Misplaced Pages

WWE ECW: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 19:18, 14 December 2007 editGavyn Sykes (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Rollbackers19,379 editsm Reverted 1 edit by 82.17.203.249 identified as vandalism to last revision by Bdve. using TW← Previous edit Latest revision as of 08:09, 21 December 2024 edit undoGreenC bot (talk | contribs)Bots2,547,806 edits Reformat 1 archive link. Wayback Medic 2.5 per WP:USURPURL and JUDI batch #20 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|WWE television program}}
{{otheruses4|the ] ]|the ] that operated from 1992–2001|Extreme Championship Wrestling}}
{{About|the WWE television program|the promotion that operated from 1992 to 2001, on which the show was based|Extreme Championship Wrestling|the WWE brand of the same name|ECW (WWE brand)}}
{{Infobox Television
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2021}}
|show_name=ECW
{{Infobox television
|image=]
| image = ExtremeChampionshipWrestlingHD.jpg
|format=]<br/>]
| creator = {{Plainlist|
|camera=]
* ]
|picture_format=] (])
* ]
|runtime=Approximately 1 hours and 5 minutes per episode<br/>(45 minutes and commercials)
|creator=]<br/>]
|opentheme=''"Don't Question My Heart"'' sung by Kyle Morrison<ref name="theme" />
|starring=]
|country={{USA}}
|network=]
|first_aired=], ]
|last_aired=Present
|num_episodes=79 (as of ], ])
|website=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/
|imdb_id=0810614
|tv_com_id=60570
}} }}
| starring = ]
| opentheme = "]" by ] (2006–2007)
<br/>"]" by ] featuring Brent Smith (2007–2010)
| country = United States
| num_seasons = 5
| num_episodes = 193
| camera = ]
| runtime = 46 minutes
| company = ]
| network = ]
| first_aired = {{Start date|2006|6|13}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2010|2|16}}<ref name="FinalECW" />
| image_alt =
| caption =
| language =
| list_episodes =
| channel =
| released =
}}

'''''WWE ECW''''' (officially known as simply '''''ECW''''' and colloquially known as '''''ECW on Sci-Fi''''' or '''''ECW on Syfy''''' and '''''WWECW''''', a portmanteau of both "WWE" and "ECW") is an American ] ] that was produced by ], based on the independent ] (ECW) promotion that lasted from 1992 to 2001. The show's name also referred to the ] ], in which WWE employees were assigned to work and perform, complementary to WWE's other brands, ] and ].


''ECW'' debuted on June 13, 2006, on ] in the United States and ] in Canada on Saturday mornings and ran until its final episode on February 16, 2010, on the rebranded Syfy. It was replaced the following week with '']''.<ref name="FinalECW">{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_38772.shtml|title=WWE Officially Announces NXT's Debut Date Replacing ECW, Only Two Episodes Remaining|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2010-02-05|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=2010-02-05|archive-date=April 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409202246/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_38772.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Every episode is available for on-demand viewing via the ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://network.wwe.com/shows/vault/wwe-ecw|title=WWE ECW|website=WWE Network|language=en-US|access-date=2017-10-11|archive-date=October 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012044535/http://network.wwe.com/shows/vault/wwe-ecw|url-status=live}}</ref>
'''Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)''' is a ] ] of ] (WWE), based on the independent ] promotion that lasted from ] to ]. It debuted on ], ] with a weekly television series. The ECW brand is one of WWE's three brands, the other two being ] and ].


Throughout the shows existence, ''ECW'' had been broadcast from over 120 arenas, over 80 cities and towns, and four countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and ] in 2007.
ECW can be seen on ] in the United States, ] and ] in ], ] in the ] and ], ] in ], ] in ], ] in ], ] in ], ] in ], ] and ] in the ], ] in ], ] in New Zealand, ] in South Africa, ] in ] and ] and in ] and ] on ] ShowSports 4.


==Show history== ==Show history==
===Original format===
WWE acquired Extreme Championship Wrestling and its ] in 2003 and later began reintroducing ECW through a series of ]s and books. The enormous popularity of ECW merchandise prompted WWE to organize ], an ECW reunion pay-per-view in 2005. The financial and critical success of the event motivated WWE to organize a second ] the following year. With rejuvenated interest in the ECW product, WWE began exploring the possibility of reviving the promotion full time. On ], ], WWE announced the launch of ECW as a stand-alone ], congruous to ] and ], with its own show on the ].<ref name=SciFi>{{cite web|title=WWE brings ECW to Sci Fi Channel|publisher=WWE|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/scifi|accessdate=2006-06-02}}</ref> Despite initial concerns that professional wrestling would not be accepted by the Sci Fi Channel's demographic, network President ] stated that she believed ECW would fit the channel's theme of "stretching the imagination".<ref>{{cite web|url= http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060525/tv_nm/scifi_dc_1|title=Sci Fi grapples with summer wrestling series|accessdate=2006-05-21 |quote="It will have a nice little twist that will fit in the brand"}}</ref> Sci Fi Channel is owned by ], parent company of ] and exclusive cable broadcaster of WWE programming.


===Launch on Sci Fi===
The ECW brand initially attempted to differentiate itself from WWE's other brands. The hard cameras were placed in a different location and the ring mat had an ECW logo on it. The male performers were also referred to as "Extremists" as opposed to Superstars, and female performers were called "Vixens" instead of ]. It also featured original ECW talent. Later however, changes were made to differentiate it from the original ECW promotion, including changing the original promotion's rules where weapons were legal in all matches and there were rarely any ] or ]. WWE now classifies such matches as having "]", and are only fought when specified. The only ] event hosted exclusively by the ECW brand since its launch was ] in December 2006. On ] ], before another one could be scheduled, WWE announced that all future pay-per-views would feature all three brands.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2007/2007_03_14.jsp| title=WWE Pay-Per-Views to follow WrestleMania format|accessdate=2007-03-21}}</ref>
WWE acquired the rights to ] (ECW)'s trademarks and ] in January 2003 and later began reintroducing ECW through content from the ECW library and a series of books, which included the release of '']'' documentary.<ref name="wwe58">{{cite book|last1=Shields|first1=Brian|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kevin|title=WWE: History of WrestleMania|year=2009|page=58}}</ref> The enormous popularity of ECW merchandise prompted WWE to organize ], an ECW reunion pay-per-view in 2005.<ref name="wwe58"/> The financial and critical success of the event motivated WWE to organize a second ] the following year. With rejuvenated interest in the ECW product, WWE began exploring the possibility of reviving the promotion full-time. The news that WWE was planning to bring back ECW was leaked in the middle of April as ] decided to revive ECW as a full-time ].<ref name="ECW Slam Sports! Rumor 1">{{cite web|first=TJ|last=Madigan|title=WWE love affair with ECW to continue|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/04/29/1556764.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115130154/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/04/29/1556764.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 15, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=]|date=2006-04-29|access-date=2007-09-24}}</ref> Reports beforehand stated that WWE was prepared to bring back ECW immediately after ].<ref name="ECW Slam Sports! Rumour 3">{{cite web|first=Tim|last=Baines|title=WWE has eyes on return of ECW|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/08/28/1191678.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115061109/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/08/28/1191678.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 15, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=]|date=2005-08-28|access-date= 2007-09-24}}</ref>


