10 Shocking Things You Learn Binge Watching Every ECW PPV
5. Joey Styles Was Better With A Partner
Right, so this isn't going to go down well.
Think of ECW commentary and you'll think of Joey Styles. He was a one-man announce booth for Paul Heyman, and he impressively carried entire three-hour broadcasts on his own. That shouldn't be overlooked. Also, please note the wording. Styles was "better" with a partner.
He deserves all the credit in the world for flying solo during numerous ECW pay-per-views, but having someone to bounce off of really helped break things up for Styles. Don Callis, in particular, was great heel foil for Joey, and Joel Gertner should be considered underrated as a colour commentator himself.
They enhanced Styles' performances, but crucially didn't try to meet him 50/50. Joey still assumed maybe...70% of the call, then let Callis and Gertner chime in to give his voice a rest. Some of the announcing in 2000, for example, is the best ECW commentary you'll find in the archives.