Jim Ross Blogs On The End Of ECW

- Jim Ross has a new blog up; here are the highlights…


Quote:
On ECW's End: Tonight is the last night that ECW will air on TV which signals the end of a unique and memorable era within the business. The underfunded, attitudinal, and overachieving original ECW was fun to watch on TV although I have to reluctantly admit that I never attended a live, ECW event in South Philly. I think that re-branding the Tuesday night time slot on Sy Fy is timely as the letters "ECW" always conjured up a different image than I saw on my TV screen. Mid South Wrestling was "extreme" before ECW took the term to a different level and I know how I would feel if someone would attempt to replicate Mid South or even UWF for that matter. The original versions of both ECW and Mid South Wrestling were relevant in a different era, with a distinctively different talent roster, and a different mindset as it relates to the genre. The days of blood and guts in wrestling are largely over due to health issues and political correctness which is simply what it is and not a hill that I choose to die upon.

On Paul Heyman's Contributions: I have always saluted Paul Heyman's creation and his ability to motivate his team to an "us versus the world" mentality that worked and kept the ship afloat even when financial woes plagued ECW. Many viable stars were created in ECW and Heyman had the gift that many decision makers before him possessed in the territory days and that was throughly understanding his wrestlers and hiding their weaknesses to the TV viewer while exploiting those individual's strengths.

On ECW's Contributions: ECW made unique and significant contributions to the pro wrestling world and their alumni should feel a source of pride for their accumulative accomplishments. I will enjoy watching old episodes of the "Original" for years to come when the opportunity presents itself. No one can tell the ECW story in today's marketplace better than their one and only voice, Joey Styles.

On RVD: Speaking of ECW, of the many top hands that made their mark in ECW, none were more uniquely talented than Rob Van Dam who is one of the hottest "free agents" available right now. It would seem to me that RVD would be a high priority to any wrestling organization and that facilitating a travel schedule to his liking should be attainable. RVD is a one of a kind talent who connects with his fan base and Rob's in ring work is singularly his which would be a breath of fresh air to many TV broadcasts.