10 Things We Learned From Bruce Prichard's WWF & ECW Podcast

10. Doug Furnas & Phil LaFon Led To Discussions Over WWF/ECW Relationship

Reading up on The Can-Am Express would lead fans to believe that Doug Furnas and Dan Kroffat worked for ECW before then signing for the WWF in time for the 1996 Survivor Series. According to Bruce Prichard, there was interest in Furnas and Kroffat beforehand from Vince McMahon's promotion.

Renamed Phil LaFon, Kroffat continued to team with Furnas in the WWF. During a meeting set-up to discuss deals with McMahon, Paul Heyman was present. Indirectly, the signing of Furnas and LaFon led to the WWF talking terms with ECW. Prichard explains this as an unofficial working relationship, one which wouldn't be openly recognised by either group.

The initial deal for Furnas and LaFon meant Paul Heyman could continue using them too. This parlayed nicely into an agreement between ECW and the WWF. Ideally, McMahon wanted to use ECW as a place he could develop talent without bringing the organisation under his umbrella.

That suited Heyman; he knew he would be loaned WWF talent from time to time on the understanding that he could give them some regional exposure.