8 Ways ECW Shaped Modern Wrestling

Before WWE’s extremely disappointing cruiserweight division, ECW showcased an influx of international talent for the U.S. audience. Without the deep pockets of Ted Turner or Vinnie Mac, Heyman was constantly on the prowl for young, hungry wrestlers willing to work cheap and desperately needing a break. He gave many foreign stars like Chris Jericho, Tajiri, and Super Crazy their first mainstream exposure.

The extreme mastermind also shone the spotlight onto different wrestling styles like lucha libre and puroresu, a stark contrast from the “sports-entertainment” formula of hulking up and destroying jobbers while mugging for the hard camera. In between the flaming tables and catfights, Eddie Guerrero and Dean Malenko grappled in thrilling chain wrestling exhibitions, and Rey Mysterio and Psicosis flung their bodies in breathless spectacles.

Heyman realized his educated audience would appreciate the international flavor, ultimately whetting their appetite for WCW’s explosive cruiserweight division, a roster primarily composed of ECW talent that Bischoff raided.