Beefing up their weekly programming lineup, WWE expressed interest in launching their own version of ECW in 2006. The 2005 'One Night Stand' event had been a rip-roaring success, and the McMahon family saw merit in making money from the more hardcore leanings of the extinct promotion. Thus, ECW joined Raw and Smackdown, becoming a third brand the company could promote. The idea was curious to fans, who were willing to give the new brand a shot. Things turned sour quickly however, when it became clear that this version of Extreme Championship Wrestling would be nothing like the one which garnered rave reviews and a cult following in the 1990's. Even Paul Heyman himself, 'Mr. ECW' quickly went cold on WWE's vision for the show. The December To Dismember pay-per-view late in the year was an aberration, one Heyman distanced himself from. Within just 6 months, WWE had made ECW look tame and redundant. Without Heyman's involvement, ECW became a 'C' show each week, home to little excitement and stars the promotion had no big plans for. The brand was discontinued in 2010, and not before time.
Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.