10 Biggest Missed Opportunities In WWE History

4. The ECW Revival

ECW locker room 2006
WWE.com

Sometimes it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie. WWE announced their intentions to revive Extreme Championship Wrestling on the back of their two highly-successful and critically acclaimed “One Night Stand” pay-per-views, but it was a disastrous move.

In marketing their new show under the ECW banner, WWE set an impossibly high standard for a show that could never live-up to expectations. ECW was a special promotion with a unique identity and the kind of character that just can’t be recreated in a Stamford boardroom, and WWE found this out the hard way.

Initially populating the “new” ECW roster with old faces like Sabu and The Sandman, WWE soon filled the brand with bland personalities like Bobby Lashley, and a host of unseasoned rookies that just didn’t fit the ECW mould.

Culminating with the horrific “December to Dismember” PPV and Vince McMahon himself winning the ECW Championship, WWE made a mockery of what could’ve been a unique, exciting alternative to Raw and SmackDown.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.