On May 25, 2006, WWE announced the launch of ECW as a stand-alone ], congruous to ] and ], with its own show on Sci Fi (now ]).<ref name=SciFi>{{cite web|title=WWE brings ECW to Sci Fi Channel|publisher=WWE|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/scifi|access-date=2006-06-02|archive-date=August 13, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813175344/http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/scifi|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite initial concerns that professional wrestling would not be accepted by Sci Fi's demographic, network President ] stated that she believed ECW would fit the channel's theme of "stretching the imagination".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060525/tv_nm/scifi_dc_1| title=Sci Fi grapples with summer wrestling series|access-date=2006-05-21|quote="It will have a nice little twist that will fit in the brand"}} {{Dead link|fix-attempted=yes|date=February 2010}}</ref> Sci Fi (now known as Syfy) is owned by ], parent company of ] and exclusive cable broadcaster of ''Raw''. ECW's weekly series was originally given a thirteen episode run as a "summer series" on ]. The premiere received a 2.79 ], making it the highest rated show on cable in its time slot.<ref name=rating>{{cite web|title=Sci Fi Channel pins the competition with ECW's triumphant return to television|publisher=The Futon Critic|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20060614scifi01|access-date= 2007-07-08}}</ref> Because of its good ratings it was granted an extended run through the end of 2007.<ref name="extend">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/news/3249242|title=Sci Fi Channel Extends ECW|access-date=2006-10-11|archive-date=March 2, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302031858/http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/news/3249242|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 23, 2007, the network renewed the series through 2008.<ref name=ecw08>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2007/2007_10_23.jsp|title=SCI FI Channel Reups WWE'S ECW Through 2008|access-date=2007-10-23|date=2007-10-23|publisher=WWE|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025050426/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2007/2007_10_23.jsp|archive-date=2007-10-25}}</ref> Prior to the show's launch, WWE opted to cancel its ] '']'' and replace it with the new ''ECW'' program.<ref name="ECW Slam Sports! Rumor 2">{{cite web|first=Tim|last=Baines|title=WWE's finally going to get Extreme again|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/04/30/1557923.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115071929/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/04/30/1557923.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 15, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=]|date=2006-04-30|access-date=2007-09-24}}</ref>
Former ECW owner ] served as the on air "ECW Representative". According to an interview in the UK newspaper ], Heyman wrote the brand's weekly scripts and submitted them to writers for possible changes, and then ] for final approval. Following the 2006 ] pay-per-view event Heyman was relieved from both his on and off air duties with World Wrestling Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/news/heymanout|title=Heyman out|accessdate=2006-12-23}}</ref> After Heyman left, there was no ECW authority figure until ] ], when ] was announced as the General Manager.


===ECW on Sci Fi=== ====Original format (2006)====
''ECW'' was initially produced differently from WWE's other shows. For televised events, the main ring-facing cameras were placed on a different location in the arena while the ] itself featured an ECW logo on the mat and blank turnbuckle covers. The male performers were referred to "Extremists" instead of "Superstars" while female performers were called "Vixens" rather than ]. However, the show steadily began being produced following the same format of the other shows. As opposed to the original promotion, match rules, such as ] and ], were now standard. Matches featuring the rule set of the original promotion were then classified as being contested under "]" and were only fought when specified.
], 2006 - present]]
ECW's weekly series was originally given a thirteen episode run as a "summer series" on the ]. The premiere received a 2.79 ], making it the highest rated show on cable in its time slot.<ref name=rating>{{cite web|title=Sci Fi Channel pins the competition with ECW's triumphant return to television|publisher=]|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20060614scifi01 |accessdate=2007-07-08}}</ref> Because of its good ratings it was granted an extended run through the end of 2007.<ref name="extend">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/news/3249242|title=Sci Fi Channel Extends ECW|accessdate= 2006-10-11}}</ref> On ] ], the network renewed the series through 2008.<ref name=ecw08>{{cite web|url= http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2007/2007_10_23.jsp|title=SCI FI Channel Reups WWE®’S ECW® Through 2008|accessdate=2007-10-23| date=2007-10-23|publisher=WWE}}</ref>


Former ECW owner ] served as the on-air "ECW Representative" (a reference to how Heyman had been identified on ''Monday Night Raw'' back in 1997). According to an interview in the UK newspaper '']'', Heyman wrote the show's weekly scripts and submitted them to writers for possible changes, and then ] for final approval. Following ], Heyman was relieved from both his on and off-air duties with World Wrestling Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/news/heymanout|title=Heyman out|access-date=2006-12-23|archive-date=June 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629094031/https://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/news/heymanout|url-status=live}}</ref>
While the show started out a ratings success, it began drawing criticism from fans of the original ECW early on. This was most evident by the ] "old school" fans gave the main event of ] vs. ] at the ] ] show from ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineonslaught.com/features/20060801.shtml| title=The New ECW? "End that Chanting, Now!"|accessdate=2007-08-12|publisher=Online Onslaught}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.pwtorch.com/artman/exec/view.cgi/15/17507|title=ECW on SciFi Reax #1|accessdate=2007-08-12|publisher=]}}</ref>


