Changes

'''Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)''' is a [[professional wrestling]] [[WWE Brand Extension|brand]] of [[World Wrestling Entertainment]], based on the independent promotion [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] that lasted from [[1992]] to [[2001]]. It debuted on [[June 13]], [[2006 in television|2006]] with a weekly television series. The ECW brand is one of WWE's three brands, the other two being [[WWE Raw|RAW]] and [[WWE Friday Night SmackDown!|SmackDown!]].

'''Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)''' is a [[professional wrestling]] [[WWE Brand Extension|brand]] of [[World Wrestling Entertainment]], based on the independent promotion [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] that lasted from 1992 to 2001. It debuted on June 13, [[2006 in television|2006]] with a weekly television series. The ECW brand is one of WWE's three brands, the other two being [[WWE Raw|RAW]] and [[WWE Friday Night SmackDown!|SmackDown!]].

This version can be seen on [[Sci Fi Channel (United States)|Sci Fi Channel]] in the United States, [[X-Treme Sports]] and [[Global Television Network|Global]] in [[Canada]], [[Lativi]] in [[Indonesia]], [[Sky Sports|Sky Sports 3]] in the [[United Kingdom]], [[Premiere (pay television network)|Premiere]] in [[Germany]], [[FX Latin America|FX]] in [[Latin America]], [[Ten Sports]] in [[India]], [[Astro (satellite TV)|Astro Supersport]] in [[Malaysia]], [[Solar Sports]] in the [[Philippines]], [[FOX8]] in [[Australia]],  [[SKY Network Television|SKY 1]] in New Zealand, [[e.tv]] in South Africa, [[SIC Radical]] in [[Portugal]] and [[American Forces Network|AFN Xtra]] .

This version can be seen on [[Sci Fi Channel (United States)|Sci Fi Channel]] in the United States, [[X-Treme Sports]] and [[Global Television Network|Global]] in [[Canada]], [[Lativi]] in [[Indonesia]], [[Sky Sports|Sky Sports 3]] in the [[United Kingdom]], [[Premiere (pay television network)|Premiere]] in [[Germany]], [[FX Latin America|FX]] in [[Latin America]], [[Ten Sports]] in [[India]], [[Astro (satellite TV)|Astro Supersport]] in [[Malaysia]], [[Solar Sports]] in the [[Philippines]], [[FOX8]] in [[Australia]],  [[SKY Network Television|SKY 1]] in New Zealand, [[e.tv]] in South Africa, [[SIC Radical]] in [[Portugal]] and [[American Forces Network|AFN Xtra]] .

WWE acquired the Extreme Championship Wrestling name and [[WWE Video Library|video library]] in 2003 and later began reintroducing ECW through a series of [[DVD]]s and books. The most notable example is ''[[The Rise and Fall of ECW]]'', a documentary (and later a book) of the promotion's history. The enormous popularity of this and other ECW merchandise; along with a suggestion from [[Rob Van Dam]] prompted WWE to organize an ECW "reunion show" pay-per-view in 2005 dubbed [[WWE One Night Stand#2005|ECW One Night Stand]]. The financial and critical success of the show motivated WWE to organize a second [[WWE One Night Stand#2006|One Night Stand]] the following year. With rejuvenated interest in ECW, WWE began exploring the possibility of reviving the promotion full time.

WWE acquired the Extreme Championship Wrestling name and [[WWE Video Library|video library]] in 2003 and later began reintroducing ECW through a series of [[DVD]]s and books. The most notable example is ''[[The Rise and Fall of ECW]]'', a documentary (and later a book) of the promotion's history. The enormous popularity of this and other ECW merchandise; along with a suggestion from [[Rob Van Dam]] prompted WWE to organize an ECW "reunion show" pay-per-view in 2005 dubbed [[WWE One Night Stand#2005|ECW One Night Stand]]. The financial and critical success of the show motivated WWE to organize a second [[WWE One Night Stand#2006|One Night Stand]] the following year. With rejuvenated interest in ECW, WWE began exploring the possibility of reviving the promotion full time.

