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Post by Celexa Bliss 54 on Dec 12, 2021 17:56:23 GMT -5
My introduction to ECW was in 1995, through the Apter mags, but the first time I actually saw it on TV was in August 1996. As such, I have a couple of questions.
1. Where is the best place to start if I want to experience "classic" ECW? I'm not really interested in the Eastern Championship Wrestling days, but what would be considered the start of ECW's "golden age"?
2. When did they first start using the Pulp Fiction theme for promos? And before they used it, did they still do that style of promo, with a different song?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2021 18:57:17 GMT -5
My introduction to ECW was in 1995, through the Apter mags, but the first time I actually saw it on TV was in August 1996. As such, I have a couple of questions. 1. Where is the best place to start if I want to experience "classic" ECW? I'm not really interested in the Eastern Championship Wrestling days, but what would be considered the start of ECW's "golden age"? 2. When did they first start using the Pulp Fiction theme for promos? And before they used it, did they still do that style of promo, with a different song? ECW in its " golden age" starts with Ultra Clash '93. in October of 1993. It's the show where Paul Heyman takes over as booker. Its still called Eastern Championship Wrestling until 1994 though even though its already become extreme by that point. As for the Pulp Fiction promos, no clue when they started. It wasn't until after the aforementioned Paul Heyman takeover though. |
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Post by James Fabiano on Dec 12, 2021 22:33:48 GMT -5
I'd recommend 1995. Still had great wrestlers and personalities, and major storylines were brewing.
The first PF promo was I think the episode where they had the Pitbulls/Flock rematch where Raven and Stevie win the belts back, then they tease the start of the second Three-Way Dance. So sometime in October of '95?
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Post by BlackoutCreature on Dec 12, 2021 23:41:14 GMT -5
I'd recommend their Double Tables show in February 1995 as probably around the best place to start.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2021 8:36:48 GMT -5
I'd recommend their Double Tables show in February 1995 as probably around the best place to start. You miss the first classic three way dance, Sandman caning Dreamer,and Shane Douglas throwing down the NWA belt if you start here. |
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Post by BlackoutCreature on Dec 13, 2021 8:54:46 GMT -5
I'd recommend their Double Tables show in February 1995 as probably around the best place to start. You miss the first classic three way dance, Sandman caning Dreamer,and Shane Douglas throwing down the NWA belt if you start here. Yeah, but the OP is looking for "classic ECW", not every great moment in ECW history. I was reluctant to recommend him skipping the whole Cactus Jack/Mikey Whipwreck tag team era as well. But early 95 is really when ECW became the ECW we all remember and not just one or two ECW-esque matches and angles like you mentioned and a whole bunch of pointlessness thrown in. |
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Post by Celexa Bliss 54 on Dec 13, 2021 9:21:15 GMT -5
You miss the first classic three way dance, Sandman caning Dreamer,and Shane Douglas throwing down the NWA belt if you start here. Yeah, but the OP is looking for "classic ECW", not every great moment in ECW history. I was reluctant to recommend him skipping the whole Cactus Jack/Mikey Whipwreck tag team era as well. But early 95 is really when ECW became the ECW we all remember and not just one or two ECW-esque matches and angles like you mentioned and a whole bunch of pointlessness thrown in. FWIW, I actually went back and watched the episode with the Sandman/Dreamer segment and Douglas throwing down the belt, as well as the following week w/ Mikey and Cactus winning the titles last night lol And I've seen the original 3-way dance a bunch of times. I decided to "officially" start with the episode that highlights the Double Tables match and go from there. |
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Post by James Fabiano on Dec 13, 2021 9:57:18 GMT -5
Yeah, but the OP is looking for "classic ECW", not every great moment in ECW history. I was reluctant to recommend him skipping the whole Cactus Jack/Mikey Whipwreck tag team era as well. But early 95 is really when ECW became the ECW we all remember and not just one or two ECW-esque matches and angles like you mentioned and a whole bunch of pointlessness thrown in. FWIW, I actually went back and watched the episode with the Sandman/Dreamer segment and Douglas throwing down the belt, as well as the following week w/ Mikey and Cactus winning the titles last night lol And I've seen the original 3-way dance a bunch of times. I decided to "officially" start with the episode that highlights the Double Tables match and go from there. Let's compromise. Maybe start in late 1994. As this leads into 1995, which IMO is the peak period. And actually, maybe the NWA tournament is a good place to start. For the obvious reason. But also you get Sandman caning Tommy, this is when they started pushing Dreamer as belonging with the hardcore wrestlers. It's also a good sample of what