ktc

Dueling Chair Shots
by Kurt La Mont
Column date 01/18/2001

For a long time I knew there were a lot of problems within ECW and I knew that these problems were compiling. Yet despite the loss of TV, cancelled shows, not producing any new TV, etc., I still was pretty optimistic. However, Sunday was a very demoralizing day as it was widely speculated that ECW was expecting to fold any day. While this was nothing really new what made me concerned was the report of the reactions of the wrestlers after the show on Saturday. To me that was more of a sign of an impending collapse than anything else that has happened over the past 4 months. I decided on Sunday to do a 'eulogy' column of sorts on Monday. However, when Monday rolled around I decided all this talk was overblown and my thoughts were confirmed when I was directed to Spike Dudley's message board. So while ECW is definitely on hiatus at the moment they are far from collapsing. I truly believe it.

I think it's assumed by most fans that what ECW needs most is a TV deal and if they get that they will be all set. Well, first of all, TNN shows you that a TV deal doesn't guarantee you anything. They can get a TV deal but if they can't operate it does no good. ECW's real problem is a lack of money. That can be corrected really quickly, however, if ECW were to be sold to the right people for the right price. And if the cash hemorrhaging WCW truly sold for $75 million as I read in published reports, i.e. not the sheets, finding a buyer may not be as tough as you think. But like we saw with the sale of WCW it takes time to do so its not going to happen overnight.

However, no one in their right mind would buy ECW without a TV deal in place. Conversely, no TV network will take a chance on a promotion that could go under any second. A network has to be able to know that there is some financial stability in place, which there currently isn't.

So this is what I think is the problem; you can't get a buyer without TV and you can't get TV without a buyer. The key will be bringing the two parties together, but I think that will happen given a little bit of time. And I'd be shocked to see any kind of announcement where we only get one of the two necessary changes. It's definitely has to be a joint venture between these two parties and I think when there's an announcement we'll see both a new owner and a TV deal in place.

While many people assume that the loss of MSG and the uncertain future of every other Hardcore TV home is a bad sign I think just the opposite. By pulling MSG, and any other Hardcore TV channel that may not run anymore, this shows me that ECW has faith that they can secure a TV deal. It cost ECW money on each and every Hardcore TV station they were shown on, MSG being especially expensive. With a limited schedule these stations were not providing the return that ECW was spending to air on these channels. It was essentially lost money.

So if ECW no longer shows programming on these channels they are no longer spending money that they really don't have in the first place which is a good thing. Frankly, I'm surprised that ECW continued the syndicated show when they initially aired on TNN. This time around, when a TV deal is secured, I'd be shocked if ECW continued airing an additional syndicated show. So in conclusion, I fully expect ECW to be back on its feet with a new owner and a new Network TV deal shortly, just give it a little bit of time, it'll happen.

Next week, baring any major news, I will take a look at the holders of ECW's titles over the past year and see if I can find any patterns. If you have any comments or questions feel free to e-mail me at [email protected].

Past editions of Dueling Chair Shots
10/4/99
10/16/99
10/27/99
11/5/99
11/10/99
11/17/99
11/19/99
12/03/99
12/10/99
12/17/99
01/03
01/19
01/29
02/04
02/14
02/22
02/29
03/06
03/13
03/20
04/12
04/28
05/08
05/18
05/23
05/30
06/05
06/13
06/21
06/29
07/06
07/11
07/17
07/24
08/01
08/07
08/20
08/30
09/06
09/14
09/20
09/27
10/05
10/12
10/24
11/01
11/06
11/16
11/28
12/04
12/09
12/28
01/04

01/11