====Change in format (2007–2010)====
On ] ] a "talent exchange" was started between the ] and ECW brands, allowing their respective talent to appear on either brand.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/10162007/articles/partnershipforming|title=Partnership Forming?|date=] ]|accessdate=2007-10-25|publisher=WWE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/10162007/|title= Setting the night on fire|accessdate=2007-10-25|work=ECW results|publisher=WWE}}</ref>
]
While the show started out a ratings success, it began drawing criticism from fans of the original ECW early on. This was most evident by the ] "old school" fans gave the main event of ] vs. ] at the August 1, 2006 show from ], which often held original ECW events while it was a company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oowrestling.com/features/20060801.shtml|title=The New ECW? "End that Chanting, Now!"|access-date=2007-08-12|publisher=Online Onslaught|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025051454/http://www.oowrestling.com/features/20060801.shtml|archive-date=2008-10-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/artman/exec/view.cgi/15/17507|title=ECW on SciFi Reax #1|access-date=2007-08-12|publisher=]|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070929090648/http://www.pwtorch.com/artman/exec/view.cgi/15/17507 |archive-date = September 29, 2007}}</ref> After Heyman left in late 2006, there was no ECW authority figure until August 14, 2007, when ] was announced as the General Manager.

On May 6, 2008, ''ECW'' celebrated its 100th episode on Sci Fi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/preview/|access-date=2008-04-30|title=Preview:Extreme Centennial|publisher=WWE|date=2008-04-29|archive-date=May 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511201752/http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/preview/|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 3, 2008 Estrada was replaced by ] as General Manager of ECW. ''ECW'' moved to 9:00&nbsp;p.m. Eastern/8:00&nbsp;p.m. Central on September 30, 2008.<ref>, ''The Futon Critic'', July 3, 2008</ref> ''ECW'' moved back to 10:00&nbsp;p.m. Eastern/9:00&nbsp;p.m. Central on May 5, 2009.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418185022/http://www.sescoops.com/wwe/ECW_On_Sci_Fi_Changing_Timeslots_Again_Sexiest_WWE_Divas.shtml |date=2009-04-18 }}, ''Sports Entertainment Scoops'', April 15, 2009</ref> On the April 7 edition of ''ECW'' it was announced that Theodore Long was returning to SmackDown to fulfill the role of General Manager. From this point the Interim General Manager was named as ] who took over as full-time General Manager on the June 30, 2009 episode.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/articles/10573924/newfaces|title=Shows|access-date=July 5, 2009|archive-date=July 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706133548/http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/articles/10573924/newfaces/|url-status=live}}</ref>
On July 7, 2009, the Sci Fi Channel renamed itself to "Syfy", prompting WWE to rename the show ''ECW on Syfy'' to reflect the changes.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.seattlepi.com/tvguide/407905_tvgif7.html| title=Sci Fi Morphs Into Syfy|last=Eng|first= Joyce|date=2009-07-07| publisher=]|access-date=2009-07-08}} {{Dead link|fix-attempted=yes|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref name="Syfy/scifi change">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/06302009/|title=Extreme Changes|last=Medalis|first=Kara A.|date=2009-06-30|publisher=]|access-date=2010-02-04|archive-date=July 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090717001140/http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/06302009/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009 a "superstar initiative" was established for the purpose of introducing new talent to WWE programming, mainly those from WWE's developmental territory ] to ECW's roster.<ref name="Syfy/scifi change" />

====Cancellation and aftermath====
On February 2, 2010, WWE Chairman ] announced that ''ECW'' would be going off the air and would be replaced with a new weekly program in its slot in which McMahon announced as "groundbreaking, original show." It was later announced that the show would air its final episode on February 16, 2010. On the February 9, 2010 episode of ''ECW'', the new show's name was announced as '']''.<ref name="NXT">{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_38751.shtml|first=James|last=Caldwell|title=Caldwell's WWE Superstar TV Report 2/4: Complete coverage of Team Morrison vs. Team McIntyre six-man tag, awesome Bourne vs. Carlito match|date=2010-02-04|access-date=2010-02-05|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|archive-date=April 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409143304/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_38751.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Online presence=== ===Online presence===
At ECW's launch, WWE.com introduced '''Hardcore Hangover''', a video feature which allowed fans only in the United States to stream or download video footage from the weekly show.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/hardcorehangover/ |title=Hardcore Hangover |accessdate=2007-10-25 |publisher=WWE }}</ref> On ], ] it was replaced by a new feature which made full episodes of the show available for streaming on WWE.com the day after they aired. After gathering a list of names from fans and conducting an online poll, the feature was named '''ECW X-Stream''' on ] ].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/ecwreplay/|title=Watch it Again Exclusively on WWE.com|accessdate=2007-10-17|publisher=WWE}}</ref> At ECW's launch, WWE.com introduced ''Hardcore Hangover'', a video feature which allowed fans in the United States and Canada to stream or download video footage from the weekly show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/hardcorehangover/|title=Hardcore Hangover|access-date=2007-10-25|publisher=WWE|archive-date=October 26, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026083623/http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/hardcorehangover/|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 16, 2007, it was replaced by a new feature which made full episodes of the show available for streaming on WWE.com the day after they aired. After gathering a list of names from fans and conducting an online poll, the feature was named ''ECW X-Stream'' on October 31, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/ecwreplay/|title=Watch it Again Exclusively on WWE.com|access-date=2007-10-17|publisher=WWE|archive-date=October 19, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019004249/http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/ecwreplay/|url-status=live}}</ref> Past episodes of ECW were previously viewable on the video streaming website ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/10303890|title=Hulu to stream full episodes of SmackDown, ECW|access-date=2009-06-12|publisher=WWE|archive-date=June 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601190513/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/10303890|url-status=live}}</ref> which are available on the ] worldwide and ] in the United States.


