A Chaotic Theory

by Chad

If you are like me, then ECW died in 2005 when the WWE took the reigns. What was once a great federation that had a huge cult like following, became another one of Vince’s failed projects. McMahon tried to monopolize on the house that Heyman built, but couldn’t muster the fan following like Heyman had and eventually was closed for good. During the years of  “old” ECW, fans were blessed with some of the greatest and bloodiest matches ever witnessed on the planet. I an not saying that ECW created the extreme persona, they just perfected it.  I, like most, have always felt that ECW didn’t get a chance to say goodbye properly, leaving with a bang, showing the same fire they had when they started.  I assume TNA heard the cries of the fans and now ECW will finally get their chance to say farewell, the way the wrestling gods intended it.

I have to be honest, I kind of saw this coming. I feel like with each show that TNA has produced they were moving more and more into the direction of ECW, with their overly vocalized fans and their blood filled matches, it wasn’t going to be too long before the legends of ECW popped up. I, for one am ecstatic about it! I am looking forward to reliving the days of old and watching a couple people go through a a couple of tables. I look forward to watching barbed wire matches and good old fashioned street fights. I can’t wait to see where Dreamer and Carter decide to take this thing. Will ECW come back in full force? Who will we see in action again? Will we see Paul Heyman? So many questions and so little time to answer them.

Since the hardcore legends have returned to say thanks to the fans for all their support throughout the years and to finally say goodbye, I thought I would honor them as well by naming some of my most extreme moments of “old” ECW.

One of the best moments in my book shows us that not only were the wrestlers and stars extreme and hardcore,  but the fans proved they played a significant role on their own in the world of extreme. One night in 1995, after a match between Terry Funk and Cactus Jack, The Public Enemy interfered and attacked both men. At one point during the fight, Funk asked a fan for a chair and instead of one of them getting tossed into the ring, several dozens buried the ring. They used to show this very moment in the opening credits of ECW shows.

Another great moment in my mind from ECW was when Shane Douglas won an eight man tournament for the NWA Heavyweight Championship, trashed the title saying he didn’t want to be champion of a company that died long ago and declared himself the new ECW World Champion. In my mind that is truly the day when ECW became a force in professional wrestling.

Well I guess I could go on and on with my favorite ECW moments, but a couple will have to do for right now. I am more than ready to see what will come from the former hardcore legacy, even if it is for just one more night to say goodbye, I am sure it is going to be a night we soon won’t forget, but then again that’s just my Chaotic Theory….