On [[May 26]], [[2006 in television|2006]], WWE announced the relaunch of ECW as a stand-alone brand that would complement WWE's ''[[WWE Raw|RAW]]'' and ''[[WWE Friday Night SmackDown!|SmackDown!]]'' brands and emanate weekly on the [[Sci Fi Channel (United States)|Sci Fi Channel]]. <ref name=SciFi>{{cite web|title=WWE brings ECW to Sci Fi Channel|publisher=WWE.com |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/scifi|accessdate=2006-06-02}}</ref> Despite initial concerns that professional wrestling would not be accepted by Sci Fi Channel's demographic, network President [[Bonnie Hammer]] believed that ECW would fit the channel's theme of ''stretching the imagination.'' Sci Fi Channel is owned by [[NBC Universal]], parent company of [[USA Network]] and exclusive cable broadcaster of WWE programming.

On May 26, 2006, WWE announced the relaunch of ECW as a stand-alone brand that would complement WWE's ''[[WWE Raw|RAW]]'' and ''[[WWE Friday Night SmackDown!|SmackDown!]]'' brands and emanate weekly on the [[Sci Fi Channel (United States)|Sci Fi Channel]]. <ref name=SciFi>{{cite web|title=WWE brings ECW to Sci Fi Channel|publisher=WWE.com |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/scifi|accessdate=2006-06-02}}</ref> Despite initial concerns that professional wrestling would not be accepted by Sci Fi Channel's demographic, network President [[Bonnie Hammer]] believed that ECW would fit the channel's theme of ''stretching the imagination.'' Sci Fi Channel is owned by [[NBC Universal]], parent company of [[USA Network]] and exclusive cable broadcaster of WWE programming.

To boost success of the new brand, ECW was cross-promoted on WWE programming in the weeks leading up to the 2006 [[WWE One Night Stand#2006|One Night Stand]]. A [[prime time]] special called ''WWE vs. ECW Head to Head'' was aired on [[USA Network]] as part of the promotion.

To boost success of the new brand, ECW was cross-promoted on WWE programming in the weeks leading up to the 2006 [[WWE One Night Stand#2006|One Night Stand]]. A [[prime time]] special called ''WWE vs. ECW Head to Head'' was aired on [[USA Network]] as part of the promotion.

Changes were made to the brand that differentiated it from the original ECW promotion, including changing the original promotion's rules - where weapons were legal in all matches and there were almost never count outs or disqualifications. WWE classifies such matches as "[[Hardcore wrestling|Extreme Rules]]" bouts, and they are only fought on occasion. By default, all matches on ECW cards are now fought under standard rules unless specified otherwise.

Changes were made to the brand that differentiated it from the original ECW promotion, including changing the original promotion's rules - where weapons were legal in all matches and there were almost never count outs or disqualifications. WWE classifies such matches as "[[Hardcore wrestling|Extreme Rules]]" bouts, and they are only fought on occasion. By default, all matches on ECW cards are now fought under standard rules unless specified otherwise.

Originally, ECW was featured as part of WWE's "Big Four" cross-branded pay-per-view events: [[Survivor Series]], [[Royal Rumble]], [[SummerSlam]] and [[WrestleMania]]. The first [[pay-per-view]] event hosted by the ECW brand since its launch was [[ECW December to Dismember|December to Dismember]]. On [[March 14]] [[2007]], WWE announced that all future PPV's 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>

Originally, ECW was featured as part of WWE's "Big Four" cross-branded pay-per-view events: [[Survivor Series]], [[Royal Rumble]], [[SummerSlam]] and [[WrestleMania]]. The first [[pay-per-view]] event hosted by the ECW brand since its launch was [[ECW December to Dismember|December to Dismember]]. On March 14, 2007, WWE announced that all future PPV's 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>

==''ECW on Sci Fi''==

==''ECW on Sci Fi''==

[[Image:Ecwset.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The ECW set used from [[October 31]], 2006 - Present]]

[[Image:Ecwset.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The ECW set used from October 31, 2006 - Present]]

ECW's weekly series was originally given a run of a thirteen episode "summer series" by the [[Sci Fi Channel (United States)|Sci Fi Channel]]. Because of 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=October 11|accessyear=2006}}</ref> The premiere of ECW's weekly show on the Sci Fi Channel received a 2.79 [[Nielsen Ratings|rating]], 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=www.thefutoncritic.com|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/pr.aspx?id=20060614scifi01|accessdate=2007-07-08}}</ref>