==Production== ==Production==
] set used from January 22, 2008-February 16, 2010.]]
ECW brand shows are held in large arenas as a part of the ] brand's Tuesday taping schedule. This is in sharp contrast to the original ] which ran most of its events in smaller venues.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/index.html|title=The History of Extreme Championship Wrestling| accessdate=2007-08-12|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref> The show generally airs live on Tuesdays directly before — when touring the west coast — or after ''SmackDown!'' has taped<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajah.com/base/node/7253|title=WWE Makes Changes To Compete With WSX|accessdate=2007-02-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajah.com/base/node/7293|title=ECW TV Staying Live|accessdate=2007-02-07 }}</ref>, though it has been recorded and placed on a ] until later in the night depending on what circumstances dictate.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://rajah.com/base/node/6941|title=WWE Smackdown! & ECW Tapings (12/12/06)|accessdate=2007-02-07}}</ref>
ECW shows were held in large arenas as a part of the taping schedules of WWE's other shows. This was in sharp contrast to the original ] which ran most of its events in smaller venues.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/index.html|title= The History of Extreme Championship Wrestling|access-date= 2007-08-12|publisher= Pro Wrestling History|archive-date= August 22, 2007|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070822114039/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/index.html|url-status= live}}</ref> The show generally aired live on Tuesdays directly before — when touring the west coast — or after ''SmackDown'' was taped,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajah.com/base/node/7253|title=WWE Makes Changes To Compete With WSX|access-date=2007-02-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070207235019/http://rajah.com/base/node/7253|archive-date=2007-02-07|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajah.com/base/node/7293|title=ECW TV Staying Live|access-date=2007-02-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070214062831/http://rajah.com/base/node/7293|archive-date=2007-02-14|url-status=dead}}</ref> though it was also recorded and placed on a ] until later in the night depending on what circumstances dictated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajah.com/base/node/6941|title=WWE Smackdown! & ECW Tapings (12/12/06)|access-date=2007-02-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070210201253/http://rajah.com/base/node/6941|archive-date=2007-02-10|url-status=dead}}</ref>
ECW had originally separated itself from WWE, featuring ECW's old black ring ropes, the ECW logo in the middle of the ring and no WWE logo to be seen on the turnbuckles or on the ring apron. However, they slowly began to become more of a WWE show than prior, when they made the ring ropes silver instead of the black ones and when they went HD, put the WWE logo on the turnbuckles, and the WWE.COM advertising on the left and right side of the ring aprons and removed the ECW logo from the ring.


ECW's initial theme song was "]" by ], which had been used by WWE for Extreme Championship Wrestling before the establishment of the brand. "]" by ] featuring ] was later used to ] ''ECW'' for the rest of the program's run. The songs "]" by ] was used for one week, and a censored version of "]" by ] was used for a few weeks.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/subscriptions/wwetunes/vol8/exclusives/salivaecw |title=Saliva goes Extreme - WWE.com |access-date=February 28, 2008 |archive-date=March 2, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302040015/http://www.wwe.com/subscriptions/wwetunes/vol8/exclusives/salivaecw |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 22, 2008, ''ECW'' began broadcasting in ], along with a new HD set, which is shared among all three WWE brands.<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE Goes HD|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2008/2008_01_14.jsp|publisher=WWE|access-date=2008-01-15|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924065831/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2008/2008_01_14.jsp|archive-date=2012-09-24}}</ref>
ECW's initial theme song was "]" by ], which had been used by WWE for Extreme Championship Wrestling since before the brand was established. Currently however, the theme song for the ECW brand is ''"Don't Question My Heart"'' sung by Kyle Morrison of the band Shattersphere.<ref name="theme">{{cite web|url=http://www.shattersphere.com/index.shtml|title=Shattersphere Frontman Kyle Morrison on Extreme Championship Wrestling|accessdate=2007-09-10|publisher=Shattersphere.com|quote=Shattersphere frontman Kyle Morrison has been chosen to sing the brand new Extreme Championship Wrestling theme song titled "Don't Question My Heart."}}</ref>


===Special episodes===
==On-air personalities==
{| class="wikitable" style="background:#fcfdff;"
===Champion===
{| class="wikitable"
!style="background: #EEEEEE;"|Championship
!style="background: #EEEEEE;"|Current champion
!style="background: #EEEEEE;"|Date won
!style="background: #EEEEEE;"|Date aired
|-style="background: #E7DDEE;"
|]
| align="center"|]
|] ]
|] ]
|}

===General Managers===
{| class="wikitable"
|- |-
! Episode || Date || Venue || City || Rating || Notes
! ]
! Date Started
! Date Finished
|- |-
|'']''
| ]{{ref|Heyman|1}}
| ] ] |June 7, 2006
| ] ] |]
|]
|3.1<ref name="gerweck20081"> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301205814/http://gerweck.net/ratings08.htm |date=2009-03-01 }}</ref>
|{{small|Special pilot episode}}
|-
|''ECW''{{'}}s premiere episode
|June 13, 2006
|]
|]
|2.8<ref name="gerweck20081"/>
|{{small|Series debut}}
|-
|ECW Halloween
|October 31, 2006
|]
|]
|
|Special Halloween episode of ECW
|-
|Best of ''ECW'' 2006
|December 26, 2006
|
|
|1.4<ref name="gerweck20061"> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302054501/http://gerweck.net/ratings06.htm |date=2009-03-02 }}</ref>
|{{small|Featured clips from 2006}}
|-
|ECW Halloween 2007
|October 30, 2007
|]
|]
|
|Special Halloween episode of ECW
|-
|ECW Thanksgiving 2007
|November 20, 2007
|]
|]
|
|Special Thanksgiving episode of ECW
|-
|Thursday Night ECW
|December 6, 2007
|]
|]
|
|Special Thursday Night episode of ECW
|-
|Best of ''ECW'' 2007
|December 25, 2007
|
|
|1.1<ref name="gerweck20071"> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301205813/http://gerweck.net/ratings07.htm |date=2009-03-01 }}</ref>
|{{small|Featured clips from 2007}}
|-
|New Year's ECW
|January 1, 2008
|]
|]
|
|The first ECW episode of 2008
|-
|ECW Goes HD
|January 22, 2008
|]
|]
|
|The first ever ECW episode in HD
|-
|100th episode
|May 6, 2008
|]
|]
|1.0<ref name="extend"/>
|{{small|Celebrated the show's 100th episode}}
|-
|Move to 9pm/8c
|September 30, 2008
|]
|]
|
|ECW moves to 9pm/8c
|-
|ECW Halloween 2008
|October 28, 2008
|]
|]
|
|Special Halloween episode of ECW
|-
|ECW Thanksgiving 2008
|November 25, 2008
|]
|]
|
|Special Thanksgiving episode of ECW
|-
|Best of ''ECW'' 2008
|December 23, 2008
|
|
|1.2<ref name="extend"/>
|{{small|Featured clips from 2008}}
|-
|ECW returns to 10pm/9c
|May 5, 2009
|]
|]
|
|ECW Returns to its regular time at 10pm/9c
|-
|Thursday Night ECW 2009
|July 9, 2009
|]
|]
|
|Special Thursday Night episode of ECW
|-
|ECW Thanksgiving 2009
|November 24, 2009
|]
|]
|
|Special Thanksgiving episode Of ECW
|-
|ECW Homecoming
|December 15, 2009
|]
|]
|
|The first ever ECW Homecoming
|-
|Best of ''ECW'' 2009
|December 22, 2009
|
|
|1.2<ref name="extend"/>
|{{small|Featured clips from 2009}}
|-
|ECW Homecoming Finale
|January 12, 2010
|]
|]
|
|The Finale of ECW Homecoming
|-
|Final episode
|February 16, 2010
|]
|]
|1.14<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610050804/http://www.wrestling-edge.com/wwe-news/final-ecw-rating-wwe-diva-hires-a-designer-jericho-news-more.html |date=2010-06-10 }}</ref>
|{{small|Series finale}}
|- |-
| ''']'''{{ref|Estrada|2}}
| ] ]
| Present
|} |}


