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Extreme Championship Wrestling Report – October 13th, 2009

Caution! Extreme! This means you!

The word ‘extreme‘ is defined as follows :

1 a : existing in a very high degree b : going to great or exaggerated lengths c : exceeding the ordinary, usual, or expected
2 archaic : last
3 : situated at the farthest possible point from a center
4 a : most advanced or thoroughgoing b : maximum (sport) that involves an unusually high degree of physical risk.

This is what was personified in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) until World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) bought the company out of bankruptcy. This match featuring ‘Mr. Pay-Per-View”, Rob Van Dam, facing the ‘Submission Machine’, Taz, is extreme in every way.

Bill Alfonso, RVD’s manager at the time and ex-manager of Taz, was the most extreme, trailer dwelling, trash talking, whistle blowing manager to ever grace a wrestling ringside. Van Dam seethed with extreme confidence in his abilities and exuberated extreme arrogance. Taz presented an extreme power and submission style of wrestling and attitude that, at times, even trumped Van Dam’s. Of course, as with all main events in pre-WWE ECW matches, somehow a table and/or a chair would find themselves extremely useful in getting the crowd pumped.

These wrestlers knew the meaning of the words ‘extreme’ and this televised non-pay-per-view match shows that while WWE was piddling around with heavy story-lines and pretty divas, there was another organization of wrestlers who brought forth the ‘extreme’.

Rob Van Dam vs Taz in a televised match.

The current Extreme Championship Wrestling title holder Christian (Cage) battled with the un-impressive, over-rated, under-talented, Ric Flair wanna-be, Zakk Ryder. If you’ll remember, Ryder side-kicked for Edge, yet did not do squat for his career when given the opportunity to stand out. No, the only thing Ryder has is done is look ridiculous, charm twits, and dress extremely bad. Christian, on the other hand, is a wonderful ECW Champion. Capturing and projecting the one thing that makes ECW successful. The willingness to talk trash, then get in the ring and back it up no matter what the cost.

Zakk Ryder vs Christian in a televised match. 

Still waiting for something “extreme” to happen.

Looking at today’s WWE owned Extreme Championship Wrestling, you are tempted think that the name is just a brand. While there are extreme wrestlers within the WWE ranks, including such draws as Jeff Hardy, The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Rey Mysterio,and etc.. none of them are used on this, supposed ‘extreme’, show. While Christian (Cage) and Tommy Dreamer have tried to save it’s  legacy, it seems WWE television is steering away from the ‘extreme label’ so it can never, reasonably, be compared to the growing popularity of the Mixed-Martial-Arts (MMA) groups. Quite honestly, I believe it may be time for WWE to entertain the idea of changing the name of the show and letting it die an honorable death.

What do you think of the world of Extreme Championship Wrestling?