So ECW is going off the air in 3 weeks. It's about time! It has been universally panned for the 4 or so years of it's existence. Now, I actually don't hate WWE's version of ECW as much as most. I'm certainly not one of the fans who believes it could have and should have been exactly like the old ECW. It was never gonna be that, no matter how hard WWE tried (and they didn't). But I really didn't mind them using the namesake and running the brand "in the spirit" of the original ECW. What I mean by that is that it could have featured more action and more showcasing by younger stars and been a vehicle for them to get themselves over. A WWE sponsored feeder-fed, if you will. And at times it almost was that. WWE even got some good superstars from it like CM Punk, Kofi Kingston, Sheamus, and Evan Bourne. And I would dare say that on certain weeks, especially since Christian arrived, they've had the best match quality of any show. So, I really can't see calling it a total failure unless you were expecting flaming tables and barbed-wire kendo sticks every week. That was only part of what made the original ECW good. But it was more the fact that they had compelling characters who had the freedom to develop themselves.
At any rate, WWE never really seemed to know what to do with it. First they tried to make it a legit 3rd brand on the level of Raw and Smackdown. It quickly became a glorified version of Heat though. They should have re-branded at that time but instead just treated the WWE universe like idiots who were just supposed to accept Chavo Guerrero main events as the best they had to offer. They kind of got the idea with the new superstar initiative but never really delivered the way they could have. Just call it what it is! The place where wrestlers become superstars!
Well it seems they are finally fully embracing that approach with WWE NXT (assuming that is the name they go with in 3 weeks). And I really hope they do keep it as a match-based show and not turn it into a rewind for Smackdown and Raw. Let some of these FCW guys come up and show what they've got on national TV. It's the right move, perhaps just a little to late.
And as for the show itself last night:
- Abraham Washington is not over. This segment sucks every week. Even Christian and Ryder (who I like) barely made it watchable.
- Interesting use of the real-life Helms arrest. It seemed to flop though. I guess a lot of people are oblivious to the story.
- Trent Baretta vs. Yoshi Tatsu was... meh. I can't take Yoshi Tatsu seriously as he just seems like WWE's latest token Japanese guy. I believe Baretta and Croft could really be a part of a tag team wrestling revival, but I'm sure WWE has no interest in that.
- Shelton Benjamin is so damn good. I wish he could just find that missing... whatever it is. His matches are always entertaining and he should be on a path to Main Event status. Vance Archer on the other hand has not impressed me. Really, what does he do that a 100 other guys don't? So, I hate that he beats a guy like Shelton who has ridiculous athletic talent. Have him beat Goldust.
- Christian vs. Ryder was decent. Ryder has a ways to go, but I like his mic work and his gimmick. He could use a couple more defining moves to get him over as a legit threat in the ring.
- It looks like the Ezekial/Christian feud is not over. What a shame that would be if this lead to a final ECW title match in which Jackson won and was the last ECW Champ. I hope that doesn't happen. Christian has done an admirable job with such a laughable title. The belt should be retired with him as champ. The only other "right way" to end it would be to bring an original ECW legend back and have him win the title from Christian, so that an ECW original will be forever remembered as the last ECW champ (though hardcore fans know it was truly Rhino in 2001). I wouldn't mind seeing an RVD vs. Christian match at the Elimination Chamber PPV.
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