==International broadcasters==
<small><sup>1</sup> {{note|Heyman}} Served as "ECW Representative".<br/>
In addition to being broadcast on ], ], and ] in the United States, ''ECW'' was broadcast on a number of channels in many different countries.

<sup>2</sup> {{note|Estrada}} Announced by ] as an order from ].</small><br/>


{| class="wikitable" style="background:#fcfdff; font-size:95%;"
===Commentators===
{| class="wikitable"
!Commentators
!Year(s)
|- |-
!Country || Network || Ref
|'''] and ]'''
|June 2006-Present
|- |-
|] and The ]
|}
|]

|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Algeria |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100315153426/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Algeria |title=WWE's Algeria Schedule |publisher=] |access-date=2010-02-17 |archive-date=2010-03-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Ring announcers===
{| class="wikitable"
!Ring announcer
!Year(s)
|- |-
|], ], ], ] and ]
|]
|]
|June 2006-September 2007
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Argentina |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100208224449/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Argentina |title=WWE's Argentina Schedule |publisher=] |access-date=2010-02-17 |archive-date=2010-02-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Brazil |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317143429/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Brazil |title=WWE's Brazil Schedule |publisher=] |access-date=2010-02-17 |archive-date=2010-03-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Mexico |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209003431/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Mexico |title=WWE's Mexico Schedule |publisher=] |access-date=2010-02-17 |archive-date=2010-02-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|- |-
|Australia
|''']'''
|]
|September 2007-Present
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Australia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209003426/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Australia |title=WWE's Australia Schedule |publisher=] |access-date=2010-02-17 |archive-date=2010-02-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|}

===Recurring segments===
{| class="wikitable"
|- |-
|], India, ] and ]
! Segment
|]
! Segment Type
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Bangladesh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704112912/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Bangladesh |title=WWE's Bangladesh Schedule |publisher=] |access-date=2010-02-17 |archive-date=2009-07-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317143444/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/India |title=WWE's India Schedule |publisher=] |access-date=2010-02-17 |archive-date=2010-03-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Pakistan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100603212138/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Pakistan |title=WWE's Pakistan Schedule |publisher=] |access-date=2010-02-17 |archive-date=2010-06-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
! Host
! Years Active
! Notes
|- |-
|]
|<sup>'''Kelly's Exposé'''</sup>
|]
|Strip Tease
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Cambodia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228191954/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Cambodia |title=WWE's Cambodia Schedule |publisher=] |access-date=2010-02-17 |archive-date=2010-02-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|]
|]
|<small>The first segment in ''ECW'', featuring Kelly Kelly performing a short striptease for the crowd.</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/shows1/ecwonscifi/archive/061320061/|title=An Extreme Debut|accessdate=2007-03-29|last=Hoffman|first=Brent|publisher=WWE}}</ref>
|- |-
||Canada
| <sup>'''Extreme Exposé'''</sup>
|]
|Dance Performance
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Canada |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100208213624/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Canada |title=WWE's Cambodia Schedule |publisher=] |access-date=2010-02-17 |archive-date=2010-02-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|]<br />]</br>]
|]
|<small>When Kelly Kelly returned in January, she was joined by fellow ] Layla, and Brooke, forming a three woman dance troupe. The new group took over the Kelly's Exposé spot, dancing in costume to a different song nearly every week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/k/kelly.html|title=Kelly Kelly profile|accessdate=2007-07-25|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Brooke was released from the company on ] ]<ref>{{cite web|title=Brooke released |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/brookereleased|accessdate=2007-11-01|publisher=WWE}}</ref> dissolving the team.</small>
|- |-
||]
|<sup>'''Striker's Classroom'''</sup>
|]
|Interview/Other
|
|]
|2006-''present''
|<small>A segment where ], acts as a pompous teacher (his former ] profession) and insults the audience and his fellow wrestlers' intellectual capacity. The segment is used as a ] or an interview segment.</small>
|- |-
|France
|<sup>'''15 Minutes Of Fame'''</sup>
|]
|Wrestling Challenge
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/France |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210200749/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/France |title=WWE's France Schedule |publisher=] |access-date=2010-02-17 |archive-date=2010-02-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|]
|-
|2007
|Germany
|<small>If a challenger—either a "hometown wrestler" or someone from the roster—could defeat him, or last a full 15 minutes without being defeated by him, they would earn a future championship match.</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/news/morrisonchallenge|title=John Morrison Challenges All|last=Medalis |first=Kara A.|accessdate=2007-08-08|publisher=WWE}}</ref>
|]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Germany |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100314063528/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Germany |title=WWE's Germany Schedule |publisher=] |access-date=2010-02-17 |archive-date=2010-03-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|Italy
|]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Italy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100303142744/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Italy |title=WWE's Italy Schedule |publisher=] |access-date=2010-02-17 |archive-date=2010-03-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|]
|]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Malaysia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228191959/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Malaysia |title=WWE's Malaysia Schedule |publisher=] |access-date=2010-02-17 |archive-date=2010-02-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|]
|]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/New%20Zealand |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527043213/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/New%20Zealand |title=WWE's New Zealand Schedule |publisher=] |access-date=2010-02-17 |archive-date=2010-05-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|]
|]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Philippines |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209042142/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Philippines |title=WWE's Philippines Schedule |publisher=] |access-date=2010-02-17 |archive-date=2010-02-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|]
|]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Portugal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100302143028/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Portugal |title=WWE's Portugal Schedule |publisher=] |access-date=2010-02-17 |archive-date=2010-03-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|]
|SuperSports
|
|-
|]
|]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/South%20Africa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317143459/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/South%20Africa |title=WWE's South Africa Schedule |publisher=] |access-date=2010-02-17 |archive-date=2010-03-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| ]
|]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Taiwan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415003823/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Taiwan |title=WWE's Taiwan Schedule |publisher=] |access-date=2010-02-17 |archive-date=2010-04-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|United Kingdom and ]
|]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/United%20Kingdom |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100208151750/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/United%20Kingdom |title=WWE's United Kingdom Schedule |publisher=] |access-date=2010-02-17 |archive-date=2010-02-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Ireland |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325192142/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Ireland |title=WWE's Ireland Schedule |publisher=] |access-date=2010-02-17 |archive-date=2010-03-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|} |}

