TNA Hardcore Justice: The ECW Reunion Show
By Andrew Ryan
Like aging gunfighters well past their prime, the cast of the ECW is looking for one last nice score. The boys are back for one last show all thanks to Dixie Carter and company. Only two matches have been announced at the moment: Rob Van Dam vs. Jerry Lynn and Tommy Dreamer vs. Raven. Despite the seemingly rushed feel of the build to this show, with Tommy Dreamer in complete control I expect this show to deliver huge for all the fans who loved the original ECW and even casual fans that weren’t able to live through the magic.
Of course, I have certain concerns about the success of this show. TNA is offering what was originally planned for Hard Justice four days later on Impact which doesn’t seem to do the show any favors. I worry somewhat about the fans who will be interested in this show. I feel as if many fans who lived through and loved the original ECW have moved on from professional wrestling or if they haven’t they have simply let the company go and choose to remember it for what it was and not what it is in 2010. My heart says the buyrate won’t be very good for the show but I hope I am wrong. Also, only a handful of performers have been confirmed for the show. Some people vital to the ECW experience could be missing. The biggest one of course is Paul Heyman, the genius behind the promotion. It just won’t feel like the real deal, that being if there was a chance it even could in 2010. It would be absolutely tremendous for Dixie to bring in Heyman full-time for the creative direction of ECW. Very few understand the business as well as this man. However, with Dreamer in control of things I feel very confident the show is in good hands.
The second name that disappoints me that won’t be able to be there is Joey Styles. Styles made ECW unique with his own announcing style and knowledge of the business. He had a hard time adjusting to the demands of WWE and their storyline driven broadcasting but seems quite content to be working for the company behind the scenes building the WWE website. I have always felt Styles was terribly underrated and really wish I could hear him call this show.
One last name I will bring up as being vital to a true ECW reunion is “The Hardcore Legend” himself, Terry Funk. Terry epitomized what ECW was about and was so great at Hardcore Homecoming and the second One Night Stand. Terry was selfless in helping build the promotion and making other guys stars. He is truly a legend in the business. Despite being basically retired as a wrestler, I would love for him to at least make an appearance. He deserves to be recognized for all he did for not just ECW but the business.
Despite only two matches being announced, the two that are confirmed are extremely exciting. First up is Rob Van Dam vs. Jerry Lynn. These two had some of the most epic matches in the history of the original ECW from a workrate standpoint. Those types of matches were not commonplace at the time. The two have unbelievable chemistry and engage in amazing counter wrestling. RVD has always been extremely unique and ECW was where he was able to shine. He has had a great run as TNA champion so far but what I wish he had in WWE and wish he had now in TNA was a mouthpiece. Everyone knows RVD’s promo skills are mediocre at best. Despite not being good on the stick, he exudes a tremendous charisma that always makes him a fan favorite. I really wish TNA would bring back Bill Alfonso to manage RVD if only for this PPV but it would be tremendous as a full-time thing. An RVD-Jerry Lynn encounter just would not be the same with out Fonzie’s whistle blowing antics.
Jerry Lynn is a true veteran of the business and despite his age the man can still go. He has recently come off a run as ROH champion and has looked very good in the matches I have seen of him recently. With his past history with RVD, the matches that earned him the nickname “The New F’N Show”. The two have always brought out the best in each others styles. If ECW would have continued they would undoubtedly been able to have more epic encounters over the World title as opposed to the TV title. I am very glad we will be able to witness these two getting to work together one last time in an environment where they can showcase their true abilities.
Tommy Dreamer and Raven had undoubtedly the best storyline feud in ECW history. I really doubt it but the mark in me would love to see Beulah McGillicutty make one more appearance in the ring. On a side note, I would like to send my condolences to Beulah whose mother passed away just a couple days ago. For those who don’t know, she and Tommy are married in real life and if she had any plans about having anything to do with the show, she is going through a very tough time. One of the most memorable ECW moments that showed just how far ahead of their time ECW was in comparison to WWF or WCW was the lesbian kiss angle between Beulah and Kimona Wanalaya.
There has been some controversy over Mick Foley’s involvement in this show. Some people say they don’t consider him ECW. I even have heard some people say he is about as ECW as Steve Austin. This is completely unfounded and I have to believe these people weren’t as familiar with the early days of ECW as the later TNN years. Cactus Jack was a staple of the violence and hardcore matches that really built ECW’s reputation. The man means much more to the legacy of the company than a lot of guys people would consider to be truly ECW.
Many of the other wrestlers confirmed for show are admittedly well past their prime. One of those names is Sabu, a man who was truly ahead of his time and I am glad he at least got a short run being recognized by WWE fans. Along with Mick Foley, Sabu helped build the company’s reputation and unique style and is as ECW as you can get. Despite having a shaven head and having gone through a multitude of health problems Sabu can still put on a great match and I have no doubts he will deliver at the PPV. The rest of the names listed as being on the show (Team 3D, Axl Rotten, Balls Mahoney, Al Snow, Stevie Richards, etc.) can all still wrestle and give good performances.
All in all, the show is certainly going to be extremely entertaining. ECW always had too much going for it for that not to be the case. I, personally, am looking ahead eagerly to a night of nostalgia and seeing all my childhood heroes give it one last go. After Vince McMahon took the name and attempted to tarnish the legacy after many people had closure at the One Night Stands in ’05 and ’06, I am glad the guys of the original ECW are being given this opportunity for themselves and the fans who still hold the memories dear to their heart.