you need to know about the Sandman gimmick (he carries a Singapore cane based on current events at the time. Woman has him do her dirty work. He is also pretty much the character we all know by then with the cigarettes then soon the beer) Last quarter 94 also features... - Sandman blinded (or so we think). - Taz joins the Dangerous Alliance, forming the Sabu/Taz team officially. Also their problems with Public Enemy (because Rocco was stealing Sabu's table bit) and Malenko and Benoit (Taz and Dean had a feud for the TV title; Benoit and Sabu we all know). You need this to get the three-way dance build. And of course Sabu and Taz being a team at one time becomes important later. - I think '94 is when Stevie Richards' winning streak using Scott Levy personas begins, until he loses to Tommy Dreamer and, well, you know... - The Pitbulls get humiliated by 911, which leads to Bad Breed mocking them, leading to the losers break up match, which leads to the Axl vs. Ian feud. |
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Post by Celexa Bliss 54 on Dec 13, 2021 10:09:39 GMT -5
One thing I'm noticing that I never got from reading the Apter mags or retrospectives is how hard they were pushing Benoit in early 95. I just watched the episode where he wrestled Al Snow (great match), then cost Public Enemy the titles while putting Sabu through a table. And then, the following episode started with a music video dedicated to him, followed by a promo that started building to the second three-way dance. (also, I love that at the start of this whole feud, all three teams were technically heels, but now Public Enemy and Sabu/Taz are basically turning face because Benoit and Malenko are the biggest assholes of the three lol)
Also, I've gone on record as saying my favorite episode is the WrestlePalooza 97 show with Dreamer/Raven, Sabu/Taz and Taz/Douglas, but the show with Sandman/Dreamer and Douglas throwing down the NWA title is a very close second for me.
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Post by Celexa Bliss 54 on Dec 13, 2021 17:31:26 GMT -5
So, I'm at the build up to the 3-Way Dance for the Tag Team Championship. I love how they've made this storyline the focus of the show, alongside the Cactus Jack and Shane Douglas vs. Sandman and Terry Funk feud, and Raven vs. Dreamer. Because there are so many intersecting angles here. Benoit broke Sabu's neck, Malenko and Taz have been feuding, Sabu and Taz have been feuding with Public Enemy over the table spots, but Public Enemy also want Malenko and Benoit, since Benoit cost them the Tag Team Titles. Plus, Benoit and Maleko are aligned with Douglas in the Triple Threat, but Malenko is managed by Jason, who also manages The Pitbulls, who are now feuding with Public Enemy. And another Jason client, Paul Lauria, is feuding with Mikey Whipwreck, who previously feuded with Jason, The Pitbulls and Public Enemy in the previous year. This has been some great stuff to watch.
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Post by flowercity on Dec 14, 2021 0:04:29 GMT -5
Where’s the best place to watch classic ECW? I know the easiest would be peacock but I really want to watch it with the original audio.
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Post by Celexa Bliss 54 on Dec 15, 2021 17:53:00 GMT -5
Got another question: on the April 25th, 1995 episode, they hold a press conference, where Shane Douglas is represented by his lawyer. Anyone know who played her??
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Post by 67 more on Dec 16, 2021 12:21:31 GMT -5
Where’s the best place to watch classic ECW? I know the easiest would be peacock but I really want to watch it with the original audio. If you don't mind giving money to an attempted child molester, RF Video sells a whole bunch of intact ECW, but that would get very expensive. That's the only legal avenue I would be able to think of |
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Post by cjh on Dec 16, 2021 12:33:11 GMT -5
Where’s the best place to watch classic ECW? I know the easiest would be peacock but I really want to watch it with the original audio. If you don't mind giving money to an attempted child molester, RF Video sells a whole bunch of intact ECW, but that would get very expensive. That's the only legal avenue I would be able to think of Highspots also sells ECW stuff via a deal with RF. It's all in VHS quality, though. I've bought every ECW PPV from Highspots, and RF clearly just ordered those shows, put a tape in his VCR, and hit record. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2021 15:25:55 GMT -5
One thing I'm noticing that I never got from reading the Apter mags or retrospectives is how hard they were pushing Benoit in early 95. I just watched the episode where he wrestled Al Snow (great match), then cost Public Enemy the titles while putting Sabu through a table. And then, the following episode started with a music video dedicated to him, followed by a promo that started building to the second three-way dance. (also, I love that at the start of this whole feud, all three teams were technically heels, but now Public Enemy and Sabu/Taz are basically turning face because Benoit and Malenko are the biggest assholes of the three lol) Also, I've gone on record as saying my favorite episode is the WrestlePalooza 97 show with Dreamer/Raven, Sabu/Taz and Taz/Douglas, but the show with Sandman/Dreamer and Douglas throwing down the NWA title is a very close second for me. Wrestlepalooza 97 is one of my favorite wrestling shows ever. That entire hour of content you listed is basically the epitome of everything I love in pro wrestling in one package. As for Benoit, Heyman said back in the Rise and Fall doc that he wanted him to be ECW Champion but then he got signed by WCW. |