==References==
{{reflist}}


==See also== ==See also==
*]
*]
*'']''
*]
*] *'']''

*]
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}


==External links== ==External links==
* {{IMDb title|0810614|ECW}}
*
<!--Do NOT re-add the WWE.com/ECW.com. As has been noted every time it has been removed, it's listed in the infobox where it belongs. Check edit histories before re-adding things.--> <!--Do NOT re-add the WWE.com/ECW.com. As has been noted every time it has been removed, it's listed in the infobox where it belongs. Check edit histories before re-adding things.-->


{{WWE programs}} {{Syfy Shows}}
{{Former WWE programs}}
{{World Wrestling Entertainment}}
{{Extreme Championship Wrestling}}
{{Professional wrestling in the United States}}


] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]
]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]

]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 08:09, 21 December 2024

WWE television program This article is about the WWE television program. For the promotion that operated from 1992 to 2001, on which the show was based, see Extreme Championship Wrestling. For the WWE brand of the same name, see ECW (WWE brand).

WWE ECW
Created by
StarringECW roster
Opening theme"Bodies" by Drowning Pool (2006–2007)
"Don't Question My Heart" by Saliva featuring Brent Smith (2007–2010)
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes193
Production
Camera setupMulticamera setup
Running time46 minutes
Production companyWWE
Original release
NetworkSci-Fi/Syfy
ReleaseJune 13, 2006 (2006-06-13) –
February 16, 2010 (2010-02-16)

WWE ECW (officially known as simply ECW and colloquially known as ECW on Sci-Fi or ECW on Syfy and WWECW, a portmanteau of both "WWE" and "ECW") is an American professional wrestling television program that was produced by WWE, based on the independent Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) promotion that lasted from 1992 to 2001. The show's name also referred to the ECW brand, in which WWE employees were assigned to work and perform, complementary to WWE's other brands, Raw and SmackDown.

ECW debuted on June 13, 2006, on Sci Fi in the United States and Global Television Network in Canada on Saturday mornings and ran until its final episode on February 16, 2010, on the rebranded Syfy. It was replaced the following week with WWE NXT. Every episode is available for on-demand viewing via the WWE Network and Peacock.

Throughout the shows existence, ECW had been broadcast from over 120 arenas, over 80 cities and towns, and four countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Italy in 2007.

Show history

Launch on Sci Fi

WWE acquired the rights to Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)'s trademarks and video library in January 2003 and later began reintroducing ECW through content from the ECW library and a series of books, which included the release of The Rise and Fall of ECW documentary. The enormous popularity of ECW merchandise prompted WWE to organize ECW One Night Stand, an ECW reunion pay-per-view in 2005. The financial and critical success of the event motivated WWE to organize a second ECW One Night Stand the following year. With rejuvenated interest in the ECW product, WWE began exploring the possibility of reviving the promotion full-time. The news that WWE was planning to bring back ECW was leaked in the middle of April as Vince McMahon decided to revive ECW as a full-time brand. Reports beforehand stated that WWE was prepared to bring back ECW immediately after WrestleMania 22.

On May 25, 2006, WWE announced the launch of ECW as a stand-alone brand, congruous to Raw and SmackDown!, with its own show on Sci Fi (now Syfy). Despite initial concerns that professional wrestling would not be accepted by Sci Fi's demographic, network President Bonnie Hammer stated that she believed ECW would fit the channel's theme of "stretching the imagination". Sci Fi (now known as Syfy) is owned by NBC Universal, parent company of USA Network and exclusive cable broadcaster of Raw. ECW's weekly series was originally given a thirteen episode run as a "summer series" on Sci Fi. The premiere received a 2.79 rating, making it the highest rated show on cable in its time slot. Because of its good ratings it was granted an extended run through the end of 2007. On October 23, 2007, the network renewed the series through 2008. Prior to the show's launch, WWE opted to cancel its webcast Velocity and replace it with the new ECW program.

Original format (2006)

ECW was initially produced differently from WWE's other shows. For televised events, the main ring-facing cameras were placed on a different location in the arena while the wrestling ring itself featured an ECW logo on the mat and blank turnbuckle covers. The male performers were referred to "Extremists" instead of "Superstars" while female performers were called "Vixens" rather than Divas. However, the show steadily began being produced following the same format of the other shows. As opposed to the original promotion, match rules, such as count outs and disqualifications, were now standard. Matches featuring the rule set of the original promotion were then classified as being contested under "Extreme Rules" and were only fought when specified.

Former ECW owner Paul Heyman served as the on-air "ECW Representative" (a reference to how Heyman had been identified on Monday Night Raw back in 1997). According to an interview in the UK newspaper The Sun, Heyman wrote the show's weekly scripts and submitted them to writers for possible changes, and then Vince McMahon for final approval. Following December to Dismember, Heyman was relieved from both his on and off-air duties with World Wrestling Entertainment.

Change in format (2007–2010)

The ECW set used from October 31, 2006-January 15, 2008.

While the show started out a ratings success, it began drawing criticism from fans of the original ECW early on. This was most evident by the negative crowd reaction "old school" fans gave the main event of Batista vs. Big Show at the August 1, 2006 show from Hammerstein Ballroom, which often held original ECW events while it was a company. After Heyman left in late 2006, there was no ECW authority figure until August 14, 2007, when Armando Estrada was announced as the General Manager.

