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Extreme Championship Wrestling: The Unstoppable Force That Changed WWE Forever

Reed Mitchell

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Published in The Rise Fall Of ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling (WWE)

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The Early Years

Extreme Championship Wrestling was founded in 1992 by Tod Gordon and Paul Heyman. The promotion was originally based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but it later moved to New York City. ECW quickly gained a reputation for its hardcore style of wrestling, which featured extreme violence and profanity. The promotion was also known for its innovative storylines and characters, which helped to make it one of the most popular wrestling promotions in the United States.

The Rise & Fall of ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling (WWE)

by Thom Loverro

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Some of ECW's most popular stars included Tommy Dreamer, The Sandman, Sabu, and Rob Van Dam. These wrestlers were known for their willingness to take risks and their ability to connect with the audience. ECW's shows were often filled with violence and chaos, but they were also very entertaining.

The Invasion

In 1999, ECW began to invade World Wrestling Federation (WWF) programming. This led to a series of matches between ECW and WWF wrestlers, which helped to raise the profile of both promotions. The Invasion storyline eventually culminated in a match between ECW Champion Tazz and WWF Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin at Survivor Series 1999. Austin won the match, but ECW was able to hold its own against the much larger WWF.

The Invasion storyline was a major success for both ECW and WWF. It helped to introduce ECW to a wider audience, and it also helped to legitimize ECW as a major wrestling promotion.

The Downfall

In 2001, ECW was sold to WWE. WWE initially kept ECW as a separate brand, but it eventually folded the promotion into its own programming. ECW's last show was held in 2001.

There were a number of factors that led to ECW's downfall. One factor was the promotion's financial problems. ECW was never able to generate enough revenue to sustain itself, and it was eventually forced to sell to WWE.

Another factor that led to ECW's downfall was the changing landscape of professional wrestling. In the early 1990s, ECW's hardcore style of wrestling was popular with fans. However, by the late 1990s, fans began to prefer a more family-friendly style of wrestling. This change in taste made it difficult for ECW to compete with WWE and other major promotions.

The Legacy of ECW

Even though ECW is no longer in operation, its legacy continues to live on. ECW's hardcore style of wrestling has influenced many other promotions, and its innovative storylines and characters have helped to shape the way that professional wrestling is presented today.

Some of ECW's most popular stars have gone on to have successful careers in WWE and other major promotions. These wrestlers include Tommy Dreamer, The Sandman, Sabu, and Rob Van Dam. These wrestlers have helped to keep ECW's legacy alive, and they continue to inspire fans around the world.

ECW was a unique and groundbreaking promotion that changed the face of professional wrestling. Its legacy will continue to live on for many years to come.