ECW returns to Philapdelphia

In principle it seemed like the obvious thing to do, take ECW back to the city where it was born. Not just that though, take it back to the very bingo hall where it all began. After all, TNA and countless indie companies from ROH and CZW to IWA MS and 3PW had all relied on the lure of the Viking Hall faithful to give their show credibility, so why shouldn't the rightful owners of the ECW legacy?

If only it was that simple. Bringing WWECW to Philly is like adding petrol to a still simmering barbecue - on a windy day!! This was too volatile and unpredictable a mix for WWE to ever expect to control and as such they got burnt. Whether it was the boos for WWE defectors like Kurt Angle and Big Show or the rejection of bastardized version of ECW favourites like the theme tune-less Sandman and the forgotten Tommy Dreamer. WWE have been fortunate thus far by running their TV in venues populated by WWE fans watching Smackdown or by running in venues like the Hammerstein Ballroom where they put the ticket price up high enough that they could keep out the riff raff. If ECW is going to be a lasting concern, then they are going to have to run the traditional ECW markets where fans are going to be less accepting of a neutered version of their hardcore icons and so WWE will have to work hard to try and get those fans to be loyal as it is those dedicated fans who are willing to spend the money that will stop ECW from being another XFL.

The only plus side of this show was the debut of CM Punk and the return of Stevie Richards. The ECW faithful embraced Punk as one of their own in a way that Angle and Big Show never will. Punk is the ultimate outsider as a result his straight edge beliefs and his 'king of the indie' reputation. But isn't being an outsider what ECW was all about. If any of the New Breed of ECW are going to make an impact it is Punk, so let's hope this is continued on to TV on Sci Fi this week and we don't see him fed to Big Show or dressed as an alien only to be caned by the Sandman.