9 Times ECW Was Better Than Literally EVERYTHING
5. Taz Turns Heel
The inciting incident for what ultimately became arguably ECW's most captivating programme during its creative zenith, Taz' heel turn at November To Remember 1995 was perfect in that it was unthinkable...until you thought about it.
Months earlier, his team with Sabu had been derailed by the 'suicidal, homicidal, genocidal' star electing to take a booking in Japan rather than a planned three way dance in April with The Public Enemy, Chris Benoit and Dean Makenko. Taz drafted in Rick Steiner that night, but Sabu's exit was the headline story anyway, with Paul Heyman taking the ring earlier in the night to confirm that he was gone for good thanks to the transgression.
Flash forward seven months, and he was going back on his words on the same night an injured Taz was forced into taking referee duties due to a serious neck injury suffered in the summer. Sabu was home for the fans, per Heyman, and was victorious over Hack Meyers in a statement win. By then though, the world - and the mood - had changed.
Livid with the company's decision to forgive and forget and none too pleased with the fans seemingly giving more of a toss about all of this than they ever did him when he was in the hospital, the miserable Brooklyn native aligned with the despised rule-enforcing referee Bill Alfonso, aiding him to a victory over Tod Gordon in what was supposed to be Alfonso's overdue comeuppance. Taz lived for anger, angering the locals, and the vengeance he promised on Sabu, so long as the silent maniac answered his challenge.
The long road to national pay-per-view had begun...