Should Tazz, Malenko, and Foley return to ECW?

[Sephiroth]

Its no secret that the ECW roster is pretty weak right now. They have only about a dozen active wrestlers. Most of them are relatively new talent who have only been with WWE for a year or two so far. They have only 3 ECW "originals" left-Stevie Richards, Tommy Dreamer, and Balls Mahoney. I have heard that a bunch of new talent is being called up from OVW to help fill in the roster a bit soon, but there are still going to be problems. The biggest one, I think, is that they lack veteran talent who are known and respected by the fans to help get these new guys over. That was clearly the plan they had in mind earlier this year when they switched the rosters up. Chris Benoit was to be the banner carrier for ECW, and was to help groom CM Punk, John Morrison, The Miz, and Elijah Burke for future greatness. But, as we all know, that did not turn out. At this point, Stevie, Tommy, and Balls have all been thoroughly buried, and so they have little value outside of helping these new guys learn the ropes. So now, they are trading guys like Kane with Smackdown to try to help. But there is one resource that they have not tapped, and probably not without good reason.
I think that bringing Tazz, Dean Malenko, and Mick Foley, back into active action on the ECW roster is not a bad idea. All 3 men are ECW veterans, all greatly respected by fans. Foley has shown no opposition to helping establish new talent, as he has proven with Edge and Randy Orton. I think a short but intense feud with The Miz could help boost the future superstar to no end. While Malenko and Tazz don't seem to have any desire to get back into the ring, I think a short return, perhaps for just a few months leading up into Wrestlemania this year, would give ECW a big shot in the arm. Malenko still probably has enough talent left to help put on a great match with Punk, and Tazz could help Morrison to really look like the new face of extreme. Perhaps WWE could even try to woo Lance Storm into a brief return to help get some new faces over. It is an unlikely scenario, to be sure. But I think it would be both awesome and incredibly helpful if WWE was to engage this strategy. Anyone agree?

[joecro]

if Malenko and Taz can still go at it i say sure. Have foley as more of a GM/wrestler than a full time wrestler. (oh and with Estrada pair him back with Umaga)

[heyguesswhatidid]

sephiroth said:

Its no secret that the ECW roster is pretty weak right now. They have only about a dozen active wrestlers. Most of them are relatively new talent who have only been with WWE for a year or two so far. They have only 3 ECW "originals" left-Stevie Richards, Tommy Dreamer, and Balls Mahoney. I have heard that a bunch of new talent is being called up from OVW to help fill in the roster a bit soon, but there are still going to be problems. The biggest one, I think, is that they lack veteran talent who are known and respected by the fans to help get these new guys over. That was clearly the plan they had in mind earlier this year when they switched the rosters up. Chris Benoit was to be the banner carrier for ECW, and was to help groom CM Punk, John Morrison, The Miz, and Elijah Burke for future greatness. But, as we all know, that did not turn out. At this point, Stevie, Tommy, and Balls have all been thoroughly buried, and so they have little value outside of helping these new guys learn the ropes. So now, they are trading guys like Kane with Smackdown to try to help. But there is one resource that they have not tapped, and probably not without good reason.
I think that bringing Tazz, Dean Malenko, and Mick Foley, back into active action on the ECW roster is not a bad idea. All 3 men are ECW veterans, all greatly respected by fans. Foley has shown no opposition to helping establish new talent, as he has proven with Edge and Randy Orton. I think a short but intense feud with The Miz could help boost the future superstar to no end. While Malenko and Tazz don't seem to have any desire to get back into the ring, I think a short return, perhaps for just a few months leading up into Wrestlemania this year, would give ECW a big shot in the arm. Malenko still probably has enough talent left to help put on a great match with Punk, and Tazz could help Morrison to really look like the new face of extreme. Perhaps WWE could even try to woo Lance Storm into a brief return to help get some new faces over. It is an unlikely scenario, to be sure. But I think it would be both awesome and incredibly helpful if WWE was to engage this strategy. Anyone agree?

You forgot Nunzio as an original.


