ECW Can Return

There has been much talk in wrestling circles during the past few weeks about the return of a wrestling company that is regarded with godlike status by some die-hard fans. That company is Extreme Championship Wrestling.

After the WWE gained the rights to the entire ECW video library and all the logos connected with the company, may have stated that they would once again like to see ECW hold shows, under the leadership of Paul Heyman. But at the same time, many have pointed out that this wouldn't truly be ECW, that it would be nothing more than a WWE pawn, with the same writing teams that are at times heavily criticised for the way they plan and execute the weekly Raw and Smackdown shows.

It is my personal belief that as a company, ECW can live again. Shows can be promoted under the ECW banner, under the watchful eye of Paul Heyman. But it wouldn't work the way it did before. Here is my idea.

In Ohio, Jim Cornette gains many plaudits with the way he runs and promotes Ohio Valley Wrestling, the regional promotion that is used as a feeder group for the WWE. Current WWE stars such as Brock Lesnar, Shelton Benjamin, Charlie Haas and the Basham Brothers have plied their trade in this group, being groomed for the big stage.

The ECW group could be used in a similar way. Firstly, Vince McMahon would have to decide just where he would want his ECW promotion based. Then he could use his bargaining skills in an attempt to get his group local airtime. Just one hour's worth a week would do.

With the television contract in place, the WWE board would then have to decide just how much of a budget this new company would get. There is no way that a new company would be given the kind of production money that Raw and Smackdown currently commands. Besides, this new group would be used to compete on an equal footing with it's parent group.

Then McMahon would have to take the bold decision of putting Paul Heyman in charge of the operation. However, McMahon probably wouldn't put him in charge of the financial side of things. Heyman is regarded as a god among some fans for his booking practices. However, if Heyman was so good at running the entire ECW company before, why did it go under? Just leave Heyman to run the wrestling side of things. There are plenty of people who could handle the money side.

So with the new ECW company in place, with it's first shows planned and it's local television contract in place, just who would fill up the roster? Would former ECW alumni such as Rob Van Dam, the Dudleys, and Lance Storm be used.

Remember, this would be a feeder group for the WWE - such stars who have plied their trade on the big stage would perhaps consider this as something of a demotion, going from a multinational company to what is essentially a regional promotion. These wrestlers could be used to help kick-start the company, and in the beginning they could help put over other, less well-known talent. But unless it was really called for, such wrestlers should not be used for the new ECW.

With Paul Heyman at the creative helm, and with the WWE funding all aspects of the group, ECW could return and become a small but ultimately successful promotion, a training ground for the superstars of tomorrow, and where the superstars of today could try and work off the ring rust after returning from injuries.

The old ECW, as we know it, no longer exists, and probably will never exist again. We have our memories, and doubtless, courtesy of the WWE, we'll eventually have countless video memories available to use on the shelves of our local stores.

ECW can live again. But not the ECW many of us want to see.