Extreme Championship Wrestling

Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) was a groundbreaking and influential professional wrestling promotion. The company became known for its rabidly loyal fanbase as well as its tendency to push the envelope with several extreme storylines. ECW, for instance, featured the first ever lesbian storyline in professional wrestling between Kimona Wana-Laya and Beulah McGillicutty. The group would showcase many different styles of professional wrestling, popularizing bloody hardcore wrestling and the three way dance. It was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon, and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001.

ECW in WWF

The Alliance

Soon after ECW closed, Heyman was hired by the WWF as an on-air character and writer. During The Invasion, the former ECW wrestlers "reformed" ECW with the storyline being Stephanie McMahon as the owner. Along with the WCW (with Shane McMahon being the owner) they joined together to form The Alliance. Heyman and Stephanie McMahon brought together the Dudley Boys, Tazz, Rob Van Dam, and Tommy Dreamer among others.

Related Topics:
The Invasion - Stephanie McMahon - Shane McMahon - The Alliance - Dudley Boys - Tazz - Rob Van Dam - Tommy Dreamer

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Throughout the summer and fall of 2001, the Alliance and WWF fought back and forth in battles culminating in a Winner Take All Match at the 2001 Survivor Series. The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin were the remaining survivors for their teams. The Alliance lost, after The Rock pinned Steve Austin, meaning their faction had to disband.

Related Topics:
Survivor Series - The Rock - Faction

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Alliance storyline was heavily critizied by fans. During the storylines, the WWF made all of their own wrestlers look vastly superior to the ECW and WCW wrestlers, which diminished those wrestlers' credibility.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Rise and Fall of ECW

In Summer 2003, WWE purchased ECW's assets in bankruptcy court, acquiring the rights to ECW's video library. They used this video library to put together a two-disc DVD entitled The Rise and Fall of ECW. The set was released in November 2004. The main feature of the DVD was a three-hour documentary on the company's history. The other disc featured bonus matches from ECW's history and hidden promos from wrestlers.

Related Topics:
Summer - 2003 - DVD - The Rise and Fall of ECW - November 2004

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The DVD sold quite well. Many retailers, including online sellers like Amazon.com and Best Buy could not keep enough in stock. The feature is currently ranked as WWE's second highest-selling DVD of all time, with the WrestleMania XX set topping the list.

Related Topics:
Amazon.com - Best Buy - WrestleMania XX

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~