I would mark hard for one more Malenko run.

[Arthur Digby Stamp]

As much as I love Tazz as a wrestler, I don't think he's anywhere close to being in ring shape, unfortunately.

[bubbles]

Yes to Malenko, no to the other 2. Foley as a commentator with Styles and Taz as a badass enforcer for Estrada is what I would wanna see.

[Hiroshi Hase]

I say no to all 3, as they should try to distance themselves from guys who are well past their prime and I'd rather not see any more Foley apperances (never thought I'd say that).

[Kenny Brockelstein]

joecro said:

if Malenko and Taz can still go at it i say sure. Have foley as more of a GM/wrestler than a full time wrestler. (oh and with Estrada pair him back with Umaga)

Why did they ever break them up in the first place? Umaga was way more interesting with Estrada and he barely does anything on ECW now anyway.

[Lord Rahl]

I dont think Tazz can wrestle anymore can he? I thought his neck was too messed up or something to that effect....hence the ***** match him and Lawler had at ONS2

[Hiroshi Hase]

johnwkd1 said:

I dont think Tazz can wrestle anymore can he? I thought his neck was too messed up or something to that effect....hence the ***** match him and Lawler had at ONS2

Tazz isn't ever wrestling again because of the neck injury and besides I think he is very comfortable with his announcing job.

[Turd Ferguson]

Foley shouldn't wrestle again, Tazz won't wrestle again, and the only viable answer would be Malenko.

How awesome would it have been if Malenko came out of retirement to feud with Benoit over the ECW title?

[J-Man R.]

I would say Have Foley as a GM and possibly announcer with Styles. Malenko as the captin of the orginals, and Tazz well rename him T-13 and have him be Mick's enforecer.

[Avalanche Alvarez]

None of the three guys you mentioned are even close to active for a schedule like ECW.
Definitely not Foley.
If they need to add to the roster, start shopping the indy markets.
Or promote from within. OVW.

[Timmy8271]

It seems like hardly Anyone from OVW is ready for the big time. Of course they have Cabana, Sydal, Jeter, and Steel they coudl bring in. ECW needs the Second City Saints.

[DrewVonAwesome]

Tazz is fine in the announcer position, Mick is good in his periodic appearances, but to me Dean would make a perfect add to the roster. Though I think Super Crazy, and Jamie Noble can and should be on the ECW roster to help add a little heft to the midcard.

[Branimal]

Seeing as this is as far from the original ECW vision as you can get (Don't get me wrong, I like the new ECW) I am against bringing back old ECW verterns..WWE is cleary trying to establish something different with this company.

I am very much against ever seeing Foley "put over" anyone again. He's done it so much now that it basically means nothing when he loses.

[Legion]

Don't wanna see Mick Foley anymore to be honest. They guy will do anything for cash, and although i respect him cos he knows he's doing it, he just doesnt have a role anymore.

Malenko i would buy, although he isnt exactly entertaining to casual fans.

Tazz was horrible in his WWE run, he doesnt need to come back. I dont even like him as an announcer, but if he must be on the show, leave him there.

I agree with the idea of raiding the indies/OVW. We need some new talent and ECW could be a good stepping stone show for people progressing up the WWE ladder. Although i mark like anyone else for the odd return, old returnees tend to outlive their welcome pretty quick when it becomes evident they cant go anymore.

[RedSmile]

No to all three. Malenko and Tazz can't because of injuries. Foley, as much as I like him, would be pointless. I could see Mick as a commentator though.

[shiranui]

Didn't Malenko actually wrestle earlier this year, having a (non-televised) match against Mistico when they were trying to get Mistico in WWE? According to newz sites, that match was supposedly quite good too.

If Malenko was indeed able to keep up with Mistico in their bout, I don't see why he couldn't work at least a few matches in ECW. I'm not sure if casual fans would particularly care for Dean-o-Machino, though.

[Tyfo]

I believe Malenko could still wrestle if he wanted to. He retired because it was obvious he wasnt going to be pushed at all and he thought he would be more useful to the company as an agent.