and I can't use the current line in this windstorm, so let's just do this....
We go through 'em.
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