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Post by Celexa Bliss 54 on Dec 16, 2021 16:38:56 GMT -5
If you don't mind giving money to an attempted child molester, RF Video sells a whole bunch of intact ECW, but that would get very expensive. That's the only legal avenue I would be able to think of Highspots also sells ECW stuff via a deal with RF. It's all in VHS quality, though. I've bought every ECW PPV from Highspots, and RF clearly just ordered those shows, put a tape in his VCR, and hit record. If you order through Highspots, does RF get a cut from that? Cause I have about $200 in gift money to spend and I'm considering ordering some 95-97 content. But I'd just as soon not give that POS anything. This channel has been uploading unedited ECW content, along with lots of old wrestling shows from WWF and WCW, even some Smokey Mountain and Memphis. www.youtube.com/channel/UCnbJDq2BPO1nR5XwDg_r47g |
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Post by Celexa Bliss 54 on Dec 16, 2021 16:45:00 GMT -5
One thing I'm noticing that I never got from reading the Apter mags or retrospectives is how hard they were pushing Benoit in early 95. I just watched the episode where he wrestled Al Snow (great match), then cost Public Enemy the titles while putting Sabu through a table. And then, the following episode started with a music video dedicated to him, followed by a promo that started building to the second three-way dance. (also, I love that at the start of this whole feud, all three teams were technically heels, but now Public Enemy and Sabu/Taz are basically turning face because Benoit and Malenko are the biggest assholes of the three lol) Also, I've gone on record as saying my favorite episode is the WrestlePalooza 97 show with Dreamer/Raven, Sabu/Taz and Taz/Douglas, but the show with Sandman/Dreamer and Douglas throwing down the NWA title is a very close second for me. Wrestlepalooza 97 is one of my favorite wrestling shows ever. That entire hour of content you listed is basically the epitome of everything I love in pro wrestling in one package. As for Benoit, Heyman said back in the Rise and Fall doc that he wanted him to be ECW Champion but then he got signed by WCW. I had that show taped off of TV back when I was 12 and as soon as I watched it, I knew it was my favorite episode. I actually have another question, just because my memory is so foggy after 25 years lol were the commercials aired during Hardcore TV always for ECW merch? Because I remember the ads for like the Brian Pillman t-shirt (that they couldn't show without being thrown off the air) and for the videos (AND THE NIGHT KIMONA WANA LAYA DANCED ATOP THE ECW ARENA), but were there any actual commercials? I do know that my station would usually air the Dave Thomas Adoption Foundation commercial before and after the show, but I can't remember if they ever aired real commercials during it. |
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Post by James Fabiano on Dec 16, 2021 19:59:21 GMT -5
Wrestlepalooza 97 is one of my favorite wrestling shows ever. That entire hour of content you listed is basically the epitome of everything I love in pro wrestling in one package. As for Benoit, Heyman said back in the Rise and Fall doc that he wanted him to be ECW Champion but then he got signed by WCW. I had that show taped off of TV back when I was 12 and as soon as I watched it, I knew it was my favorite episode. I actually have another question, just because my memory is so foggy after 25 years lol were the commercials aired during Hardcore TV always for ECW merch? Because I remember the ads for like the Brian Pillman t-shirt (that they couldn't show without being thrown off the air) and for the videos (AND THE NIGHT KIMONA WANA LAYA DANCED ATOP THE ECW ARENA), but were there any actual commercials? I do know that my station would usually air the Dave Thomas Adoption Foundation commercial before and after the show, but I can't remember if they ever aired real commercials during it. Oh yes. The AmeriFit ad was the most infamous when I was watching ("We interrupt this program for a SPECIAL REPORT!") |
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Post by BlackoutCreature on Dec 16, 2021 20:16:25 GMT -5
I remember buying some VHS tapes of the earliest ECW episodes (from 1993 and early 1994) where they would constantly air commercials for a business called Carver W. Reed, but they were all so incredibly vague about what Carver W. Reed actually was and it just felt so sketchy. It wasn't until years later that I discovered it was the name of Todd Gordon's jewelry/pawn shop.
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Post by Celexa Bliss 54 on Dec 16, 2021 20:49:27 GMT -5
OK, another question. Did ECW on TNN use licensed music, or were they forced to use cover tracks? I only ever saw ten minutes of the TNN show, when Tommy Dreamer beat Tazz, then immediately lost to Justin Credible, for the World Title.
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