On May 6, 2008, ECW celebrated its 100th episode on Sci Fi. On June 3, 2008 Estrada was replaced by Theodore Long as General Manager of ECW. ECW moved to 9:00 p.m. Eastern/8:00 p.m. Central on September 30, 2008. ECW moved back to 10:00 p.m. Eastern/9:00 p.m. Central on May 5, 2009. On the April 7 edition of ECW it was announced that Theodore Long was returning to SmackDown to fulfill the role of General Manager. From this point the Interim General Manager was named as Tiffany who took over as full-time General Manager on the June 30, 2009 episode. On July 7, 2009, the Sci Fi Channel renamed itself to "Syfy", prompting WWE to rename the show ECW on Syfy to reflect the changes. In 2009 a "superstar initiative" was established for the purpose of introducing new talent to WWE programming, mainly those from WWE's developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling to ECW's roster.

Cancellation and aftermath

On February 2, 2010, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon announced that ECW would be going off the air and would be replaced with a new weekly program in its slot in which McMahon announced as "groundbreaking, original show." It was later announced that the show would air its final episode on February 16, 2010. On the February 9, 2010 episode of ECW, the new show's name was announced as WWE NXT.

Online presence

At ECW's launch, WWE.com introduced Hardcore Hangover, a video feature which allowed fans in the United States and Canada to stream or download video footage from the weekly show. On October 16, 2007, it was replaced by a new feature which made full episodes of the show available for streaming on WWE.com the day after they aired. After gathering a list of names from fans and conducting an online poll, the feature was named ECW X-Stream on October 31, 2007. Past episodes of ECW were previously viewable on the video streaming website Hulu, which are available on the WWE Network worldwide and Peacock in the United States.

Production

ECW's version of the universal WWE HD set used from January 22, 2008-February 16, 2010.

ECW shows were held in large arenas as a part of the taping schedules of WWE's other shows. This was in sharp contrast to the original Extreme Championship Wrestling which ran most of its events in smaller venues. The show generally aired live on Tuesdays directly before — when touring the west coast — or after SmackDown was taped, though it was also recorded and placed on a broadcast delay until later in the night depending on what circumstances dictated. ECW had originally separated itself from WWE, featuring ECW's old black ring ropes, the ECW logo in the middle of the ring and no WWE logo to be seen on the turnbuckles or on the ring apron. However, they slowly began to become more of a WWE show than prior, when they made the ring ropes silver instead of the black ones and when they went HD, put the WWE logo on the turnbuckles, and the WWE.COM advertising on the left and right side of the ring aprons and removed the ECW logo from the ring.

ECW's initial theme song was "Bodies" by Drowning Pool, which had been used by WWE for Extreme Championship Wrestling before the establishment of the brand. "Don't Question My Heart" by Saliva featuring Brent Smith was later used to open ECW for the rest of the program's run. The songs "Famous" by Puddle of Mudd was used for one week, and a censored version of "This Is The New Shit" by Marilyn Manson was used for a few weeks. On January 22, 2008, ECW began broadcasting in HD, along with a new HD set, which is shared among all three WWE brands.

Special episodes

Episode Date Venue City Rating Notes
WWE vs. ECW June 7, 2006 Nutter Center Dayton, Ohio 3.1 Special pilot episode
ECW's premiere episode June 13, 2006 Sovereign Bank Arena Trenton, New Jersey 2.8 Series debut
ECW Halloween October 31, 2006 Bradley Center Milwaukee, Wisconsin Special Halloween episode of ECW
Best of ECW 2006 December 26, 2006 1.4 Featured clips from 2006
ECW Halloween 2007 October 30, 2007 Nassau Coliseum Uniondale, New York Special Halloween episode of ECW
ECW Thanksgiving 2007 November 20, 2007 St. Pete Times Forum Tampa, Florida Special Thanksgiving episode of ECW
Thursday Night ECW December 6, 2007 Florence Civic Center Florence, South Carolina Special Thursday Night episode of ECW
Best of ECW 2007 December 25, 2007 1.1 Featured clips from 2007
New Year's ECW January 1, 2008 Richmond Coliseum Richmond, Virginia The first ECW episode of 2008
ECW Goes HD January 22, 2008 John Paul Jones Arena Charlottesville, Virginia The first ever ECW episode in HD
100th episode May 6, 2008 John Labatt Centre London, Ontario, Canada 1.0 Celebrated the show's 100th episode
Move to 9pm/8c September 30, 2008 Resch Center Green Bay, Wisconsin ECW moves to 9pm/8c
ECW Halloween 2008 October 28, 2008 San Diego Sports Arena San Diego, California Special Halloween episode of ECW
ECW Thanksgiving 2008 November 25, 2008 Dunkin' Donuts Center Providence, Rhode Island Special Thanksgiving episode of ECW
Best of ECW 2008 December 23, 2008 1.2 Featured clips from 2008
ECW returns to 10pm/9c May 5, 2009 Mellon Arena Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ECW Returns to its regular time at 10pm/9c
Thursday Night ECW 2009 July 9, 2009 Rabobank Arena Bakersfield, California Special Thursday Night episode of ECW
ECW Thanksgiving 2009 November 24, 2009 Arena at Harbor Yard Bridgeport, Connecticut Special Thanksgiving episode Of ECW
ECW Homecoming December 15, 2009 Laredo Entertainment Center Laredo, Texas The first ever ECW Homecoming
Best of ECW 2009 December 22, 2009 1.2 Featured clips from 2009
ECW Homecoming Finale January 12, 2010 Resch Center Green Bay, Wisconsin The Finale of ECW Homecoming
Final episode February 16, 2010 Sprint Center Kansas City, Missouri 1.14 Series finale

International broadcasters

In addition to being broadcast on Syfy, Mun2, and Universal HD in the United States, ECW was broadcast on a number of channels in many different countries.

