7. Major League Wrestling
MLW -- or Major League Wrestling -- was one of the many ECW imitations to come along following the companys demise in 2001. Established in 2002 by former WWE creative writer and backstage wrestling personality, Court Bauer, MLW was meant to re-capture the hardcore wrestling audience. However, the promotion would be out of business in just two short years. Bauer described the company as the most violent, hard-hitting action mixed with cutting edge storylines creating a counter culture attitude that only MLW can deliver to its rabid fans. It was obvious from the get-go that Bauers Major League Wrestling was attempting to cash in on the closure of ECW. However, it wasnt the only game in town, as Combat Zone Wrestling and Larry Sharpe & Todd Sinclairs 3PW were also hellbent on capturing the so-called Extreme fanbase. MLW featured a handful of established veterans and ECW alumni, as well as some up-and-coming talent. The companys first Heavyweight Champion was none other than The Franchise Shane Douglas -- the first official ECW World Champion. However, by 2003, MLW was focused around former ECW Champion, Steve Corino and his Extreme Horsemen faction -- consisting of ECW alums, CW Anderson and Simon Diamond. These three feuded with wrestling legends like Terry Funk and Dusty Rhodes. However, MLW failed to offer a sufficient replacement for ECW and never broke out of being just another independent promotion. The company was clinging to the past and as such, eventually petered out. Major League Wrestling closed its doors in 2004.