ECW's weekly series was originally given a run of a thirteen episode "summer series" by the [[Sci Fi Channel (United States)|Sci Fi Channel]]. Because of 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=October 11|accessyear=2006}}</ref> The premiere of ECW's weekly show on the Sci Fi Channel received a 2.79 [[Nielsen Ratings|rating]], 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=www.thefutoncritic.com|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/pr.aspx?id=20060614scifi01|accessdate=2007-07-08}}</ref>

While the show started out a [[Nielsen Ratings|ratings]] success for both Sci Fi Channel and WWE, it began drawing criticism from fans of the original ECW early on. This was most evident by the [[Heat (professional wrestling)#X-Pac heat|negative crowd reaction]] "old school" fans gave the main event of [[Dave Bautista|Batista]] vs. [[Paul Wight|The Big Show]] at the [[August 1]] [[2006]] show from [[Hammerstein Ballroom]].<ref>http://www.onlineonslaught.com/features/20060801.shtml</ref><ref>http://www.pwtorch.com/artman/exec/view.cgi/15/17507</ref>

While the show started out a [[Nielsen Ratings|ratings]] success for both Sci Fi Channel and WWE, it began drawing criticism from fans of the original ECW early on. This was most evident by the [[Heat (professional wrestling)#X-Pac heat|negative crowd reaction]] "old school" fans gave the main event of [[Dave Bautista|Batista]] vs. [[Paul Wight|The Big Show]] at the August 1, 2006 show from [[Hammerstein Ballroom]].<ref>http://www.onlineonslaught.com/features/20060801.shtml</ref><ref>http://www.pwtorch.com/artman/exec/view.cgi/15/17507</ref>

Unlike the original promotion which primarily ran television tapings in smaller arenas, ECW shows are now held in larger arenas as a part of ''[[WWE Friday Night SmackDown!|SmackDown!]]'''s Tuesday taping schedule. ECW usually airs live on Tuesdays directly 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>, however, it is occasionally taped before ''SmackDown!'', and placed on a [[Tape delay (broadcasting)|tape delay]] until later in the night<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajah.com/base/node/6941|title=WWE Smackdown! & ECW Tapings (12/12/06)|accessdate=2007-02-07 }}</ref> depending on what circumstances dictate. When touring the [[West Coast of the United States|west coast]], which is in the [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific time zone]] ECW shows broadcast live before the ''SmackDown!'' event tapes<!--<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.asp?id=23037&p|title=PWInsider Live Report}}</ref>. -->

Unlike the original promotion which primarily ran television tapings in smaller arenas, ECW shows are now held in larger arenas as a part of ''[[WWE Friday Night SmackDown!|SmackDown!]]'''s Tuesday taping schedule. ECW usually airs live on Tuesdays directly 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>, however, it is occasionally taped before ''SmackDown!'', and placed on a [[Tape delay (broadcasting)|tape delay]] until later in the night<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajah.com/base/node/6941|title=WWE Smackdown! & ECW Tapings (12/12/06)|accessdate=2007-02-07 }}</ref> depending on what circumstances dictate. When touring the [[West Coast of the United States|west coast]], which is in the [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific time zone]] ECW shows broadcast live before the ''SmackDown!'' event tapes<!--<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.asp?id=23037&p|title=PWInsider Live Report}}</ref>. -->

===Authority figures===

===Authority figures===

*[[Paul Heyman]] - "ECW Representative" ([[June 7]], [[2006]] - [[December 4]], [[2006]])

*[[Paul Heyman]] - "ECW Representative" (June 7, 2006 - December 4, 2006)

*[[Mr. McMahon]] - Chairman of ECW's parent company WWE.

*[[Mr. McMahon]] - Chairman of ECW's parent company WWE.

===Commentators===

===Commentators===

*'''[[Joey Styles]]''' ([[June 7]], [[2006]] - present)

*'''[[Joey Styles]]''' (June 7, 2006 - present)

*'''[[Tazz]]''' ([[June 7]], [[2006]] - present)

*'''[[Tazz]]''' (June 7, 2006 - present)

==References==

==References==