12 Misconceptions About ECW You Probably Believe
3. The Spirit Of ECW Died In 2001
It’s easy to think of ECW as just a ‘90s relic — a blood-soaked throwback with no real impact on wrestling today. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Without ECW, there’d be no Ring of Honor. ROH popped up just a year after ECW folded, with many of the same wrestlers and a focus on work rate and realism — basically ECW’s rebellious blueprint. TNA’s X-Division? Totally ECW-inspired. And AEW? They’re practically carrying the torch, mixing hardcore spirit, athleticism, and passionate storytelling for a fanbase that lives and breathes wrestling.
Don’t forget the indies like GCW, CZW, and PWG — all keep that “DIY but dangerous” vibe alive, packing venues with hardcore fans just like ECW did.
ECW wasn’t just a flash in the pan. It rewrote the rulebook and shaped the wrestling world we know today.