Country Network Ref
Algeria and The Middle East Showtime
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica and Mexico FX Latin America
Australia Fox8
Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Nepal TEN Sports
Cambodia MyTV
Canada Global TV
Finland MTV3 Max
France Action
Germany Sky Deutschland
Italy Sky Italia
Malaysia Astro Super Sport
New Zealand The Box
Philippines Jack TV
Portugal SportTV 3
Singapore SuperSports
South Africa e.tv
Taiwan Videoland Max-TV
United Kingdom and Ireland Sky Sports 3

See also

References

  1. ^ Caldwell, James (February 5, 2010). "WWE Officially Announces NXT's Debut Date Replacing ECW, Only Two Episodes Remaining". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
  2. "WWE ECW". WWE Network. Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  3. ^ Shields, Brian; Sullivan, Kevin (2009). WWE: History of WrestleMania. p. 58.
  4. Madigan, TJ (April 29, 2006). "WWE love affair with ECW to continue". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. Baines, Tim (August 28, 2005). "WWE has eyes on return of ECW". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. "WWE brings ECW to Sci Fi Channel". WWE. Archived from the original on August 13, 2006. Retrieved June 2, 2006.
  7. "Sci Fi grapples with summer wrestling series". Retrieved May 21, 2006. It will have a nice little twist that will fit in the brand
  8. "Sci Fi Channel pins the competition with ECW's triumphant return to television". The Futon Critic. Retrieved July 8, 2007.
  9. ^ "Sci Fi Channel Extends ECW". Archived from the original on March 2, 2007. Retrieved October 11, 2006.
  10. "SCI FI Channel Reups WWE'S ECW Through 2008". WWE. October 23, 2007. Archived from the original on October 25, 2007. Retrieved October 23, 2007.
  11. Baines, Tim (April 30, 2006). "WWE's finally going to get Extreme again". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  12. "Heyman out". Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2006.
  13. "The New ECW? "End that Chanting, Now!"". Online Onslaught. Archived from the original on October 25, 2008. Retrieved August 12, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  14. "ECW on SciFi Reax #1". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved August 12, 2007.
  15. "Preview:Extreme Centennial". WWE. April 29, 2008. Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved April 30, 2008.
  16. "Lost", "Sanctuary" Among SCI FI's Fall Premieres, The Futon Critic, July 3, 2008
  17. ECW On Sci Fi Changing Timeslots Again, Sexiest WWE Divas Archived 2009-04-18 at the Wayback Machine, Sports Entertainment Scoops, April 15, 2009
  18. "Shows". Archived from the original on July 6, 2009. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  19. Eng, Joyce (July 7, 2009). "Sci Fi Morphs Into Syfy". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
  20. ^ Medalis, Kara A. (June 30, 2009). "Extreme Changes". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on July 17, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2010.
  21. Caldwell, James (February 4, 2010). "Caldwell's WWE Superstar TV Report 2/4: Complete coverage of Team Morrison vs. Team McIntyre six-man tag, awesome Bourne vs. Carlito match". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
  22. "Hardcore Hangover". WWE. Archived from the original on October 26, 2007. Retrieved October 25, 2007.
  23. "Watch it Again Exclusively on WWE.com". WWE. Archived from the original on October 19, 2007. Retrieved October 17, 2007.
  24. "Hulu to stream full episodes of SmackDown, ECW". WWE. Archived from the original on June 1, 2009. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
  25. "The History of Extreme Championship Wrestling". Pro Wrestling History. Archived from the original on August 22, 2007. Retrieved August 12, 2007.
  26. "WWE Makes Changes To Compete With WSX". Archived from the original on February 7, 2007. Retrieved February 7, 2007.
  27. "ECW TV Staying Live". Archived from the original on February 14, 2007. Retrieved February 7, 2007.
  28. "WWE Smackdown! & ECW Tapings (12/12/06)". Archived from the original on February 10, 2007. Retrieved February 7, 2007.
  29. "Saliva goes Extreme - WWE.com". Archived from the original on March 2, 2008. Retrieved February 28, 2008.
  30. "WWE Goes HD". WWE. Archived from the original on September 24, 2012. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  31. ^ 2008 Nielson Ratings on Gerweck.net Archived 2009-03-01 at the Wayback Machine
  32. 2006 Nielson Ratings on Gerweck.net Archived 2009-03-02 at the Wayback Machine
  33. 2007 Nielson Ratings on Gerweck.net Archived 2009-03-01 at the Wayback Machine
  34. Final ECW Rating, WWE Diva Hires a Designer, Jericho News, More Archived 2010-06-10 at the Wayback Machine
  35. "WWE's Algeria Schedule". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 15, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  36. "WWE's Argentina Schedule". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 8, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  37. "WWE's Brazil Schedule". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 17, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  38. "WWE's Mexico Schedule". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 9, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  39. "WWE's Australia Schedule". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 9, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  40. "WWE's Bangladesh Schedule". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on July 4, 2009. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  41. "WWE's India Schedule". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 17, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  42. "WWE's Pakistan Schedule". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 3, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  43. "WWE's Cambodia Schedule". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 28, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  44. "WWE's Cambodia Schedule". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 8, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  45. "WWE's France Schedule". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 10, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  46. "WWE's Germany Schedule". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 14, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  47. "WWE's Italy Schedule". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 3, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  48. "WWE's Malaysia Schedule". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 28, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  49. "WWE's New Zealand Schedule". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on May 27, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  50. "WWE's Philippines Schedule". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 9, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  51. "WWE's Portugal Schedule". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 2, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  52. "WWE's South Africa Schedule". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 17, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  53. "WWE's Taiwan Schedule". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on April 15, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  54. "WWE's United Kingdom Schedule". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 8, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  55. "WWE's Ireland Schedule". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 25, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.

External links

Syfy original programming
Current
Upcoming
Former
1990s debuts
2000s debuts
2010s debuts
2020s debuts
Miniseries
Former WWE programming
WWE
History
Programming
Weekly in-ring shows
Recap shows
Seasonal shows
and specials
Pay-per-view and
WWE Network events
Other
Home bases
Former
Personnel
Notable rivalries
and matches
Affiliated properties
Defunct businesses
Notable acquisitions
Investments
Related companies
Owners
Sister company
Partnerships
Current
Former
Championships
Accomplishments
Tournaments
Brand extension
International
Miscellaneous
Extreme Championship Wrestling
Championships
World
Secondary
Tag Team
Other accomplishments
Talent
Programming
Television
Major events
Interpromotional events
Video games
Miscellaneous
WWE revival
Independent revivals
United States Professional wrestling in the United States
Active promotions
National promotions
Women's:
Independent promotions
Women's:
Puerto Rican promotions
Governing bodies and interpromotional alliances
Notable TV programs
Notable streaming programs
Defunct promotions
National promotions
Independent promotions and regional territories
Women's:
Governing bodies and interpromotional alliances
Notable programs
Categories: